Meant To Be

Chapter 9

—Dawson's POV—

As I make my way to the docks, it gets a bit chilly so I proceed to put my jacket on. When I reach the top of the dock, I look down to see James dancing with his girlfriend. Fuck me. I shouldn't have came here in the first place. Maybe I should just leave James here. He can find a ride home by himself. Before I can even turn to walk, I hear a voice calling my name. Fuck.

"Dawson! Come down here man!" James calls from the bottom of the dock.

"I'm coming! Give me a second!" I shout.

The dock is not as big as I thought it would be. In fact, its only slightly bigger than my dorm room. I let out a very obvious sigh as I walk down to the tiny dock. A random drunk guy hands me a red plastic cup when I arrive and I try my best not to tell him to fuck off. I grab the cup from him and take a whiff of what's inside. Of course its beer. I need something stronger. James comes up from behind me and grabs my shoulders.

"You look like you need a drink." He says.

"I already have one." I tilt the red cup in my hand and show him.

"I meant something other than beer." He raises his eyebrows.

"Uhh... i'm actually fine with this. Thank you though." I reject his offer even though I'm yearning for some whiskey.

"Suit yourself then. You know what? I think i'm going to go for a swim." He says while pulling off his t-shirt.

"Are you for real right now?" I ask him.

"Of course dude. What could go wrong right?" He claims.

He takes his shoes off along with his socks and continues to slide his pants off, one leg at a time, leaving him only in his boxers. A couple of eyes glare at James but he doesn't seem to give a fuck. He takes a few steps behind to gain momentum. He starts to run towards the water and I can't hold in my laughter as he trips on a beer can. As James comes ashore, a few people clap their hands for him.

"Fuck! The water is freezing!" He yells.

"Yeah no shit dumbass." I say while laughing.

I feel someone tap my back and when I turn around, I see James' girlfriend and a group of girls behind her.

"Have you seen- OH MY GOD! JAMES! GET OUT OF THE WATER NOW!" Harper shouts, noticing James in the water.

I smile to the group of girls behind Harper and I notice an unfamiliar face.

"Harper, who's that?" I ask quietly while nodding towards the stranger.

"Oh yeah, sorry I totally forgot to introduce you. Aria, come here!" Harper instructs while waving her hand, beckoning the girl.

Aria. That's a beautiful name. Aria smiles and walks through the group of girls who seem to be ignoring her.

"Dawson meet Aria. Aria this is Dawson, the heartbreaker of the group." Harper says and hits my back.

"Hi Aria, it's nice to meet you. I'm Dawson, the heartbreaker apparently." I say, looking to Harper then back to Aria.