I'll Keep You Safe

Tan Legs and New Found Confidence

Vanessa's POV:

Brooke Lynn and her parents stayed for a little bit. She offered to help me unpack some of my things, but I wouldn't let her. It wasn't her job. I couldn't get over how beautiful this girl was. From the second I caught her staring at me from the window, I couldn't get her face out of my head. I liked girls, but I didn't want to tell anyone because I didn't know how people in this area were going to be like.

It was getting dark. I had just gotten back to my room after dinner. I looked out my window towards the house next door. I could see Brooke Lynn sitting at her desk. She was writing. I walked out onto the balcony. She probably heard my door shut because she looked up. She smiled and walked out onto her balcony, directly across from me.

"Hey!" I smiled.

"Hey! Getting settled in well?" she asked.

"Yes, trying to. I have so much shit, man. Too much stuff to put away. So I'm done for the night."

"Well what are you doing tomorrow?" She asked me.

I thought for a second. "Gotta finish unpacking at some point. Why what's up?"

"My friends are coming over around noon. We are going to hang out by the pool. I figured you could come over and meet them."

"I'd really like that. Thank you!" I smiled, said goodnight, and then went in to get ready for bed. I was so tired. It had been a very long day, and I fell asleep instantly.

The next day, I got up and packed some boxes away, looking for my bathing suite. A red 2 piece. Red is my favorite color. I threw on my black mesh coverup and ran downstairs.

"Ma!" I yelled, she was in the kitchen, "I'm heading next door to Brooke Lynn's to meet some friends. I'll be home later."

"Alright, have fun."

I walked over to the neighbor's house and rang the doorbell.

"I've got it!" said an angelic voice on the other side of the door. The door swung open, and there the blonde beauty stood.

My throat went dry. How did someone look so beautiful in something so simple as a plain t-shirt and jean shorts? Her skin had a slight tan to it. She was stunning.

"You beat my friends!" Brooke Lynn smiled.

"Well, I had such along commute." I joked.

"Come on in." she said, rolling her eyes.

Her house was set up almost exactly like mine, floor plan wise. I knew it would be. These cookie cutter suburban homes were all the same. We went up to her room.

"It's not much, it's the same as yours." She smiled and my legs weakened.

What's wrong with me? I asked myself.

"So, I'm having like six friends over." Brooke said, "I'm sure they'll like you."

Over the next half hour, Brooke Lynn's friends started to arrive. I tried to keep up with their names. I needed a cheat sheet. There was Kameron, who looked sporty and muscular, Nina, who was tall and built kind of broad, but had a kind face. Trixie, who wore a bit too much makeup for this being a pool day, Katya, the Russian. Blair, who looked 12, and Aquaria, who seemed kind of snobby but nice for the most part. They were all nice, and beautiful....and blonde. I definitely stuck out like a sore thumb with my dark skin and hair. What can I say? My Puerto Rican genes were strong.

"So Vanessa, where did you move from" asked Nina with the kind face.

"New York."

"What brought you here?" asked Trixie.

"My mom's job, she's a stylist."

I didn't go into detail, it was a tad more complicated than that, but they didn't need to know yet.

The rest of the afternoon went well. These girls were very nice, definitely not how I thought teenage girls in LA would be. After several games of volleyball, the girls headed home one by one.

"Hey, Brooke Lynn." I called before disappearing into my own yard.

"What's up?"

"Want to come stay soon? Tonight, or tomorrow?" Where did this confidence come from? I'm so confused.

"Yeah!" her face lit up, "tonight?"

"Works for me."

I walked over and we exchanged numbers. She said she'd come over around 7. Perfect. I winked and then walked back to my house with a smile glued to my face.