A Summer of New Beginnings | Completed |

Chapter 8

I look across the beach, spying Gavin. He's standing with another girl, by the old lifeguard hut. Her oval-shaped eyes were a warm brown color that contrasts nicely with her cream-colored skin. The girl's lips were soft and full, and she had them tinted in a bright red color. Her face was heavily applied with makeup, so much that it was a shock that she could see through all her mascara. She had shoulder-length dark brown hair, which was smoother than silk. It fell in soft waves on her shoulders and down her back. My heart breaks as she kisses him deeply, pulling him close. Tears blind my vision. I knew it was too good to be true. AD was right. I was just another three-day fling.

I turned around, heading the other way. "Aspen! Aspen, please wait! I can explain!" Gavin calls out, his voice cracking.

I don't even look back. I run home, not being able to the key in the door, my hands are shaking so bad. I finally get it in, rushing into the house. AD's sitting on the couch, watching Youtube on his phone. I barely even glance at him, storming up the stairs.

I bury my face in a pillow, sobs wracking my entire body. I was so foolish. AD comes in my room, sitting on my bed. He rests his hand on my back. "Aspen, are you okay?"

"Leave me alone."

"Aspen.."

"Leave me alone!" he reluctantly walks out of my room. I sit up, watching him.

He dials someone on his phone. "Jessi, can you come over?" He pauses listening to her. "It's Aspen." He turns to me. "She stormed in the house, sobbing. I don't know what to do." He hangs up, glancing at me. He walks over, resting his hand on my shoulder. "I'm here for you, Aspen."

The doorbell rings. AD runs down the stairs, opening the door. "Where is she?"

"Her room."

She pounds up the stairs, stopping in my room. She glances at me. "Oh, Aspen, what happened?"

She sits on my bed, wrapping her arms around me. "I saw, Gavin.." I croak out.

"Saw him doing what?" She asks patiently, like a mother coaxing her young child, to tell the truth.

"He... he was kissing another girl. AD was right not to trust him."

AD walks in. Jessi turns to him, her eyes blazing. "Don't let Gavin in. "

His brows furrow. "I was right, wasn't I?" I nod. "If he comes over here, I'll beat him up. He won't mess with your heart on my watch."

I smile, sniffling. "Thanks, guys."

They turn to me. "We're here for you."

Jessi hugs me. I'll call my mom. "I'll stay over tonight." She goes on her phone, typing.

"Jessi, that's not necessary."

She looks up. "Already done." Her phone vibrates. "My mom's cool with it. She's dropping off some stuff in ten minutes."

AD stands, his eyes blazing. He pats my shoulder as he walks out.

Jessi and I head down to the basement, a container of ice cream in hand. "So, what are we going to watch?"

I smile. Thanks for doing this."

She smiles. "Of course I would do this Aspen. Friends are there for each other."