oxygen (e.d.)

chapter two

<ethan>

"slow down, bro." grayson says, planting a hand on my shoulder.

i ignore his comment and down another shot, the alcohol leaving a burning sensation in my throat.

it hurts, but i like it.

i slam the mini plastic shot glass down and the beach erupts in cheers.

the pier was my party spot back in high school, and now i'm glad no one abandoned the beach party traditions.

i grin, wiping my mouth and turning around.

"still got it, don't you?" grayson laughs.

"hell yeah!" i exclaim.

i sling my arm around his shoulder and lead him away from the group, preparing my mini speech i've been reciting to everyone i come across.

"this is the summer of fun, drinking, and getting crazy. no rules, no limits, and no strings attached," i smirk.

"wow," he shakes his head, "single ethan's back."

his words sting for a quick second, but i brush it off.

she's a sensitive topic, and he knows that.

"i'm gonna head off to the volleyball nets," i say, pointing behind me, "coming with?"

"i think i'm going to go home. you have fun, though. call me when you need picked up."

"picked up?" i scoff, "i'm not 14."

"i'm not letting you drive home with this much alcohol in your system."

"fine," i roll my eyes, "i'll text you."

"see ya, bro. make good choices." grayson reminds me, already backing away to the direction of his car.

"never!" i shout back with a cheeky grin.

i see him smile and roll his eyes.

turning my attention to the volleyball area, i study each of the girls, deciding on who i should offer to take home tonight.

my eyes land on a tan girl, tall and blonde. her electric green bikini is what draws me in.

i walk over to her and sit down on the sand next to her.

she side eyes me, but doesn't say anything.

"you play?" i ask, motioning to the players in front of us.

"yes." she responds.

so she's not easy. okay, i can still do it.

"what position?" i ask, raising an eyebrow and leaning back on my elbows.

"look," she says, clearly getting my innuendo, "i'm not easy like every other girl here. i suggest you just stop trying while you're not embarrassed."

she reminds me a lot of her.

"feisty," i smile, my eyes following the volleyball, "what's your name?" i ask, turning to her once again.

"hailey."

"tell me hailey, why do you think i'm hitting on you?"

she looks taken aback and blinks a few times.

"i'm just... used to it?"

my defense mechanism for getting rejected isn't the best, but it saves me from big time shame, so i continue to use it.

"i actually came over here to tell you that looking 'donald trump orange' isn't a new trend. later." i stand up, patting sand off my butt.

i hear her scoff, and i smirk as i walk away.

"maybe i'll find someone else," i mumble to myself, scanning my options.

"ethan!" someone calls my name and i turn my head in the direction.

i see some random people i barely know, holding up another round of shots.

i raise my hand, indicating i heard them, and grin.

i'm so ready for this summer.