RECAP:
"You know you really don't have to show me around town. You can just drop me off at my gram's house if you want." My words said one thing but my mind completely wished for another.
"It's fine," Joshua said. "Now where to go, miss?" He grinned at me, the corners of his eyes wrinkling.
I blushed, catching myself staring at him again. "Um.. wherever you wish."
"Good choice."
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Chapter Eight
The smell of salt lingered in the air, and the sea breeze felt good to my skin. I inhaled all the fresh air I could intake and wondered how I would prefer this to the city. Sand infliltrated through my sandals, giving me that coarse feeling, but I didn't mind. I didn't mind at all. Joshua and I sauntered side by side just like the old days.
"This is the beach," he said.
"Duh."
"I just felt the need to clarify because I'm your tour guide, remember?"
"Right," I said, liking the fact how he sounds so playful.
The sun has carressed the horizon, filling the sky with tints of orange and violet. Waves kissed the land, never refusing to stop.
"So," Joshua started. "What made you come visit here?"
I kicked the sand, wishing the topic would never come up. But it's Joshua. Somehow he has this power over me. I just can't resist him. "Josh, we're friends, right?"
He ran his fingers through his golden hair. "Yeah. Friends."
I took a deep breath. "That means I can tell you anything and you won't judge me.. right?"
He smoldered at me. "What do you mean?"
Then I told him my story. How my parents caught me and Tristan drunk on the backseat of his car. How they grew sick and tired of my childish ways. Even I became disgusted with myself when I told Joshua. After that, how could anyone tolerate a girl with low morals? My friends in New York probably lost all respect for me. And that's probably why Tristan cheated on me. He wanted someone who will stick with him and do the things he wanted to do without any consent. With me, it's always my parents. I always needed their approval, and with me ignoring that, it just made me the miserable person that I am.
I felt tears forming at the corners of my eyes, and I tried to hold them back. I didn't want Joshua to see how damaged I was. But it was too late. He wrapped his arms around me. I buried my head in his chest. "Shhh.. it's okay.." He whispered. I began to breathe steadily as he rubbed my back. His warmth engulfed me as I was pressed against his abdomen.
Then we finally broke away from each other. His eyes were soft as he brushed his hand against my cheek. "That Tristan is one jerk. He doesn't know what he lost."
I chuckled. "Thanks for listening to me."
We passed two kids building a sandcastle, and they reminded me of Joshua and I when we were little. Suddenly, Joshua reached for my hand. I unreluctantly kept mine in his, and I relaxed a little. Were we really just "friends"? Friends hold hands right?
"The California coastline," he said, "extends for 1,000 miles."
"That's nice to know," I said. "Random, but now I know.. that the California coastline...extends for 1,000 miles."
We both laughed at how pathetic I was.
"But really though. It amazes me," he continued. "I have spent almost all my life living in Crystal Cove, all my life living only in an insignificant town when I could travel 999 miles up and down the shore and learn a lot of things, meet new people."
"Sometimes enough is good," I said.
"But I want more," he said. "This town is boring. It's always the same people everyday. And then you came."
I stayed silent.
"You are just... different... I thought you wouldn't find me boring compared to all the stories you told me about New York." His voice wavered, and for the millionth time I wanted to kiss him. But I didn't. We were just friends.
"But you're not," I disagreed with him. "If I thought you were boring, why do you think I'm here with you right now?"
He smiled crookedly. "Touché."
Our walk down the beach consisted of Josh telling more fun facts and me trying not to fall for him. But everything he does-- whether its him telling his corny jokes, how his eyes crinkled, or the way he held my hand without shame-- made me want to love him even more.
We approached a cluster of kids our age sitting at a table. It seems that they are just finishing up their dinner, and they saw Josh and I coming. "Who are they?" I asked.
Then, I met her eyes. Alli Stoker. Sitting among the group of friend with her own plastic clique. She glared at me, recognizing me from the other day.
"They're just my friends. No big deal," Joshua assured.
"Hey man," a tall, brown-haired guy greeted Josh with a high five. His toned body and olive skin stereotyped him as a lifeguard. He looked down at me. "Is this Ellie from New York?"
"She sure is!"
The guy flashed his shiny teeth at me. "Hi, I'm Evan." He took my free hand and planted a kiss on it.
"Elle," I said, "Nice to meet you."
"Well look who we have here," Alli taunted in her nasal voice. She walked towards me, and I told myself not to attack her with my claw-like nails.Think of Grandma. Think of what Alli can do to her. She looked down at Josh and I holding hands and disdained. She looked at Josh at a flirtatious way, it made me sick to the stomach.
"Alli--" Joshua spoke.
She stopped him by welcoming him with a big, juicy kiss. Joshua let go of my hand as I watched in horror the two of them making out. I couldn't help but feel a little jealousy stir up inside my chest. It can't be. They can't be dating. Josh would never...
I could feel all eyes on me as if they were waiting for a reaction. But I stood still and trying to act unaffected. I wanted to run away. Far, far away from here.
Joshua pushed her away and wiped his mouth. "What the hell was that for?"
I marched off, hiding away my disappointment. I was disappointed that Joshua would settle for a trashy girl. Especially Alli Stoker, the mayor's bitchy daughter. I heard his group of friends ooing as I walked away, and I knew Alli wanted me to fight back. I didn't want to. I was disappointed in myself for letting this get to me.
"Elle wait!"
Joshua caught up to me and grabbed me by the arm.
"Let me explain."
I faked a smile. "Oh no, you don't need too explain anything. I'm totally fine with you and Alli dating." I lied.
"You know her?"
I neglected to tell him the story of my encounter with Alli. "Yeah. Psh. she's the mayor's daughter! How could anyone in Crystal Cove not know her?"
"Listen," he tried to make eye contact with me. "She's my ex. I told her so many times that I don't want her, but she still wants me."
I refused to look at him. My head started to ache, and all I wanted was to go home and rest from all of this drama. "I think I would like to go home now."
"Let me drive you," he offered.
I shook my head. "No. I think it would be better if I walked home. Just go to your friends. Have fun. I've caused you enough misery with my problems."
He tried touching me, but I shook him off. "Just go," I said.
And I walked away. This time, Josh didn't stop me.
