Run Away With Me

I'm Going To Make Things Weird

I must be really drunk because the next thing I know, I'm saying "Yes! Let's do it!" I jump up from beside Jack and strip my shirt off, tossing it back so it hits him in the chest.

I run towards the steps leading to the beach, hearing someone behind me say "I think I love her." Followed by people whistling.

"Wait up!"

Following behind me are Kayla, Sophia, the twins, Mason, Kyle and Jack all taking off some article of clothing. Once people catch onto what we're doing, they all started streaming down to the beach taking off clothes and leaving them all over the sand and deck.

By the time I've reached the shore, I'm only wearing my bra and underwear. At least I'm sober enough to leave those on as I run into the brisk ocean water. Once I'm deep enough I unclasp my bra and throw that onto the shore. It lands in front of someone's feet. Next, I take off my underwear. I try to throw those to shore but they land in the water a few feet in front of me. Too drunk to care, I leave them.

There are at least thirty naked people all swimming around me and even in my drunkenness I realize this is something I would never in a million years do.

Jack swims up next to me, keeping himself at a safe distance so none of his naked parts touch mine.

"You're crazy. You know that?" He grins and I can't help but smile back.

"I don't feel crazy, I feel free." I spin around in the water, splashing him a little.

"You are free. You can do anything Maddie. No one has been able to stop you before, no one can stop you now." He moves closer, keeping our conversation hushed and just for the two of us. His words make my body tingle and a smile spread across my face.

"I'm really glad you're here, Jack. I couldn't have done this without you. I would't want to be here without you."

Jack opens his mouth to say something but is cut off by Mason "How embarrassing. We wore the same outfit." He feigns looking sheepish.

"I'm fairly sure we have some differences in our outfits."

"Yes, yours is much, much nicer than mine."

'That can't be all true." I purse my lips and look down, not that I can see anything but it's suggestive. I think.

"Why don't you come closer and find out?" Mason moves in closer, reaching his hand out for mine. But the thing is... I don't know if it's the cold ocean water or the sobering reality that we are both naked, but it does sober me. And fast.

"Oh, uh." I panic, looking back for Jack but he's gone. "I actually, uh." Mason moves in closer, only a foot between us now.

"C'mon Stell. I bet I could keep you warm." His eyebrows waggle. But I don't need him to keep me warm, my embarrassment is doing a fine enough job of that.

"Mason-"

"Stella!" I hear Jack call and I sigh with relief. I swear he always has an eye on me even when I can't see him.

"I gotta go." I start paddling toward the sand, making sure to avoid touching him.

"But-"

"Sorry, I'll see you inside?"

As I get closer to the shore, I realize for the umpteenth time that I'm stark naked and there are dozens of people around to witness that.

"Maddie." I hear Jack whisper and I see him standing on the shore, a towel wrapped around his waist, holding one out to me to take. He walks a few feet towards me so the bottom of his towel is getting wet but holds mine out for me to take. I wrap it around myself while still sitting in the shallow end of the ocean, completely drenching the dry towel.