hey rockstar

fourteen ; i'll check

I sip from the cup in my hand watching as the waves crash against the rocks off the shore. Admiring the light shining on the small white caps, the moon reflecting onto the dark water. The light from the bonfire shines on the sand, preserving the heat from the sun that set nearly two hours ago, and you can see the different footprints trailing to and from the small party, or edging the water. It's been almost three weeks since I met Calum and it seems my entire world has flipped completely upside down.

Someone I have admired for years is now my boyfriend, with his three best friends inching their ways into my life all with smiles on their faces. My friend group has expanded more than it has in the years since I moved to the island and I feel so much more whole than I ever have. I can see the happiness in everyone's eyes, my two best friends are expecting a baby and they're getting married and I am happy. I am so happy to be here, so lucky to be here right now.

"Hey stranger," his body shadows me from the light of the bonfire as he stands just to my right. He has a soft smile and stuffs his hands into his pockets.

"Hey rockstar."

"What are you doing all the way over here?"

"Just thinking," he nods, moving so we stand shoulder to shoulder. "Are you happy?"

"Incredibly so," there's a long pause as we listen to the music playing over the people talking and the waves. "Are you?"

"Yeah," I let out a deep breath, my shoulders relaxing,"I am."

"Is that why you're standing all the way over here? Right before midnight?" I check my phone, five minutes left.

"I said I was thinking," we look at each other, him raising an eyebrow at me as if he can call my bluff already. "Think about it. This is the decade that most of us are going to get married and have kids. This is when everything slows down."

"It's supposed to be exciting. This is supposed to be exciting, are you overthinking?"

"No, I'm excited. I'm so beyond excited. But it seems so weird, i feel like i was 16 last week."

"Well you're not. You're 22 and it's New Years Eve and you're happy. Right? You're not lying about being happy?"

"I'm not lying, I promise.." I hold up my pinky, he interlocks our pinkies before pulling me into his chest tightly.

"I'm so happy to start this decade with you," he kisses my head softly as Michael and Luke yell at us.

"Get your asses over here, you're going to miss the fucking count down!" I laugh as we rush back to the fire, standing between two couples as the countdown begins. I hold Calum's hand tightly as the small crowd starts yelling.

"5, 4, 3.." I turn into Calum, beaming up at him. His expression is settled into a smile with kind eyes, his simple expressions barely showing. As the countdown comes to an end I can just hear the fireworks going off as he pulls to him.

I stand on my tip toes to meet him halfway, his hands resting on the curve of my neck. I wrap and arm around his middle with the other still holding a half full cup of beer. His lips are soft as they move against mine the taste of soda misking with the strong smell of his cologne. I can't help but giggle as the cheering for the decade becomes three boys cheering for Calum. I pull away and wink at Calum before turning to embrace our friends in hugs.

The next hour and a half goes by quickly, with friends from Calums past chatting with us before they leave and even the near fatality of Luke tripping into the fire. But we let the fire die down as we clean up the beach, dividing the majority of the alcohol into Calums mum's car and Jeremy's truck seeing as we were the only one staying here. Jere and Simone left before us practically falling asleep and Ashton and Kaykay had disappeared shortly after the new year leaving only a few of us standing at the edge of the shoreline with one another - not quite ready to go home.

"What is everyone's biggest goal for this decade?" I feel like I'm shouting it to the world but in reality there's only five people listening to me.

"Get married," I laugh at Crystal, you can practically hear her rolling her eyes.

"I feel like I should agree?"

"You fucking better," our small group laughs at Crystals very open threat that ends in a kiss.

"I don't care, as long as I'm with you."

"You make me sick," I elbow Calum softly as I fake gagging at Luke's comment.

"I hate to break it to you Call but, you have a girlfriend now. You're gonna turn out exactly like him in no time," Sierra shrugs beside making a decent point.

"What about you Tenley?"

"I want to..." I pause thinking, despite asking the question I never really thought about the answer. "I want to feel the way Tongue Tied makes you feel."

"Wow, why did I know exactly what you meant?"

"Because it's a great feeling, do you remember hearing that song for the first time?" Beside me Calum disappears for a moment, returning with Tongue Tied blaring into the night and with his arms tightly around my waist.

Beside me I listen as Crystal and Sierra let out little screams, all of our feet leaving the cold sand. I bite my lip as the cold water gets higher on my legs before eventually Calum throws me into the water. Resurfacing I can't hold back the smile on my face as he takes my hands.

"TAKE ME TO YOUR BEST FRIENDS HOUSE!"

"LOVED YOU THEN!"

"AND I LOVE YOU NOW!"

Around me everyone screams the lyrics, dancing with one another through the waves. No one seems to care that their clothes are getting wet or that the water is cold, everyone just seems so in love with one another. Smiles are on everyone's faces and the laughter doesn't seem to stop, only fading as we get into our cars.

"Do you want me to drive? I haven't-"

"I got it," Calum makes a face at me as he pulls out of the small parking lot, turning on some soft music for the drive home. The city seems so quiet as we drive through different areas. You can see all the taxis leaving popular clubs and bars where people were celebrating the new decade. A block away from my house streamers and glittering lights hang from trees in a front yard - music playing quite loudly hours past the countdown. As we pull up to the house, Calum places a warm hand on my leg

"So, how was your New Years eve?"

"It was...it was fun. Thank you."

"For what?"

"For letting me come. It's been a lot of fun getting to know the girls and the guys lately - even. Even though they're bad influences when shopping."

"Oh? What did they make you buy?" I shrug as I unbuckle my seatbelt.

"Oh you know. Some new dresses some lingerie some makeup-"

"Wait what?" His eyes are wide as his head appears above the car. Watching me closely.

"Lingerie?"

"You bought lingerie for..why?"

"Oh you know," I shrug, winking as I make my way up my driveway. I can hear him following behind me, meeting me at the door as I press my key into the lock.

"You're not...are you wearing it right now?"

"Maybe. You'll have to-"

My words are cut off as his lips press to mine, pushing the door open quickly. I laugh as he trips walking into the house, slamming the door behind us. Before I have time so say anything my feet are off the ground as he wanders through my house in the dark.

"Don't worry, I'll check."