This Can't Be Good

Chapter 45

Since it was a half hour drive to get to the Santa Monica beach the six of us were up bright and early. By seven thirty we were out the door and pilled into a minivan styled taxi. Despite it being so early everyone was quite hyper.

The beach wasn’t too crowded when we arrived. We ended up laying our towels and belongings down a few feet away from the water. Let me just tell you California beaches put our little beach to shame. Once we got everything settled I assumed my position on a towel and began to take in my surroundings. You could tell who lived in California by their tan skin. I was a bit envious of it until looking down at my own pale legs.

The boys had each rented body boards and were currently screwing around in the water with them. Ava, Miranda and I were trying to get some sun while watching the three idiots. It wasn’t extremely hot so I had my tank top on still over my bathing suit. I never felt comfortable just laying in my bathing suit on a beach. The other girls didn’t have my problem though.

“Damn Ava,” Miranda said as Ava was taking her cover up off. “Do you work out?”

Ava was uncomfortable with the attention Miranda was giving her. I could tell by the way she pulled her knees into her chest. “I used to cheer competitively,” Ava confessed.

Ava never seemed to be the cheerleader type to me. She was always dressed modestly and never rude to anyone. Not that cheerleaders were the opposite, I mean there were some nice girls on our team. Ava’s cheerleading experience did explain her tone body, however.

“I didn’t know that,” I added. “How come you didn’t try to cheer here?”

Ava shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not into the whole mean girl scene. I couldn’t cheer under Charlie, there would be too much tension.”

This made Miranda and I laugh. “Well, it’s a good thing she leaves this year. You should try out,” Miranda encouraged. Miranda loved watching the cheerleaders perform almost as much as she loved football. She always cursed herself for not sticking with gymnastics at a younger age.

“I was thinking about it,” Ava replied.

Just then the boys were walking toward us, body boards in tow. They looked exhausted from their lack of skills. It was actually quite comical.

“What are you thinking about?” Max asked while trying to catch his breath. For a football player he sure sounded winded and out of shape.

“Nothing,” Ava said trying to change the subject. I could tell she was uncomfortable with the sudden attention she was getting from everyone.

“Don’t be silly,” Miranda said before turning to Max. “She’s thinking of trying out for the cheer team next year.”

“I didn’t know you cheered,” Parker stated. He was trying to get comfortable on the towel that was directly in front of me. “You should do it. You’ve got the build for it,” Parker admitted.

Ava’s face got progressively redder. She quickly turned to look at me to make sure what Parker just said hadn’t offended me. I smiled sympathetically at her. Ava didn’t like having all the attention on her and I could tell this conversation was getting to be too much.

“He’s right you should,” Max added before changing the subject. He clearly picked up on the same discomfort I had.

The six of us stayed lying on the beach for much of the early morning. At one point everyone was in the water, leaving me alone under the hot sun. From where I sat I could see them all perfectly. Max was carrying Ava toward the water despite her many protests. By the time he let her go she was waist deep in the cold water. Jayden and Miranda were a few feet from them splashing each other in between kisses. It was too much for me to handle. I crossed my arms on the towel and let my head rest upon them, closing my eyes. I could hear the crash of the waves followed by muffled conversations and laughter.