Wait for You - Chapter One
Paul welcomed the ocean breeze as he stepped out of the beach house. The sounds of his friends' yelling and cheering faded as he made his way towards the beach. The full moon reflected beautifully on the calm, ocean waters. He had been itching to get away for a chance to get some peace and quiet, and mostly to sulk at that thought of his best friend leaving him behind to go off to college.
He cursed himself for getting held back. All the ditched classes, flunked quizzes, and half-assed homework assignments really did him in Finding out that he wasn't going to graduate and had to repeat his senior year was not the way Paul wanted to start off his summer break. Instead of packing and getting ready to leave for college like his friends, he was doomed for another year in high school.
Paul's mood dampened even further. Another year of being stuck in La Push Reservation while his best friend went off to college in Los Angeles. It didn't help that his girlfriend had already left earlier that summer to spend her senior year in a fashion school in New York. It sucked and he hated it, though he never let anyone know; he didn't want to drag anyone down with him.
He picked up a rock and chucked it into the ocean. The more he thought about his upcoming senior year, the more frustrated and angry he became. He continued to pick up rock after rock, throwing them into the ocean.
"Easy on that arm, quarterback," he heard a voice say. He turned to where the voice came from and saw Kourtney sitting on a log. He threw the last rock in his hand and made his way toward her. If anyone could understand what he was feeling, it would be her. After all, she was going through something similar. Her boyfriend was the one who was leaving the next day and her best friend already left.
"Hey," he said when he was close enough for her to hear.
"Hey yourself," was her reply. She gave him a sad smile.
"What are you doing out here?" He took a seat next to her.
"I don't know. Thinking. How about you?"
"Same," Paul said.
"Is it safe to say we're thinking the same thing?"
"Possibly." Paul mimicked Kourtney and gazed out into the ocean. Watching the waves rolling in calmed him.
"I'm gonna miss him," her voice cracked at the end and he hoped that she wouldn't start crying. He wasn't the best at comforting people, even with his own girlfriend.
"I know. Me, too." A sniffle was heard.
"He's gonna miss you too, Kourt," Paul added, hoping it would help.
"I know. That's not what I'm worried about."
"Everything will be fine." Paul glanced at Kourtney when she didn't reply. He really wasn't good at consoling. Plus, he had his own problems to worry about. His girlfriend was gone, his best friend would be gone soon, and he was already repeating senior year. Not to mention the rumors around the res being spread about him. He couldn't tack on whatever Kourtney was worrying about. He turned back to the ocean.
"Did you worry about Marianne being in another city? In another state for that matter?"
Paul shook his head.
"You didn't worry at all?" she asked.
He looked at her. "Are you worried about Alex being in another state?"
Kourtney looked down as if she was ashamed. "It's just…we come from a small town, Paul. Los Angeles is a big city."
"Kourt, he's not gonna cheat on you, if that's what you're thinking. He would never do that to you! He loves you!" Paul felt annoyed that she would think badly of his best friend that way. There were many times when Paul teased Alex for being so whipped when it came to Kourtney, yet here she was, doubting Alex's love for her.
"I know, okay?" Kourtney groaned and covered her face. "Sorry. My brother called last night and gave me this whole spiel about long distance relationship and how much it sucks-"
"He told you to break up with Alex, didn't he?"
"His exact words were, 'Do it before he does.'"
Paul scoffed. "You're an idiot if you listen to Cody. Alex loves you, you love him. He trusts you. Do you trust him?"
"Of course."
"There you go. Trust me, Kourt. Alex is crazy for you. He's already thinking long term with you."
"Really?" Paul nodded. "Do you think that way about Marianne?"
Paul mentally slapped himself. He should've known Kourtney would try to sneak a question in about Marianne. He had no doubt that Kourtney would report his answer back to Marianne, so he made sure to choose his words carefully.
"She knows I'm not like that Kourt." Kourt looked disappointed in the answer. "I mean, I love her. Do I want a future with her? Yeah. At the same time, I'm not going to say I'm set with her because you never know what could happen."
"Okay, first of all, that was just a horrible answer. You might as well just saw no. And second, you just kind of proved my point that anything could happen in L.A. with Alex."
Paul remained silent when he realized that she was right. "Alex is not like me," he finally said. "You two will make it. As for me, I know better. I know that life doesn't always revolve around the person you love."
"Wise words from Paul Lahote. I should get that tattooed on me," Kourtney joked.
"As long as you give me credit. You'll have my name tattooed on you before Alex's."
"And just like that, I change my mind!"
The sound of people talking ended their friendly banter. Paul looked back and saw that the party had moved from the beach house and out onto the beach.
"I'm guessing the fireworks are about to start," Kourtney said getting up. She dusted off the sand on her jeans.
"Kourtney! Babe! Where are you?" a voice called out. Paul laughed at the sound of his friend. The slurring of words was not hard to miss.
"It's Alex," Kourtney said.
"Yeah, he sounds drunk," Paul added, standing up as well. Kourtney rolled his eyes. "Time to get him home."
"So much for the fireworks," Kourtney muttered. "I hope he has the worst hangover for his flight tomorrow."