Chapter 1: Change in Scenery

It was my senior year of high school, and basically, I had to start all over. My egotistical dad decided it was time for a "change in scenery". Well, that's what he told everyone in my hometown. I knew it was because he had met someone in Daytona. He tried to hide it from me, but when you talk to a woman publicly on facebook you have to know someone is going to find out.

Her name was Mindy, the women he wanted to be with just months after he divorced my mother. He begged me to go with him and after a few guilt trips I gave in. Now as we pulled into this women's driveway, I regretted leaving my brother, my mother, and my friends behind. The house seemed nice. It was right on the beach. As Mindy and what looked like her daughter walked out to greet us, I tried to remain positive. Mindy was an average woman with an average height and weight. She had auburn hair just above her shoulders. I didn't understand my dad's logic, going from my mom whose looks were above average to Mindy, but I had stopped trying to understand him when he told my mom he wanted a divorce.

"Hello, I'm Mindy," her voice screeched as I got out of the car. "This is my daughter Lacy."

"It's nice to finally meet you Lacy. I've heard so much about you from your mother," my dad said. "And Mindy it's amazing to finally meet you in person. This is my daughter, Katie."

Mindy wrapped her arms around me as if we were long lost family. I was a little uncomfortable considering this was our first time even meeting.

"I'm so happy you decided to come," Mindy said.

I smiled, "You have a beautiful home."

"Thank you hun, Lacy, why don't you show Katie her room."

"Okay," Lacy said walking in the house. I followed closely behind. "This is your room." She opened the door. Inside the room was my bed from home and my dresser. It was a pretty small room. Smaller than the one I had back home. "My room is down the hall, but you're not welcomed in there. I don't want you messing with any of my stuff. We have to share the bathroom. It's through that door." she said rudely. I walked into the bathroom that was joining our rooms. Great, I thought. "I just want you to know I'm not thrilled about this situation at all and would appreciate it if at school you acted like you don't know me."

She walked out. I was kind of in shock. She didn't even know me, and she was acting like this. My dad walked in with my bags.

"Go ahead and start unpacking, Kates."

"Dad, are you sure about this place?" I asked.

"I'm positive this is going to be the best year of your life."

He walked out and left me alone to unpack. Unpacking didn't take long considering all I really had was clothes. After I finished, I decided to go out and walk on the beach. A little ways down there was a little restaurant called, Johnny Rockets. I decided to go in since I hadn't eaten all day.

"How many?" the hostess greeted with a smile.

"Just one," I said as she took me to a table.

"We'll give you a few minutes to look at the menu, and your waiter will be right over."

I browsed the menu for a few seconds then the waiter came.

"I'm Chase. I'll be taking care of you today can I get you anything to drink?"

Chase was gorgeous. He had long brown hair and green eyes.

"Sure, can I get a sprite?"

"Yeah, I'll be right back with that."

Just then Lacy walked in with three other girls and two guys. "We want to sit in Chase's section," she said to the hostess with a smile. The hostess walked her over to the large table just two away from me. She saw me, but she didn't acknowledge I was there. When Chase walked out with my drink she called his name and waved. He smiled back. Great, he had a girlfriend.

"Here's your drink. Are you ready to order?"

"Not really. I've never really been here before what's good."

"You've never been here?" he seemed kind of shocked.

"No, I just moved here."

"Chase, sweetie, we're ready to order!" Lacy yelled.

"I'll be right there," he told her. "Well, this burger right her is good if you want to try something a little different. It's got Thousand Island dressing on it. It's what I always get."

"Alright, I'll take that with fries."

"Okay, I'll put that right in for you."

"Thanks."

He took my order back to the kitchen. Then he walked over to Lacy's table and to take their order. She hung on every word he said and flirted like crazy. I couldn't help but laugh a little. Her table was so loud. I could hear everything they said to him.

"Hey guys," he said to them.

"What time you off man?" one of the guy asked.

"About an hour."

"Awesome," the same guy said.

"You want to come over tonight? My mom and her new man are going out on their first date. We'll have like a little party before we have to go back to school Monday," Lacy asked.

"I'll text you and let you know after work."

"Can we snag some of your mom's alcohol again?" one of the girls asked.

"Duh, that's what makes it a party. We'll all go down to the beach and drink."

"Hey man, who's the newbie over there?" the other guy asked.

"Yeah, she's cute," the first guy added.

"I'm not sure yet. I just met her."

I acted as though I wasn't listening. I wanted to laugh though when I saw Lacy's face.

"Can you try and get her name?" the second guy asked.

"Yeah, I just don't want to come straight out and ask though."

"She isn't even that cute," Lacy said.

"You're right. She's not cute. She's beautiful," the first guy said.

All three guys laughed. "You're just jealous," Chase said laughing.

"Jealous of what, her split ends and her bad teeth?"

"Hey, don't be rude," Chase said.

"Chase! Order's up!" a man from the kitchen said.

He quickly left their table and grabbed my order.

"Alright, here's your burger. Is there anything else I can grab for you?"

"No thank you."

"So where are you from?" he asked leaning against the seat across from me.

"Jacksonville."

"You going to be here long or are you just on vacation?"

"We just moved here, my dad and me."

"Awesome, you still in school? What school are you going to?"

"Daytona high."

"I go there. It's a really nice school. If you need someone to show you around I've pretty much been here all my life."

"I'll keep that in mind. Chase, right?"

"Yeah, and you are?"

"Katie."

"It's really nice to meet you." He smiled.

"Chase! Order!" the man in the back yelled again.

"It's nice to meet you too," I said as he walked away.

I started eating. The food was amazing. I wasn't even concerned with paying attention to what Lacy or her table was saying anymore.

Chase came back over after a while. "So you like it?"

"It's so good."

"Awesome, so you ready for dessert?"

I laughed. "Dessert? No, I already feel like I gained five pounds."

"Well, next time you have to get our chocolate mousse pie."

"Okay, I will."

"So you want your check, I'm guessing?"

"Yeah, I need to get back."

"Alright, I'll take you right up there," he said pointing to the register.

We walked up there together.

"That'll be $8.42."

I handed him cash.

"So, can I get your number or something?" he asked.

"If you really want it you can."

"Here just write in on here," he said handing me a napkin.

I wrote down my name and number for him as he counted out my change. Then we traded.

"Thanks, I'll talk to you later," he said.

"It was nice meeting you, Chase."

"You too, Katie."

I walked out and headed back to the house. When I got there my dad and Mindy were already gone. I decided to go sit out on the beach. After a while, I got a text.

Drew: So you miss me yet sexy? ;)

Me: I think you're the one who misses me.

Drew: What makes you say that?

Me: The fact that you told me you wanted nothing to do with me and now your texting.

Drew: You know this is hard for me.

Me: I don't understand why it's so hard. I told you we could do long distance, and you told me no.

Drew: I don't want to hold you back beautiful.

Me: Drew, I'm really busy right now. I'll text you later.

Drew: Now you're mad.

I didn't text back I was angry.

"Hey bitch," Lacy said walking up with the two girls she was with earlier. Her friends laughed. "Look just a little FYI so you don't get yourself in too much trouble, Chase is mine."

"So you guys are dating?" I asked.

"Pretty much."

"Does he know your dating because he defiantly asked for my number?"

"It doesn't matter. I have dibs on him so back off." She walked inside.

I couldn't help but laugh. She was so obsessive over him. My phone vibrated.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hey, Katie? It's Chase."

"Oh, hey, I was just talking about you."

"Really?" he sounded shocked.

"Yeah, you're a popular subject around here."

"Who were you talking to?" he still sounded confused. It was funny.

"Lacy."

"Oh, shit."

I laughed. "She's very fond of you. You two are so lucky to have each other."

"We're not with each other." He was laughing now too.

"You may want to talk to her about that cause she seems to think she's your girl."

"Where'd you talk to her at?"

"She is my new stepsister."

He laughed. "Oh, so you guys are going to have girls' nights and shit."

"No, it's apparent she doesn't like me. I'm overstepping my boundaries by talking to you."

He laughed again.

"So what's the story with you and her?" I asked.

"We've known each other for a couple of years. A year ago she asked me to go see a movie with her. I thought we'd be with friend, but it was just us. I felt awkward. And when she went in for a kiss at the end of our "date" I pulled away. Ever since then she's been up my ass and trying to get with me."

"She wants the dick!"

He was laughing so hard now. "Yeah, and I'm not giving it to her."

I laughed.

"But I didn't call u to talk about her."

"What'd you call me for then?"

"I was calling to see if you wanted to go to my friend's party with me?"

"You're just asking for drama aren't you?"

"No, I'm asking for a fun chill night with you."

"It's not going to be so chill if Lacy finds out."

"I don't care. Get your ass ready now!"

"Okay, are you picking me up?"

"Yes, you have an hour to get ready."

"Alright."