Chapter 3: Sanctuary

I knew it was her even before I had a chance to turn around.

"What do you think you're doing?" Lacy yelled getting in my face.

"I'm dancing with Chase," I said. She already knew this.

"I told you to back off. You do know that I can make your life a living hell, right?"

"Lacy, chill, we're just hanging out," Chase said.

"Just hanging out, Chase?"

"Yeah, Lacy, I told you we are not getting together."

"Chase, you are pushing me away."

"Oh my god, he doesn't want you," I said. "Now can we please get back to dancing?"

"You just wait till you get home, Katie," she said threatening me.

"Lacy, I'm not scared of you. Now I'm trying to have a good time, please just leave."

"No, I'm going to stay right here."

"Okay, stay right here then. I'm going to continue dancing with Chase," I said turning back towards him and rolling my eyes.

"You are such a little bitch," she said.

I ignored her.

"So anyways, we were dancing."

"And you were telling me about how you thought moving was going to be a disaster. Why have your feelings changed?"

"Because I met this awesome dude, who works at this amazing restaurant, and invited me to this sick party."

"Well, I'm glad you have a positive attitude now."

"Me too."

Lacy was still standing right next to us.

"Chase, I don't know what you see in her. She is an ugly ass slut. Those shorts scream 'Please rape me!'" she said.

I was angry now.

"We can leave if you want," he said.

I turned towards Lacy. "I don't know what you have against me. If you think I'm a slut sweetie, you obviously don't know me. Honestly, you are so desperate. Just move on, he doesn't want you."

"He wanted me before you got here."

"No, he didn't."

"Katie, let's just go."

"Okay," I said. It was time to go. I was getting a little too angry. I knew if she insulted me again, I might snap.

He grabbed my hand and led me out to his car. We got inside.

"I'm sorry she's doing this to you."

"It's whatever. I've been judged my whole life. I'll get over it."

"Hey," he began. I looked over at him. His green eyes stared straight into mine. "You're not a slut."

I giggled. "I know I'm not a slut."

He started the car.

"So where to now?" I asked.

"My favorite place ever."

"Which is?"

"You'll see."

We drove for a little while. It was about ten thirty when we finally got to our destination. He parked in the sandy area, and we got out.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"We call it the rockies."

There was a path off to the side of the car. I was hesitant.

"Coming?" he said standing at the beginning of the path taking off his shoes.

"Do these shorts really scream rape me?" I said.

We were alone in some place I didn't really know with someone I'd just met earlier.

"I'm not going to rape you," he said laughing. "Trust me."' He held out his hand.

"Alright, if you do anything I have an older brother who will kick your ass. He's training to be a UFC fighter," I said jokingly and taking his hand. I took off my shoes as well.

"I'm not going to do anything, but I'll keep that in mind," he said laughing.

We walked down the path. We ended up at some large rocks in the beach water. They were smooth against my feet. It was one of the most beautiful places I had ever been to. The stars shined bright and the moon was full.

"This is amazing," I said.

"I found it a while back. It's far away from the city lights. I like to come here and think." He sat on a rock. I sat next to him.

He leaned back to look at the sky.

"You bring all the pretty girls here?" I asked leaning back next to him.

"No, I try not to show people my sanctuary."

"Oh, so I'm special?"

"The boys and I come here a lot. It's how we escape from girly drama."

"Oh, so I'm just one of the boys?"

"Hell no, I just trust you I guess."

"Ok," I said.

We sat there in silence for a while. I was comfortable with him there next to me. I could almost forget all the drama from before.

"Let's go in the water," he said after a while.

"In what?" I said laughing.

"In our underwear," he answered standing up and taking off his shirt and shorts.

"No," I said laughing.

"Yes, it'll be fun."

"That's totally not fair. Your underwear looks like a swimsuit."

"So does yours. Come on be adventurous."

"Fine," I said taking off my shirt. Luckily, my underwear matched. It was also quite sexy though.

"I like that lacey…" he began.

I cut him off, "Please shut up!"

"I was just complimenting your underwear."

I laughed. "Look I wasn't excepting to have to strip down so I could go swimming. If I would've known we were going to do this, I would've worn something that covered a little more," I said referring to my thong.

"Now you know to prepare for the worst with me."

"Let's just go," I said stepping into the water.

He followed me in.

"I can't wait till we get in deeper so you can stop staring at my ass."

"I'm not."

I glared at him.

"Okay, I am a little bit."

I laughed.

"I'll quit," he said catching up to me.

"Stop looking at my boobs!"

"I'm not!"

"I know."

"Stop looking at my dick!"

"Okay, you took it too far. Girls don't do that." I laughed.

"Ha, okay," he said.

We were in pretty deep. I sat down and the water came up to my collar bone.

"It's cold," I said shivering.

"We can get out if you want?"

I dunked my head beneath the water. When I came back up for air, he was staring at me.

"What?"

"Nothing, just looking at you."

I shivered again.

"Come on, I have a blanket in the car."

We walked up to the rock. I sat down while he ran to get the blanket. When he got back, he sat so close to me. Our bodies were almost touching. He wrapped the blanket around us both and pulled me up against him.

"Did I tell you I'm really glad you came tonight?"

"Yeah, you mentioned that."

"Well, I really mean it. So I'm telling you again."

I blushed. I could feel his eyes on me. I turned and looked at him. He leaned in and kissed me.