A/N: Sorry for a bit of time in between chapters, have been extremely busy of late. Hopefully another chapter towards the end of the week if anyone is interested. Thanks for the feedback, always appreciate the constructive stuff too! Cheers, RT x
"Who was that you were just talking to, Peralta?" Nathan Pratt demanded as Stacy, hands jammed in his pockets and head lowered, headed back over to the Zephyr team who were waiting for Jay Adams' freestyle event.
"Yeah, and how to I get her to date me?" Allen Sarlo grinned, not making a secret to Stacy the girl he was speaking to was certainly fair game at this stage. Stacy blushed as Sarlo leered over him, raising a particularly interested eyebrow.
"I dunno what you're talking about." Stacy mumbled as Pratt and Sarlo laughed loudly, Sarlo slugging Stacy's shoulder albeit playfully.
"That was that girl from the party a few weeks back!" Jim Muir spoke up with a huge grin. "Yeah, the one you almost knocked over…"
"Correction, you knocked me into her." Stacy sighed, waiting for the barrage of humiliation to start, taking a step back.
"Yeah, you're welcome, dude." Jim laughed.
"I didn't see her," Wentzle Ruml scratched his shaggy blonde head.
"Yeah, you should absolutely be dating that chick." Pratt whistled, ignoring Wentzle's comment. "But she may be too hot for you." He joked, jabbing at Stacy's chest forcefully as Stacy sighed. "She have any hot friends at least? Looks just the age I like 'em."
"Nah, it's not like that, Ava's just a nice girl, and she brought her little brother today." he explained to his friends who gave him disbelieving smiles in return.
"We've spoken, like, twice." Stacy said, rocking on his heels, not overly amused.
"You know what they say about the nice girls, Peralta." Pratt winked, knowingly.
Stacy had to laugh. "Don't talk about her like that. Come on, guys."
"Ooh, he defended her." Sarlo cut in. "Yup, Stacy likes her."
Stacy pulled a face. "She's not here to defend herself; someone should."
"Give him a break, guys." Craig Stecyk said. "Get you head into the game."
As the boys calmed themselves, Peggy Oki approached Stacy, wearing a friendly smile and her skateboard under her arm. "Don't let those dumbasses get to you, Stace." She said, politely. Stacy grinned, with a chuckle.
"I'm not, if I'm used to one thing, it's a two-pronged attack from Sarlo and Pratt." He said. "How have you gone this afternoon? Sorry I missed your freestyle, I was with Skip."
"That's okay, did pretty good. Got me some 9s and an 8."
"Right on." Stacy lightly thumped her shoulder. "I'm sure you were awesome."
She shrugged. "We'll see." She laughed.
"So what did you get up to today?" Marissa asked as Ava grabbed her purse, following her out of the Mitchell's living room and into the cool Malibu Spring evening. Marissa had convinced Ava to skip the books and study to socialise.
"Oh," Ava said, getting in the passenger side of Marissa's car, noting Tia in the back. "Hey, Tee. I ended up taking Declan to a skateboard thing that Mum conned me to me to take him too. He got a new board, he was happy. I think I got a bit of sun though." she frowned, looking at her slightly pink arms.
"More skateboarding, huh?" Marissa gave a coy grin.
"I am actually appreciating the skill level involved." Ava admitted, forgetting about her sunburn.
"Not the boys?" Tee teased.
"Well, that doesn't hurt." Ava admitted with a giggle.
"Which one do you have your eye on, Ave?" Tee asked, sliding forward to talk to her, an interested smirk on her features. Ava blushed.
"Come on, you know they aren't my kind of guys." Ava sighed.
"Why not? Gorgeous, athletic and rude doesn't float your boat?" Marissa snickered.
"That's not true, they aren't all like that. That Stacy guy is nice. He was giving Declan pointers for about 20 minutes earlier today, it absolutely made his day. Now you can't tell me that he had to do that." Ava replied pointedly.
"That's true, but you're also a cute brunette, that would have made it more bearable for him." Marissa said monotone. "So, what movie are we seeing?" Marissa changed the subject as they headed towards the local cinema centre, Ava sitting beside her in shock at her last utterance.
"Is there anything even on?" Tee replied, settling into her seat.
"Doubtful." Marissa sighed.
'Another fascinating night,' Ava dismally thought to herself.
"Hey, babe." Gabi smiled as she took her seat in front of Ava in their 3rd period English class the following week, immaculate from head to toe. "Where have you been hiding? Thought I might have seen you at the weekends Zephyr party."
Ava fiddled with her pen. "I wasn't aware there was one, but I think I'll live having not gone." She grinned. "Did you have fun?"
"Yeah," she shrugged. "I stuck out like a broken thumb though." She admitted, rolling her eyes. "But," her face brightened again. "I hung out with Tony Alva for a while." Her eyes flashed happily.
"Sounds like you had a good night." Ava forced a laugh.
"Great night." Gabi corrected. "Wish you were there. We would have had a great time, we haven't partied in months, missy." Gabi reminded her of the last fiesta at Vickie's that ended with most of the attendees finding bushes to lose their lunches in after one too many drinks or hits.
Ava giggled. "We were at our finest hours. I've severely cut down my alcohol intake since."
"Aww, Drunk Ava is awesome. You should unleash her again soon." Gabi winked with a giggle.
"Is Sober Ava that boring?" Ava raised an eyebrow with a grin.
"Absolutely not." Gabi laughed. "She's fabulously awesome too." The bell rang. Gabi sat closer to whisper as their teacher entered the room. "This weekend, after a meet in San Diego, party. Come along, I think you'll have a good time." She said, turning back to face the front, leaving the idea in Ava's head. "You let me know if you want a lift."
"So, what, you wanna go?" Abbey asked as she and Ava blew off 5th period study hall and caught the afternoon sun on the quad. "I thought the last party we went to was our first and last foray into Dogtown parties?" Abbey adjusted her shades over her eyes.
"Yeah, so did I." Ava bit her lip. "Maybe we were just being snobs last time?"
"It was a culture shock." Abbey stated. "We weren't being snobs."
Ava shrugged. "Maybe you could actually make out with one of the boys there this time?" she joked, reminding Abbey of her last excuse to go.
Abbey smirked. "Sit on it, Mitchell. Are we inviting Marissa and Tee?"
"Absolutely not." Ava stated. "Are you nuts? After last weekend, as far as I'm concerned, my time around them will now be extremely limited – they sucked my lifeblood from me."
Abbey laughed. "Aww, I'm glad I had a family thing on."
"Yeah, great for you…"
Abbey smiled. "Okay, let's degrade ourselves for another Saturday night."
"Awesome." Ava was satisfied.
"Ave… Is there another reason that you want to go?" Abbey pressed.
Ava pouted. "No."
"Are you lying to me?"
Ava laughed as she replied. "I have no ulterior motives, I swear."
"I don't believe you," Abbey smiled widely as Ava frowned. "You're a terrible liar."
"I'm not… lying." Ava said meekly, lowering her eyes.
"Well, you're certainly hiding something and I'm sure as hell going to find out what it is before we head out on Saturday night – " Abbey was interrupted by the bell. Ava's face lit up, happy for the interruption, jumping up and making a dash for her next class. "This isn't over, Mitchell!" Abbey yelled after her. "I'll get what I need out of you before Saturday night if it's the last thing I do!"
"Damn, you are excited." Abbey giggled as she wandered into Ava's bedroom on Saturday night, Ava not noticing. She was in front of her mirror, putting on what looked like the finishing touches of her light make up, Stevie Wright's 'Evie' loudly filling the room, Ava dancing to it.
"'Evie, Evie - let your hair hang down…You got the body of a woman, the way you move it like a queen. You got the face to raise a riot, and still you're only seventeen – '" Ava saw Abbey make herself comfy on her 4-poster bed. "Sorry." She blushed, turning the stereo down. "Didn't hear you come in."
"It's okay, my ears are accustomed to Australian rock now." Abbey laughed, rubbing her ears playfully. "You almost ready to go?"
"Think so." Ava straightened herself out. "Do I look okay?"
"Awesome, as always. You seem to be going to a lot of trouble tonight." Abbey noted.
"It's a Saturday night, am I not allowed to get dressed up accordingly?"
"Of course." Abbey stifled a laugh.
"You're terrible." Ava rolled her eyes.
"I know that there's a reason you want to go and I'm hell bent on finding out what it is." Abbey shrugged as Ava put on her sandals and picked up her clutch. Ava sighed.
"You won't take my word for it I just want to have some fun?"
"Nope."
"Well, if that's the case, you'll just have to wait and see then, hmm?"
"I hate you." Abbey groaned.
"Hate is such a strong word, Ab." Ava grinned, knowing she was obviously joking, slapping Abbey's thigh to get off the bed and get up. "I promise, you'll find out soon enough."
"He'd better be really cute, that's all I'm saying."