Hey there readers (if there are any of you guys left), I feel terrible for not updating since...November, but here you go. I really hope you enjoy. I wish I could give you guys a great excuse for not being able to write, but to be honest, life has really changed for me. Anyways, this chapter is a quick fix to lead into the next chapter which will be better, but hey, you've got to start somewhere. Thank you guys for reading, let me know what you think.
Chapter 8
Brooke's Pov
I like food. I like the boardwalk. I like the beach. Of course, before Mo and I could make it down to the beach, we had to grab a bite of pizza and go on some rides. So here we are, finally down to the beach, up to our chests in the cool water of the Pacific. The sky had turned orange, and if you looked at the water, you could go blind from the light shining off of it. The sun was setting, and boy was it beautiful. Were we really there all day? Crap! I'm sure I will lobster-red skin in the morning. Oh well. I was brought back to my senses be Mo splashing water in my face. I coughed and closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, Mo wasn't there. I waited a moment, and still nothing.
"Mo?" I called out. Just then, she sprung up from the water and splashed me. I shrieked, and then quickly splashed her back. We were in a splash fest, laughing our heads off, and trying to not choke on the salty water. I'm not the best at multitasking, and was having trouble trying to keep both the laughter and water out of me. When we had finally sobered up, Mo stood there, just stood there, as if she were deep in thought.
"You okay?" I questioned.
"Yeah, yeah." She sighed. Sighed? I raised my brow to her, and she quickly continued, "I'm just bored."
"Bored? Are you kidding me?" I laughed. "You're stuck with me, and you don't think that this is a kick-ass awesome time!" She laughed at this too, and shook her head.
"Haha! That's not it at all. I'm just…bored." She said, shrugging her shoulders. She was quiet for a moment, which was different. It wasn't until she started grinning like an idiot that I was scared.
"Brooke?" she asked, her voice all unsuspecting and innocent.
"What?" I answered cautiously. What is she planning?
"Close your eyes."
"What?" I asked again.
"You heard me." She smiled. "Close your eyes."
"Oh dear." I whispered.
"What was that?" Mo smiled cockily.
"Nothing."
"Good! Now close your eyes." She prodded.
"I don't trust you, Mo." I said suspiciously.
"Oh, come on! It's only a game." She groaned dramatically.
"A game?" I asked, suddenly intrigued. She slowly smirked and nodded.
"Yep, and you know it, too. Just close your eyes." She said yet again. So, finally after being coaxed into it, I closed my eyes. I heard her move around in the water, and with my patience wearing thin, I called out her name again and opened my eyes. She was about ten feet away from me, which was rather confusing.
"Mo?" I asked again. She turned to me and grinned.
"Come on, you've got to keep your eyes shut." So once again I closed my eyes, and before I could ask anything else, she called out, "Marco!" Oh, I get it now.
"So this game will keep you from getting bored?" I yelled out, searching around for her.
"Yep!" Alright then.
"Polo!" I sang out. It was a few minutes before I caught her, and from then on we just went back and forth. I slid on rocks a few times, but soon enough I got the hang of it. I was 'it' again, and man, was she good at this game.
"Marco!" I heard from behind me, so I span around.
"Polo!" I laughed trying to reach her.
"You know, it's Paul-o, actually." Came a new voice. My eyes popped open, and standing in the sand were none other than the devil's advocates, lead by Paul.
"Oh, great." I said, just loud enough for them to hear. Mo waded over to me, and looking at her, she was startled, and…cautious? I looked back to Paul, who seemed as happy as ever.
"You know, I'm not surprised. I'm used to ladies calling out; well, screaming out my name." Marko said with a wink. I heard Mo scoff and I covered my mouth to keep a laugh from seeping through. He raised a brow then turned to her. "Doubting my charm?" she rolled her eyes, but I looked past her façade; something was off. Trying not to show my worry and curiosity, I answered for her.
"I don't think she's impressed, Marko." I spoke boldly, standing up straight in the water. I heard 'oh's' and snickers from Paul, Dwayne, and David, and Marko took a step forward.
"Really now. Feisty, eh? Alright then, you've done it, now I must prove my charm." He said simply, and took off his jacket.
"Woah, wait man." Paul said, holding him back. Then he turned back to us. "What he means to say is 'hey, mind if we join?' not the whole screaming and names thing."
"You're one to talk." David murmured while lighting up a cigarette.
"Yeah, with all the ladies you could snatch in a night, Paul." Dwayne added on. Well, this just got a bit awkward…
"So what do you say, Brooke," Paul started with a grin, "mind if we join?-"
"No." Mo said quickly. She composed herself, and then tried pulling me out of the water, "It's actually time for us to get going. I totally lost track of time." I looked to her, confused and ready to say something, but her eyes pleaded for me to stay quiet. What's her deal?
"…Yeah." I said in agreement, and we walked over to our bags.
"Woah, no bikini's, huh?" Marko asked in shock. "Wow, you really are a long way from home."
"Not a fan." I bit out. Come on; is there one guy that isn't a total pig? With that thought I threw on my shorts and button-up. Mo followed in suit, and threw on a simple dress that went down to her knees.
"I liked it better without the shorts and top." Paul said cockily, and Marko nodded in agreement.
"Well, who am I trying to impress?" I retorted. Mo eyed me and then the steps that led back to the boardwalk, signaling us to go.
"Paul." I heard from one of the guys. Quickly I turned, and almost smacked into that blonde-haired rocker.
"What do you want?" I asked. Can't they leave me alone for one night?
"Nothing," he said innocently, "just to hang out." I eyed him suspiciously.
"I don't know about you, David, but this sounds like a date to me." Dwayne said carefully. David grinned and nodded, and in turn, Marko did too. Really now? Looking to Paul, I had assumed he wouldn't be that type of guy-he seemed more like he was for the grab-n-go style.
"No, it's not." Paul corrected them. "It's not a 'date' when I hang out with you guys." He said, and soon they were off on their own little tangent. I looked back to Mo who seemed to get more and more uncomfortable, and cleared my throat.
"Well, I really don't care what it is, but I don't have time now." I said, walking over to Mo. "Like she said, it's about time we get back." She started walking me over to the stairs, and once there, that incessant voice raged on.
"Oh, come on, the party's barely started!" Marko called out, but I shook my head and we continued back to the comic shop. When we get there, she has some explaining to do. We were to the steps that led up to the boardwalk, but before I could step any further I heard a whisper in my ear.
"Do you have to go so soon?" I span around carefully, half expecting to run into somebody, but instead stopped with ease. Twenty feet away I could see the guys, standing in a row, each holding a smug expression –like they knew something I didn't. Looking down the row of them, their eyes were cold, except for Paul, who was amused, and winked my way. Forget them, Brooke. I turned back to Mo, and without another word we were off, back to the comic shop.
"You okay?" I asked once we were there, safely inside.
"Yeah…" she said after a moment. With one questioning look, she quickly continued. "Those guys are bad news, that's all." She said, looking to the ground.
"Mo?" I asked.
"Everything's fine, Brooke." She smiled, running a hand through her hair. "No worries, and I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" she finished.
"Uh…okay." I answered, and with that she took off to the back of the store. Something's definitely wrong with her. It's better to ask when she's not freaking out, right? -so I'll ask tomorrow. There was something weird about how she was acting though, but only around the guys…I'll be sure to bring that up next time. I've never seen her act like that…With those thoughts running through my head, I headed for the door. Passing by some kids checking out comic books, I departed, ready to go home.
I didn't get very far, because past those kids I ran into someone. I looked up, ready to apologize, and quickly changed my decision.
"Long time no see." Paul grinned. Why does it always have to be him? Honestly! I tried to side-step him, but he moved in sync with me, and wouldn't let me pass.
"Paul." I said, looking into his lit up eyes. Was he always this happy?
"Brooke." He mimicked in a light tone.
"C'mon, can't you leave me alone for a day?" I asked, frustrated. He looked to the crowds and tapped on his chin, thinking.
"Nope. And it's night, actually." He concluded after a minute.
"Will you answer my question then?" I asked tiredly.
"And what would that be?"
"What do you want?" He stayed quiet for a bit.
"To hang out." He answered simply.
"Oh right, now I remember. A 'date'?" I said smugly, but to be honest, I was worried, and even tired of all of these games.
"Nah." He shook his head. "Just to hang out."
"Really, can I just have a quiet night? It's only my…third night in town, and each one of them has been filled to the brink with weird bikers." I said simply. Maybe he'll get it…
"Weird? I think super-sexy fits the description better."
"If you say so." I said warily.
"I know so." He looked so smug.
"Okay then 'Mr. Sexy'," that got his attention, "can you leave me alone so I can find my sister, get the truck, and go home?"
"But what if she's going at it again with that Surf Nazi in the truck?" I hadn't thought about it like that… "I bet you wouldn't want to get into the middle of that." And he just let his words hang in the air.
"So?" I asked.
"So…I can take you home if you're that tired of me…or we can hang out, like I've been saying all along. Well, unless you want to watch your sister get it on with that scum-"
"Anyways," I cut him off, not wanting to dwell on the thought of Taylor with…Collin, "what about not trusting you?"
"What?" he asked cockily.
"Last night- you said not to trust you…or anyone for that matter." I said, looking at the crowds of people.
"Last night? I didn't say that." He grinned.
"Yeah, you did." I finished incredulously. He has to remember!
"No, I don't recall." He answered casually. Before I could make another retort, he smiled my way, a genuine smile, grabbed my hand, and practically dragged me through the crowd. Eventually he stopped and I realized we were in front of four familiar bikes.
"Where are your friends?"
"They must've gotten hungry." He shrugged, his eyes holding amusement.
"I never said yes to hanging out, Paul." I muttered, looking at the bikes.
"You never said no." Without another word he hopped on his ride and looked to me.
"Come on Brooke." He said, holding out a hand. "I can take you home-or not." I barely heard the last part. "The only question is, do you trust me?" he said in a light and mocking tone.
"Really?" I asked. Am I really considering his offer?
"Scouts honor." He said, and mock-saluted me with his free hand. His eyes were filled with unshed laughter. C'mon, is this guy ever upset or angry? Without really registering it, I took hold of his hand, and he pulled me over onto the bike behind him. He turned the ignition, and the great beast roared to life.
"Hold on!" I grabbed on to one of his shoulders and my other arm slid around his torso. "Now," he said, "let's have some fun!"
"What?"-but before I could stop him, we were off, roaring down the sandy beach. Oh great, what have I done now?
Like I said, this is more of a filler-chapter, but you will not be dissapointed in the next one. I plan on updating this weekend, and will stick with it this time. Thank you faithful readers, I hope you have enjoyed. Also! This was a lot of dialogue. Let me know if you liked it or hated it. I love the feedback. Love you guys, Crimsonsky132.