Heyyyyy! Thanks for all the reviews! I tried to post the links of how all the characters look in my story here, but it wasn't working. So, go to the bottom of my profile to get links to all character images! Thanx!
Claire's eyes cracked open- just a bit- to see the curtains wide open, and sunlight pouring in. Groaning softly, she placed her hands beside her, and pushed herself up slowly. What happened? No one was there, and the room was clean and organized- unlike the mess it had been last night. She saw a trail of small, wet footprints coming out from the bathroom, but waved it off. Massie must have showered. Then she caught sight of her reflection in the vanity across the room and winced. There she was, her blonde hair in a tangled mess, her eyes rimmed with red, and her lips in desperate need of some Chapstick. Ew.
"Oh good, you're awake!"
Claire turned to see Derrick standing by the door, holding a silver tray laden with pancakes, toast, eggs, juice, a plate with two Advil pills, and two steaming cups of coffee. Hurrying over to the bed, he placed the tray on their side table. He handed the cup of coffee and the pills to Claire and gave her a wide, sweet smile. She returned it with a weak half-smile and started to sip her black coffee. Mmm.
"You had a pretty crazy night."
She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again, trying to remember.
"What happened? Did I do something I'd regret in the morning?"
Derrick smiled and shook his wet mop of hair. He, too, must have come out of the shower.
"Nah. Nothing out of the ordinary. You and Massie had an orgy with tons of wine in the jacuzzi. Josh joined later on."
She chuckled softly.
"Typical drunk, huh?" Then she stopped. "Wait a sec. Did we-" she slowed down her words. "Did we, um... have sex?"
Derrick's grin faded.
"Do you really think I'd take advantage of you while you're drunk, Claire?"
She searched his face carefully, found no trace of insincerity, and gave him a small hug.
"I'm sorry. I just totally lose control sometimes."
He laughed, and took her empty cup of coffee. He put the plate full of toast and scrambled eggs in her lap, and looked up at her.
"You must be hungry." He said in a deep, caring voice. He buttered her toast and sprinkled some pepper on her eggs, just the way she liked it. "Eat up. It's about 11:00 am right now. If we're going to head to the actual island for some insane partying, then we'll have to leave by at least 3:00. Massie already packed an extra suitcase for the yacht, in case you want to change when we get there."
She nodded silently, absorbing all that he had told her.
"Oh, and Claire?"
"Yeah?"
"Are we cool, about, you know, everything?"
He gave her a hopeful smile, and she felt like a bitch for the what she was about to say. Sighing, she bit her bottom lip in worry.
"Listen, Derrick. What you accused me of doing was unforgivable. Two people can't have a good relationship unless it's built on trust. I trusted you. But you couldn't trust me enough to go swimming with your best guy friend without me screwing him. I'm sorry Derrick. I love you, but, right now... I just need some time to think. Please try to understand."
His face grew downcast, and he broke eye contact with her.
"I guess you're right." he murmured so quietly, she almost couldn't hear him.
"Derrick..." Claire moved to place a hand on his arm, but he stood up.
"No, Claire, listen to me. I completely understand. I was an asshole, and you have every right to doubt me. I promise I'll change, but for now, I'll give you your space. But I'd hate to have the rest of this trip being super awkward. So, let's still be, and act, like best friends, alright?"
"A'ight!" she replied grinning, in their 'secret' special fangsta (fake-gangsta) voice.
"Foshizzle, bitch."
Claire laughed.
"I fucking love you, Harrington."
"I know you do, foo."
"Self-centered bastard."
"Beeeee-yotch."
"Alright, get out Harrington."
"Make me, dawg!"
"Fine."
Claire moved so quickly, Derrick hardly had anytime to see what she was doing. She grabbed the wet towel on the edge of the bed, twisted it, and whipped his butt. Derrick jumped up and swore loudly.
"Damn it, Claire!" And he ran out the door before she could do anything else.
Claire sighed and looked in the mirror critically. She had taken a nice, long hot shower, to make up for her terrible hangover. It was about 2:30, and Josh and Derrick were impatient to leave. But hey, you can't rush beauty. If she was going to strut all around Nantucket with her three gorgeous best friends, she needed to look ah-mazing, but effortlessly so. She was pretty sure she fit the requirement.
She wore a long-sleeved white Lacoste v-neck shirt with a hood over a light gray Abercrombie lace camisole. Over it, she had a Marc by Marc Jacobs mint green, slightly puffy vest. She wore faded light wash denim True Religion short shorts, and chocolate brown UGGS were on her feet. Her silky blonde hair was in an elaborate French braid, and hung over one shoulder. Over her hair, she kept a light tan cable knit Ralph Lauren beret.The only makeup on her face was shimmering pink gloss, and the subtlest hint of smoky gray eyeliner that set off her blue eyes dramatically. Perfect. Swinging a her new black Diorissimo Hobo Bag over her shoulder, she gave a final smile to her reflection.
"Kuh-laire!"
Massie sashayed into the room, her mood raised dramatically from her rekindled attention from Josh. She looked beautiful in her Valentino red velvet, quarter-sleeved sweater dress, white Pucci scarf, black sheer tights, and white scrunched Christian Louboutin flats. It was a bit formal for the occasion, but she balanced the look with the white NYY skullcap, given to her by Josh during the World Series, set atop her glossy mass of curls.
"Hey babe..."
"Are you ready or nawt?" she asked, placing a hand on her jutting hip. She sounded annoyed, but an excited smile played at her lips. At that moment, she looked astonishingly like Leighton Meester from Gossip Girl; with her elaborately curled hair, perfect makeup and figure, and ruby-red lips.
"Someone's excited." she teased, poking Massie's flat stomach.
"Well... okay, yeah, I'm totally psyched! I think Josh and I are going to have a really good night. This morning, after I woke up with him in bed, he said he loved me, and kissed my forehead! How cute is that?!"
She and Claire started squealing excitedly, jumping up and down.
"He looked so hot this morning. I just want to-"
"Whoa, Mass, slow down for a minute."
"I can't help it! Oh, just to let you know, I'd appreciate it if you and Derrick didn't scream 'Keep it PG!' or 'STDs!' every time me and Josh were in a room together. Especially tonight."
"Someone's HORNYYYYY!" Claire shouted, shaking her butt in Massie's face, similar to the way Derrick had done for so many years.
"Shut up. Anyway, what's with you and D anyways? You're back together, right?"
Claire sighed, and twisted her thick braid around her finger.
"No. I said I needed some time alone. To think about things. I don't want to rush into another 'trust-less' relationship. Derrick's going to have to learn to trust me if he's going to be with me. "
Massie frowned, but after a second, her face brightened, and Claire knew exactly what she was about to do.
"Claim that you're so hot and you say you got skills in the bedroom!" Massie sang softly.
"You try to flirt when you're so not
Had a chance you still never come through." Claire giggled, and sang louder.
"You say you wanna come see me,"
"Cuz you know you're girlfriend wanna be me."
"I'm a tell you why you can't."
"Said you gotta long way to go! Say you wanna love me?" They sang in unison, linking arms, and strutting model-style out the door and down the stairs.
"Wanna love me?
Wanna touch me?
Think twice cuz' you gotta long way to go
Don't know how to act
You better fall back
It's like that cuz you gotta long way to go
It's not that deep
Take it easy
You wanna please me?
Got a long way to go
I'm a bad girl
You wanna get close?
Ease up cuz you gotta a long way-"
They paused, and after a deep breath, shouted,
"YOU GOT A LONG WAY TO GO!!"
They broke into loud giggles, and ran toward the yacht, where Derrick and Josh were waiting, with confused, but relaxed expressions on their faces. Massie jumped straight into Josh's arms, and he carried her onto the boat with a wide grin. Claire smiled shyly at Derrick, who smiled back, and they, keeping a reasonable distance from each other, slowly shuffled onto the boat.
"If one more guy hits on you and Claire, I will seriously kick their asses." Josh said in a low voice, glowering at a tall, freckled brunette kid who didn't look any older than 15, who was stumbling back into a pub, laughing loudly.
"Chill, Hoshay." Claire giggled. "It's kind of funny. I mean, how old was the first guy who tried getting Massie's number? 80?"
Massie glared at her.
"Not as funny as that 11 year old trying to feel you up when you bought that hot dog."
Everyone laughed, while Claire's face grew bright red.
"Shut up." she muttered, smacking Josh's arm.
They were all on the island, strolling across the port city, where along the docks, many ships were tied. It smelled faintly of fish and the ocean, swirling together, making Claire's nose crinkle from the strangeness of the odor. They had spent the last two hours just wandering around, picking seashells along the shore, looking at the seaside shops, filled with souvenirs, and sitting on the dock, with the feet dangling in the air, chewing on sandwiches, fish sticks, and popsicles. Claire and Massie were attracting a certain amount of attention from the people around them, especially among the males. The four friends walked side by side, with Josh giving Claire a piggy-back ride, and Massie and Derrick on either side of him. Suddenly, Claire felt a sharp sting on her butt, and immediately whipped around.
"Who did that?!" she shouted, dropping from Josh's back, and glaring around the dock accusingly. She spotted a large group of guys and girls around their age, laughing. One guy in particular gazed at her with an amazed expression.
"Claire Lyons?"
"Hunter Johnson?"
"You know him?" Derrick asked suspiciously. But Claire didn't hear him. She was watching the guy with a shocked look, and smiled ecstatically when he ran over, and gave her a huge hug.
"Claire! Whoa, you look great! Hey, sorry 'bout the little 'accident'."
He gave her a guilty smile and laughed. He was definitely gorgeous. He was tall, with golden blonde curls that flew back in the wind; startling green eyes, and a lean, toned, body; and he was wearing a deep green Nautica rugby that matched his eyes, and Hollister cargo shorts.
"Oh shut up, Hunt. I know you did that on purpose."
He winked at her, grinning.
"Couldn't resist."
Claire could practically hear what Derrick was thinking. Who the fuck does this asshole think he is? And why the hell is he hitting on my girlfriend?
"Guys, this is Hunter Johnson. He was one of my best friends back in Orlando."
"And best boyfriend." Hunter added, flashing a smile.
"You two dated?" Josh asked, his eyebrows furrowing. "You didn't tell us that."
Claire bit her lip nervously.
"It never came up. Besides, it was a long time ago."
"Never too late to rekindle the flame, babe." he said, winking again.
"No way, Hunt. Anyhow, this is Massie Block, my best friend," Claire smiled, gesturing toward her brunette friend. "Josh Hotz, her boyfriend," she pointed to Josh, "And Derrick Harrington. My boy-" she paused. "Another one of my best friends."
Hunter nodded at them, smiling.
"These are my friends." he said, pointing to the large group behind them. "We're all spending the summer in my beach house."
Claire looked behind him at the group of people. She recognized some from Orlando, but they were all part of the 'popular' clique back home, which was nothing compared to the extent of her popularity in Westchester. She almost laughed at their choice of clothes. They were all in polos. The girls were all in polos with mini skirts, polos with shorts, polos with capris, polos with jeans, and polo dresses. Can you say prep? Most of the guys were in polos too, but some were wearing graphic American Eagle, Hollister, and Abercrombie tees as well.
"Yo, Hunt! We headed to your place or what?"
The group turned to see a black-haired boy with mismatched eyes approach. Everyone's eyes widened.
"Cam?"
"Claire?"
"You two know each other?" Hunter laughed. "This is my man, Cam. He's with my group. We met at camp. You guys familiar?"
"We've met." Derrick and Josh said at the same time, firmly.
Cam gave Claire a strained smile, but she didn't smile back. He nudged Hunter, who suddenly widened his eyes, and glanced between him and Claire.
"You mean... oh damn." Hunter muttered, then quickly regrouped.
"So, Claire, I'm hosting the hottest party tonight on my yacht. It's called "Bay Eaze". Everyone who's anyone will be there. So I guess you and your friends will show up. I heard you guys were checking out Fire&Ice, but its' overrated. I'll see you on the boat at 9. Party doesn't end till 3, so don't expect to get back home anytime soon."
He gave the group a grin. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out four embossed invitations.
"Sorry about this. But we've had way too many losers trying to crash the party. Though no one in their right minds would mistake you for a loser, Claire."
He gave Claire a final smile, kissed her cheek, and sauntered off to his group of friends, with Cam trailing behind him. The four friends exchanged looks.
"So, are we going?" Josh asked finally.
"No."
Massie and Claire glared at Derrick.
"Of course we're going. I've been to Hunt's parties before, and they are insane. You'll have the greatest time, trust me." Claire said firmly. Derrick looked at her, and sighed.
"But- well... alright. Let's go."
Haha. D-R-A-M-A spells DRAMA. Don't worry, my O.C isn't going to be another guy who's in love with Claire. But with Cam, Alicia, and the rest of the gang at the party, what will happen? Here's a preview of the next chapter:
"So, just to shake things up, we're gonna have an exes dance. Three songs, and you have to dance with your ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend. No one's allowed to sit this one out!"
Hunter winked at a tall, leggy red-haired girl who was glaring at him with her arms crossed; and jumped off the stage, making his way to the redhead.
"Claire, do you want to dance?"
"Um, okay Cam."
"Josh?"
"Fine, Alicia."
"I guess it's just you and me, Mass."
"Alright, Derrick."
Will a romance be rekindled? (Hint:no MassieXDerrick. Sorry, Massington fans.) Only time- and a hell of a lot of reviews- will tell.