Chapter Nine

Life is a Beach

Kelsey

I'm in such a hurry to get away from my dad's game of twenty questions that I crash into a wall. Wait. No, that's not a wall. It's a person.

I start to fall backwards but a hand grabs my shoulder and pulls me upright again. The guy I just crashed into gives me a nasty look before storming off.

"Thanks." I mutter to his back.

"What the hell was that?" Karla asks as she hands me a plate of pizza.

"No fucking clue." I say, claiming the seat beside her. She's sitting a sufficient distance from the fire pit.

"He looked at you like you just kicked his dog." Karla notes. Huh. So I wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Well, as you could see, I did not kick his dog." I roll my eyes before polishing off my pizza.

"Okay okay, I'll leave it be." Karla holds her hands up in a mock gesture of surrender.

"Thanks." I say, rolling my eyes. And then I add, "dramatic bitch."

"Fuck you!" Karla says, giggling. These insults are a common thing between us.

"No thanks." I quip and then dodge her friendly punch.

Karla runs over to say hi to her crush, James Andrews. I sit back and open my book. Might as well read a little bit before Karla comes back over here to whisper about how hot James is. Karla is very vocal but her crush.

Karla runs back over to me. Her eyes are sparkling and she bounces but an energizer bunny.

"Whoa! What's got you so excited?" I ask, laughing.

"James asked me to sit with him!" Karla whisper-shouts. Then, "Is that okay? Do you want me to stay with you?" Leave it to Karla to offer; I can't go sit with them because the smoke is blowing in that direction.

"Are you kidding? Go sit with him! That's awesome, girl!" I slap Karla a high five before she walks over to James.

I watch as people slowly branch off to do their own thing. Several guys join the La Push boys for a game of football. A few girls are working on their tan. A few couples are making out. And then there's me.

It's okay that I'm alone. I can read without it looking rude. And the beach is the best place to read.

I pop in my earbuds and turn on my playlist. I smile to myself as the familiar strains of Barry & Michelle Paterson's Recession Song come over the earbuds. I fucking love this song. I've been known to listen to it on repeat a few times.

I slip away into my own little world. A world where it's just me, the book, the sand between my toes and the music. I love this feeling.

I read for maybe about an hour before the football comes sailing in my direction. I stand to kick it back over to the guys before sitting back down and allowing my mind to wonder again.

Eventually Karla brings over a few roasted marshmallows for me. I thank her and ask how it's going with James. Karla just smiles mischievously before going back over to him. Good for her.

The Forks High guys have now moved away from the La Push guys in order to raid the food. We'll be lucky if there's any left.

I glance over to check on Karla and James and find them making out on their log. I give Karla a thumbs-up and turn away. It's about damn time they got together; they've been obsessing over each other for as long as I've known them.

The La Push guys have switched to volleyball. About eight well-muscled guys smacking a volleyball back and forth. And yeah, I look. Can't help it.

I briefly debate going home but decide against it. Bella's probably bitching about Jacob ignoring her. She's not here with the rest of the senior class, which is fine by me.

The longer I can avoid her the better. So I decide to stick it out. I figure I can just lean back and enjoy the quiet that only comes when Bella's not around.

I've just picked my book back up when the volleyball comes soaring through the air and damn near takes my face off. I wince, rubbing my nose as I lean forward to grab the ball. Dammit, that hurt!

"Sorry. Are you okay?" One of the La Push guys is standing in front of me, his brows creased slightly.

"Yeah. Fine." I hand him the ball. "Kinda my fault for not paying attention."

"Jared Cameron." He extends a hand.

"Kelsey Swan." I shake his hand and smile. "Nice to meet you, Jared."

"Same." He spins the ball on one finger. "You're Chief Swan's daughter, huh?"

"Yep. I'm his youngest." I say with a grin. "My sister's not that much older than me, though. I'm seventeen."

"So am I." Jared says with a grin. Then he starts back over to the guys. "See ya later, Kelsey!"

"Later!" I wave before lowering my gaze back to the book in my hands. I slip back into my own little world, but this time, I manage to keep half an eye on the rather intense volleyball game the La Push boys are in the middle of.

"What's the score from that?" Karla asks, making me jump.

"Dammit, Karla. You scared me. And I don't know."

"Oh. Well, here's a s'more. How's your face holding up? That was one hell of a hit."

"It's fine. Thanks." I take the plate from Karla. "Congrats on getting together with James."

"Thanks!" Karla beams. "I'm so happy! He is such a good kisser. Well, gotta go!" She heads back over to James.

I sigh heavily. I'm happy for Karla, I really am. But I can't help wondering if I will ever have a boyfriend who's not toxic. If I will ever have that rush of euphoria that can only come from your first kiss. If I will ever be able to say that I'm happy in a relationship. Or if I'm doomed to stay single and alone forever.

A/n: Hi, guys! I'm back. I hope you liked this chapter with the brief interaction between Paul and Kelsey. I promise the good stuff's coming up, just bare with me. And hit that review button! Because the more you do that, the quicker I update. So here's the deal for next chapter: If I can get to 23 reviews, I'll upload chapter ten on Monday. If I don't get to 23, I'll upload on Wednesday. Oh, and should I keep doing replies? Later!

Lauren.

Replies to Reviews:

Twilightfanjm: Well, they met. Their first comversation will actually take place next chapter, which will be up on Monday or Wednesday of next week. Stay tuned... LOL. And yes, I agree; smoking is a nasty habit. You'll just have to wait and see if he quits, though. I hope you like this chapter; please review and let me know.

Rachaelm1981: I love Paige, too. Other than Kelsey, she's my favorite OC. And get ready for a lot of her! I'll try to fit Paige dealing with Paul's Hyde side. And I have decided about Paul's smoking habit, but you'll just have to wait to find out what happens with that. LOL. I hope you enjoyed this chapter; please review and let me know.

Guest: Thanks! I'm glad you like it. I hope you liked this chapter, too; please review and let me know.