Chapter 3

Arianna’s POV:

I cleaned up the dining room with Miley and then Macy came and took Dekan for a bathe. My parents were sitting in the lounge room and in one short hour we’d be having dinner. I was kind of full but excited about dinner. Marcus was having dinner with us. I couldn’t believe he had driven all the way here just to see me. I smile and waltz up to Dekan’s room. I heard his delicious giggle and walked in to see him splash a little, Macy jumping back when she got hit with the water.

"I have no idea how you do this" she says jokingly as she wipes her face on the towel. Dekan giggles and begins playing with his plane.

"It’s easy. Of course he’s going to splash you though. I can’t stop that"

"No, you can’t."

I help her out a little and we play with some of his cars once he’s dressed. We get called down for dinner and we watch a family movie afterwards. When the movie finishes mum takes Dekan upstairs to put him to bed. I help dad fix up the cushions and stuff.

"So, baby girl, have you been having fun these last few days?" he asked me with a huge grin on his face. I fix up all the cushions while he does the DVD and empty glasses.

"I have. I really think they are all so nice. Especially Tracy and Stacy"

"They’re twins right?"

"Yep"

"They seem like nice girls. So I guess they all go to Dubstep?"

"Yes"

"You look really excited baby?"

"I am so excited but I can’t wait for school to start. I already have school friends"

"Your mother likes them too you know. It was nice of them to offer to help with dinner the other night. I guess they didn’t realise we have cooks?"

"No they didn’t know but they help took the dishes out to the kitchen"

"Yes they did. Lovely girls, you know how to pick 'em. And what about these boys they hang out with?"

"Oh yeah they’re nice too. Kyle dates Stacy, and Tracy is going out with Derek, and Nate, well, he’s single. I think"

"You think?"

"I don’t really know dad"

"Well as long as they don’t try anything"

"Dad! I have a boyfriend"

"Yeah that didn’t show up for dinner. Real commitment Ri"

So it was true, he hadn’t come to dinner. But he promised next time he would. Apparently his mum wanted him home early so he had to leave. At least he texted me instead of just leaving. I didn’t mind because I got to see him. He said he’d definitely come back and that he liked the lake and all. I was excited. I still had no idea why my parents hated him so much. He loved me, I think. Well he’d never really told me but he always said that he never wanted to lose me or anything. I mean they were the same thing wasn’t it. The next couple of days pass by quickly. I hang with the guys again and we all go swimming. People seemed to like gawking at them. I had gotten used to it although we’ve only been here just a week now. One more week and we would be at school. Despite hating school I was actually excited because I’d finally have something to do instead of just laying around. I mean, although I'd love to lay around with the twins, I still wanted to go back to school. Kyle and Derek had attempted to fish at the other end of the lake. The part that went out into the ocean. They failed and Derek had been pushed overboard by Nate. We’d laughed so hard and we drove off a little teasing Derek. He would swim to catch up then we’d drive a little further. It was actually quite fun. Tonight was movie night and I decided that they could all come to my house. We were using the movie theatre room. Dad had it all cleaned up for us from the couple of movies him and Dekan had watched on Sunday. I was wearing my pj’s and was waiting on the deck for their boat. Stacy and Tracy popped their heads around the corner and made their way through the gate.

"Hey are you excited?" Tracy says and I nod. Actually I was really excited. After this we were gonna go and play on the mini-golf course. It would be my first time there and I really didn’t care if we lost. On the other side of the lake I saw Kyle’s boat pulls up at Nate’s house. Nate does a little wave dance to get our attention and we all wave. Fast enough they’re here and I show them to the room. They all shot gun a seat and I set up the DVD. We were watching Bitch Slap. Kyle said the other day that we had to watch it. Of course being girls Tracy and Stacy had said no but I didn’t mind. Supposing it was a good movie though. I guess we’ll find out then. No one knew what we were watching as I sat down in the second row next to Nate. Nate and I were the only ones in this row. I didn’t mind because where we sat right in front of us were only two boxes with the remotes and stuff on it. They weren’t actual chairs. I press play and the movie starts.

"No way!" Kyle says and personally jumps up to give me a high five. Nate and Derek laugh also giving me high fives. Honestly, halfway into the movie, I was kind of regretting it. It had mega hot girls in it and they were all fighting and rolling in the dirt. Every guy's dream. Stacy and Tracy were satisfied because by the end of it no one was actually paying attention. I even started up conversation with Nate.

"So why do you guys like this movie? Other than the girls and dirty parts" I ask him and grins.

"Because the girls fight each other. I mean come on hot much"

"You are so sad"

"Opposite actually. Oh, and I showed my brother the strawberries and chocolate, and now he’s using it as a pick-up gig."

"Pick up gig? You mean you’ve never had strawberries and chocolate before?"

"Nope"

"Where have you been? Under a rock?"

I laughed and took a sip of my drink. Nate looks at me funny and then grins.

"Seriously a pick-up gig?" I ask again after I finish laughing.

"Yeah he used it today. Took a girl out by the forest picnic area and boom score"

"Score? Does he sleep around?" I frown. Who would sleep around? I was more of a settle down kind of girl. I wasn’t going to give up my virginity to some random who I’d probably never see again. I wanted my first time to be special and Marcus didn’t see this. Although I was pretty sure I wanted my first time to be with Marcus. I hoped.

"Yeah he does. A bit of a worry actually" I could tell he was hiding something from me. I couldn’t put my finger on it.

"So do you have a girlfriend?" I ask him curious. If he did she was one lucky girl.

"No but I have an idea or two. You know she doesn’t actually really know I like her but hopefully she will soon"

"Do you want me to help you? I could go undercover"

"Um..."

"I was kidding. I don’t even know anyone at school except you guys"

"Oh yeah shock parade Monday morning next week"

"How so? Is something wrong with me?"

"No not you. Just who you’re hanging out with"

"Oh no, you guys aren’t the bad guys, are you?" I joke, poking him in the chest. He had a hard chest. My eyes flicked to his chest. And he laughs and I continue staring contently. I had the sudden urge to know what it felt like to lick whip cream off him. I shake my head as he laughs.

"Sorry" I whisper and it feels like déjà vu. Like when I caught him staring at my chest so hard it wasn’t funny. I was actually a little embarrassed because I thought I’d had something on the. Finally the movie finished and I was the first to jump up. I see Stacy kissing Kyle intently. Nate follows me to the back of the room and helps me pack up. Finally I call them out and we go putt-putting. I walk onto the course and there is a little map sitting at the front entrance. We actually had a really good time. Stacy showed me how to do it all properly. The guys showing off continued to take big swings and then they completely missed but it was working. Stacy and Tracy were all over them. Nate on the other hand looked out of place and so did I. I hung with him most of the time. He was actually really nice but I could tell he liked to flirt a lot. He kept dropping lines on me but I refused to take the bait. Several times I almost fell for it. We were at the third last whole when I decided to start flirting back even though Marcus was in the back of my mind. I mean it was just harmless fun it’s not like I was going to kiss Nate. My eyes flicked to his lips and they pulled into a grin and I move my eyes up and look into his. His eyes sparkle and he laughs, swinging his hips. I smile trying not to laugh. Since the first whole I had gotten into the rhythm of swaying my hips a couple of times before hitting the ball. I stop and look at him trying to focus.

"Hey Derek" Nate calls out and I look up to him.

"Yeah?" everyone looks at Nate. He looks at me and gives me a devious smile.

"It’s all in the hips" he quotes happy Gilmore perfectly doing the exact movements. Everyone bursts out laughing even me. I shake my head and prepare for the shot. Just as I do it Nate walks up behind me and bumps into me.

"Hey!" I say jumping around banging into his chest.

"Wow calm down, you missed" he says pointing to my ball. It had banged into the side and was rolling back to me. I glared at him and he puts his ball down on the start point. I back up and lean against the tree there. He takes his shot getting it through the whole and almost into the actually whole. He smirks at me and I roll my eyes. The others had kind of given up but were still walking around with us. The only one’s still playing were Nate, Derek and me. The others were just watching and commenting. Derek took his shot getting it into the whole. Nate sinks his ball too and three shots later so do I. I skip ahead of them to the next one. It was one with a ramp leading up to a clown's face. I think it went in and popped out under the ear and it was then supposed to go into the whole sitting there. I vowed I was going to get a hole in one. Derek goes first and almost gets it in. Nate goes in and misses the ramp. I put my ball down still laughing and ready myself.

"So you like dirty dancing or something?" Nate asks me, standing right next to me as I look at the clown's face.

"What?" I ask looking back at him. He had a grin on his face and he was leaning super close to me.

"You know dirty dancing? Looks like a hobby of yours?" he says after a moments silence and just as I hit my ball. I let out a little gulp and step forward almost tripping. He grabs my arm and pulls me up before I go spiralling to the ground.

"Careful, there it was just a question," he says, patting my arm and moving to his ball. I shake my head. There was no way I was gonna let Nate get to me. Even if the way he said things were so yummy and the thought of whipped cream and his chest come flooding back. I blush again and we finish the course. As we walk back to the little booth in the middle of it all we return the putt-putt clubs. We walk back onto my deck and we all sit down facing the water.

"God I had so much fun tonight Ri" Stacy says using my nickname. Everyone nods and agrees.

"What can I say I throw killer fun times?" I say shrugging with a grin on my face. I hear a few of them agree and then I hear footsteps behind us.

"Did we all have fun on the course?" my mum asks and Dekan is too far behind her. He gives the guys a fist-bump and jumps into Stacy’s arms and gives Tracy a high five.

"We did mum" I said looking up at her in her going out dress. It was only 9 pm, and she and Dad hadn’t left yet. Odd considering they usually go out early.

"I brought out some strawberries and chocolate and Dekan did have the whipped cream"

I blush when she says whipped cream and I look at Nate who has a thoughtful look on his face.

"Sweet Mrs. Bode!" Kyle says jumping up and pulling Stacy up with him. She still holds Dekan and he giggles. Everyone hopes up and grabs some dessert. Mum leaves us with the food and kisses my cheek. Dad gives us all a quick hello and wave and they are gone. Stacy feeds Dekan his strawberries and he still gets chocolate on his face.

"This is by far the best thing I’ve ever had. Who knew strawberries were ever this good?!" Tracy says and they all agreed. Apparently they’d never heard of strawberry and chocolate either. God what do these people do, hide under rocks? This was by far the best desert out. And the best meal, well to me, was mashed potatoes, and the best lunch was grilled onion and cheese sandwiches. Cereal maybe not so much. I didn’t really have a favourite cereal although I especially love having cocoa puffs. It’s chocolate milkshake...only crunchy! Oh I loved that add. We talk a little longer and then Stacy and Tracy leave after they hug me to death and then kiss their boyfriends and give Nate a high five. We watch them walk down the pathway and we stand around Kyle’s boat.

"So hey Ri?" Derek asks. They had all started using my nickname since the movie. I was actually satisfied that we’d only know each other for about a week and we already felt like good friends.

"Yeah?" I turn to look at them.

"You're an alright chick. Definitely a keeper" he says nudging my shoulder. He looks at Nate who rolls his eyes. Kyle agrees and they jump onto the boat.

"So putt-putt loser, you up for round two tomorrow?" Nate asks me.

"Depends?"

"Depends on what?"

"If you’re ready for me to kick your butt" I say and he laughs.

"Oh you make me laugh Ri but now seriously. See you round 10ish?"

"Sure"

"Well then till next time putt-putt loser" he says smiling at me. I watch them leave and bit my lip. Nate was making things impossibly hard. I was completely devoted to Marcus but it was nice to hang with a guy without things getting in the way. If you know what I mean? I take Dekan back inside and we sit on my couch watching random TV. There wasn’t much on. Eventually we fall asleep on my bed together.

***

When I woke Dekan was on the other side of the bed snoring softly. It was nice to wake up to Dekan asleep for once. I snuck out of the room without waking him and make myself some cereal. I hear a couple of voices from the pool area. It was probably the gardeners arguing again. I shrug and push down my shirt and glance at myself in the mirror across the table. My hair looked like something died in it. Argh! I scooped up the last bits of milk and stand up.

"She should be just right in here" I hear Kirsten say. I turn to see her standing with a huge smile on her face and my eyes flick to the green eyes next to her.

"Priceless putt-putt loser" Nate says snickering. Kirsten slaps his arm and he looks at her. She smiles and walks away before she laughs. I blush madly and make my way into the kitchen. After putting my stuff in the sink I turn to see ante standing leaning against the doorframe. He smirked.

"Nice to see you at your best" he says and I glare at him. What was he doing here so early? I glance at the clock and realise its 10:30 am. Argh, I slept in again, and he was half an hour late.

"Oh my god, I overslept again"

"Gee nothing to fret over. So what if you neighbour happens to see you in your tweedy pj’s? Which are cute by the way. And he happens to see your perfect hair in it’s not-so-perfect state?" he smiles. He is clearly enjoying this. I push past him and race up to my room. I hear his sweet laugh at the top of the stairs. I was so embarrassed right now. How could Kirsten do that to me? She knew I was still in my pj’s. I shower quickly and then realise Dekan was still in my bed. I come out with a towel wrapped around my body. I glance at my bed and realise Dekan is gone. Hmm I shrug and look for a bikini set and board shorts. Later on today I was meeting up with Tracy and Stacy, and they were taking me down to the beach part. Exclusive access they called it. I pull on a random t-shirt and rattle my hair with the towel. I brush it and pull it up into a ponytail. I hated the feeling of wet hair on my neck. It made me shiver in horror and then I grabbed my thongs and headed downstairs. Mum was talking to Nate and Dekan was flicking through the channels.

"Ready for me to kick your butt?" I ask him when I reach the bottom step. He smirks at me and mum gives me a quick hug. What was she doing home anyway? Shouldn’t she be at work?"

"Oh I took the day off to spend some time with Dekan. We’re going shopping and then we’re going to this big park over the other side of town. Nate said it was a good place to go to for the little kids. Your father is coming home early tomorrow night too and we’re all going out for a fancy dinner" she explains reading my mind. Nate stands waiting patiently pulling faces at me behind my mum. I tried to hide my smile.

"Sounds good mum. Hope you have a good day" I say moving towards the backyard.

"We will. Hope you do to!" she calls out and Nate follows me to collect golf balls and then putt-putt clubs. We make our way to the first hole.

"So were you being serious about wanting to kick my ass?" he asks and I nod eagerly. Oh yeah I did. He had beaten me last night and Derek had kicked both our asses.

"Well here you go" he turns around and bends over a little. Oh god he wasn’t serious was he!?

"Nate!" I said and he turned laughing. He took the first shot and we were off. The flirting was non-stop and I actually liked it. We were actually talking about serious things to.

"So your mum travels the world?" I asked frowning. His mum sounded cool but I would miss her if she was my mum.

"Yep. She usually brings home some asshole that ends up cheating on her. She never learns"

"Oh dear that’s not good. Haven’t you tried to do something?"

"All the time but she never listens to us"

"So does your brother go to Dubstep?"

"No he goes to north high"

"How come?"

"He likes fresh meat variety"

"Fresh meat?"

"Long story"

"Explains so much"

"Yeah it does"

"So what else?"

"Don’t you know enough? I mean do you want to know what it was like for my very first time?" he shuffles closer to me pouting his lip. I laughed and nudged him.

"Not really"

"Why not? I promise it was quite good. I mean for me it was"

"Oh too much information"

"She went a little something like this... ooh, oooh, Nate, oooh god!" he yelled out and I hit him.

"Stop it" I laughed as he continued to scream his fake orgasm across the silent air.

"Oh it’s so big Nate. Oooh Nate!" he continued and I slapped him again.

"Okay fine, fine. I’ll stop. Ooh Nate!" he said the last part again just to annoy me. I was looking around to see who had heard. Thankfully I couldn’t see anyone in sight.

"Seriously Nate that’s embarrassing"

"Nothing wrong with screaming someone’s name in the heat of the moment. You should know"

"But I don’t"

His mouth falls open and he looks at me like I’m crazy.

"What?" I ask him, frowning.

"You’re a virgin?!" he says a little too loud "No!!! What??" I say and my voice breaks a little. I didn’t exactly want them to know I was a virgin. It wasn’t something many teens liked to brag about.

"Ooh this is priceless" he says nudging me. He carries onto the next whole like nothing happened. I follow him with my cheeks flaming.

"Oh don’t worry I won’t tell anyone. Our little secret" Nate whispers in my ear after he sinks the ball first shot. I shiver in pleasure and curse in my head. Marcus, you idiot. I was still dating Marcus. Get your mind off Nate. We continue playing and then just as we finish I hear Stacy call out my name. Nate puts the stuff away for me and I race off to find them. Stacy stands just outside the gate with Tracy.

"Hey guys what’s up?" I ask them "Oh nothing we just wanted to see what you’re doing tonight?"

"Tonight? Not much why?"

"We’re having an end of school holidays party at our house you should totally come. We could show you some of the people that go to our school. Everyone will be there" Tracy says filling me in on some of the details. Nate pops up and scares us. He laughs and makes his way to his speedboat.

"Ladies if you don’t mind I have to be getting home. I shall see you all tonight of course!" he says and then revs the engine. He wiggles his eyebrows and I raise my eyebrow. He took off at high speed and when he got to the other side he jumped out and began doing a little dance. He waves and does a quick bow before taking off inside his house. I shake my head laughing. Tracy and Stacy laugh and I pull them inside. We sit in the lounge room on third floor.

"We can totally pretty you up for the party. I mean only if you want us too of course" Stacy says and they were all happy and excited for tonight. I was actually getting into it too. I was finally going to meet some of the people at my new school. When late afternoon neared we returned to my place after checking in at the twins. Everything was set. They brought over their make-up and their outfits. We spent an hour doing our make-up and practises hair do’s. I ended up straightening mine; well Tracy did it for me. It was completely different look but I liked it. My bangs, instead of dangling carelessly in front of my face, were now perfectly straightened as I looked over myself in the mirror I could believe that it was really me.

"Wow Ri looking good" Stacy says when she returns from the bathroom. She’s wearing a white dress and black heels. Tracy took off into the bathroom to change, and I waited, holding my dress and twirling on my chair. Tracy popped out in a black dress and white heels. These twins were matching. I liked it because they looked so a like but you could definitely tell the difference. Stacy had curled her hair and Tracy had half put up her hair. I slowly walked into the bathroom feeling nervous about the party. I pull on the red dress and look myself over in the mirror. I gulped when I realised it actually suited me well. I looked smoking and I couldn’t believe that it was really me under all that. I walk out and into my closet to find my black stiletto boots. I find them and put them on and face the twins.

"Oh I love it" they say together and I laugh. Stacy yells jinx and Tracy growls at her. They run out onto my balcony and I could see people were already making their way into their house. I frowned but went along with it all. I spotted Nate and the other guys and the twins took off downstairs. I followed after them waving bye to my mum who snapped a quick picture of us and then we were off running down the path to meet the guys. I couldn’t be bothered to run, so I walked as the twins raced off, jumping into their boyfriends' arms. Nate looked down at me and smiled. I smiled back and we all walked in. The party was almost in full swing. The second I step in the door the twins take one of my arms each and they pull me upstairs. We had a perfect view of everyone.

"Alright then. See those girls in the corner?" Tracy asks pointing to the girls in the corner. They were all wearing tight jeans and killer heels. They wore barely a shirt and chewed aggressively on chewing gum.

"Yeah?"

"They are the bubble gum girls. Nice but really bitchy. I mean don’t get on their bad sides. You could have one hell of a time but it can change" Stacy explains and her sister nods agreeing.

"Oh and the boys in the same corner?" Stacy says pointing to them. They were all wearing football jerseys. Before Tracy said anything I knew they were the big jocks of the school and most popular.

"They are the footy guys. Totally delicious but beware will sleep with whoever they can lay their hands on. So avoid!" Tracy says with a tick.

"I already have a boyfriend so..."

"Hmm true. Anyway see the girls in the corner with the short skirts on?" Stacy asks and I nod.

"They are our other friends. We don’t really hang out with them much but during school yes. They are our clique. The cheerleaders" Tracy says and Stacy high fives her in front of my face.

"Most popular girls?" I ask frowning. Tracy and Stacy didn’t really seem like the type.

"Hmm the girls who rule the school and Tracy and I are at the top of the food chain. I’m head cheerleader, and Tracy is my co-head cheerleader," Stacy explains and I nod. Odd considering cheerleaders were normally mean to everyone, not being cliché or anything but seriously.

"And then you have the few scattered people around the place who have their own groups which don’t really have a category I guess" Tracy says frowning "But some of them are super nice too" Stacy says "Yeah we hang with them sometimes"

After that I somehow felt like I was in on the knowledge and I was. Stacy and Tracy introduced me to the other cheerleaders but there were only six of them here at this time. They were nice but could tell they didn’t quite trust me.

"So you’re the new kid on the block huh?" Kylie, I think her name was, asks me. The others were in deep conversation with each other, and Kylie had torn away to talk to me.

"Yep" I say nodding and taking a drink of the clear liquid which burned my throat. I restrained from coughing.

"So you have a boyfriend back home?"

"Yeah"

"Oh nice. We have total hotties at Dubstep. All a part of the football team though. I was gonna say go for your life but you already have a boyfriend so I guess there all mine still"

She laughs and I shake my head at her. She was a really nice outgoing cheerleader. I guess no one really wanted to get on her bad side. I knew she had one, because it glinted in her eyes whenever she laid eyes on someone across the room. She continued glancing their way constantly.

"Excuse me but I have to go talk to one of my friends over there. I’m totally not ditching you but I haven’t seen her in like a month"

"Go for your life" I say and she takes off to the other side of the room. Someone brushes their arm against mine.

"Just tap it in!" they say and I groan slapping Nate on the chest.

"Shut up about it already"

"Least I ain’t saying anything about moaning right?" he eyes me and I shake my head glaring at him. He pulls a devious smile and nudges my arm.

"Whatever Nate, moan for all I care"

"What shall I moan then? Your name? Oooooooh, Ri" I put my hand over his mouth, and he laughed, pulling it away. I point my finger at him threatening him.

"Don’t ever do that again"

"I never got the chance to start doing it. I bet it would have been amazing" he winked at me and I shook my head getting his meaning. I spend a little longer with Nate before the twins pull me out to dance. I catch Nate watching me a few times and then my phone starts vibrating in my hand. I glance at it and realise it was Marcus. I grinned happily and took off outside.

"Hey Marcus" I answer walking away from the party a little.

"Hey baby"

"What you up too?"

"Not much. I was just wondering what you’re doing on the weekend?"

"So far nothing"

"Well I wanted to come see you, that’s all."

"Oh that would be totally awesome"

"I know right. My mum says it’s cool if I stay the night only if it’s cool with your parents"

"Do you even know my parents?"

"Yeah I suppose but I still want to stay the night with my baby"

"Oh, you’re so sweet. Hey, look, my parents are going out late on Friday night and they leave early for work. I’m pretty sure if you stay in my bed until they’ve left then I’m sure they won’t see you"

"Cool babes. Glad you still go to the lengths for me"

"I would go to the ends of the earth for you"

"I know"

"So you’re cool to come up Friday morning?"

"Yep"

"Alright then"

"What’s that noise in the background?"

"Oh um just music"

"Music?"

"Yeah I’m over at Stacy and Tracy’s house. They threw a party"

"Oh"

"Don’t worry I’m wishing you were here"

"Babe I have total faith in you"

"I know and I have faith in you too. You know, I can’t believe we’re actually doing this long-distance relationship thing."

"I know it’s great. I still get to keep the girl of my dreams"

"Oh stop it Marcus"

"Oh well sorry baby but I gotta go. The boys just showed up"

"You’re going out tonight?"

"Yeah we’re going to that new club"

"Oh really? I always wanted to go there"

"I know. Oh I should take you when you come up to visit"

"Yeah if my parents ever let me"

"They will. I’ll get my mum onto them"

"Thanks babe. Well I should let you go"

"Yeah I see you Friday then?"

"Yep"

"I love you"

"You too"

I closed my phone thinking about it for a moment. I couldn’t actually bring myself to say I love you to him. He had said it loud and clear but I’d faltered and rushed to hang up. I feel the guilt sink in my stomach.

"Ri, what you doing out here? Rasheeda wants to meet you" Stacy calls out waving me in. This was hopefully going to be a good night. And it was. I kept drinking and drinking. I challenged Nate to a shot contest and I won completely. The vodka had burned my throat the whole way down but I was learning to block it out. Nate challenged me again and I still won. Stacy then convinced me to play beer pong with her. I threw up after about the third game. Vodka mixed with beer was not the best tasting combo. Tracy had laughed while she held my hair while I puked in the garden. My world was spinning, and eventually, at 3 am, I passed out on the couch, lying on top of someone I didn’t remember. I strained my brain trying to remember but I couldn’t. I gave in to the darkness and fell dead asleep.