“Oh, okay.”
“What’s the matter? You’re not into him?”
If Amelia told me that William was coming, too, then maybe the conversation would end there.
“No, I mean, he’s really nice, and he’s cute . . .”
“Cute? How old are you?” She burst out laughing.
“Amelia, are you trying to set me up?”
“He talks about you a lot.”
“Blaze?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, fine. But don’t play matchmaker for me,” I reproached her.
“I’m not trying to, June. I promise. Brian and I will be there too. Dress cute and put on your bathing suit! We’ll pick you up in half an hour,” she yelled, brimming with excitement before hanging up.
“Bathing suit? But—”
I looked at my phone screen. Maybe the jeans and sweatshirt that I’d already picked out in my head wouldn’t work. Discouraged, I flung my closet door open.
I untied my robe and let it slide off my back, then put on a bra and underwear. I flinched as I stared at the marks on my inner thighs.
My swimsuit. No way.
I went through my clothes only to realize that I didn’t have anything summery or beachy to wear. Diddly-squat. I opted for a pair of long, comfortable shorts and a top that was less sporty than the others. I pushed up my boobs suggestively, showing almost too much cleavage, so decided to hide behind a comforting sweatshirt.
I considered myself satisfied. I dried my hair and kept it loose, then looked at myself one more time in the mirror. The white sweatshirt went down to my hips, hiding my figure more.
>> <<
Brian parked his Jeep in a big open space in front of Crescent Bay Beach, one of the most picturesque places in Laguna Beach, famous for its surfing and breathtaking sunsets.
“Crescent Bay’s dog-friendly, which is nothing to sneeze at,” Blaze said. “Some people say they’ve seen dolphins off the coast. And if you come here at dawn in the early-morning haze, the rocky formations are even more beautiful. It looks like something out of a fairy tale.”
“Thanks, Blaze. I think June gets it.” Amelia cut him off curtly. We reached the beach. I shuddered. There were girls in bikinis. Everywhere.
“You could’ve told me we were going to this kind of party,” I muttered in confusion. The closer we got to the party, the louder the music got, making it impossible to communicate.
“You wouldn’t’ve come if I’d told you!” Amelia yelled, letting a cryptic snigger slip.
That night, she was even more beautiful than usual. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded onto her shoulders in waves, contrasting with an ultramarine minidress that perfectly accentuated her olive-toned skin. She was barefoot, and the straps of her white bikini peeked out from under her dress.
I didn’t know why, but while I had imagined a bonfire, drunk people, glass bottles, and copious amounts of drugs, it was actually really chill. Some well-dressed people and some dressed in beach outfits were holding drinks and talking. Only the music coming from a beach house seemed slightly louder than usual.
“The beach is only open till ten,” explained Blaze as we went into the house.
“But whose house is—”
I understood what was going on as soon as I crossed the threshold. Everything I expected to find outside was happening inside. The smell of smoke nauseated me, hitting me in the pit of my stomach. I almost froze when I saw a couple passionately making out on the couch.
“We’d better go back outside,” I muttered.
“Let’s get something to drink, and we’ll head out, okay?”
