— V. THIS SIDE OF PARADISE

"GG ARE YOU GOING TO GET OUT OF BED ANYTIME SOON?"

i groaned hearing cole come in my room, and i pulled the covers over my head, "no! let me wallow in my self pity!"

"i did, for like two weeks."he reminded me, and i kicked my legs, "now, its a beautiful day out and we're going to the beach so get up."

cole pulled the covers off of me, and i stuck my tongue out at him, before clem was standing next to him, giving me a look, "why is she still in bed?"

"in her words, to sulk."cole told emmy, and i rolled my eyes, "liar! i said to wallow in my self pity!"

"same thing."cole rolled his eyes, before yanking the covers off of my bed, "now up, we leave in twenty."

both cole and clementine left my room, and i let out a groan before getting up and grabbing one of the bathing suits clementine had bought me when we had gone shopping a few weeks ago.

once i had put it on, i threw over a sweatshirt before walking out, seeing nic already making something along the lines of a wrap with what i think was ham. "no cheese correct?"nic asked, and i nodded, grabbing a quick snack before we headed out towards out spot.

the ten minutes to the beach were awkward to say the least. it was like everyone knew it was more than just mom and dad kicking me out, and they were just waiting on me to come out and say it, but i wasn't going to. as soon as we got down to the beach, i dropped my stuff and ran towards the water, doing everything i could to avoid them.

as i got deep enough, my head submerged, taking a deep breath and letting myself fall under.

for the past six years, this place had been my escape route to all my problems for 120 days. no parents fighting, no teachers bothering me with stupid projects, or the impending college applications i'd have to fill out this year. none of it.

but this year was different. getting kicked out less than two weeks before we were supposed to leave, my siblings starting to raise questions, the stress of my parents continuously blowing up both colton, and i's phone, and not to mention the fight with jj last night.

finally emerging from the water, i came up with a gasp, before starting to catch my breath, as an epiphany hit me.

this summer was going to be different, and i wasn't sure i liked it.

---

"GRACIE YOU NEED TO MOVE ONTO YOUR BACK IF YOU WANT AN EVEN TAN."

clem nudged me, and i groaned, peaking my head up to look at her, "i dont wanna hear you bitch about it later." deciding to listen to her, i sat up before grabbing my wallet, cell phone and clementines shorts.

"hey! where are you going with those?!"she yelled as i started to walk off, and i turned to give her a mischievous smile, "to the center! ill be back!"

i made my way down the storeline, watching the waves come crashing in, before i felt my phone buzz in my back pocket

willow the arcade girl
hey weird question

willow the arcade girl
you wouldn't happen to be wearing a red
bikini top with bright pink crocs would you

gracie 
what are you? my stalker now?

willow the arcade girl
no just look to your left LMAO

MY HEAD SNAPPED TO MY LEFT,

and i saw her wide smile, before she waved, which i returned.

"where you heading gracie?"she shouted as she walked towards me, with her phone and shoes in hand.

"towards the center, wanna join?"i told her, and she looked back towards who waved for her to go. willow grinned, before she nodded for the two of us to continue walking the shoreline.

"alright arcade girl, i wanna know about you."i grinned, and she chuckled as we walked into the center of town, and i was looking for a place to eat, "like you've already gotten my phone number and i barely know anything about you."

"what do you wanna know blondie?"she questioned, and i laughed, "your birthday, how you got to old orchard, where your from, and why you wanted my number."

"do you want my star sign as well?"she rose an eyebrow, and i nodded, "oh! i also want to know what you want for lunch."

"i have no clue because this is my first year in old orchard, so i don't know what's good, and what's not good." she admitted, and my jaw dropped.

"that's it! i'm showing you my side of paradise!"

(A'S BEACH CORNER)

we've got a lot to catch up don't we?