7

Fall Apart 

“I literally have nothing to wear.” Lillibeth complains on the ride back to the hotel. 

I’d say the trip to the aquarium was a success. Me and Bre made up and I think me and Colin are ok. He seems off but I know better than to ask. It’s like a weird relapse. At the beginning of the school year when Colin said he didn’t like me but then proceeded to stare at me, I thought he was being weird. Playing with my feelings. But now he’s staring at me but the night before I was moaning his name.

“We could try and go to the mall…” Bre says trying to make her feel better as Lillibeth fake cries on her shoulder.

“How about we just go to the beach town? I saw a few shops. I’m sure you can find something.” Tonight is our last night in Hawaii and we’re celebrating with a beach party before we get back on our flight to go home. I really want to go home. I love the beach. But nothing beats sleeping in my own bed. And I miss my shower.

“So that’s where we’re going? Shopping?” Mathew askes, not looking up from his phone.

“Yep.” Lillibeth says. Popping the p.

I feel a tug on my dress and turn to see Colin towering over me.

“You’ll be hot if you keep on your jacket. Give it to me.” He whispers. His hands move without my word. Starting to undo the last two of my bottens. His knuckles glide over my belly button and I’m Immediately reminded of last night. His hand sliding down my stomach…

‘I wonder what would have happened if I didn’t stop him’

I look at his face to find him staring at me. Smiling with mischief. As if he knows what I was thinking.

“Omg he smiles.” I turn to find Jayden staring at us with a smirk.

‘Good way to ruin the mood.’ 

“What are you talking about?”

“The kid never smiles. He’s always.” Jayden makes an over dramatic board face before breaking out in laughter. Bre joining him. 

I turn back to Colin to find him looking at them with a black face. His smile gone.

“Don’t listen to them, they're just being stupid.” Colin’s eyes soften a little as they look at me. But the moment we had before is ruined.

He silently nods his head, finishes unbuttoning my cardigan, then helps me remove it. Taking it and folding it in his hands before turning to the window.

I turn to glare at my friends who are covering their mouths, trying not to laugh.

“Emotional much.” Jayden whispers but I know Colin heard it.

“You are such an asshole.”

Jayden makes an offended face. “I was joking.”

“Well it wasn’t funny.”

“Not my fault dude can’t take a joke.”

“And it’s not our fault you’re a sad excuse of a teenage boy who we all know isn’t going to make it past 5 '5, yet here we are. Next time you talk bad about someone try looking in the mirror. Oh wait you’re probably too short to reach it.” I say with fake pity.

Jayden’s smirk is wiped off his face as all our friends laugh at him.

“Burn!” Bre laughs.

“Shut the hell up.” Jayden reaches over his seat to smack her head.

“Bitch-“ she smacks him back.

“Ow.” Jayden rubs the spot she hits. “I didn’t even hit you that hard!”

Bre shrugs.

“Wow Jayden short and a woman beater. Odds are not looking good for you.” Lillibeth says.

“Oh shut the hell up.” He rolls his eyes.

“So emotional.” I mimic his voice. 

He flips me off but doesn’t do anything else.

I turn to Colin to find him already looking at me with a smile on his face.

‘He has such a beautiful smile.’

I smile back. “You can come with us.”

He shakes his head. “No, I’ll stay behind.” 

I nod my head. “Ok. I’ll see you when we get back-?”

The bus stops causing us to jerk a little.

“Finally.” Lillibeth says getting up.

They all get up and me and Colin are last to leave. 

Once we all got off the bus Dr.Martin stopped us before we can leave.

“We meet on the beach around 7 but we’re not actually lighting the fire till 8. Now don’t think because it’s the last day you can act a fool.” She walks away leaving us outside.

“Let's go.” Lillibeth says as she grabs my arm. Dragging me to the little stone path that leads to the small beach town.

“Hold on-” I turn to look for Colin who is already making his way back inside the hotel, my cardigan in his arms.

“What?”

“Nothing. Nevermind.”

The walk to the town is short. It was clearly built for tourists. All the shops are the same and claim the same thing.

‘Once in a lifetime merch’

‘Authentic and vintage.’ 

We all know this shit is mass produced. 

We walk around for a while. The hot sun glaring at us. Colin was right. I would’ve been dead if I keeped my cardigan. 

“We should’ve changed. I feel like I'm dying.” Lillibeth whines. I look at her outfit. It’s cute but not for this summer day. I know her feet are dying in her black leather cowboy boots.

“You're dying?! At least you're wearing a skirt.” Bre complains. She’s in leggings and a crop top.

“We can stop for ice cream before we leave?” I suggest. 

“Yeees.” Jayden says. 

“Lilli, do you see anything you like?” Mathew askes.

“Not really.”

We all groan as she keeps walking.

“Ooo this ones cute.” She stops in front of a window showing a knitted white dress. I’ve seen the dress in every window leading up to this point. 

We all moan as we feel the air condition hit our skin. The store is small and packed. There's no specific theme. Just stuff everywhere. Lillibeth makes her way to the white dress, Bre following her. I walk to the back of the story where all the little souvenirs are. The only thing I really got for back at home is that little glass box. But I promised 2 more people I'd get them something. I pick up a mini snowglobe and swoosh it around. 

“Hey Atticus.” Jayden leans on the bookshelf full of randomness.

“Sup?”

He’s quiet for a while.

“Listen. I know you're like, I don’t know, over him and all but… Colin left our room last night and didn’t come back till the morning.”

Shocker.

“I don’t know what's going on between you two, and really it’s none of my business but don't let some boy play you ok? Especially not him.” He looks awkward as he talks. Jayden’s always been like this. Not one for talking about feelings. We might have our moments but I know he’ll always have my back. Out of everyone in our friend group, Jayden was my first friend. We grew up together.

“Thanks Jayden but I know.” I put all my attention to a Hawwii themed bottle opener. Hoping he doesn’t catch my smile.

“Oh ok..” He stands there for a while.

“Wait what?” 

I smirk at him, before going back to browsing.

He laughs. “You whore. You didn't….”

I nod. Biting my lip.

He smacks his face. 

“Oh my god. Why didn't you tell anybody? Do the rest know? You guys are.” he whispers, “Fucking.”

I roll my eyes. “Mathews is the only one who doesn't. But we aren't having sex we just had a little fun. Nothing special.”

“Why not?” he laughs. “Sex is awesome.”

I roll my eyes at his childishness. 

“I’m just not ready for that yet. Not now, not for a long time.” 

He gives me a soft smile.

“Understandable, take your time girl.” He looks at me for a while before covering his face. Looking crazy. 

“I just can't believe you did anything with that guy. Haddem’s little brother?! Gross. She’s going to lose her shit when she finds out.”

“It’s a good thing she graduated.” I smile at him.

“My girl.” Jayden says, dabbing me up. He’s way too happy about this.

“Well..?” He moves his head towards mine. Lowering his voice.

“What?” 

“How was it?” 

I roll my eyes. “Omg you too? Lillibeth asked me the same thing.”

“We obviously want to know. The only girls he’s probably seen naked are his mom and the girls on porn.”

“Colin doesn't watch porn.” Does he? 

“Yes he does. But he doesn't need it anymore.” He jokes walking away. I roll my eyes. I look at the price on the mini snowglobe and the bottle opener.

$14! I need to go. I’ll just give them a picture of me in front of the beach. 

“Ok, I got my dress.” Lillibeth says, shoving her dress in my face.