(Clara's POV)
"And that, was our school year so far!" Xavier proudly finished, taking a sip of the expensive Champagne set next to each of us in delicate crystal glasses.
We're all sat at a long dining table, laid with a beautiful deep green table cloth and gold cutlery which I'm pretty sure is completely made out of pure gold.
The king and queen sit at opposite ends of the table, with Zack and Jameson sitting opposite each other, with me next to Jameson. Xavier sits to the other side of me and the twins sit opposite next to Zack.
Nothing interesting really happened during dinner, just a very, very, long staring contest between Jameson and Zack.
Jameson won by the way.
Whatever they were threatening each other through their eyes is not something I probably want to know, and Xavier was our hero in lightening the mood. He cracked jokes and so did the twins, and everyone managed to fall into an easy conversation. Jameson and I switched seats at once point because the queen wanted to talk to me, and thought it best if the boys were not sitting opposite each other anymore.
After dinner we all returned to our respected rooms, and I heaved a sigh of relief that I didn't realise I was even holding. Dinner went more smoothly than possible, to be quite honest.
I decide to go to Xavier's room opposite, wanting some company.
"Clara! My favourite person! Come in!" Xavier gestured for me to enter, closing the door softly behind him. I walk over to his bed and flop down on it.
His room is the exact same as mine, just presented in darker colours and lighting.
"Is everything okay?" Xavier flops down beside me and we just lay there on our back, staring up at the intricately painted ceiling.
I start playing with a strand of my hair. "Yeah, just need some company."
Xavier runs to look me and grins. "Dinner was intense right?" He props himself up on his elbow so he can support himself better, now on his side.
"Yup." I pop the 'p'. I sit up straight, having a change in thought. "Hey, let's go do something. Let's get the others it's only..." I glance at my phone "...only 9 o'clock."
Xavier nods, smiling. "Sounds good to me. And i have the perfect idea-" he gave me a lopsided grin. " I'll go get the guys, but this activity requires a change of clothes."
I look at his skeptically and he shrugs. "Trust me you don't want to ruin your dress."
"Okay okay, fine. Meet you in 10?" I leave the room when Xavier follows behind me, nodding as he heads for the others room.
"Xavier?" I call down the hall and he turns. "What exactly am I changing into?"
Xavier just grins and says. "Find a swimsuit!" Then continues down the corridor.
***
Yet again i find myself standing infront of the elaborate mirror in my room, making sure my outfit is okay.
I managed to find some bikinis in the closet, and I opted for a forest green coloured bikini, with the top half having a cute belly chain that hugs my curves nicely. I quickly found some shorts and a hoodie as a coverup before grabbing my phone before exiting my room.
I find the guys chatting in the corridor all waiting. Xavier starts laughing when he sees me. "You even said yourself to meet in 10, yet here we are, 30 minutes later."
I roll my eyes but laugh nonetheless. "I took 15 minutes Xavier." I look between them all expectantly. "So..." i take in what everyone is wearing to make sure I've address accordingly, and thankfully, they have all opted for hoodies and shorts so I think in good. "...where are we going?"
"Follow me and you shall find out," Xavier replied mysteriously as he starts to lead us all through the corridors and multiple staircases until the tiles start to chance to a minimalistic white tile with tiled walls. It's only until we walk down a little further until we get to a set of doors that Tom pushes open to reveal the most breathtaking view I have ever seen.
We stand up top a cliff overlooking the ocean, where the sun is just beginning to set, painting the sky the most beautiful shades of pinks and purples. Intricate white steps accompanied by flowers and lush greenery on either side wind down the cliff all the way to what looks like a sandy beach, where we seem to be headed.
I follow the guys down the steps until we reach the sand, and it's so soft I could just stay here forever and bask in the afternoon sun.
Jameson jogs ahead with Grayson to a shed line building that's tucked away to the left of the beach near to the wall of the cliff, where they begin to drag out...surf boards?
My heart begins to hammer in my chest. I used to surf when I was younger for a while with my dad until his work took over almost everything in our lives and we stopped going.
I long to surf again. To glide over the sea. To feel the salt air penetrating all over my skin like a comforting hug.
"Excited?" Xavier nudges my arm, an excited glint in his eyes and he watched the guys get all the surf boards out for us. "You surfed before?" He raises an eyebrow at me, clearly expecting me to say no.
"Actually I have," I let out a nervous laugh when I see the shocked look on Xavier's face. "Don't be so surprised, I used to surf with my dad when I was little." My tone trailed off towards the end, but thankfully Xavier doesn't press the matter further as he sees the farway look in my eyes at the mention of my father. Instead, he slings an arm around me and guides me over to the surf boards.
"Well, let's make some new memories then, what do you say?" His boyish grin makes me laugh and I nod my head, grateful to have a friend like Xavier I can always count on. The guys finish getting out the boards, anxious Thomas hands me a sleep white board with blue stripes along the slides accompanied with a simple flower at the top.
After we've waxed them ready for the surf, we begin to head to the sea. Grayson and Thomas run ahead, whistling and shouting as they crash into the sea, immediately taking off on their boards on their stomachs as they glide towards the horizon.
"Wait for me guys!" Xavier runs just behind them and soon catches up.
Jameson and I stand at the shore of the sea, the little waves rolling over our feet as we slowly make our way into the sea.
"It's kind of a tradition to surf here now," Jameson lowers his board into the sea as we begin to get waist deep into the water, and we pull ourselves onto our boards and begin to push them towards the others, towards the sunset. "I usually come out here when things get too much in the palace," he continued to stay beside me as we glide over the small waves.
I give Jameson a small smile. "I used to surf with my dad," and again Jameson looks shocked by this news. "Don't tell me you're shocked as well!" I splash the water over his face and he lets out a loud laugh, splashing the water back over me.
"I shouldn't be surprised, but I have to admit I am." He admits with a smug grin.
"I'll be a bit rusty now, I haven't surfed in years." I lock eyes with his greeny blue ones, his eyes the perfect reflection of the ocean.
"I'll teach you." My eyes widen and I suddenly feel nervous. I've surfed before, so it'll be fine right? "Don't look so nervous," he begins to push his board further out at sea, gesturing me to follow him, "come on, we'll catch the wave together."
I chew the inside of my check but nod nonetheless and follow him out until we turn our boards around to face the shore, waiting for a good wave to come.
"Okay take the next one," Jameson begins pushing his board forward and I do the same and when the wave is just about to reach our ankles, he shouts "now!" And we jump up onto our boards and sail among the wave, the breeze dancing through my hair and making me feel so free and at peace that I wish I would just be in this moment forever. The wave starts to become too intense after a while and we both jump off, the sound of our mingled laughter as we climb back onto our boards.
"That was amazing," im pretty sure im glowing, and by looking at Jameson and the way that his eyes light up, I know he is too.
"You were amazing, you're a natural," I smile sheepishly at the compliment as we begin to go deeper into the sea back to the others.
"Hey guys!" Xavier calls over to us as we near them. "Waves are getting low now so take the last ones while you can" Xavier and the twins grab one of the last waves, but Jameson and I chose to hang back and just sit on top of our boards, the sun setting lower in the sky, casting a golden glow on Jameson making his skin so tanned and perfect.
"So," I gently kick the water with my feet as I sit on the board facing Jameson. "Tell me about your life here, at the palace." I tilt my head at him and he locks eyes with me again, god his eyes are mesmerising, so intensely that I have to remember to breathe.
He takes a deep breath and looks towards the horizon, the sun casting a gorgeous glow on his face, lighting up his already green eyes and making his hair darker. "It's...complicated. It's all I can ever ask for in one sense, but then completely everything that I cannot bear to have in the other. It's stupid really," his chuckles darkly to himself and I give him a reassuring nod of understanding.
"I bet, my dad only recently became CEO of his company, so this lifestyle is still new to me. We used to live in a small rundown house with my mum...but shes passed now." My mum was always a though pill to swallow, and it still feels so fresh in my mind and I miss her so much. "My dad and I have a...tough relationship, to sum it up, but we make do." Jameson listens to every work I say, and I've never had someone actually care enough to really take in the conversation. He gives me a sad smile.
"My dad and I never really got on either, but, we also make do." We share a silence between us filled with such understanding of one another. Two completely different lives yet we find similarities and comfort in each other.
"But speaking of responsibilities, I need to make sure everything is in order for the ball tomorrow night, so I should probably head back in." He heaves a heavy sign, his shoulders tense and clearly he's carrying a lot of stress. I reach over and grab his hand, intertwining our fingers and the ocean splashes over them, and I give him a reassuring squeeze.
"If there's anything I can help with, I'll be happy to do it." I'm not saying this to be polite, I really mean it. And by the look on Jameson's face as he searches my eyes as if he can't quite figure me out, I know that he knows it too.
"Thank you, but I won't worry you with that. You guys stay out and enjoy the sun before it sets fully. I'll see you back inside." And with that he gently lifts the hand of my hand to his face and gives my hand the faintest feather of a kiss before he squeezed my hand one last time before he makes his way back to the shore.
I go over to Xavier and the Twins, who seem to be arguing over how many hearts an octopus has.
"Thats bullshit," Thomas exclaims and I think it's the first time I've ever heard that man swear. "Surely no animal can have three hearts, tell me you're joking man," the poor guy looks between Grayson and Xavier like they're playing some sick joke on him, and I have to admit, even I join them in their dumbfounded expression at Thomas. He can be so obvious to things sometimes.
"No man I've just been arguing with you for the sake of it OF COURSE IM NOT KIDDING," Grayson throws his hands up in defeat as Xavier just looks disgusted by Thomas lack of knowledge.
"Thomas mate, I hate to say it, but this is embarrassing." Thomas replies by splashing water all over his face, making Xavier splutter and glare at him. Thomas turns to me.
"Clara, you'll be honestly with me. Do they have three hearts?" He looks so certain im going to say no that I almost want too just to make him feel better. But I don't.
"Sorry bud, but it's three hearts." I laugh at his shocked expression, the poor guy looks like he's questioning his entire life.
"If you had actually paid attention when we watched Finding Dory years ago then you would underhand," Xavier rolled his eyes at Thomas.
"It was so boring-"
"It was not!"
The sun has fully set now and the waves were becoming to become choppier so we all headed back to the shore.
After putting the boards away we trailed up to the palace again to dry off and change into our comfy pjs. After I'd changed I existed my room to find the boys all huddle in Graysons room on the couch by the tv waiting to put on a film.
I took the vacated spot next to Jameson, and the tired look in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by me as he gave me a small smile in greeting.
We all got cozy and had popcorn brought to us whilst we settled to find a movie.
"You've got to be kidding me." Thomas looks at Xavier with a look that could kill.
"What?" He choses to ignore him as he presses play on the film.
"Fucking Finding Dory." Thomas huffs in his seat, but as the movie goes on, I peep a look and see that he's actually paying attention this time, and I even saw his eyes water slightly at the sad parts too.
I looked at Jameson next to me, "everything okay?" His eyes were tired and he looked mentally exhausted. I don't know how I didn't notice this earlier. He gave me a reassuring nod but I knew he was lying, but I chose not to press further.
We all eventually fell asleep as the movie came to an end, none of us making any effort to go to our own rooms.
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I'm back...whoopsies.
I'm so sorry for the wait guys but exams are over now so I can finally write again!!!
I'll hopefully have a writing schedule soon so this doesn't happen again.
Anyway, ballroom scene next...
Have a great day/night xxxx