Avery's POV
It was now Sunday afternoon and things were back to normal.
Callum and I had gotten over that awkwardness after the kiss once things were cleared up after our walk.
So now I was binge watching Riverdale on Netflix and couldn't stop crying.
I couldn't believe that Jughead almost died. I kicked my footboard and think I sprained something.
I wipe at my eyes until my face looks back to normal and shove a Pringle in my mouth.
I hear a soft knock on the door and yell a messy "come in!" I see a head of black hair as Victor walks in.
"What's up?" I ask tossing a skittle in my mouth.
"We were going to go to the beach if you wanted to join us?" He asks me.
"Victor!" Bentley yells.
"Don't ask!" Dawson adds
"Force her!" Callum says lastly.
"Don't listen to them." He says smiling a bit.
"Thanks." I roll my eyes. "That was at them by the way." I say once I realize that probably seemed really rude.
He laughs lightly. "I'd assumed so."
"So, you in?" He questions. I think it over for a minute. I'd been living here for about three weeks now and still hadn't gotten to know any of the boys well. Other than me carrying Callums secret and Dawson and I occasionally sharing conversations. That was it.
I knew they were good guys at this point. And maybe going would benefit me. I could talk to Axel and see how he felt about Mona.
And spending time around them meant I hopefully wouldn't be so awkward in the future. I had a feeling I'd be living here for the rest of my high school experience.
"Why not?" I say. His green eyes widen . "Shit. I didn't think she'd actually say yes." I hear Keegan say outside my door.
"Shut the hell up." Elliot tells him. I'd thank him later.
"We're leaving in 10." Victor tells me before walking out and locking the door on the way for me.
I unroll from my burrito blanket and shut off Netflix on my laptop. I head over to my dresser and open up the top drawer that was filled with shorts and skirts. I see a few bikinis I'd bought a couple months ago with Mona at the mall.
I ended choosing a black halter bikini top and plain white bottoms. I throw on ripped denim shorts and a navy colored crop top. They were the closest clothing items to me. I find a pair of black sandals and pulls those on.
I figure the boys have towels and all the stuff we need so I just grab my phone and stuff it in my back pocket.
I toss my hair up in a messy bun not really wanting to get it wet and walk out of the room and to the kitchen. I hop on the counter and grab an apple from the basket next to me.
I hear a whistle behind me and see Axel standing there smirking lightly.
"You look hot." He says leaning against one of the pillars.
"I don't think Mona would appreciate you calling other girls hot. Especially her best friend." I bite into my apple to cover the satisfied smirk on my lips.
"I have no idea what you're talking about Avery." Axel says without any facial expression. He looked pretty...neutral.
"Uh huh." I say crossing my arms over my chest and raising my eyebrows at him.
"Seriously." He said beginning to look annoyed.
"I didn't say anything." I tell him rolling my lips into my mouth to stop myself from smiling to much.
He rolled his eyes and frowns.
"So you wouldn't care if she went on a date with another guy?" I ask my one eyebrow lifting in curiosity.
Axels face hardens and his body grows stiff at that.
"Nope. Not. One. Bit."
I slide off the counter and toss my apple core in the trash. I turn the corner and to my bedroom to make a dramatic exit. I pop my head out and say "she's not by the way."
And the last thing I see is Axels wide smile.
***
"Sawyers coming with us." Elliot says before tucking his head between his knees.
A series of groans goes around the group.
"You broke tradition!" Bentley says gasping loudly.
"That's cool. She's got a nice ass."
Axel adds. That earns him a glare from both me and Elliot.
"Talk about my girlfriend like that again and you won't be able to talk anymore." He threatens.
"Dude." Keegan groans.
"What?" He says tossing his arms up. "I figured she's kinda friends with Avery and thought she'd be more comfortable with her there."
Thinking about it, I would actually.
It was sweet of Elliot to think about me.
"Thank you, Elliot." I tell him with a smile. I've been doing that a lot with these boys.
He nods and stands up walking to the kitchen and beginning to fill a cooler with water bottles and other drinks like beer and lemonade.
I hear a soft knock at the door and walk over to it. I open the door and see Sawyer standing there in a white t-shirt dress with navy blue stripes. Her blonde hair was straight today and left down.
I open the door wider to let her in. "Hey Sawyer." I tell her. She returns the greeting and looks over to Elliot. She stays next to me but I nod my head towards her boyfriend. "Go say hi to him. We'll have plenty of time to spend together at the beach."I say. Her smile grows but falters as she questions if I'm sure.
I nod and gently push her shoulder.
She grabs my hands and says "thank you Avery."
We stand around for a few more minutes until everything's prepared and we make our way out of the building.
We were allowed out on weekends but had to be back by midnight. They didn't check so no one ever was back by curfew.
We decided to take Keegan's truck so we could all fit. Five of us would be in the car and the other four in the bed of the truck with all our bags and the food.
"Who's riding in the bed of the truck?" Keegan questions looking around.
"I'll go with Avery." Sawyer says walking to my side and grabbing my arm, pulling me away.
Elliot immediately volunteers which causes both of us to smile.
Dawson decides to join us as well.
I sit across from Sawyer and next to Dawson. And diagonal to Elliot.
"So you finally decided to join us." Dawson says with a small smile as he lifted his arm up, placing it behind me.
"Yup, although I'm starting to regret my decision." I say eying him up and down to imply he was why.
"Aren't you funny." Dawson says to me not losing his smile.
"I was being totally and utterly serious." I say with the same playful tone he had.
"I bet." He tells me.
I continue to keep up my playful banter with Dawson for most of the ride but then switch to talking with Sawyer while Dawson talks with Elliot.
We got a few bumps causing me to fly up slightly and make a squeak come out of me each time.
We got another bump and I lift in the air.
Dawson groans next to me. "My god..." he mumbles before grabbing me and pulling me between his legs. He wraps his arms around my waist right before we hit another bump and keeps me down.
Sawyer and Elliot turn to each other at the same time and give each other a knowing look. There was nothing to know though.
"I now realize why none of the guys wanted to fucking ride back here." Elliot mumbles to himself but loud enough for all three of us to hear.
Dawson and I laugh but Sawyer glares at her boyfriend for his swearing. She looked like a cute bunny when she tried to be angry or scary.
Elliot chuckles and pulls her to his side. Sawyer leans her head on his shoulder and he immediately begins to twist her long hair between his fingers.
"Sorry princess." he says.
She doesn't respond but I see her smile at the nickname. I'd never heard him call her that before but then again I hadn't really seen the two together much.
I could tell from the way he said it that it had some sort of history behind it.
"They're so goals." I say to Dawson.
"All that lovey dovey shit is goals?" He asks in disgust and confusion.
"Well no duh." I say. "Do you not understand women?" I ask
Dawson glares at me and pulls me closer to his chest when we hit another bump.
The car pulls to a stop. The sound of waves crashing and laughing tells me we've arrived.
"Ready?" Dawson asks as I begin to stand up.
"What's there to be ready for?" I ask with a small laugh but laugh panic that he had to ask.
"Skinny dipping."
I turn quickly to look at him. I didn't know whether I was excited or terrified for that.
"Kidding." Dawson says standing up and hopping down.
He holds his hand out for me and helps me down even though I didn't need it.
We were literally three feet off the ground.
But that wasn't important right now.
"We keeping our clothes in the truck?" Bentley questions once he climbed out of the truck.
Most of us mumble a yes and begin to undress. And can I just say hot damn.
Don't stare. Don't stare. Don't stare Avery. You're stronger than this.
How is it possible all of them had abs? Maybe it was alright if I stared at Callum. We were friends so I mean...
I walk over to him after pulling shirt and shorts off. "I'm just gonna stare at your abs since we're cool and you have a boyfriend and won't humiliate me." I mumble with my eyes staring at his chest.
He laughs and shrugs his shoulders.
"There's always Elliot and victor.And won't Dawson get jealous?" He asks me smirking.
"One, Elliot's in a relationship and his girlfriend is here. And I'm friends with her. Two, good idea but what if I get caught? Wouldn't that be awkward? And three...no. Why would he?" I say gulping.
"One true. Two is also true. And three is definitely false. Nice try though. I saw you two getting cozy back there." Callum says shimmying his shoulders.
"You're an ass." I say walking away but smiling.
"And I take pride in it baby!" He shouts once I'm far enough away.
I walk over to Keegan who was the only one of the boys over here. Great.
He leans his head back and groans. "Seriously? What are you doing here?"
I roll my eyes. "Swimming. What else?"
"I can't promise I won't try to drown you." He told me. Keegan pulled out a towel for me and I set my things down on it.
"Right back at ya." I winked and looked behind me to see everyone beginning to approach us.
"Don't worry though, you can use these." I grab a pair of neon orange floaties and throw them at him. He catches them both and smiles sarcastically.
"You're a real delight. Can't wait to spend the next year and a half with you." He tells me with a blank stare. I laugh and grab my phone. Keegan soon goes back to lying out the towels for everyone and I just fall onto mine, waiting for everyone else.
***