So much work. So much work and Loretta wants to go to the beach. I had no say in the matter of course. We were already half way there. Loretta was pumping jams all the way and quite honestly just irking my life with her pep. It didn't help that the sun was scorching hot either, but that's California for you. I don't know why I decided that Cali was a good idea, but that's because I didn't. It had been Loretta's idea. If there's something to take out of being friends with Lore is that you go with the flow and don't question much. It'll keep her from annoying you too much.
The jab to my side brought my attention to her and my eyes nearly popped out at her in frustration.
"Are you mental? You wanna kill us?"
"Lighten up Lyza. You've done nothing but work for weeks. You needed a break and you know it."
I rolled my eyes and she conjured an ear to ear smile. She was right and I hated it. But it was also true that I much rather be at home eating an entire pint tub of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Highly doubt it's the healthiest thing to do two night in a row though. So I smiled back and went with it because what other choice was there? The salt was already circulating the car and filling it with it's aroma. The waves were really biting today. I could see them rushing to the shore as we drove closer. Surfers were screaming and crashing into the water as they rode the end of the wave. Lore was beaming next to me and I could get why. It had been a long winter and 80% of Californians were in dire need of a sun tan, including me. It explained the appearance of ants swarming the shore. It was jam packed and it got me nervous. I never do well in crowds, primarily because my claustrophobia cripples me and has me going full armadillo. But small patches here and there gave way for potential safe zones.
"This is exciting! I am so ready to bake."
We both laughed and I knew how much she hated being too pale and though I could relate, there was something compelling about just diving right into the nice, chilly water. In this heat? You do just about anything to cool off. Just consult the tub full of ice back home. Or-or don't. I obviously haven't been within any kind of human interaction for a while now. Work as a medical assistant is a Monday to Friday kind of job and in the weekend I much rather sleep and catch up on my shows. It's also true that I hate being around people. It's a surprise to both me and Lore the fact that I have been able to hang on to her as a friend for as long as I have. 8 years of friendship is quite the goal.
Right about now Lore was slathering herself with tanning lotion and my nose wrinkled at the smell. It was awful. And if that wasn't enough the amount of parking spots was next to nothing and after more laps than I was comfortable with I was able to squeeze my bean of a car between two monstrous pick up trucks.
"Geez. I can barely get out of here."
"I'd be more than happy to get out and go back home." I bit back, giving her a warning look. She shook her head and slid right out with a loud, nervous laugh.
"You suck, Lyza."
"Love you too, Lore."
We carried our weekender bags and they slapped against our hips from the amount of stuff stuffed into them. Between the both of us was a cooler which we barely could carry. Not too long into our stumbling stride towards the beach the cooler got much lighter.
"Need a hand ladies?"
I was ready to curse out whoever thought was slick enough to flirt so openly, but instead smiled like an idiot when I recognized Noah. Noah Harrison was our oldest friend from high school. I've had the biggest crush on him forever and a day, but he was oblivious to that. And would remain that way. My smile stayed for far too long it started feeling weird. Lore noticed my little oops moment and swooped right in to save me.
"Are you implying two perfectly capable women can't carry a cooler, Noah? That's a little sexist even for you, Noah."
He let go, his hands flying up over his shoulders in defense. Suddenly the weight of the cooler forced us down as our knees gave out a bit. Noah laughed, his smile was to die for and I couldn't stop staring at it as it moved to form words I wasn't quite paying attention to. That is, until he directed those words at me.
"What do you think Lyza?" His eyes were fully on me and that made my heart skip a beat or two. I died.
"Huh?"
"Would you mind if the guys and I set up with you guys?"
My heart thumped harder against my chest. "That's fine." It took everything inside me to sound cool and composed.
"Sweet."
Noah nodded and picked the cooler up and forced it out of our hands in the process. He lugged the thing all the way towards a decent spot at the beach and the entire time I watched as his muscles strained over his bare back. Lore slapped me lightly upside the head and made a face. She was right, again. I was all but drooling over the guy and never had I had the courage to pursue anything.
Noah and the guys set up towels and an umbrella. Our cooler was next to their much larger cooler and my eye twitched. How much beer was in there? The question was answered as one of the guys opened it and a ridiculous mount with barely any ice was exposed. They must be still warm and the thought made my nose wrinkle. One of the guys, one I recognize from around our college, dug right in. He tossed beers to all the guys and Lore. When he aimed for me I flinched. The can flew right at my face, just seconds from hitting. Instead I shot a sloppy fist at it and landed at my feet. Embarrassment colored my face red as the guys all laughed at the yelp that came along with my reaction. The one that threw it, Spencer, doubled over in hysteria. It blew off quick as everyone dispersed around the beach.
Hours later everyone was drunk and I was still sipping on the warm beer that had been tossed at me earlier. Noah walked over laughing so hard when one of his friends fell face first onto the sand. He crashed right next to me still laughing, the sound ringing dreamily in my ear. He chugged down what was left of his can and tossed it into a pile near the coolers.
"You've barely had a drink." He pointed out.
I raised the can and said "designated driver."
He nodded in understanding. "Ah. Me too. Should probably cut myself off huh?" He smiled so fully and it made my breath catch. He brushed back a few locks and cocked his head to the side, his eyes searching. Suddenly his hand found their way to my thigh and I jerked in surprise. Not that I never thought about him touching me, because I have. I just wasn't expecting it to be like this, or at all. Mostly I was expecting for him to at the very least know how I felt. It caught me off guard when his hand came up high and got dangerously close to areas never been touched before. Yeah I was 22 and a virgin and I'm also very picky about the guys I date. Which is why I've never had a real relationship.
"Um Noah... You're drunk. Maybe you should cool off. Let's go for a swim?" I shimmied out from under his touch, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back against the towel. His body was fully over mine and his smile was wide and sloppy.
"Come on Lyza. Like you've never thought about it. You've had a crush on me forever. It's kinda cute."
My heart sank. Noah had known this whole time and the way he reveals it is after one too many beers and his body pinning mines. No one was around us. The sun had gone down and most people, families, had gone home. The few people left were teens and college kids drinking and partying around fire pits and houses that were just off the shore. Our friends had finally dived in to the water and my entire being panicked. I kicked and laughed out of pure fear.
"Noah come on get off me. This isn't funny."
"Shh. Just relax. I've heard you're a virgin. Is that true?"
My heart raced. His hand was wondering, sloppy, down my leg and back up to my bikini bottom strap. He was tugging at it and had no success, but that didn't stop me from panting and thrashing. My knee flew up between his legs and hit hard, so much so that Noah's eyes grew wide and a loud groan broke out of him. He fell to the side and cupped his groin, tears spilling down his cheeks.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck..." He cried and I wasted no time in scrambling off the ground and running. I ran so hard I could barely pay attention to the hot sand burning my soles. I left my sandals next to a curled up Noah, along with my phone and car keys. My chest was thumping, like my heart was making its way up and blocking my throat till I couldn't swallow or breath. The beach went on for miles and as I ran it got darker and darker. The beach was bathed in orange and rainbow hues from fire pits and light coming from the beach houses.
I slowed my pace when I was convinced Noah wasn't coming after me. When my heart wasn't threatening you jump out my mouth I stopped entirely to catch my breath. When my breathing normalized I realized I had ran right into a crowd of college kids and they all held cans and bottles of beer while thrusting their bodies to techno music. Some bumped into me and a few girls screamed incoherently in my ear, drunken and slurred.
The crowd wasn't big, but they were loud. Colors bounced off the ground from lights at the porch and some were trying to climb the pillars holding the ceiling in place. A few people were already perched on the ceiling and they looked ready to topple down. I winced as one lost its footing and landed amongst a group of guys engaged in a chugging contest. They all groaned and then cheered like the whole situation was a victory.
"Lyza!" My name was called out from far and I had barely heard it if it weren't for my senses on overdrive. I jumped once and the groups of girls around me mistook it for dancing. They screamed and bobbed their heads. Soon enough a beer was pushed into my hand and the girls were leading me inside the house.
"Yeah! Let's party! Whooooaaaa!"
I was carried in with the crowd. I was half relieved and half panicked from how packed the house was. I pushed and elbowed my way through countless dancing bodies. Beer, tequila and vodka spilled all over and I was sure I'll be smelling like a bar once the night is done. Right now I was more worried about avoiding Noah that I hadn't noticed the guy I bumped right into. He gripped my shoulders and steadied me. I mumbled a thousand apologies I was sure he couldn't hear over the ear bursting music. Yet he smiled down at me, something charming and boyish, and leaned into my ear.
"Don't worry about it."
We were being pushed and jabbed by people beyond drunk. Charming placed a hand on my lower back and escorted me out of the mess and towards an empty game room just down a short hall. I blew out a breath of relief as I was able to fill my lungs with alcohol-free oxygen. I let out a small laugh, grateful to be away from the thumping music.
"Thank you. I was getting claustrophobic out there." I breathed out, gulping down the knot of fear in my throat. I was safe from Noah and the ruckus out there.
"Any time." Charming said. It was, I realized, quite the boyish sound. It didn't go with his wide figure, bulging muscles, and manly look. His nose was pointed and his jaw line kinda faded into his neck a bit. He was nice to look at, with a good few inches over my 5 foot 5 inch height. His skin was so pale looking though, like he was sickly. Something I hadn't noticed when out in the colorful mess of the party. He took a step towards me and my brain registered him blocking the only way out. I smiled nervously.
"So what's your name?" Small talk didn't seem to stop his slow stride. It was then that I thought it was probably not the best idea to hide out with a stranger in a room where no one would hear me.
"So. I feel better now. I should get back to my friends." I touched around my mesh cardigan for my phone and remembered I left it when I ran from Noah. I gulped. The sad part was that I knew very well how to defend myself. I took one too many martial arts classes. Outcome of my dad wanting a boy but getting me instead. The even sadder part was that in the face of fear I curl into myself every time. Not that I've gotten myself into these kind of situations before, but my every instinct just yells at me to run.
"Why not stay a little longer?" He said, not really asking. There was a sinister look to the way the corners of his mouth curled up. His eyes, I noticed for the first time, were cold, dark, and empty. Void of all humanity with only black and pupils that were barely there. That's is, until they flashed with a crimson red that made my skin crawl.
I bolted and tried to get around him. Only I slammed right into his chest. His fingers wrapped around my arms and it was then I felt how chillingly cold they were. I gasped and whimpered as his grip tightened mercilessly. When my eyes looked up at his face I wanted so badly to avert them, but he held my gaze and tears spilled warm down my cheeks. Pointed teeth poked out from between his lips and I cried out as he licked his lips. I was shivering violently in his hold and it seemed to annoy him because he shook me so hard it made my neck ring. That didn't stop me from fighting helplessly against him though. Until he bent his head and a sudden, sharp feel punctured into the skin of my neck right at the nook. A bloodcurdling scream escaped me and everything went black.