Boston (on hold)

Chapter 3

When we get back from the mall, I have nine bags in my hands. Seven are full of clothes, the other two filled with candy or leftovers from the food court. I set my leftovers on the bar and lead the girls up to my room.

"Wow. This place is beautiful!" Kat beams as she takes in my room. They sit on my bed and I pull a black beanbag out from the corner to sit on.

"So." I nod my head slowly, taking in the silence. "This is my room." I pull my knees up to my chest and lay my folded arms on them. Becca giggles.

"Stop being so awkward, Boston!" She reaches her hands out like a blind person searching for obstacles. "I just had the best idea! Let's go swimming!"

Now, seeing as last time I went to the beach I got knocked unconcious, this idea doesn't seem all that appealing to me. They eye me, waiting for my answer. Not able to stand the pressure much longer, I nod.

"But no volleyball."

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I'm dressed in a red bandeau bikini, feeling totally out of place. Back at home, I would have owned the place. But here, I feel like like I don't fit.

Everyone around me is tall, tan, and toned. I look normal in my suit, while everyone else looks like Tumblr models.

Becca looks like a total beach babe in her teal bikini. Kat flaunts her toned stomach in a strapless black suit and Tori looks uber tan in her sexy white one-piece. I cover my chest with my arms.

"Okay, so here's the deal." Becca smiles sneakily. "Whoever can get a date with a guy without talking gets the bracelet."

Kat and Tori smile. "What bracelet?" I ask timidly.

"Just a bracelet from when we were kids." She says simply. "It's a good luck charm. Something good always happens to the wearer."

"Is that even a word?" Kat asks. Becca gives her the does-it-really-matter look.

"Whatever." Tori cuts in, "Let's just swim."

We throw our stuff down in the hot sand and walk towards the crisp blue water. Tori and Becca run and shove each other and I lag behind with Kat. Running? Not with these melons.

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I throw myself down on the couch and shut my eyes. After a long day at the beach, Becca dropped me off. Now I'm burnt, tired, and starving. Piper won't get home until later tonight and I have no idea where the food is.

I groan and roll off of the couch. Laying there for a few seconds, I convince myself that food is good. Even if you have to drag your burnt body into the kitchen and search for it.

I start off looking in the cabinets above the appliances. All I find, however, is pots and pans, spices, and dishes. I grumble incoherently. Then an idea pops into my head.

The fridge, maybe?

I laugh at myself and look for the to go boxes from the food court. I pull out the box from Chic-Fil-A and my stomach makes a nasty gurgling sound.

"Someone's hungry."

I drop the food - I know, right? - and spin around. I've never seen the guy before but I'm happy to say I now have. Wait, why is he in my aunt's house?

"Who are you and why are you in my aunt's house?" I reach behind my for a skillet and hide it behind my back, Rapunzel style.

"My name's Brett; I've been cleaning the pool and feeding Titan for the past year. Piper called and asked me to check on him." He eyes the arm with the weapon that I not-so-ninja-like tried to hide. His hands come up in surrender.

"Who's Titan?" I drop my arm and set the skillet on the bar. What good is a surprise attack if it isn't a surprise.

"Um, the dog." Brett's head tilts to the side, judging my relationship with my aunt. As if I go searching her property for animals.

"I, uh, didn't know she had one." I cross my arms slowly, as not to disturb my sunburn. "If you tell me where he is, I can feed him."

"Okay," His hands fall and find their way to the pockets of his khakis. Mmm, khakis. Praise Him for khakis. "He's out back. There's a little fenced in area to the left of the pool."

I nod, dismissing the stranger, and make my way outside as he steps through the front door. When I see the fence, I slap my thigh and call out the dog's name in that awful squeaky voice people use on their pets. Hopefully he'll recognize it or something and listen to me. "Here, Titan! Come here, boy! Who's a good doggy? You are! That's right!" I coo and coddle until a shadow steps out of the dog house.

Only, it isn't a dog.

It's a horse.

I mean, it looks like a horse. It's actually just a massive Great Dane that looks like it's poop could possibly make me cry.

I can't hold back the scream that escapes my lips, nor can I stop my legs. I'm already running through the house, out the front door, and chasing down that Brett guy.

"Hey, dude!" I almost slam into his back. "You didn't tell me Titan's a mammoth!" He chuckles and faces me.

"Well, it's kind of his name, so.." I shake my head. I cannot believe how much I have embarrassed myself the past few minutes.

"You know what, you're right." I place my right hand on my hip and jut my left thumb behind me. "I'll just go take care of that thing - you know, feed the horse - I mean, dog." He laughs again and nods, totally judging me.

"I'm Boston . Boston O'Connor." My hand sticks out. He shakes it.

"Brett Cane."

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