"Hey" I hear Michelle's voice call out from beside me.
Mr. Richards, my mom, Amber, Michelle, Jace and myself are currently at the beach.
The six of us had decided to hangout a little, take a stroll at the beach, eat some ice cream and try out other fun stuffs.
My mom had gone to catch up with some friends, Jace had gone with Mr. Richards to where I don't know. They've been getting along pretty well. They even spend quality time together. I'm very happy about it.
Amber had said that her brother was coming to the beach too with his friends so she went off to find him.
Michelle on the other hand also saw some people she knew from high school and had gone to deal with them.
I'm just sitting alone close to the beach, sucking through the straw attached to my coconut water while watching families and friends playing, splashing water at each other.
"Hey" I call back at Michelle.
Michelle sits beside me.
"What're you doing here? Shouldn't you be out there doing some romantic water splashing with Jace?" Michelle asks.
"I don't really feel like splashing water with anyone. Besides, Jace is with Mr. Richards." I say.
"Okay. I guess Mr. Richards has stolen your boyfriend from you." Michelle says.
"You could say that. Well, I'm just happy they're getting along." I say.
"Yeah. It's nice." Michelle says.
"How did your conversation with those girls from high school go?" I ask.
"Fair, I guess. Just some formal clique stuff.....you know....the hatred of leaving the clique for another and all. I handled it pretty well though so it's nothing." Michelle says.
"Okay."
"Thinking of it now, we haven't really had an alone conversation in a while, you and I." Michelle says.
"That's right." I say.
"I'm sorry I never bothered to spare some time for it. I was hardly there for you. I'm really sorry, Mia." Michelle says.
"It's okay. It's not like I really needed you to be there for me." I say.
"You don't have to need me to be there for you, I have to be there for you. It's the least I should do as a best friend." Michelle says.
"You did reach out to my boyfriend for me, didn't you? That's being there for me." I say.
"I only wanted to correct my mistake, Mia......"
"Michelle, that's still you being there for me. You did what I couldn't do. That's a lot." I say with a smile.
Michelle smiles back.
"Why did you forgive me? I didn't deserve it." Michelle says.
"It's okay to fight with your loved ones but it's never okay if you never make up with them..". My mom said something like this to me and I deeply thought about it. I like being your friend, Michelle. I must say, I can't imagine my life without you right now."
"You and I are so different. I'm a screwed up bitch and you're.....you're Mia."
"We may be different but we still share some similarities and you're not a screwed up bitch, you're Michelle Torres, the first best friend I had in high school. You were the first person to fill up the hole that was left in my heart after Olivia McCall left for Florida and that was exactly what I needed, to move on with my life and focus on the things I had to focus on. That was also a lot, Michelle." I say.
"But given how I feel about you, aren't you scared that I'd make a move on you again?" Michelle asks.
"I know you wouldn't dare to make a move on me again so I'm not scared of anything. But if you do, I've got my self-defense skills." I say.
"Right. I'm gonna die by your hands if I dare to do such. Thank you, Mia, for still being my friend despite how I had betrayed you. I'm really happy you chose to forgive me." Michelle says.
"You're welcome, Michelle." I say.
"Can I get a hug?" Michelle asks.
I chuckle.
"Sure." I say, spreading my arms apart.
Michelle goes into my arms for a hug.
"Aww.....some girls are bonding." I hear Amber's voice say from behind.
Michelle and I pull away from each other.
"Hello girls."
I turn to see Amber's brother.
"Hi, Ambrose." Michelle says.
"Hello, Ambrose. How're you doing?" I ask.
"I'm good. No doubt you girls are having fun." Ambrose says.
"We're certainly having fun." Michelle says.
"Guys, Ambrose here has something to say." Amber says.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Umm....my friends and I are having a small party tonight, on this beach. I was wondering if you girls could come to the party and maybe we could catch up on one or two things." Ambrose says.
"Oh....you're inviting us to a beach party." I say.
"Yes, I am. I wouldn't mind if you don't accept the invite. I only wish to have my sister's best friends at the party my friends and I are hosting. I also wanna use the party to properly welcome you guys back to Boston after two years." Ambrose says.
"Are there gonna be hot dudes there 'cause I'm up for some hookups." Michelle says.
"Michelle....." Amber utters.
"Oh...uh...yeah, there are gonna be hot dudes. I've got bunch of really hot friends." Ambrose says.
Amber smacks his head playfully.
"Ow....what? I'm just answering a question." Ambrose says with his hand at the back of his head, where Amber smacked him.
"A naughty question." Amber says.
"Well, I'm in. What time is the party?" Michelle asks.
"By eight o'clock. What about you, Mia? I know you don't really like parties....at least from what I learned from my sister but I'd really love to see you there, even if its just for a few minutes." Ambrose says.
"Uh....I'd love to attend but....I have to be at home with someone....."
Y'all know who the someone is.
"There wouldn't be any problem if we came with some other people, right?" Amber asks Ambrose.
"Of course not....as long as the person isn't a teenager. The party is strictly for young adults only." Ambrose says.
"Okay then. Mia, it looks like you don't need to stay home with someone. You could just come with the person." Michelle says.
"Fine. Consider me already at the party." I say.
"Thank you. I look forward to meeting your friend you'll be coming with." Ambrose says.
"Sure." I say.
"Okay now, off you go, brother. I need to have a girls' chat with my friends." Amber says.
"Fine. I've got some boys' chat to do with my friends too." Ambrose says.
"Good for you." Amber says as she turns to me and Michelle.
"Alright guys, I'll see you later." Ambrose says.
"You too, Ambrose." Michelle says.
"Thanks for the invite." I say.
"It's nothing." Ambrose smacks his sister's head playfully "That's for smacking my head for no good reason!" Ambrose says from a distance while running off.
"You can't run forever....you know!! What an asshole." Amber mutters, her hand at the back of the smacked area of head.
Michelle and I chuckle at Amber.
"That dude needs to grow up." Amber says, sitting beside Michelle.
"I think your brother is adorable." Michelle says.
"Adorable but can be a fucking brat." Amber says.
"God, he has gotten more handsome and even sexier. I just realized I didn't notice much at the birthday and engagement party." Michelle says.
"Gross Michelle, not my brother. Hope you're not planning to flirt with him 'cause he's got a girlfriend who would pull out your hairs before I do." Amber says.
"Okay, that sounds like a deadly indirect threat." Michelle says.
"Maybe it is. What's with you and setting your mind at hooking up at a party?" Amber asks.
"You ask as if you don't know me. You know I like to explore, as long as I'm not with my own person. I know it's a slutty thing to do but it's just me. Nothing changes that, not even my feelings for my gender. I'm bi after all." Michelle says.
"You know you're not totally bi....I mean....it's not like you've fucked a girl.....you did kiss a girl though...." Amber says, looking at me.
"That was gross by the way." I say.
"I'm sorry about that. I know I haven't fucked a girl before but having sexual thoughts and feelings about a girl is enough for me to know that I'm bi." Michelle says.
"True though...." Amber says.
"Right. Speaking of this, I don't know if I have to ask this but, what're you gonna do about Caleb?" I ask.
"Yes, about Caleb. Does he know about your sexuality?" Amber asks.
"He doesn't. I didn't tell him 'cause he doesn't need to know." Michelle says.
"So, you gonna keep dating him?" I ask.
"Well.....I know he's toxic jerk.....but I must admit, he's a great fucker." Michelle says.
"Michelle!!!" Amber and I yell at the same time.
"What? It's not like you guys don't know how much sexual satisfaction matters to me." Michelle says.
"What're you? A sex addict?" Amber asks.
"I'm not even gonna argue that." Michelle says.
Amber scoffs while I roll my eyes.
Michelle smirks at us.
"Guess you're never gonna change." Amber says.
"I may change in other ways but for that, I'm not sure yet." Michelle says.
"Thank goodness you said yet 'cause I have a feeling that you're gonna get tired of it one day. I remember I was almost a sex addict but then I realized that sex isn't as important as we make it seem. Sex isn't bad.....I mean, the pleasure is something else but it doesn't really matter. That's why I could stay like a week or more without doing it with my boyfriend......ex-boyfriend." Amber says.
"Duh....speaking of, what're gonna do about Jordan?" Michelle asks.
"Jordan? There's nothing to do about Jordan. We're over after all. Jordan's dead to me now." Amber says.
One could sense the hatred in her voice.
"So what're you gonna do if you ever see him again?" Michelle asks.
"Nothing.....I'll do nothing. I'm not even sure if my heart will ever flutter again if I see him.....no matter how hot and handsome he may be." Amber says.
"Well, I'm glad you've moved on from him. The dude doesn't deserve you." I say.
"Yeah. You're too good for him." Michelle says.
"Aww.....guys, I feel like crying now for such flattery from you guys." Amber says, faking a cry.
"Maybe I should take my words back. What do you think, Mia?" Michelle asks playfully.
"I'm thinking of the same too." I respond in the same manner.
"Guys, seriously?" Amber questions.
"Yeah." I say.
We chuckle at each other.
Amber lets out a sigh.
"Guys, I don't know about you but moments like this makes me more excited about this trio." Amber says.
"Yeah, me too. I can't believe I almost threw away the best part of my life because of my stupid desire. You guys are the best thing that has ever happened to me." Michelle says.
"Aww...." I utter.
"I think I'm gonna be emotional." Amber says.
"Don't be dramatic, Amber." Michelle says.
We chuckle again.
"I'm really happy about us. Guys, we've been best friends for like six years now. It may not be much yet but it's still something. I don't think it's so easy to maintain a friendship like this for six years. Despite the disagreements and all we've had throughout the years, disagreements that're enough to tear us apart, we're still together, as the best trio ever. I'm really proud of us." Amber says.
"Yeah." I say.
"Yeah. You know guys.....I didn't come out to you guys earlier, not just because it's not what I really wanted, I was also scared that you guys would throw me under the bus after knowing about me." Michelle says.
"Why'd we throw you under the bus? Just because we figured out something we never expected? No, we can't simply do that to you." Amber says.
"Michelle, no matter what you're, we'll never throw you under the bus. You're our best friend." I say.
"Aww.....guys....." Michelle utters.
"You have all our support, Michelle. Whatever you decide to do, whether to do chicks and dudes or just dudes, we'll support your decision." Amber says.
"Thank you, guys. I think I'm the luckiest person in the world to have such friends like you guys." Michelle says.
Amber and I chuckle.
"You know another exciting? It is that we've grown so much since after we met and we've changed too. Mia gets over herself and gives dating a chance, Michelle realizes that she's not just into hot guys, but girls too...."
"Amber, Mia is the only girl I've wanted to have something more with." Michelle says.
"Even though, it's still part of what I mean. Myself on the other hand, after Jordan, I realized I shouldn't go into a relationship that I wasn't the first choice 'cause it never ends well. I figured that I just throw myself at a guy in the most desperate manner and that's the first mistake I've always made. It may not be a change yet but I'll make it a change in the next relationship I'm gonna get into." Amber says.
"Best of luck, Amber. I'm certain that your next relationship will be nothing compared to the others. It'll be perfect." I say.
"Yeah, it'll be." Michelle says.
"Thanks guys." Amber says.
"You're welcome." I say.
"Speaking of change, is it just me or does anyone else find it so unbelievable that Mia, the most modest of all, has become such a flirt." Michelle says.
What?
"Yess!! I thought I was the only one who noticed that. She's become such a bad girl." Amber says.
"What? Guys, what're you talking about? I'm not a flirt." I say.
"You are, a bigger flirt than Amber and I even. Have you seen the way they look at each other, Amber?" Michelle asks.
"Mia and Jace, right?" Amber asks.
"Yeah. They flirt with their eyes too. One could even say that they fuck with their eyes." Michelle says.
"Hey!!! Come on!!!" I scream.
"Girl, don't scream. It's the truth. Oh...did you see when we were playing the video game last night?" Amber asks.
"Yes, she and Jace were literally flirting the whole time." Michelle says.
"What? No!! We weren't flirting." I defend.
"If not flirting then what? Bantering?" Amber asks.
"I don't know but I do know that it wasn't flirting." I say.
"Mia, do you know that I literally struggled not to say "get a room, guys!!" Michelle says.
"But you did say it anyway." I say.
"I couldn't help it anymore 'cause it was too much." Michelle says.
"It was too oppressing for the singles to watch." Amber says.
"Seriously?" I ask.
"Yeah, seriously. You two can't even hide your horniness." Michelle says.
"That too. The sexual tension is high as fuck." Amber says.
"Horniness? Sexual tension? Okay, now you guys are going too far." I say.
"We're not. I know there are parts of you and Jace that were or are screaming how you guys wanna get yourselves into a room and do stuffs to each other." Michelle says.
Well, since after the sex dream, I've been craving so much for sex with Jace so maybe Michelle's right.
Maybe....
"You don't know that." I say.
"Well, I do. I've been there before, Mia. Only that I don't waste time flirting, I just dive right into action." Michelle says.
"We already know that." Amber says.
"Sure you do. I must say, it's really hard to believe that the modest Mia I know can get so flirty." Michelle says.
"Yeah. But I think she's always had it in her, just that she haven't had the need to use it and now that she's had the need to, she brings it out. Don't you see she gets flirtatious around Jace only?" Amber asks.
"I see that. So Jace brings out the flirtatious side of her by using his own flirtatious side." Michelle says.
"Exactly." Amber says.
"Okay, that's enough, guys. I'm still right here." I say.
"We know. But Amber, if they do that much in front of people, have you ever wondered how hot the one they do behind closed doors may be?" Michelle asks.
"I bet it's gonna be very hot. I can't even imagine it." Amber says, fanning herself with her hand.
"Shut up, guys. You guys say all these as if you've forgotten that I can't have sex." I say.
"We haven't forgotten that. I know you guys are definitely gonna do it someday. I don't know when but I have a feeling that it won't be so long before it happens. You two are running out of patience." Amber says.
"I'm totally with Amber. Just brace yourself 'cause with what I'm seeing these days, if Jace finally finds his way to get in between your legs, he's gonna destroy you.....he....is gonna fuck the shit outta you." Michelle says to my ear.
I choke on my coconut water, coughing as a result.
Michelle smirks at me.
Amber chuckles, rubbing her hand on my back.
"I won't argue about your vulgarity today 'cause it's the truth. Jace's wait is over, just that he's trying not to make it obvious and he respects you a lot. I bet some guys would've lost it and raped you if they were your boyfriend. Jace is a gentleman, just like Anthony Bridgerton." Amber says.
"Yes! I bet their case is similar to Kate and Anthony's case. They both wanna do it but they can't because something is holding them back. You're really smart, Amber." Michelle says.
"I know." Amber says.
"You guys are so unbelievable." I say after regaining from my cough.
Amber and Michelle chuckles.
"Well, I'm actually happy for you, Mia. You're no longer nerdy as fuck. At least you've got something else to think of apart from books and stuffs. You did figure things out on your own like you told us you would." Michelle says.
"Yeah. I'm glad we didn't keep dragging you to parties or setting up blind dates for you. I'm sorry for how we pressured you." Amber says.
"I guess we underestimated you so much." Michelle says.
"It's alright, guys." I say.
"Well, Jace really did a good job with you, Mia. Thanks to him, you're not so boring these days." Amber says.
"I'm not so sure what to respond to that but thank you." I say.
"Where is he, by the way?" Amber asks.
"He should be somewhere with Mr. Richards." I say.
"I guess he and Mr. Richards are bonding pretty well." Amber says.
"They are." Michelle says.
"Yeah." I say.
"Aaa....haa, one more thing, Mia." Amber says.
"Please, let it be good." I say.
"Don't worry, it's more like an advice." Amber draws closer to me. "Don't forget protection, if you don't want the first shot to be a baby."
"Babies, even.....depending on how things go." Michelle says.
"Guys!!!! Please don't make me choke again!!!" I scream.
"We're trying our best." Michelle says.
I scoff.
Amber grins.
I'd be lying if I said that I'm not so embarrassed about all these sex talks and teases from my friends.
Anyway, I'm really happy with our friendship. I'm happy about how the summer is going now. It started in a pretty bad way but with how things are going now, it's definitely gonna end in a good way.