«not edited»
arcadian (adj.) idyllically innocent; simple or untroubled by fear or worry; relating to an ideal rustic paradise —
[origin : greek]
s o n g s ;
i.
ii.
My jaw dropped to the floor as I took in the sight in front me. The Worthington's did not live in a house, no, they lived in a freaking mansion!
"No way, in hell," I breathed out.
Judah chuckled softly, "Yes, you're not seeing things."
"Th-this is not a house," I spluttered, still in a daze with the sight.
"Adrianna, let's go inside," Judah's voice rang through my head. I look to my right to see him holding the door open for me and holding out his hand for me to take. I take his hand and let him lead me.
Inside was truly beautiful. It was perfect, every aspect and it gave off a cozy and homey vibe.
"Adrianna!" Pyper screamed, running down the spiral staircase and hugging me.
"Hey!" My voice came out muffled. This girl was seriously hugging me to my death.
"You're here!"
"Yes, I'm here," my voice still muffled.
She pulled away, her face radiant and ecstatic. Marlowe and Talon were also there and walked up to me, pulling me in for a hug. Goddamn, they both smelled good.
"Hey guys," my voice came out small.
"Hey! You're the girl I have English with!" A guy to my right yelled. I looked over to see it was Blake.
"Blake!" He walked over and hugged me. So many hugs. I'm not complaining though.
"Are you part of Pyper's... group?" I asked out of curiosity.
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"No, no. I'm Pyper and Phoenix's older step brother."
"Oh!"
"He's not an asshole like Phoenix though," Pyper stated, everyone stifling laughs.
"That's lovely," I replied, grinning at Blake.
"Adrianna, come on, let's give you a tour of the house and then we'll head out!" Pyper laid out, already making her way to the spiral staircases. Marlowe chuckled lowly, leaving with Talon and Blake for another room. Judah came by my side and took my hand, leading us up the stairs where Pyper was.
"This is not a house," I mutter under my breath causing Judah and Pyper to laugh.
———
The mansion is absolutely beautiful. Their parents must be seriously loaded. Pyper and Judah showed me around the place in fifteen minutes and now I'm alone with Pyper in her room. Judah had left us for the bathroom, Marlowe, Talon and Blake were in the kitchen and Phoenix was nowhere to be seen. Why don't I find that surprising?
"So..." Pyper trailed off.
"Hm?"
"Anything happen with Judah?" She asked with a wink and my face immediately flushed.
"You bitch! Tell me everything!"
"Nothing really," I mumbled.
"Nothing really my ass! Your face begs to differ," she said sarcastically.
"Okay! Okay!" I said, putting my hands up in mock surrender, "We were driving to my house and when we got there, in the driveway, we kissed," I sighed dreamily. His lips felt good. Hell, his hands cupping my cheeks felt good!
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, his lips were really soft and I liked his hands cupping my chin. And he's really sweet," I breathed out in a daze.
Pyper smirked, but she looked at me happily nonetheless. That is, until her phone blasted "Phone Down" by Lost Kings and she grunted.
There was a knock on her door and she was too into her conversation so I went over. Just as I was about to open the door, the other person pushed it open softly. Judah. He pulled me out of the room and into his embrace, causing me to giggle.
"Hi," I said shyly, my voice quiet, my face flushing.
"My lips were soft and you liked it when I cupped your chin, huh." He whispered, smiling slightly. Me, on the other hand, my eyes widened. Holy mother of frack.
"Y-you heard all that?!" I sputtered.
"Yeah," he replied, chuckling. Frack my life for real!
"Oh my god," I groaned, hiding my face in his chest.
"Oh don't worry, I love kissing you too. And your hands on me," he said with a wink. God help me!
We were heading towards the end of the hall where there were three rooms and a window overlooking the pool and backyard. Two doors on the right and one on the left. Judah led me to the last one on the right. He let me open the door and walk in first. And it was a beautiful bedroom. It was coral and teal themed, making it beachy.
"Wow," I said, my voice faint. I walked to the full body mirror and looked at my reflection with the bedroom in the background.
Judah walked behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing my temple. I couldn't help but lean into him and smile.
"This could be yours," he whispered, looking at me through his eyelashes in the mirror.
"I can't live here," I said with a breathy laugh.
"Yes you can," he murmured, closing his eyes and burying his face in my hair.
"Maybe sleepovers or all nighters, but I'm not sure about living here," I whispered, cracking a smile.
We took a seat at the edge of the bed, my head in his lap, and his fingers running through my hair. I sighed in content but I couldn't help the thoughts that were clouding over my head about Phoenix. What the hell?!
Judah breathed deeply before sitting me up straight and looking me in the eye.
"I just remembered I have some things to take of. I'll meet you and the rest by the strips," he said, kissing my temple and getting up.
I sat on the bed for a while more, loving the feel of it and then decided to get out.
Stepping out of the room, someone grabbed my wrist and backed me into a wall. I shut my eyes close, holding back the tears from the person'a tight grip. Goddamn, there's gonna be bruises later. Saying I was scared was an understatement.
"Ello beautiful," his voice whispered. I couldn't forget his voice. Deep, velvet, enticing. But even knowing it was just him, I couldn't open my eyes.
"You have no reason to be nervous or scared around me, Princess." His voice sounded somewhat defeated.
I slowly opened my eyes and looked at him. He had me caged against his body and the wall, his hands on either side of me. He was dressed in a wife beater, joggers, and he had on a snapback. The wife beater made him look extremely sexy, showing his every muscle, his abs, and I could see it all flexing. But with that came seeing more of his inked skin. I could make out that his whole chest was inked and it was freaking attractive as hell. His arms, they were beautiful with designs of all sorts, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. Goddamn. Did it hurt?
Why do you care?
I don't.
"Phoenix," I whisper, breaking myself from my thoughts.
"Adrianna," my name rolled off his tongue. His eyes were dark and the held something unreadable. God, he smells so fracking good. His hands traveled down the length of my back and rested under my ass. He picked me up and I couldn't help but wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. My breaths were becoming heavier and my thoughts became clouded. Not to mention, my anxiety skyrocketed. He leaned in closer, close enough that I could feel his breath fan over my lips.
"English major?" He whisper-asked. I caught onto his British accent. Holy frack. That's sexy.
"Wh-what?" My voice faint, but shaky. Damn him for having this effect on me!
"Are you going to become an English major?" He asked coolly, but his voice still a whisper.
I shook my head, "Med student."
"Mhm, we'll see, love," and he bent his head to the hollow of my neck. And he pressed a light kiss there. Well shit. His kisses were different than Judah's. Actually, being in the presence of Phoenix was different itself. Way more enticing, captivating, and leaving me wanting more. His touch seared my skin, everywhere he touched and trailed his hands.
"Wh-what about your girlfriend?" My voice came out before I even had a chance to think.
He kept his head in the hollow of my neck, "Infinity? That slut was never my girlfriend."
I gasp lightly, pulling away from him and leaning my head against the wall. We stared into each other's eyes, none of our gazes wavering. That is, until he leaned his forehead against mine gently.
"Adrianna, I won't hurt you," he spoke softly.
I scoffed, "Oh yes! Because the way you acted earlier definitely makes me believe that," and roll my eyes. The grip he had on my waist tightened and I literally had to keep myself from moaning and embarrassing myself. So, I resorted to biting my lip. His eyes met mine and he kept flickering his eyes from my eyes to my lips. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply because I was on the verge of an anxiety attack with the way he his stare was scrutinizing. He put me down gently, but none of us moved. Well, I couldn't really given he had me caged between him and the wall. His hands rested on my hips and he traced circles on my lower stomach with his thumbs.
"You guys still going to the strips?" And I could only find it in me to nod my head.
"Well then, get the fuck out of my house," he deadpanned, his eyes once again resorted to the cold and emptiness. What the actual frack? He has got to be bipolar. He looked at me in the eyes once more before walking off to his bedroom.
I lingered there in the same spot before clearing my thoughts and walking down the hallway and out to the living room. Pyper and the guys were all there, even Blake. They were all lounged out on the couch, talking, laughing, and fooling around like normal teenagers.
"Hey," my voice was small, but they all heard, and their heads turned in my direction. They all got up and came over to me.
"So, we've thought about it and thought it'd be a good idea if you and Blake take his Jeep, I will drive in the Audi, and Talon and Pyper will take the Maserati," Marlowe laid out and I nodded in acknowledgement and agreement. I stole a glance at Pyper and saw her cheeks dusted pink. Ooh, definitely gotta ask her about that later.
"And obviously when we're ready, we'll head back here cause you've got your car here," Blake added with a smile. He had a British accent too!
"Okay," I smiled in return and they started heading out. Blake came by my side and wrapped an arm loosely around my waist, about to lead us to his car, until a voice being cleared behind us stopped us. Both of us whirled around and were met with Phoenix's burning gaze. I looked over to Blake who just stood there, unaffected, smirking and looking smug. His arm around me tightened and brought me closer to him. Phoenix, well he was burning holes in me.
"Hello there lovely younger brother!" Blake addressed Phoenix enthusiastically, like a five a year old and waving his free hand in the air for special effects.
"For fucks sake," Phoenix all but growled, "You are literally older than me by three months."
"Don't remember asking though," Blake retorted nonchalantly. This time, both of us were trying to stifle our laughs, failing terribly.
"Arsehole," Phoenix grumbled.
"Sorry lad, didn't catch that," Blake over exaggerated his accent and I tried extremely hard not to burst out laughing in that moment.
"Fucking hell!" Phoenix yelled.
"When are you guys even heading to the strip?" He asked.
"Right about now, kind sir," Blake replied, pretending to salute an imaginary hat.
Phoenix just stared back blankly and Blake just burst out laughing. After a few seconds, he calmed down and looked at me pointedly and very serious.
"Yes?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Blake tried to keep up the serious act, but it literally took him five seconds to burst out laughing again. Mere seconds later, he looked at me and winked, "Don't worry. Phoenix is just jealous I'm sexier," and he winked again. Oh my god. Before I could even think, I burst out laughing and if it wasn't for Blake's arm on my waist, holding me up, I would've fallen on the floor. Phoenix, he looked cold and emotionless. What the fuck is up with his ass? Blake lost the whole vibe and kept his arm slung across my waist and led me outside to his Jeep.
"Well frack." I stated and he chuckled and held open the passenger door for me before going to the driver side. I want this car.
"Blake, I will gladly exchange cars with you. This is sexy," I nearly cried out.
He didn't answer for a minute or two and when I looked over at him, he was in a daze, staring at my Porsche. Of course, I roll my eyes.
"Blake!"
"Wait what!?" He nearly cried this time.
"You act like a five year old," I said pointedly, narrowing my eyes.
"Darlin' I am a five year old, just physically I'm older," and he grinned cheekily. I shook my head, but the smile wouldn't falter on my face.
———
The car ride was rather eventful as Blake and I cruised down the roads freely, over exceeding speed limits, and belting lyrics to songs we didn't even know. Pulling up next to Talon, Judah, and Marlowe's car, the four of them looked at the two of us as if we were mental. I mean, I'd look at me like I'm mental too.
"Are you guys high?" Was the first thing Judah asked as soon as Blake and I stepped out of the Jeep. I shot a look at Blake and in a matter of mere seconds, the both of us screamed out the lyrics to "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High," by Arctic Monkeys.
"Now it's three in the morning
And I'm tryna change your mind
Left you multiple missed calls
And to my message you reply.
Why'd you only call me when you're high?
High.
Why'd you only call me when you're high?"
"What. The Actual Fuck?" Marlowe was so lost along with the others, it was quite hilarious.
"Adrianna is now my best friend. You know, she's the only one that gets me and listens to the same music as I do," he practically praised and wiped fake tears. Me, being the mature person I am, flips him off and walks up to Pyper, linking my arm with hers.
"I believe we have a lovely strip to wander," I chime enthusiastically. Pyper looked at me with disbelief and narrowed eyes before flipping me off and smiled brightly.
"Let's do this!" She yelled.
Walking down the strips of South Beach, it was pretty damn busy for a day after school. I loved it, it bubbled with life and diverse cultures. We passed through restaurants after restaurants and got offerings for cheaper lunch and even dinner. We all would stare at the hosts and burst out in laughter. You could definitely say we're weird.
A few hours later, here we are, still exploring. Pyper and I bought ourselves some Rayban Aviators, while the guys all bought a pair of sports sunglasses. We didn't buy anything really and I hadn't really found any part time jobs. I could tell Pyper and the rest were becoming out of it, but Blake and I still seemed full of it. We were passing a boutique shop when Pyper halted us all to a stop.
"Yes?" I raise an eyebrow.
"I'm done, Adrianna! If I keep walking, I will faint," she nearly cried out.
"You guys can leave and I'll stay with Adrianna. Because let's be honest, you all look like you're about to pass out," Blake grounded. We all nodded in agreement and they said their goodbyes, leaving me and Blake alone.
He walked over to me and wrapped an arm around my waist. I looked up at him and smiled and he looked down on me and smiled.
"Bestfriend!" He screamed out. Oh my god.
"Bestfriend!" I scream back and we both burst out laughing. We started walking occasionally stopping and taking pictures.
"What the fuck Adrianna?!" He whined.
"What?" I ask innocently.
"Y-you take so good pictures! Like how the fuck do you even get your pictures to look so clean and have the blurry background?!"
"I'm a photographer Blake. I took a college photography course back in Cali," I mused.
"California, huh?"
"Y-yeah," I mumble.
"So-"
"You two! Have an entrée for half off, an outside seating, and a free bottle of wine," some hostess of a restaurant interrupted. I looked at Blake, but he was already looking at me.
"What do you think?" He asked and I shrugged.
"I promise it's not a date," he laughed, making me laugh.
And here is how we find ourselves sitting on an outside table of Garden Of Gold with two menus, fancy wine glasses, and fancy eating utensils. Hell, even their napkins were fancy. Goddamn, they're probably very expensive.
"Hello, I'm Samuel and I'll be your waiter this evening. What can I get for you guys to drink?" A waiter spoke. He looked to be our age, maybe a year or two older, with platinum hair and gray eyes. Blake shot me a look asking what I wanted and I shot him back a look saying you choose.
"Giffords Hall Bacchus," Blake said, nodding to Samuel. Samuel nodded in return and left. I looked at Blake and he smirked.
"Fifty euros you can't get his number before we leave here."
"Fifty euros I can," came out my mouth before I could think.
"Wait why euros?" I almost cry out.
"Damn, already cheating on my brother, are we?" He said in a teasing tone, ignoring my question, but my eyes widened and I was taken aback.
"What?"
"Oh please, anyone with eyes can see you too have it in for each other," he stated in nonchalance.
"Oh please," I roll my eyes, "I've actually been thinking out ways to kill him."
"Oh, is that now?" He raised an eyebrow, looking smug.
"Yes! He was such an asshole to me today," I replied, somewhat annoyed.
"Yeah. Okay!" Blake stated, unconvinced.
Before I could reply, Samuel came back with the bottle of wine. A very expensive looking one.
"Are you guys ready to order?"
Both Blake and I tried to stifle our laughs since we hadn't yet looked at the menu. And then I remembered our bet. I looked up at Samuel, but he was already looking at me, not paying any attention to Blake. I bit my lip seductively and shook my head, "No, I don't think we are." My voice was sensual and I held back a smirk seeing Samuel gulp hard and his eyes turn a shade dark. Instead of replying, he nodded his head and walked away slowly.
"Oh my god," I laugh, shaking my head.
"Such a pervert, did you see the look on his face when you bit your lip? Though I may admit that was sexy," he winked.
"You pervert!" I reached across the table and smacked him with the menu. Blake, on the receiving end, laughed wholeheartedly.
We calmed down and he poured us both a glass.
"To you, Adrianna," he raised his glass and did I. We did a cheers and took a drink. The sparkling, bubbly wine slide down my throat and tasted amazing. I literally had to hold back a moan. It was a crisp East Anglian wine. It had gooseberry and elderflower notes, but it bursted with tropical and citrus flavor.
"Mhm, this is really good!"
"The rest of the bottle is yours, love," he replied, his English accent thick.
"Oh, no, no. You can take-"
"Adrianna, we're here celebrating you! Just take the fucking bottle," he laughed.
"Thanks Blake," I smiled genuinely.
"No need, we're all good.
"So, tell me about you!" He exclaimed, pointing at me. God, he was so childish.
"There's not much to tell," I mumble, becoming timid all of a sudden.
"Adrianna, you have to give me more than that. You're a beautiful girl, fresh from Cali. You've got to have some wild background or story to tell," he shot back and he look curious in all honesty. Though I didn't miss the fact that he called me beautiful and I felt my cheeks heat up.
"I'm Adrianna Vasiliev, my dad is the biggest and most famous, I think, multi billionaire in the world," I started off and his jaw dropped.
"You're a Vasiliev?!"
I roll my eyes, "Yes, though I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not."
He scoffed, "Of course that's a good thing, but continue on," he nodded.
"I don't like taking money from my dad, my best friend is Adrian, when I get older I want to be a better version of myself. Profession wise, I want to be a forensic pathologist. I love to read and write, I have a few of my own works, I do photography, obviously, and I love vinyls, and old literature."
"See! You are a very interesting person. What is your family like?"
"My family?" My eyes widened for half a second.
"Yes Adrianna," he drawled out. I wasn't sure I wanted to tell him about mom yet. I started panicking and it didn't go unseen by Blake. Shiitake.
"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want," he said softly, putting his hand on top of mine resting on the table.
"It's just, I want to, but I don't know if I'm ready to actually tell someone. But I believe it'll be nice to tell someone so I could talk about it with them. And I could've talked with Pyper about this. Even Judah or Marlowe or Talon. But I'm talking about it with you okay? Because I feel a very strong trust with you, don't break it," I grounded out and he nodded solemnly.
"It's just me and my dad. My mom died when I was fifteen in a car crash. I think it's my fault actually. We were baking that night and we had no frosting, so dad and I asked her to run out and get it while we baked out the cakes and all because mom was terrible in the kitchen," I let out a light laugh, "I went with her actually. And the car crashed and caught on fire, I just barely made it out. It's all my fault, it's all my fucking fault, I was fifteen and I did nothing to save my mother. I just watched the livid scarlet flames burn her alive," my voice was a whisper. Tears were falling freely down my face and Blake reached over the table to wipe them. But it didn't stop, I hadn't cried in ages about the death of my mother and now here I was. I shook my head and brought my own hands up to my face and wiped my own tears. I was stronger than this, I knew it.
"Hey, hey, hey, that was not you're fault, okay? There was nothing you could've done, and though that sounds blunt and rude, it's the bloody truth. Yea, you were fifteen, but you were fifteen for crying out loud, there wasn't much you could do except stare in horror. Anyone in your situation would've been frozen, hell! Most of them probably wouldn't have made it out like you did. Adrianna, you can not blame yourself for this," Blake went on and it surprisingly made me feel calmer and he really made me believe it wasn't so much my fault.
He just stared at me with soft and welcoming eyes. He was patient and he didn't push me and I knew I could trust him.
"Just please, don't tell anyone anything," I couldn't help but whisper.
He shook his head frantically, "No, of course I won't!" I smiled at his enthusiasticness.
"H-how did the crash happen? If you don't mind me asking," he asked in a quiet voice, almost as if he was afraid.
I breathed deeply, pondering over if I should even be retelling the story now. I knew if i continued on I would be waking up in the middle of the night screaming or suffering a paralysis episode. But I continued anyways.
"Just putting it out there, for you to know, and again, if you tell anyone about this, you're ass is grass. But my mother-
"Well she's, she's buried here in Florida.
"Anyways, going on. Gotta be pretty honest here, it was quite unfathomable? I don't know if that's the word you'd say. But anyways, it was like ten at night and we were just driving down the empty road. It was two way straight road that went on for about, I don't know, three miles? The closest shopping center was three and a half miles away because of where we lived. Anyways, we're driving to Target, on this road, on our right side, it's just a never ending forest, and on our left, hotels after hotels just neighboured each other. So I mean, I guess you can say the road was pretty bright? So here's where things are just questionable. And I don't mean what I'm telling you is false, but the events leading up to the crash itself are questionable. We're just driving and then all of a sudden the road in front of us is on fire, literally. Like you know how you drip gasoline in a straight line and then set that on fire, yea the road was just like that. And then another strip of fire came from the middle of the forest. And when you're presented with a problem like that, well what do you do? My mother, well she tried to turn the car around, and let me tell you, my mother was a terribly fast and reckless driver. She belonged on a freaking racetrack! But she couldn't make it, and instead the car drove right into the forest and thus the car caught on fire. Then it was all who's getting out of the car and who's dying. That's basically what my options were. And then me being my stubborn self, I refused to leave my mom in the car but after her side caught on fire and she started burning, I had no choice but to jump out the car. Everything after that becomes hazy, like when you're drunk and can't remember properly, you know? I was in and out of conscience, I barely remember calling 911 and my dad. I remember the ambulance getting there and then being lifted on a bed, they started assessing my burns, my father showed up, and my mother, well she was long gone," my eyes squeezed shut, "I could barely keep up with the ambulance and they were so fucking annoying, like all I wanted was to be at home with my mom and dad again. But that was and would be forever ruined. The only thing I do clearly remember were these three guys, all dressed in black suits. They were in the hotel right across from where I was on the bed, and they were on like the top floor of the hotel, just staring at me. But I just forget about that because it seems like such a irrelevant and meaningless detail. And after that, I was well out of it," I finished up and then sipped my wine and watched for Blake's reaction.
"Adrianna," he frowned, "You're a very strong girl," and he looked as if he wanted to say something but the frown stayed on his face and he seemed to get lost in thought. "Did it ever come to you that maybe this was a set up?"
I chuckled, "Of course, because of those men in suits, but then again, I have nothing against them that this was their fault of anything. And I mean, death is inevitable in life, so it's expected and these things happen I guess," I said somberly.
"I guess," he said in a melancholy tone. Except, his tone did a complete turnover and his smirked returned once again. He nodded his head to my right.
"Loverboy makes his great return." I rolled my eyes and put on my biggest smile I could muster.
"Have you guys decided?" Samuel asked looking quite uncomfortable. My mood from before the talk about my mother returned and I tried terribly hard to hold back my smirk. Blake looked like he would die from holding back his laughter.
I looked at him through my eye lashes and bit my lip, nodding my head.
"Yes, I'd like the Crab Linguini Alfredo," I said in the sensual tone I used before. Samuel nodded, clearing his throat uncomfortably, and writing it down. I shot Blake a look, and he was looking smug, but quickly cleared his throat, and telling Samuel his order. The smile played visibly at his lips the entire time. Asshole! Samuel walked away and I snickered at how this is playing out.
"What about you, Blake?"
"What about me?"
"Your story."
"I'm Blake Everett! I'm sexy, attractive,-"
"Oh my god! You know what I mean!" I burst out laughing.
"Okay okay!" He burst out laughing too.
"I'm Blake Everett, my parents are also multi billionaires, but they're never home," he rolled his eyes, "My steps are Phoenix and Pyper and I am the oldest. I grew up in England for the first five years of my existence, along with Phoenix and Pyper. My step mum lives in England, so every summer I usually take a trip there. I love vinyls as well, and I have a love for old english literature. And yeah, that's me."
I loved how he spoke, so confident and outright, and like he could care less. I wanted to say something, but we were once again interrupted but Samuel. For fucks sake! He set the food on the table and it honestly looked really good.
"Enjoy guys," he chimed, and was about to walk away, but he came close to me and handed me a napkin. I looked up to meet his eyes and he flashed a somewhat dazzling smile, winked, and walked off. I opened the napkin and nearly cried out in happiness.
"Bitch, hand over my precious euros, thank you," I could help the grin on my face when I said it to Blake.
He glared and growled, "No fucking way."
I waved the napkin in front of his face and stared innocently at him as he shot daggers.
Eating their food was like eating straight from heaven. Absolutely amazing! Even Blake was surprised with it. Samuel came back once more offering dessert, but we both declined and were given the bill. Blake completely ignored my presence, despite my whining, and paid the bill himself, throwing a hundred on the table, getting up, and holding a hand for me to take.
He slung his arm around my waist and we began walking again. He held my bag with my sunglasses, the bag with the wine, his bag with sunglasses. We fell into a friendship pretty fast, and he was the best. He was laid back, and chill, and he never worried. We were talking nonstop about something when someone walked into my shoulder, causing me to collide with Blake. We both turn around to see an older man glaring at us.
"The fuck?" Blake growled, glaring back.
"Watch your bitch, Everett," the older man replied, causing me to scoff.
"Shut the fuck up and get out of here, Manzano," Blake retorted, and turning us away from the man.
"Are you okay, love?"
"Yeah, I'm fine! Who was that?" I asked warily.
"No need to worry about that for now," he grinned and we continued walking.
He halted me to a stop in front of beach themed shop. Utopia Lacuna Surf Shop.
"You said you were looking for a coffeeshoppe or surf shoppe as a part time job right?"
"Yeah..."
"I think I may have just found you something," he said, leading me inside.
It was beautiful inside. Vibrant with color, and it gave off the perfect tropical, citrus, beach vibe. It was really perfect, it had surfboards, teen girl and boy models, clothing, and everything you'll need for a day at the beach. Blake walked us right up to the registers and cashiers.
"Ello!" He greeted enthusiastically.
"Hi!" The boy behind the counter greeted back.
"I was wondering if you guys were hiring or looking for workers part time because my lovely bestfriend, Adrianna, is looking around for something." And my eyes widened when then the spotlight was turned over to me.
"Hi," I flashed a smile.
"Actually, yes we are. We got some of our summer workers leaving because classes began. I'm Dustin, by the way," and he held out a hand for us to shake.
"Perfect!" Blake nearly praised.
"So, how much do you know about surf boards, and surfshops in general, Adrianna?"
"Uh, I used to work in one back in my hometown?" I chuckled nervously.
"Then that's actually wonderful. Just fill out this application, and you'll hear back from us in a few if you get the job!"
I was a bit shocked, but filled out the app nonetheless and handed it back to Dustin.
"Thank you, Dustin!"
"No, no, thank you Adrianna!" He smiled back.
Blake and I turned around and walked around the shop a bit. We were by the surfboards when I turned around and hugged him.
"Thank you Blake," I screamed, but instead my voice came out muffled from having my face buried in his chest. He laughed, his chest vibrating, and it felt good. But deep down inside, it felt nothing like way things felt with Phoenix.
———
Driving back, the roads were mostly empty and the air was comfortable. Arctic Monkeys played softly in the background and Blake and I screamed out the lyrics, our voices completely out of tune. I texted dad telling him where I was and that I'd be home within the hour, but I hadn't heard back from him.
He pulled into the driveway, we both got out the car, and he led us inside. The group was all hanging out in the living room, even Phoenix. My cheeks tinted pink thinking back to my exchange with him earlier. They were all playing some game, until Blake screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Ello there my lovely family!" Did he forget I'm standing right next to him?! And I might go deaf because of him?!
They all chorused back "hi's" and "hey's," and turning their attention to us. And then I remembered Blake owed me.
"Oh Blakey Boy, I'd my fifty euros now!" I exclaimed in a sing song voice.
"Fuck," he muttered under his breath, "I thought you forgot."
"You woulda thought," I retorted, staring at him seriously.
"Why does he have to pay you fifty euros? Wait! Why euros to begin with?" Pyper nearly cried out.
"You see. Once you guys left, we continued walking and then some host interrupted us offering a table outside, half off any entrée and a free bottle of wine. So we took it upon ourselves to enjoy the lovely offering. Somehow, our waiter was Samuel and this dumbass," I waved my hand at Blake, "Decided to place a bet for fifty euros that I couldn't get Samuel's number before we left. And me being me, I agreed to the damn bet. And I won, so now your lovely brother has to pay up," I explained, holding my hand out to Blake.
He narrowed his eyes, "I only said euros because I didn't actually think you'd have euros."
"I have been to Austria, Finland, Italy, and Luxembourg before," I said flatly.
"Well shit, you've traveled the world," Phoenix whistled lowly, smirking in my direction.
"She's a Vaseliev, don't mess with her," Judah replied, smirking himself. The hell with all the smirking!
"My dad being the CEO he is, gets hella offerings around the world, so wherever he goes, he takes me."
"Pretty cool," Talon smiled warmly and the rest nodded in agreement. But Phoenix. His eyes returned to those cold and empty gold orbs. There was literally no life behind them. I couldn't help it, every few seconds my eyes would drift to him.
The house suddenly became quiet and we were all lost in our own worlds. I felt like an outsider, intruder since we all had only met today.
"I'm going to leave," I stated. I had meant for my voice to be loud but instead it came out nothing above a whisper.
"I'll drive back with you," Blake spoke up and we were about to turn around when a voice stopped us.
"No. I'll drive back with her," Phoenix's voice projected. It clearly took everyone by surprise, but me? No, I was too busy flipping shit to be surprised. My freaking heart starting racing. What. The. Actual. Hell?!
"You guy don't have to," my voice shaky, but loud enough for them to hear. Blake looked smug and Phoenix rolled his eyes, walking over to us and grabbing his car keys off the little palette on the table.
"Shall we?" He held out a hand and grinned. I plastered on a fake smile and took his hand.
"Lead the way."
We both got into our cars and his Audi followed behind my Porsche. Oh the irony. Lovely. Pulling into my driveway, he pulled in next to my car and surprised me by coming out and walking over to my car, holding the door open for me. I got out and grabbed my few bags and before anything else, he had me backed up against the car. He was leaned in dangerously close and I could his golden irises twinkle with light.
"Uh, um, d-do you want to go inside?"
"Anything works, love," his accent thick, making him ten times sexier. I'm so going to hell for these thoughts.
I took his hands and led him down the pathway to the front door. His hands felt perfect with mine, my small and soft hands in his big and calloused hands. When we reached the steps, he was close behind me, he took his other hand and wrapped it around my waist. My eyes closed on it's own accord, mhm, I'll do anything to be in his embrace any time of the day. They snap open and I slightly shake my head, feeling a bit flustered, and clearing my thoughts. Opening the front door, I led Phoenix in and turned on the lights.
"Do you want something to drink?"
"Okay," and with that, I walked towards the kitchen with Phoenix following behind.
I gave him a tour of the house and he argued that it was more of mansion than a house, and I couldn't help but agree. Now we were back in the kitchen, him on one side of the island counter and me on the other. He had water bottle in his hand and was leaning on the counter, staring at me, while I was leaned on the counter, staring down on my phone. His gaze was burning and I couldn't get myself to stare back.
Gathering my courage and telling my anxiety to back the fuck off, I looked him in the eyes, "What's your story?"
He raised a challenging, "My story?"
"Mhm."
He was about to open his mouth when the front door opened, making my smile falter. Dammit!
"Adri, I'm home!"
"Dad!" I screamed, running to him, and engulfing him in a hug when he came into view in the kitchen.
"Calm yourself child," he stated blankly, trying not to laugh. And I surely did not miss the Boyd Orchards bag. Yum!
"Well shit, your first day and you've already got yourself a boyfriend," Dad smiled innocently.
"Dad, this is Phoenix Worthington. Phoenix, this is my lovely childish father," I stated irritated, completely ignoring my father's teasing.
They both stared blankly at each other for a second and then my dad pulled him in for those bro hugs. Why the hell do they even do that?
"Phoenix." Dad nodded solemnly.
"Mr. Vaseliev." Phoenix did the same, but dad shot him a dirty look.
"Um, no no no, call me Colten," Dad sassed sounding like me and Adrian. What is this?! Who does my father think he is?!
"Oh okay," Phoenix replied, looking a little lost. I wouldn't blame him for that.
His phone went off and checking it, he spoke, "I'm sorry, I have to leave now. Something came up."
"That's fine, Adri, walk him out, no?" And I just nodded in response.
He stepped out the door while I stayed standing on the inside. Turning back to give me once last glance, he smirked,
"I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me. And what can be the use of him is more than I can see."
He just quoted Robert Louis Stevenson. And he left me standing there, perplexed.
———
+via thesecretletter on tumblr
❝︎I fell in love with you 3 years ago when you looked me in the eyes with your hands around my waist and told me you've never felt this way or would feel this away about someone ever... bullshit and you really fucked me you know that right? I held onto those words and you completely threw it all away when you cut me off and dated another girl without even telling me. And I don't know what's worse that I'd go through the pain of loving you and you leaving me completely or loving.❞
«author's note»
hey hey guys !!
writing a note later 🐘❤
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i love you all 💟