Ariana’s POV –
After taking the world’s quickest shower and changing into jeans and a crop top, I grab my jacket and weekend bag with everything I need before heading down the stairs. Mum and Dad are both peering out the window, whispering under their breath. No doubt about Alex and his massive SUV parked right outside.
I clear my throat and raise an eyebrow at them as they spin around, cheeks red from being caught red handed.
“Ariana!” They both say in unison, a little too cheerfully. I give them a small smile, fastening the laces on my converse as I sit on the bottom step.
“Are you guys okay? You seem to be glued to the window.”
Dad clears his throat, taking a step away from the window with a guilty expression.
“Sorry sweetheart. We’re just curious about the boy parked outside. Is he a friend of yours?”
At the mention of Alex, my lips tug into a genuine smile and I bit down on my lip to stop it from spreading.
“Yeah, he’s a friend.” I nod my head, securing my hair on top of my head into a messy bun.
“Why don’t you invite him inside? We’d love to get to know him.” Mum said, her voice growing chirpy. I roll my eyes sub-tly, knowing she just can’t help herself.
“Actually I’m going to stay with him and a few other friends for the weekend. We’re all going camping,” I tell them quick-ly, double checking my bag to make sure I have everything.
“Who is this boy and these friends? Do we know them? Where are you going camping?” Mum asks, frowning hard at me. I let out a long sigh, knowing I don’t have time for her hundred and one questions.
“I’m an adult, I can go out for the weekend if I want to. I’ve been having a rough time lately guys, I need a break.” I mum-ble, heading towards the door. I turn to give Dad a re-assuring smile and he pulls me in for a quick hug, patting my back. Out of the two, he’s definitely my favourite foster parent. He never pushes me to speak about my feelings but whenever I need a shoulder to cry on, he’s always there.
“You deserve it kiddo, have fun.”
“Thanks Dad,” I smile, grateful to have him in my life. My actual father was the devil in disguise and simply thinking about him stirred up the fear inside me. I quickly hug Mum, averting eye contact with her the entire time.
“Love you guys,” I said quietly, giving them a small wave as I pulled open the door.
“Stay safe honey,” Mum murmurs, a worried expression on her face. I nod my head, knowing her intentions are good.
“I will, I love you. Goodbye.” I smile. I quickly jog down the path and the sleek black passenger door opens itself. My eyebrows raise in surprise but I quickly slide in, securing it shut. Alex turns from the drivers seat and gives me a wide smile, his eyes quickly scanning over my outfit.
“Ready?” He murmurs, eyes lingering a little too long on my lips. I lick them out of habit and nod my head, excitement building up inside me.
“Yeah I’m ready.”
Beside me, Caleb let out a loud whoop and Alex chuckles, turning the volume of his music up loud until it’s pulsing through the seats.
“It’s camping time bitches!” Caleb yells, holding out two hands for me and Alex to high five. I shake my head but can’t help the grin that spreads across my face as I connect my palm with his.
*****
We’ve been driving for four hours and the sky is beginning to darken, the road becoming stretched and abandoned. I’m struggling to keep my eyes open in the backseat. Nikki is leaning against Caleb, her mouth slightly parted as she sleeps soundly. In the drivers seat, Alex looks tired and has slowly ran out of conversation until he grows silent.
“Do you want me to drive? There’s only two hours to go,” Caleb offers, looking fresher and wide awake than all of us. Alex grunts a response, pulling up onto the side of the road. He pauses for a moment, resting his head on the steering wheel.
“Come on amigo, out you get.” Caleb says quietly, sympathy flashing through his eyes. I smile sleepily at the friendship between the two and Alex nods at him, stepping out of the drivers seat. I expect him to sit beside Caleb in the passenger seat but instead he walks round the car and opens the door beside me. Even though he’s exhausted, his eyes held a cheeky glint as he looks at me.
“Can I join you?”
My cheeks began to grow hot and I nod, shuffling up a little on the seat. Alex climbs in, shutting the door softly behind him. His leg is pressed against mine and even through the fabric of our clothes, I feel the heat burning my skin from the simple touch.
“Forgive me hermosa but I won’t be much company,” he yawns behind his hand, resting his head on the seat behind him. His lashes flutter until his eyes drifted shut as he struggles to fight sleep. Caleb starts the car and we’re off again, miles of land our only view.
“You’re great company even if you’re sleeping,” I re-assure him, unable to ignore his body pressed up against mine. His alluring scent fills my personal space and I turn to look at him. He’s smiling at me, eyes hooded over with sleep. The faint lights from the car illuminate against his beautiful features and even at night, he’s simply breath taking.
Without saying another word, he holds out his arm, wrapping it around my shoulders. I instantly rested my head against his chest, my own eyes growing heavy with sleep. Alex’s arm tightens around me almost as if he isn’t taking any chances with letting me go. A smile flickers across my face as I feel myself drifting off.
“Dulces sueños,” Alex murmurs in my hair, his words causing a warm glow to ignite the inside of my body.
“Sweet dreams to you too,” I whisper in response.
*****
I wake to the sound of loud cheers and whoops coming from a distance. When I open my eyes, it takes me a moment to realise where I am. I’m lying across Alex’s car seat in the back, my body aching in places from the uncomfortable position. I sit up straighter and frown, the rest of the car is empty.
“Alex? Caleb? Nikki?” I call out, pulling open the door. When I notice the view outside, I simply pause, too stunned to speak. In front of me is a clearing in the woods surrounded by trees and nature. A few feet away is a stretch of a beautiful lake, disappearing into the distance. I can smell the crisp fresh air lingering everywhere around me. Down by the lake, all three of them are sat on chairs by the wooden dock, drinks in hand. The sun is beginning to rise, casting a beautiful irides-cent glow over the water.
“Wow,” I breathe out, running a hand through my hair. I shrug my jacket off, knowing we’re in for a warm day. . . This place really is something else.
The sound of laughter comes from Alex and Caleb and I smile, leaning against the car as I watch him throw his head back. It’s nice to see him so carefree, full of his usual confident and charming personality.
“Hey!” I shout over at them, smiling as they all turn around. Alex is the first to beam brightly at me, his smile causing my insides to melt.
“Ah! She finally wakes,” Caleb yells back and I chuckle under my breath, walking over to them. Nikki is sat next to Caleb, her blonde hair tied upwards into a ponytail. She’s wearing denim shorts and a crop top with sunglasses firmly on her face. When I approach them, she throws me a can of lemonade which I catch one handed.
“Thanks,” I grin, taking a seat next to Alex. He whistles under his breath, shooting me a flirtatious smile.
“Nice catch hermosa.”
“I’m good with my hands,” I shoot back, loud enough for only him to hear me. His eyebrows raise in surprise and I watch as his eyes turn a shade darker from his thoughts. He pushes himself up off his chair, standing dangerously close to the edge of the water without realising.
“Can we go put it to the test?” He murmurs, turning his back on Caleb and Nikki. His eyes drift down my body hungrily and I bite down on the inside of my cheek to stop myself from grinning. There’s nothing I can do about the blush covering my cheeks. My mouth dries out as I look up into his sparkling eyes, eyes that I so badly never want to look away from.
I slowly stand from my chair, placing my lemonade down onto the floor beside me. As I take a step towards Alex, he reaches out, placing one hand on my waist.
“Where are you two going?” Caleb asks us loudly. Alex ignores him, staring intensely into my eyes. A shiver runs down my back and I suck in a quick breath, remembering we aren’t alone. I can’t help my lips from tugging upwards into a smirk as I flip my hair over my shoulder.
“You shouldn’t ignore your friend Alex,” I tease him.
“He won’t lose any sleep over it,” Alex murmurs back in response, his eyes trained on my lips. It feels like he’s lost in a trance and I’m the reason for it. It caused my stomach to somersault several times from the thought.
“This is what my hands can do,” I giggle, placing my hands on Alex’s chest.
That’s when I push him into the lake and turn around, running for my life as Caleb and Nikki break down with laughter.