“My family went to Hawaii, again. I’m so sick of it!”
“I did a tour of East Asia. All the noteworthy places only though- Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo.”
“I’m so jealous!”
“Did you guys hear about the new transfer student starting senior year with us? So weird to have someone new at the end of high school.”
“Yeah, he’s nothing special. I met him when he came to tour campus last year. He reeks of new money.”
“Gross.”
The news that our school’s ‘power couple’ broke up spread fast, so I wasn’t surprised when the questions began being directed towards me.
“Why did you break up?”
“What’d you fight about?”
“Oh, look! There he is!”
I turned my head as Noah entered from the house’s back door, joining everyone on the beach. He smiled shyly at me and waved. I waved too then turned my back to him.
Miles was apparently one of my frenemies who either was showing his real face for the first time or I just never noticed. He did this stupid dis all the time. He’d compliment something, then immediately after the person said thanks, he’d follow up with a disparaging remark. (Example: “Your shoes are so cute!” “Thanks!” “For a child. Loser.”)
This evening, he had the audacity to try it on me. As if.
“Dylan, nice Dior bag,” he started with the smile of a snake.
It was actually one of my favorites, but I said, “Don’t you know this is all the way from 2 seasons ago? That’s why I brought it to the beach.”
He turned red, but followed up with, “Noah has the most handsome smile. Doesn’t he? Do you regret losing him, yet? Maybe I’ll have a go, since he’s on the market now. You wouldn’t mind would you?”
“Not at all, especially since I didn’t lose him. I threw him away, and you’re more than welcome to my sloppy seconds.”
I regretted saying I threw Noah away, because he didn’t deserve that at all. Cringe. I’m a horrible person. Ugh, I shouldn’t stoop so low.
While I was stewing in my mind the best way to backtrack, Miles stomped away upset as a few of the guys laughed at him.
Some while later, Noah approached me. Everyone was watching, discreetly and not so discreetly.
“Can I talk to you for a sec?”
“Sure.” We shifted just a few steps away from the bonfire for enough privacy to not be overheard. He handed me a new, cold pop, which I accepted. He then took the alcoholic drink out of my hand and tossed it aside. I rolled my eyes. He didn’t like me drinking alcohol, but he drank alcoholic beverages just fine.
“Miles said you called me trash. Do you hate me that much?”
“No, I’d never say that! He implied you broke up with me, uhm, but obviously I was the one to end it… so… I said… I threw you away… I didn’t mean it that way. I’m so sorry. I totally regretted saying it as soon as I did, but-”
“But you didn’t correct yourself.”
“No, I didn’t. Sorry.” I truly felt horrible.
“Don’t start arguments with your friends.”
“I didn’t start it! He did. But I will always be the one to finish it!”
He gave me a disbelieving look.
Why did Noah never believe me? I could say some things better, but I’m always honest. Always. Sure, he was a nice guy who tried to broker peace, but it often simply felt like he wasn’t on my side. It felt like it didn’t matter to him who was right or wrong or what the situation was, just that everything should be calm, and nothing should rock the boat.
“Just talk it out with Miles.” Why was he so pushy about this?
“I’ll listen when he apologizes. And what’s with all this Miles this, Miles that? He literally told me today he was going to make a move for you. You should accept it. Then you’d both be out of my hair.”
“Come on, don’t be like that. Everyone knows we’re getting back together.”
“I beg your pardon? Why didn’t I know about this?”
“I get it. Let me spend a few days in the doghouse. I already miss you so much.”
I wasn’t some petulant boyfriend who broke up a relationship for drama or something. I genuinely meant it.
“We are not getting back together. Didn’t you understand anything I tried to tell you?” I was sick of him not actually listening and just deciding whatever he wanted in respect to me. It’s my life!
I walked over to where the live music was playing. I took the microphone.
“Hello seniors!! Who’s ready to live it up this year?!” Alcohol flowing, everyone cheered. “A formal announcement: Since Noah and I are officially broken up, I am now accepting applications for a senior year boyfriend!” People laughed and cheered and some just looked confused. I briefly met Alexander’s eyes while looking across the crowd. Even he was chuckling and raised a glass.
I returned the microphone to the singer and walked back to my group of friends, bypassing Noah and ignoring him all together for the rest of the night.
……
With just a few weeks of summer left, I decided this was going to be MY summer. I was going to enjoy the single life and live to the fullest.
My older siblings were closer in age and were able to support each other through each step of their lives, which sometimes I was a little jealous of. I was an accident. Being the youngest and having older parents than most for my age, I was frankly spoiled and didn’t have a lot of oversight. My parents checked in on me every few days or weeks to make sure I was alive and that was the extent of my supervision.
I was tired of people from my school asking about the break up, so I decided to make new friends. I joined a local running group and a new tennis club.
I also started making time for myself, being comfortable just being alone. I grabbed a pool bag and went to a *public* beach! Alone! That way I could rest, away from anyone who knew me.
I was a beautiful sunny day. I found a random spot on the sand and laid on my towel, covered in tanning oil.
I was so relaxed, I was almost asleep, when a thud sound and sand flying all over me caused me to sit up.
A volleyball had landed next to me. A girl waved and apologized, running from a volleyball net that had been set up.
I hit it back.
“Hey, nice toss!”
I noticed the group had an odd number of players.
“You want another player to even out the teams?”
“Why not!” She smiled.
I joined the team with fewer players, and everyone briefly introduced themselves. They were a group of seniors from the local public high school.
They were pleasantly surprised to find that I’m awesome at volleyball. I’m shorter than some, but I have a mean serve and play setter on my school’s varsity team.
One guy named Kade was especially good too. He was super tall and on the leaner side with bleached hair. The blond coloring looked unnatural, but he looked naturally hot. I set him up for the best spikes.
Between breaks, I think I stared too much at him.
He flexed and asked, “Like what you see?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to stare… I’ve never… When do you have to dye your hair back to a natural color by, since you can’t wear a hat at school to cover the blond?”
He laughed. “School? What are you talking about? You must come from a sheltered family. Or are you from up on the hill?”
“Uuuuh…”
“Dude! I’m just kidding. Those swanky guys never come down here. Keep setting me up, ‘kay? We’re crushing, thanks to you!”