BEFORE WE START!

Jaeden Martell as Josh.

Avi Lake as Cece.

AND, BEING ADDED TO THE REGULAR CAST...

Jenny Sarah Slate as Ginny Howard.

(If you don't know what her voice sounds like, if you've watched Secret Life of Pets, think that little white dog with the pink bow. That's her :))

YOU'LL SEE WHERE GINNY IS INVOLVED LATER ;)

"I'm gonna miss this room!" I sighed dramatically, twirling around Claudia's room with a sucker in my mouth.

"Sea City! One week, eight Pikes, three babysitters." Stacey smiled, nudging Mary Ann's shoulder and looking over at me.

"I can't believe you guys are going." Claudia said.

"I can't believe your dad is letting you go!" Kristy pointed out.

"Yeah, how is Richard taking it?" Dawn asked.

Mary Ann thought for a second.

"Pretty good!"

"How did Sam take it when you told him you were leaving?" Stacey asked.

"Why are you leaving again?" Sam asked, while we sat on the sidewalk eating ice cream.

"Because it's a good babysitting job, dude!" I told him, my mouth full of ice cream.

"If you say so..." he whispered.

"What was that, Sam Thomas?" I threatened playfully.

"What? Hm? I didn't say anything..." he defended.

"You sure about that?" I laughed.

The afternoon went on with us laughing on the sidewalk, eating ice cream.

"Really good." I smiled.

"What about your mom and sister?" Dawn asked.

"Why are you leaving me?" Louise asked.

"Because I have to babysit for the Pikes!" I told her, closing my suitcase.

"No no no! Take me with you!" Louise argued.

"No." I told her.

She groaned and leaned back on my bed.

••••

"Sea City?" My mom asked, placing her big black glasses on the tip of her nose.

"Yeah! I think it would be awesome." I smiled, sitting in front of her desk in her office.

"I-It looks fine to me." She smiled.

"Really good too." I whispered.

"What's with the sad face? You're going to Sea City!" Kristy encouraged.

"I know! I know. It's just...my moms been off a little bit. Ever since Mimi came out of the hospital." I told the club.

"Could she be seeing someone?" Dawn asked.

"No! No." I laughed, "my mom? No. She would tell me if she was seeing someone."

"Now that I think of it, yeah. Lola has been off a little." Claudia pointed out.

I nodded.

"Maybe you'll find out later." Stacey smiled.

"My dad made me only get one pieces, which made him feel like he was, again, exerting some measure of control." Mary Ann told us.

"We'll go bikini shopping on our night off. It'll be our chance to bond!" Stacey told Mary Ann.

"YOU'RE going bikini shopping. I have my own. I have to go shopping for some gifts I promised to get." I scoffed.

"Of course." Kristy smiled.

"I'm so jealous! You guys get to go on a glamorous business trip while I'm gonna be stuck in boring Vermont." Claudia bickered.

"You'll be with Mimi!" Mary Ann pointed out.

"She'll be bored too."

"Speaking of boring, this whole wedding stuff has turned my mother into the most basic person ever to live! 'Flutes or saucers? Roses or orchids?' It's like talking to a Brides magazine from the 1950's." Kristy explained.

"At least she's not obsessively looking for dates on Tinder." Dawn laughed, "Sharon swipes right on everyone. It's why I can't leave her alone!"

We all laughed at Dawn.

I sat down on the floor, my back leaning on the bed.

"Well, my dad will be at home and vulnerable..." Mary Ann pointed out.

"Say no more! The game is afoot. Project Parent Trap begins now." Dawn smiled.

I clapped my hands.

The two stood up and shook each other's hands, and then doing a hand shake.

"Okay, before we get into all of that, let's lay out some ground rules. The BSC code of conduct." Kristy told the club.

"Oh, brother." Claudia cringed.

"No texting during sitting hours. We can't afford any distractions. And be hyper-vigilant with sunscreen application, that means you, Bubbles," I put a hand to my heart, "and most importantly..." Kristy trialed off.

"Oh! Don't worry. I can't disconnect my pump for up to an hour if I want to swim." Stacey explained.

"No. I mean, good! But most importantly..." Kristy paused.

We were all in suspense, waiting for her to say something.

"I'm gonna miss you guys!"

Kristy turned away, not want anyone to see her cry.

"Kristy! You're gonna make me cry!" Mary Ann whined, going over and hugging her.

Dawn walked over to me and grabbed my hand, pulling me up into the hug.

Claudia joined as well.

"Guys, come on! We're only leaving for a week!" Stacey pointed out.

We all gave her a 'don't ruin the moment' look.

She rolled her eyes and joined the hug.

••••

I stepped out of the Pike's van, helping Mallory out as well.

I saw she was wearing my sun hat, so I stole it back from her.

She laughed at my actions.

The Pikes lined up.

"Pikes! Sound off!" Mr.Pike announced.

"Mallory!"

"Jordan."

"Adam."

Byron didn't say anything.

Adam nudged him.

"Oh! Byron!"

"Nicky, Margo and Claire." Mr.Pike finished.

"Daddy, I'm not Claire! I'm Fido." Claire corrected him, and she barked.

We laughed at the little girl.

"Vanessa, come on! Let's go!" Mrs.Pike encouraged her daughter.

Vanessa emerged from the van.

She stood in front of us.

"My darken soul is in pain. I hope at the beach we get nothing but rain."

I widened my eyes and nodded.

"Yep. Totally agree. 100%."

"She's going through a poetry phase..." Mrs.Pike told us.

"No I'm not!"

"It's very annoying, but we encourage our children to follow their bliss."

••••

"Welcome to the yellow room! It's probably my favorite room!" Mallory said, showing Stacey and Mary Ann their room.

"You can hear the ocean! It's so romantic! I'm right next door in the pink room if you need anything." Mallory smiled.

"Mallory, why don't you show Bubbles her room and help get your sisters changed so we can go down to the beach." Mary Ann offered.

"On it!" The red head smiled.

She walked over to me and grabbed my hand, my suitcase trailing behind me.

"This...is the purple room!"

"Oh my god." I said in shock.

"You don't like it?! I told mom and dad you wouldn't like it...let's get you a different room-"

"No no no! I love it, Mallory." I stopped her.

"Awesome! Now, get dressed. We're going swimming." Mallory smiled.

I nodded as she hugged me and walked out.

••••

"Omg girl, yes!" Mary Ann encouraged me, as we walked down to the beach.

"Shhh...shut up! I don't want people looking!" I scolded her, scared of people seeing my skinny and puny body.

"Come on, Bubbles! You're a rock star!" Stacey said, setting down the stuff while the Pikes rummaged in the sand.

I started putting sunscreen on Claire's face.

"Stacey! Bubbles! Come check this out!" Byron called out to us.

I finished the sunscreen on the little girls face.

"You can you play." I giggled, as Claire raced over to Mallory.

I walked over with Stacey to the hole in the sand.

"Don't talk to Stacey like that!" Byron yelled at Adam, shoving him.

"Hey hey hey! Woah! Let's all get along-"

I looked up and saw someone.

They were...

Beautiful.

A teenage boy around my age ran with his friend.

They seemed to both be lifeguards.

The boy was handsome...

But nothing compared to the girl next to him.

The brunette girl with beautiful locks, she red swimsuit sticking to her body, the whistle wrapped loosely around her neck, the sand in between her hands, her beautiful eyes, her-

Oh no.

"Oh Jesus." I whispered.

Stacey looked at me concerned.

"You okay, Bubbles?"

"I need water." I blurted out.

I turned around awkwardly and waddled over to Mary Ann, picking up my water bottle.

"A-Are you okay?" Mary Ann asked me.

"Water..." I whispered.

"Mary Ann! I just saw my husband!" Stacey squealed, coming over to us.

I chugged down the water, trying to make the disgusting feeling in my gut disappear.

"I thought my rug was your husband..." Mary Ann whispered.

"We locked eyes, and time stopped!" Stacey exaggerated, "look at him! Lifeguard, three o'clock!"

I looked over at the three, the girl smiled at the boy my age.

I sighed dreamily.

"Wait. Oh no, no, no, no. Bubbles! You're not falling for the younger dude, are you?!" Stacey exclaimed.

"What?! No." I waved off.

I wasn't falling for him.

It was the girl.

"I'm gonna be sick." I whispered.

"Oh gosh. If you're gonna do that, go to the bushes." Mary Ann cringed.

"Figuratively." I scoffed.

"Stacey! That man is way too old for you! He's at least seventeen!" Mary Ann exclaimed.

"I've gotta get his attention! How do I look?" Stacey asked.

"Like a million bucks. I'll come with you." I smirked.

"NO NO NO! You both look and sound insane! What are you gonna do, drown to get their attention?!" Mary Ann asked.

"Do you think that would work?" Stacey asked.

I shook my head no.

"We're gonna go talk to them." Stacey smiled, grabbing my hand.

I sat up straight.

I walked over to the boy.

"Hey!" I smiled, waving my hand.

"Hey lady! How are you?" He smiled back.

"Amazing, awesome, tubular, and many more good words! How are you?" I asked.

"All of those good words as well! I'm Josh." He introduced himself, sticking out his hand.

"I'm Leah!" I smiled, shaking it.

"Woah, Josh! I didn't know you could pick up ladies!" The brunette girl smiled, walking up to us with a Pepsi in her hand.

"Cece, this is Leah!" Josh smiled.

"Hi Leah! I'm Cece. You have an AMAZING name." Cece expressed, shaking my hand.

"Hey, Cece." I said, nervous of my behavior.

I looked over at Stacey nervously.

"Sisters?" Josh asked.

"No. Really close friends. She's trying to get that lifeguards attention." I explained.

Josh and Cece looked over at the man.

"Scott?" Cece asked.

"Yeah. Scott."

Josh and Cece looked at each other, worried filled within their eyes.

"S-She doing g-great." Josh stuttered, scratching the back of his neck.

"Yeah! T-T-Totally!" Cece added.

"Well, I have to babysit! But I'll catch you guys later!" I smiled.

"See you later, Leah-Reah!" Josh joked, firing finger guns at me.

I laughed at the boy and waved to him and Cece.

••••

Josh, Cece and I watched Stacey fall head over heals for a guy she would never date.

Over the past two days, that's what the three of us did.

Well, I had to leave every ten minutes to help Mary Ann, but I would come back and hour later.

"Okay, but Leah, you are rocking that swimsuit." Josh smiled.

Cece looked at me.

"Omg! Yes queen! Slay!" She laughed.

"Aww, you're making me blush." I giggled, bring my hands up to my cheeks.

"Jordon! Adam! Nicky! Come on!"

I looked over and saw Mary Ann, buried in the sand.

I looked over at the two.

"Excuse me for a moment."

I ran over to Mary Ann, the same time two boys did.

"My god. Do you want us to dig you out, or are you doing it for the gram?"

"Dig me out, please." Mary Ann sighed.

I bent down and began digging her out.

"As you can see, I'm literally in too deep, given the fact that me and this beautiful girl named Leah and one of our alleged best friends/co-baby-sitter had left us to be eaten alive by the seagulls and the sun, while she tries to marry a inappropriately old lifeguard. Sorry, hi. I'm Mary Ann." The curly haired girl ranted.

"Hi. I'm Alex. And don't be sorry. I'm a local and I can't begin to tell you how many people I've had to dig out of this beach over the years." Alex joked, while the two of us laughed.

The three of us helped her up while she brushed off the sand.

"How can I repay you? Ice cream? Henna tattoos? An almost dead pet crab?" Mary Ann joked.

"You're hilarious." Alex said.

"People who barley know me always say that."

"Oh! This is my cousin, Toby. He's visiting from Canada." Alex introduced.

"Hi." Toby smiled.

"Wanna hang out with us later?" Alex asked.

"I can't. Our co-babysitter has to have a talk with us." Mary Ann said.

The four of us looked over at Stacey, who was showing off for the lifeguard.

"She seems pretty busy." Toby pointed out.

"Here. I'll give you my number. Text me if you change your mind." Alex offered to Mary Ann.

"I might not be able to. Cece and Josh invited me for ice cream later today." I cringed.

"That's fine! We'll still see you." Alex waved off.

••••

"Scott said that he's gonna be at burger garden later, slamming burgers, so we'll have to keep our eyes peeled." Stacey explained to us, as we packed up the things from the beach.

"I can't go. I have to meet up with Josh and Cece!" I smiled.

"Ooh~" Stacey teased.

"I don't like him like that." I scoffed.

I might like her like that.

"So much for bikini shopping." Mary Ann scoffed.

"We should probably put a pin in the bikini shopping. It's freezing anyways. I dunno how Leah is showing so much of her body!" Stacey said.

My jaw dropped in disgust.

"Okay, Stacey McGill. I don't care if you have diabetes since last spring. I've have anorexia since I was in kindergarten. And it took courage to put this bikini on my body and be happy with how it looked. So why don't you keep your mouth shut about this stupid boy that you have no chance with and only open it when you have something USEFUL to say!" I sneered.

Stacey looked up at me shocked.

"I-I didn't mean it like that, Bubbl-"

"Save it. I'm gonna hang out with Cece and Josh. I'll meet you guys at the beach house." I said, signaling with my hand.

I grabbed my mini backpack and put on my sandals, heading to the beach house.

I couldn't help but let my lip quiver in sadness.

Over yelling at Stacey.

Over her talking about my body.

Over Sam.

Over Cece.

Over everything.

••••

"Cece?" I said, as I looked at the girl with her phone in her hand on the bench.

"Oh! Hey Leah! Josh told me to tell you that he couldn't make it today because something came up in his family." Cece explained.

"Oh! That's fine! Wanna go shopping?" I cheekily asked.

"I thought you'd never ask." She smiled, getting up and looping her arm with mine.

We headed into a little gift shop.

"Okay, first present is for my little sister, Louise." I explained, grabbing a crate and holding my list.

"What does she like?" Cece asked, looking at the shelves.

"Stuffed animals-"

"This walrus is perfect." Cece smiled, plopping the cubby walrus into the crate.

I laughed at her and looked at the list.

"Okay, something for my mom, Lola."

"What does she like?" Cece asked.

"Well, she's kinda a hippie-"

"This necklace." Cece declared, holding up a necklace with the words WOAH on them.

"Jeez, you're good at this. Finally, something for my friend Sam."

"This is perfect." Cece smiled, holding up a bucket hat.

"I didn't even describe him-"

"Everyone likes bucket hats." She laughed, as I laughed with her.

••••

I sat on a bench at the beach with Cece, eating a burger with her.

"This is seriously so good! You're so lucky you live here." I said, my mouth full.

"You get used to it." Cece shrugged, popping a fry in her mouth.

I looked at the sunset, it glared at our skin, making it shine.

"Sunsets are beautiful." I whispered.

"What do you mean?" Cece asked, confused.

"I mean, it's just a settling way to end the day. With something so beautiful like a sunset. It shows many colors. I just think it's...pretty amazing." I ranted.

I looked over at Cece and saw that she was in her little fantasy world, staring at me.

"What's wrong?"

Cece cupped my cheeks and gently placed her lips onto mine.

I didn't know what to do.

It felt wrong and right at the same time.

She pulled away after about five seconds.

I looked at her with my eyes widened.

"I-I-I should g-go." She stuttered, picking up her bag and starting to leave.

"No! Cece! It's okay." I smiled.

I stood up and kissed her lips this time.

I knew it was wrong.

But hey...

It felt so right.

••••

I smashed the door open to the Pikes beach house, going up the stairs.

I passed Stacey and Mary Ann's room, and saw them sitting on their beds, talking to each other.

"Leah?" Stacey asked.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and went into my room, opening the door and locking it.

"Leah?!" Mary Ann panicked, knocking on the door.

"I-I need to b-be alo-alone." I hiccuped.

"Mary Ann, lets just talk to her in the morning." Stacey whispered.

I went over to my charger and grabbed my phone.

I then went over to the window and sat on the large ledge, dialing a number.

"Hello? This is Lola speaking."

"Hi mom. It's Leah. I'm bisexual."

I could hear a choke from the other end.

"W-What?! That's awesome! That's why you called me? Honey, I support you-"

"Now you tell me your secret."

"What? What are you talking abo-"

"I know you have some dumb little secret you've been keeping from me, mom! A-And I just told you mine! So tell me what's happening!" I cried into the phone.

I could hear a sigh from the other end.

"I-I've been seeing someone."

I could feel my mouth go dry.

"H-How long?"

"About a month."

"What in gods name did you not tell me?! Mom I love you with all of my heart, and this is how you repay me?! BY SEEING A WOMAN BEHIND YOUR OWN DAUGHTERS BACK?!"

"I-I'm sorry, honey."

"This is bullcrap. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you."

"No, honey-"

I hung up the phone and dialed a different number.

"Hello? This is Sam."

"I can't BELIEVE my mom right now, Sam! She was seeing a woman behind my back!"

"Bubbles I-"

"Does she not trust me? How did she think I would react? I wasn't gonna be mad or anything!"

"Bubbles you need to-"

"Why, Sam, why? Did I do something wrong? Or was I just-"

"Leah! Listen to me!"

I shut up, considering he used my real name.

"I-I knew that she was seeing someone."

My jaw dropped while I tightened the grip on my phone.

"Haha! You knew, Sam Thomas? You KNEW?! Haha...that's not too nice!"

"I was gonna tell you, but-"

"Were you gonna tell me on their wedding day? Or thanksgiving? Or Christmas? When, Sam, when were you gonna tell me?"

"I was gonna find the right time, okay? I just thought it would be better as a secret."

"Oh? So we're keeping secrets now?"

"It was just that one time."

"Mhm! Looks like it! I kissed a girl."

"What?!"

"I kissed a girl. She's beautiful. I'm bisexual. H-How are you so oblivious, Sam?"

"What do you mean?"

"I've liked you for like," I wiped the tears from my eyes, "three years?! I dunno!"

"Do you think you're the only one who's fallen for their best friend? Is that what you think? You aren't a main character, Leah. Heck, you're barley an extra. And if you think you're the only one who has a sucky life...then this must be a really sad night for you."

I bit my lip, trying not to burst into tears.

"Okay." I whimpered out.

"Talk to you later?"

"Yep. Bye."

I pressed the end call button and rushed over to my bed, slamming my face into the pillows and erupted in sobs.

••••

"Bye, Josh." I whispered into the boys shoulder, as I hugged him goodbye.

"Bye, Leah. You always have my number." He assured me.

"I sure do." I smiled.

I looked over at Cece.

"I'm sorry about last night. I got carried away." She apologized.

"It's fine. I forgive you." I smiled, pulling her into a hug, which she returned.

She smiled and grabbed Josh's hand, walking on the sidewalk.

"What did I miss?"

I laughed at Josh's question and went over to Stacey and Mary Ann.

"Hey, catch." Stacey smiled, throwing me a tee-shirt.

I straightened it out and saw the word 'Bubbles!' on them.

"Stacey..." I giggled.

"And I owe you an apology. For what I said." Stacey said.

"I also owe you one, so we're even." I smiled.

"Stacey?"

I looked over and saw Toby.

"And I'm leaving." I awkwardly said, waddling over to Mary Ann.

I told the two girls about the argument between Sam and I, and they've been really nice to me about it.

I also told them about my mom.

And my sexuality.

And the woman my moms seeing.

And Cece.

"They're so cute." I whispered to Mary Ann; as Stacey opened the gift from Toby.

"For real." She laughed.

The car horn honked and Stacey pecked him on the lips, running over to us.

"Uhm, spill!" Mary Ann shouted.

"I just had my first kiss!"

••••

I arrived home with my suitcase and bags.

"Mom! Louise! I'm home!"

"Bubbles!" Louise cheered, running up and hugging my waist.

"Hey, Lemons!"

"What did you get me~" she asked.

I reached into the bag on my arm and pulled out the cubby walrus.

Louise gasped and grabbed it.

"I'm gonna name him Mr.Sparklepuff!"

I laughed down at the girl.

"Leah?"

I looked up and saw my mom with a woman, who had black hair and a smile.

"This is...Ginny. My girlfriend."

A/N

i hate myself.