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~ Day Dreams ~
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~ Chapter Twelve ~
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~ Bonfire ~
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~ Eighteen-Years-Old ~
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~ Hazel's POV ~
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The car tyres screech on the sandy gravel as I park the vehicle in a vacant parking lot. I cut the motor and stare ahead, working up the guts to whether or not to join the bonfire party. I huff and crack open the car door and lean against it as the door closes shut. Looking around my surroundings, a nearby market with lights hanging from tree to tree cascade off the branches, setting a scene for the bonfire.

The whistling, salty wind blows my half-down honey blonde curls of hair down the length of my back, with an old lace bow attach to the hair tie. Wild rock music roars, thumping on the beachfront of Seaside beach. Twilight stars shine above as the vast moon reflects onto the distant echoing dark, sea waves crashing along the beach shoreline. I have not been to the beach in years and I have missed it, but the memories flood my brain and weaken me.

I do not know if I can go through with this... being here where the incident happened... and without Jake just is not the same. I could easily walk to Jake's old house (that's if it is still there) but no matter, it will cause me to back down into pieces and I do not think I can handle that right now.

Swallowing my fear, I lean off the car and my feet lead themselves through the heavy sand that is scattered in plastic cups. My lose shoelaces slither against the sand as my feet guide themselves down the sloping hill towards clusters of drunk people.

"Woohoo! I love this song, guys!" a drunken guy shouts, holding a cup as the contents of liquid splashes in the air. The drunken guy dances to the music; meanwhile, tripping over a camp chair laughing to himself nearby a blazing bonfire.

Honey laughs over the booming rock music at the drunk guy then notices my presence. "Hey Hazel, you made it! You just couldn't turn down the opportunity to hang out with me!?" Honey's casual t-shirt, skinny jeans, boots, and leather, black jacket suit her tall body structure.

I laugh hugging myself standing in the center of the crowd, making small talk. "Honestly, no I couldn't! This rock music is totally dope!"

"I know right, Led Zeppelin is my favorite band! Anyway, there's someone I want you to meet! Come on!" Honey tugs my wrist and pulls me away from clusters of drunk people.

"Okay... and you can't forget about The Beatles! They're totally coolio!" I shout as the music changes tracks. Mortified, I am pretty sure everyone heard me loud and clear.

Oh my God! I am so embarrassed right now...! Why do I even try? I am such an idiot...

"Sorry, about that ha–" I dry laugh to myself, dying of embarrassment inside.

"Don't be. You're awesomely weird, Hazel. Don't worry, you'll fit right in," Honey nods in agreement with herself. Honey and I shuffle through the thick sand towards a group of people away from the middle of the crowd, where the music's less deafening. "Jordan, just the person I'm looking for. Hazel, meet Jordan. Jordan, meet Hazel."

I wave as I recognize the group of people and Jordan from my first day of college from the community lounge room.

"Omg... It's the 'Anne Shirley' girl I've heard about you." Jordan said whilst emoting a sarcastic tone of voice. Jordan's outfit choice consists dark skinny jeans, a plain t-shirt, and an open striped jacket.

"Play nice Jordan, she's a friend of mine," Honey warns, her thick eyebrows frowning.

"Omg... it's so nice to meet you, Hazel! But why are you dressed like an old gentlemen." Jordan said dissing my outfit choice. I do not know what is the problem with wearing a long-sleeved turtleneck with a puffer jacket, sky-blue skirt, knee-high socks, and Converses.

"Dude, she's not a two year old. Apologize. You know how hard it is being a freshman and having no social group." Honey glares at Jordan and raises her eyebrows, as she crosses her arms and taps her fingers in the fold of her arms.

"Sorry, but you have no fashion sense, babes," Jordan pauses as Honey sends him a glare, "I mean you look like an average crazy cat lady," Jordan said, as Honey fires another glare his way.

He's not right or wrong. I do own a cat.

I swallow a lump that is stuck in the back of my throat and grew some imaginary balls. "Sorry, I didn't realize you were the 'fashion police'?" I said with a giggle.

"Feisty are we but you're right, I should be," Jordan said plan and simple with a smile.

"Well, it's really nice to meet you, Jordan," I smile at Jordan then gesture towards both Honey and Jordan. "So how long have you two been dating?"

"What! Me and Honey! Ha..." Honey and Jordan laugh glancing at each other, "Eww, no way! No offense, babes."

"None taken," Honey looks my way explaining, "Jordan's gay Hazel, and I'm straight. It'll never work."

I laugh more embarrassment off my conscience and fiddle with the sleeves of the turtleneck. "Oh... right. Ha—" Stupidity always comes naturally to me, "Sorry, I asked."

"Don't sweat it, dude," Honey reassures facing me then towards Jordan, "Anyway Jordan, since you're a freshman again, I was hoping you can look out for Hazel when I can't."

A confusing expression washes over my face, "Again?"

Honey's explains the basics, "Oh right, Jordan's repeating his freshman year because he dropped out last year. You know because assholes being well... assholes. We met last year and I was there for him when no one else was. Wasn't I, Jordan?"

"Alright fine, you made a compelling argument. But I'll only accept under one condition," Jordan states, appearing sweaty out of nowhere. "You guys need to help me get a peek of Weston Miller half naked."

"Dude, he's not even gay. He's a ladies man."

"Shut up, Honey. A guy can dream, okay."

I question aloud, "Who's Weston Miller?"

"Who's Weston Miller!" Jordan repeats, his voice turning sassy with his hands on his chest, "He's only the hottest sophomore guy here oh... and his teammates on the swim team! Mmm–"

"Jordan, we didn't need to know that last bit of information," Honey says in an ironic manner, shaking her head, embarrassment hinting her features.

"What! It's the truth. Who wouldn't tap that? Am I right, babes?" Jordan said grinning ear to ear.

I lift my hands to my chest, defending my innocence. "I wouldn't know. I've only been here for about a week." Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Honey staring off into the distance. I follow the direction of Honey's hazelnut brown eyes as they land on a tall, good looking guy with blue-washed jeans and an over-sized band t-shirt. The mystery guy notices our stares and strolls his way towards us. Honey drops her gaze towards the sandy ground and bites her bottom lip.

"God Honey, when are you going to man up and grow some balls. Ask him out already, babes," Jordan said with a sassy tone of voice and fixes his already perfect, styled black hair.

"Shut up, Jordan," Honey glows scarlet with embarrassment.

"Ask who out?" the mystery guy questions with a thick accent, his dark blue eyes staring in Honey's direction.

"Ethan, hey... oh, no one," Honey plays it cool, but appearing redder than before.

"Who's this?" Ethan said more to himself, his blonde hair swaying in the wind as he glances my way, "You new?"

Unsure of what to say, I blurt, "Yeah, I'm a freshman."

"But you're so tiny. I thought you were in middle school or something," Ethan laughs to himself, shrugging it off.

Well, I guess he is honest...

I remark avoiding eye contact as I repeat myself, "Umm... nope. I'm pretty sure I'm a freshman."

"Nice meeting you and I'll catch you later," Ethan winks my way and waves us off, walking back towards his group of friends. Why did he wink at me? What the hell was that about?

"Wow, how can Ethan Miles be so blind that you dig him. I just don't trust people with accents," Jordan states, directing his comment to Honey.

I clear my throat and question aloud, "What kind of accent does he have?"

"He's Swedish and isn't his voice dreamy, Honey?" Jordan teases Honey, as she rolls her eyes at him.

"I think I need a drink," Honey sighs, flattening her windblown, chestnut hair. Honey links mine and Jordan's arms with hers as we shuffle through the mass of people towards, where I assume the alcohol is.

We bypass sweaty bodies deep in conversations, as they dance to the rhythm of the music, and spilling their drinks all over themselves in the process. Feeling overwhelmed by too many smothering bodies as they make-out, smoke, and God knows what else. Halting near a cooler and keg stand Honey and Jordan pour their drinks while I stand off to the sideline.

"Hey, do you want a drink?" a muscular, tan guy asks holding a plastic cup and wearing an open flannelette shirt and board shorts, as he examines me head to toe. In the close proximity of his presents, his cologne is so strong that I almost cough all over myself.

Staring at sand and unaware of what else to say, I babble, "Umm... sorry, I'm not really thirsty."

"That's a shame, I was going to offer you a sip of my drink. Maybe next time I hope," the mystery guy's dark, almost black eyes never leave mine, as he sends me a wink. "Anyway, you must be new because I haven't seen you around before."

"Y–yeah," I nod, staring at the sand and fiddling with my fingers, "I am."

"Well, I've got to go, but next week there's a swim-rally on campus and you should come by and bring your friends along. I hope to see you there. Anyways, see you around," the guy with black hair smiles, sending me another wink and swaggers away.

What is with guys winking at me tonight. I am so confused...

"Omg... no frickin way! Weston, frickin Miller just spoke to you!" Jordan expresses in a enthusiast tone, spilling alcohol from his overflowing cup on himself.

"Uh... he did? Well, he just winked at me and it was really weird. That's the second guy who has winked at me tonight."

"That's because you're fresh bait. You must be the new, freshman target," Honey informs, intervening in the conversation with her serve of alcohol in a plastic cup.

"What?" I said, furrowing my brows, "That's gross and the stupidest thing I've ever heard. He also just invited me to some kind of swim-rally next week and I'm definitely not going."

"What, no! You have to go, 'Anne Shirley'!"

I eye Jordan, as he refers me as 'Anne Shirley', "No way in hell I'm going."

"I'm sure it can't be that bad, and we'll be there with you," Honey said, comforting me.

My emerald blue eyes glances at my slender fingers, "But I don't even know the guy." In reality, big crowds overwhelm me like I am drowning in my own oxygen like tonight.

"Come on, babes. Live a little. I bet you've never been spontaneous once in your life before," Jordan said, his eyes pleading.

"Fine, you're on Mr. fashion police," I huff and cross my arms, proving my point.

"Don't worry, Hazel, we'll protect you. And the whole freshman target fuss will blow over soon, trust me, dude. Anyway, in the meantime let's party!"

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~ Cheers ~
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Please, tell me in the comments what you thought about Chapter Twelve? 🙈 I'll be greatly appreciated, thank you, you very kind soul!
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~ Chapter Twelve ~
~ Dedications ~
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HeliiBoh
DebMorey
PeterPetruzzella
CaitlinWoodward9
DaniJones_14
ChloeMayerhofer
savvvy1998
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You guys should totally check out PeterPetruzzella short story! Lighthouse. It's amazing! Please also go check out Peter's YouTube account pure56 for awesome content on movies, tv-shows, and game reviews!
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You guys should totally check out ChloeMayerhofer story! Fallen! It's awesome!
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C.Morey 🥕 xoxo
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