"Emma, I really don't want to wear this bikini."

I shifted awkwardly in the strips of turquoise fabric I was wearing under my t-shirt and shorts. "Why not?" Emma whined, scratching at the floor of my porch which we were currently sitting on. "You'll look hot!"

We were waiting for Max to arrive with Harper to pick us up for the beach party, which, by the way, everyone was going to. Wearing a bikini would only make me feel more vulnerable. "Emma, I really don't. I hate bikinis, I feel all insecure." I shuddered at thought of everyone staring at my bare body in the bikini, which Emma had forced me to wear, threatening to burn my books. Emma sighed before pulling a white piece of fabric out of her bag.

"Here," she muttered thrusting it towards me. "This is only because I feel bad."

I opened it up and grinned- it was a plain white swim-top. "Thanks," I smiled.

"Are we interrupting something?" Max's familiar voice called. Emma and I both turned to see Max in his jeep just outside my driveway, smiling mischieviously. Seated next to him was Harper.

Looking better than usual, if that was possible.

As Emma stood up to go kiss Max, Harper slipped out of the car, going to stand in front of me. He was wearing a dark grey sleeveless top and dark red shorts, his hair artfully disheveled and wearing raven black flip flops. He grinned. "Hey, baby doll!" he called out. I laughed, a little shakily. I wasn't used to someone this hot being near me.

"Why are you so happy?" I questioned playfully. He raised an eyebrow. "What, I'm not allowed to be happy to see a gorgeous girl?"

I blushed.

And I hated myself for it.

Harper smirked. "Or be excited about seeing her in a swimsuit?" I blushed again, hiding my face behind my hair. "You perv!" I shrieked, darting past him, to Max's car.

"You love me for it!" Harper called out from behind me. I flushed again as I swung myself into the back seat of the car, Emma had already occupied shotgun.

This was going to be a long day.

------------------------------------------------------------------

The car ride was long. Very long, with arguements about song choices, in which I found out Harper was a Fall Out Boy fan as well.

Can you get any more amazing?

Well apart from the fact he doesn't read.

"Okay, we're here!" Max called out as we pulled into a parking space. I looked around.

"Um... Max, where is the beach?" I asked cautiously. He sighed. "We have to walk a bit to get there. Come on, Emma." He blushed as he said this.

Why was he blushing?

I glanced over at Emma who was completely oblivious. She grabbed Max's hand and pulled him out of the car, both of them starting down the trail lined with shrubs. I spun around to face Harper who had his eyebrow raised, green eyes following the couple down the path. He flickered his gaze to me, looking completely adorable.

"Did you just see what I saw?" he asked, hopping out of the car and walking round to my side and opening the door. I nodded. "Max blushing? Yeah," I answered, smiling dreamily. They're relationship was freaking adorable.

"You hopeless romantic," Harper teased, reaching his hand towards mine gently helping me out of the car. I blushed bright red, letting him pull me up, his warm hand enclosed around mine, sending brights sparks up my arm. "Says the guy who just helped me out of the car," I stuttered, still blushing. He laughed at this, throwing his head back. "You're so cute, baby doll," he chuckled. I grew even redder.

"No- no I'm not!" I desperately cried out, thus abandoning my dignity in my desperate situation. He laughed harder, before starting down the path. "Come on!" he shouted before racing down the path. I gaped after him.

Are you serious?

Running?

He expects me to run?

He's delusional.

I huffed before sprinting after him, listening to the not-so-steady beat of my feet hitting the ground. I could already feel myself starting to pant. I watched the trees flash by me, as I tried to steady my breathing, feeling the gravel hit my feet. Finally, I saw Harper, leaning against a tree, smirking. I huffed and slowed down before approaching him.

"You," I managed to choke out between my heavy gasps of air from running. "Idiot." I slipped past him to lean against the tree for support. He looked at me with a face of concern. "Are you okay, baby doll?"

He cares about you!

Now is not the time to fangirl!

I looked at him like he was crazy. "Of course I'm not okay! I just ran a whole kilometer!"

Harper coughed awkwardly. "You mean a hundred meters."

"No, I'm pretty sure I mean- "

I stopped, looking down the path I had just ran. At the very start, I could still see the red of Max's car, just smaller. I groaned and hit my head on the side of the tree. "I'm so unfit." I whined. Harper chuckled. "That's okay, baby doll, I like you like that," he winked. I felt my face heat up.

"Shut up," I mumbled. Harper laughed at me teasingly. I closed my eyes and leaned against the tree.

Jerk.

His laughter soon died down and it was silent. "Harper?" I asked, still withe my eyes closed. "Where are you- "

I felt hands clamp down on the back of my thighs, and my front pressed into a muscled back, my feet lifting off the ground. I screamed.

"Calm down," Harper said, before pausing. "Didn't know you were going to be a screamer."

I ignored his comment and looked down to see Harper's head of black hair. He was carrying me, giving me a piggy-back ride. "Why are you carrying me?" I asked cautiously, weaving my arms around his neck. He visiby tensed under my arms before relaxing.

"Well, you were getting really tired, and it's a two kilometer walk, so... " he trailed off. I nudged him, confused, urging him to continue. He sighed. "I figured I would carry you, idiot, so you wouldn't get tired."

I felt my heart clench at his words. Does the bad boy have a heart? After all, he's carrying you so you won't get tired. Believe it or not, that was actually sweet.

Yeah, I don't believe it.

However, the whole way, Harper was unbelievably sweet. He didn't put me down the whole way, there were no sexual innuendos, and he would constantly ask me if I was comfortable, if I wanted him to move his arms, if I wanted him to move faster, slower. The whole time I just closed my eyes and rested my head on his back, breathing in his scent of lemon grass. Everytime I would shift slightly, he would stiffen, his muscles going rigid beneath me. His touch sent fireworks up my body, always making me shudder. When we finally reached the beach, I didn't want to let go.

Harper didn't seem like he wanted to either.

But of course, I had to, otherwise I would seem like a crazy, clingy, obsessed ex-girlfriend. And that's not really my style.

He put me down, the sand already beginning to seep into my flip-flops. "Thanks," I said, smiling, before letting my eyes scan the beach. "Nope, not happening, baby doll," Harper grabbed my wrist. I turned around, surprised.

"What?" I asked. He smirked sexily.

Oh no.

"I need payment," he dragged out. I sighed. "What do you want?"

"A kiss." Harper whispered. I blushed faintly, before shaking my head. "Nope, I- I'm not going to kiss you." I stuttered.

But you know you want to.

"Fine," Harper sighed overdramatically. I giggled. His burning green eyes seem to light up at the sound. "However much I want to steal your first kiss, I won't." He winked.

You idiot, I want you to kiss me.

Woah... where did that come from?

"But you have to kiss me on the cheek." He finished, smirking proudly. I felt myself burn.

"N- no," I stammered. Harper hummed. "Come on, baby doll... you owe me one." He leaned his head closer. Trying to act indifferent, I rolled my eyes, giving in, before reaching up to press my lips against his cheek, hesitantly.

I don't know why, but I felt so bold doing it. I wasn't as nervous as I expected, and however cliché it sounds, it just felt right. Like when you put on shoes that fit perfectly. That kind of feeling, but a million times better.

The touch of his skin sent tingles up my spine, the heat of his face burning my lips. Harper seemed to relax under my touch. Slowly, I pulled away, and the embarassment returned in tidal waves. I refused to look at his face, instead pretending to have found a fascination with the sand.

"Oh my gods, the sexual tension is killing me. Can you two just date already?"

Emma called out, walking up to us with Max sniggering behind her. Harper just rolled his eyes while I blushed profusely.

"Dude, shut up. I bet this was how Noelle felt when you two wouldn't get together," Harper defended and I blushed harder.

Wait did he just-

"Man, why is her face so red?"

Another voice called out. It was then when I noticed just how many people were at the beach, as none other than Axel, yes, Axel, the guy who Harper was talking to on the bleachers, walked up to us, giving Max and Harper that 'boy hug' thing. He then turned to me, raising an eyebrow. I almost forgot his question.

Hey, I wasn't used to being confronted by strangers.

"Oh, um, I just- " I started. I sighed. "Forget it."

His eyes widened. "Hey, aren't you the girl Harper is totally infatuated with, and never stops talking about?"

From the corner of my eye, I could see Harper glare at him. Axel chuckled and held up his hands. "Woah, fine. Didn't know it was a secret, man." More glaring.

"Dude, I am not infatuated with her. Okay? I don't like her like that."

I have to admit, that hurt.

It's not like I was expecting anything else, anyway.

I must have looked hurt as well, as Emma quickly changed the topic.

"Um, Noelle? You want to come with me to find a place?"

I shrugged. She smiled quickly at the boys, saying bye, before dragging me away. Once we were out of earshot, she spoke.

"You okay?"

I nodded. Emma went silent.

"You know it's not true," Emma suddenly blurted out. "That he doesn't like you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Emma, you don't have to try an make me feel better. I know he doesn't feel the same way. And that's okay, I guess. Well, I mean, it's not okay for me, as I have a crush on him and- "

"No, I seriously mean it." She cut in. I glanced at her. "I mean, how many people does Harper freaking Andrews, show so much affection for? How many people does he try to fiercely protect? How many people does he read to? How many girls is he 'just friends' with?"

I sighed. "Yeah, 'just friends'. And that's how we're going to stay. Emma, Harper doesn't like me the way I like him."

"You like Harper Andrews?" A high pitched, amused voice questioned. I froze.

No.

No, please.

A heavy burden of dread was layed on my shoulders as I slowly turned, greeted by the fake face of Amanda Sterling. She was wearing a petite hot pink bikini, and her spray tan was on full show. Her white-blonde hair was almost startling against her skin. She smirked prettily at me.

"N-no...?" I stuttered, terrified. I felt the tense atmosphere radiating off Emma. Amanda rolled her eyes.

"Please, nerd, I know you have a little school girl crush on him. It's kind of cute actually, but you see, you can't have him." Amanda said, twirling her hair around her finger.

"Please don't tell him, Amanda." I murmered. She giggled. "Afraid of rejection? You should be."

"Amanda, I'm serious."

"So am I."

"Amanda, please. Please don't tell him." I pleaded, desperation thick in my voice.

Amanda huffed snottily, before sighing. "Fine, bitch. I'll keep your dirty little secret. But only on a few circumstances. One wrong move, and I'll be sending a mass text to everyone, that little, pathetic Noelle has a crush on the school hottie, who will never like her back and- "

"Shut the hell up!" Emma finally shrieked from beside me. I turned to look at her, silently pleading with her. "Emma, it's fine." I mumbled. Emma looked at me like I was crazy. "It's not fine! That bitch- "

"Please."

She faltered.

I turned to Amanda, who was looking at something behind me.

"What the hell is she doing here?" Harper demanded. I spun around to look at him. Before I had the time to open my mouth and explain, Amanda was there, flirting with Harper and stroking his arm. Harper could only glare at her, his muscles taut.

"Hey, babe." she giggled. I rolled my eyes. "Piss off, Amanda," Harper growled.

Amanda pouted.

"What happened to us, baby? Don't you miss this?" Amanda, puffed her chest forwards, obviously trying to show off her cleavage. This time I gagged.

"Piss. Off." Harper growled again. Amanda sighed, before stalking off, swaying her hips in a last desperate attempt to catch Harper's attention. I couldn't help but burn with a spark of jealousy that had ignited in my stomach.

Harper turned to look at me, his dark green eyes softening. He walked up to me, and much to my surprise, he hugged me, burying his face in my hair.

Well that was unexpected.

I felt my skin tingle.

"What did she say to you?" He murmered. I quickly glanced at Emma, who was still glaring daggers at Amanda's retreating figure. I sighed. "Nothing," I lied. He pulled back, raising an eyebrow. I shook my head, indicating that I didn't want to talk about it. He sighed, before smirking.

"Baby doll, have you ever gone surfing?"

I shook my head slowly.

"Good. Strip."

I gaped at him. "What?"

He rolled his eyes. "Take off your clothes."

"Why?"

"Because you're wearing your swimsuit underneath, and I'm pretty sure you need that to go surfing."

I blushed in realization. "Oh. Right."

Harper smirked. "Unless you want to strip in that way, I'd be perfectly happy to- "

"Shut up!" I squealed, blushing. Harper burst out laughing, as I stood there, embarassed. Harper's eyes sparkled. "Well, go on."

"Don't stare at me," I mumbled, turning around to take off my shirt. "No promises!" Harper called out. I rolled my eyes, before slipping off my shirt, revealing my back to him. I felt his eyes bear into my skin, tracing the curves of my bones, skimming over the strap of my bikini. Quickly, before I was exposed for too long, I grabbed the swim shirt from my bag, then quickly slipped it on. I unzipped my shorts, revealing my bikini bottom. I held my breath, refusing to turn.

What will he think?

What does he think?

Will he look away when he sees me?

Why am I making this such a big deal?

I was terrified. I was terrified that when I turned around, I would see him looking at me in disgust, in horror, make fun of my body, of my insecurities. I was terrified. But when I turned around, slowly, very slowly, I saw something else in his eyes, something far worse.

Disappointment.

Thick, heavy, disappointment.

Am I really that ugly, that bad looking?

I looked around, scared that someone else would be watching my embarassment, but thankfully, no one was, Emma and Max already gone. I looked back at Harper, who was still staring at my legs, bruised and scarred. I felt a tight knot in my throat as I looked down at the ground, my eyes brimming with hot tears.

You're ugly.

You're hideous.

Amanda was right, you have no hope. You were stupid to think that he would ever like you, you're not perfect enough.

"I'm sorry you had to see me," I mumbled, my voice cracking. "I'll be going now."

I turned away, head still bowed down, beginning to walk towards the sea, before I felt Harper grasp at my wrist, and pull me back. "What is it?" he murmered, voice soft. I still didn't look up. "Noelle," he sighed, exasperated. I felt his hand at the back of my head, tilting it upwards. His green eyes widened when he say my own, still wet with tears hesitating to fall.

"Why?" he muttered, swiping the hair back from my face. "It's fine, Harper." I mumbled, tying desperately to pull away from his grasp. I almost regretted it when a flash of hurt darted across his eyes.

"I'm not letting go, Noelle," he said firmly. I tried harder. "Harper- let go!"

His grip tightened, his eyes blazing. "No." he repeated. His eyes hardened. I whimpered.

"Harper, you're hurting me," I mumbled. Harper's eyes darkened with realization and guilt, and quickly let go, stumbling backwards. "Oh, god, Noelle, I'm so sorry- "

"It's fine," I cut in softly, massaging my wrist where Harper had been gripping. "What?" he asked, increduosly. I looked at him, nodding. He sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm an idiot," he groaned. I giggled. "It's fine."

He gaped at me, this time, not at my body. "What is it?" I asked, self consciously.

"It's just- how can you be such a good person? I mean, I fucking hurt you, and you're okay with it?"

I shrugged. "You make mistakes too. You're only human. Now let's go surfing."

I'm sorry, I was intending to make this chapter longer, but I wanted to update for you, since I haven't in ageeeeessssssssss.

Would you prefer I updated short, but frequent chapters, or long but not so frequent chapters?

Thank you so much guys!

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