The trip to Florida was long. But, it was an amazing drive. We slept at rest areas, singing old songs, and felt the sun as I kept my window rolled down feeling the summer breeze through our car.

We didn't get to the beach house until late at night and all I wanted to do was sleep.

The stars twinkled in the sky and you could see everything from the balcony doors in my room. Being far away from the city lights made the sky much more beautiful.

I curled in to the king sized bed and stared at the ceiling. A cool breeze swept in from the French doors that led out to a small balcony that faced the beach. I sighed wishing my mind would shut off and I could pass out.

The only other thing breaking the silence was Nicole's snoring from across the hall. She was always so loud. I laughed to myself about my friend as I faced the outside.

Shadows met the corners of the door as movement caught my eye. I shivered not from being cold but from the adolescent fear of something being in the shadows that graced the night.

My heart beating faster as I stared at the darkness hoping it would go away from the light coming from the moon. I stared even harder when I now heard movement from the same corner.

Oh fuck...this is how I die. The literal fucking boogeyman has come to get me. I cried inwards and I threw the blanket over my head.

"Soon my love." A slow deep rumble of a voice came from the same corner.

Fuck....I thought to myself, ripped off the blanket, and screamed as loud as I possibly could. Nicole came rushing in to the room waving her bat from softball.

A man's t-shirt graced her figure as I took in the sight of my best friend screeching like a banshee running in to my room.

"What the fuck?" She screamed.

I laughed and then frowned, "Uh who's fucking t-shirt is that?" The t-shirt read Evansville High School Hatchets. Football Division. Gold and Black were the colors of the shirt.

"What the hell Charlotte?" She screamed.

"I thought I heard something. But apparently you have something to tell me. Who are you fucking on the football team?!?!" I yelled pointing at her t-shirt.

"Oh my God. I hate you!" She screamed stomping back to her room. I laughed out loud and watched her leave.

Fuck. The shadow. I'm so stupid.

I diverted my attention back to the doors that were still open. I know I heard something. I just don't know what or who it was.

Sleeping would not come easy tonight. That voice sounded so familiar. But it couldn't be. I was alone and I was so tired that I heard something. It's definitely not what I thought it was.

Right?

I tossed and turned until I finally passed out from exhaustion.

When I woke up in the morning, I was even more tired than before. Glancing at the clock I noticed it was already lunch time.

Hell yeah. Food.

Food is my everything.

I walked on to my small balcony and smiled out at the ocean and as the sun shone down on my pale skin. My freckles already standing out all over my skin.

Nicole wasn't awake yet and I needed food.

I quickly got ready for the day and raced out the front door. It was a short walk to a small Mexican restaurant that laid off to the side as I walk in to the small town we were staying in. As soon as I enter the restaurant I feel off.

Like someone is watching me again.

I glance around the restaurant until I see Ryder sitting the corner with Jack and Brad. At this point I'm staring so hard I think my eyes may pop out of my head.

How did he know where the hell I was? All I can do is stare straight at him and all 3 of them stop talking and stare at me.

"Hey." Ryder said.

I didn't even respond. I flipped him off and turned on my heel to walk to the cashier. After I ordered my chips, queso, tacos, and 4 tamales, and stood off to the side to wait for my food. Keeping my face stuck in my phone I hoped and prayed they would leave me alone.

I needed to tell Nicole.

Guess who's here? I texted her really quick.

I stared at the screen waiting on answer when a text came through from a number I didn't recognize.

Nice to see you too. It read out.

I furrowed my brows and looked up only to see Ryder looking up from his phone and giving me a smirk.

That fucker had my number.

Me: Did you really have to follow me to Florida? I can't get 2 weeks without you?

Ryder: I'm allowed to visit family Bambi.

Me: You have no family here you damn liar. Have you forgotten we used to be friends?

Ryder: Awww Bambi you wound me.

Me: Never call me that again. Also you're ignoring my question.....why have you followed me to Florida?

Ryder: Wanted to spend some time at the beach. Maybe catch a few waves. Plus I found out that this girl I know has a house next to mine. I wanted to spend more time with her.

Me: Nice try. But seriously. Stop following me. This is not the first time I have told you this.

Ryder: 😉 See you on the beach later Bambi

My name being called interrupted me from texting him back. I ran, grabbed my food, and got back to the beach house as soon as I could. Nicole was coming inside through the balcony door looking annoyed.

"Where have you been?" Nicole asked.

"Food. But you will never guess who I saw." I said rolling my eyes.

"Ryder." She deadpanned.

"How did-" I started.

"Come here. It's better if I show you." She sighed as I followed her.

We walked to the back patio and she pointed next door.

There, in all his shirtless glory Ryder stood there with his posse, passing out the food he got at the restaurant, and around him stood a few others I didn't recognize except for his older brother Scott.

How did he get back so quickly? Am I that slow? On second thought, don't answer that damn question.

"Bambi?!?! Is that you?!?!" Scott screamed from their patio.

"Oh, fuck me." I muttered.

"Ryder wants to." Nicole muttered.

"Bitch - fuck you." I whisper-yelled and she laughed.

Scott jumped over the side of the porch and picked me up and twirled me around in a bear hug that cut off my circulation to the lower half of my body.

His jet black hair shone almost a blue hue against the sun. His forest green eyes only showed the evil glint I had known for years. While Ryder just looked pissed off all the time, Scotty's smile made him look mischievous but in a way that made girls fall at his feet.

"Hey Scotty." I said as he put me down.

"Awww Bambi. I haven't seen you in like 4 years. You grew up to be hot as hell. No more braces or glasses I see. I knew there was a freak behind those coke bottle glasses." Scott teased while he wiggled his eyebrows at me and a huge grin stretched across his face.

"Scott. Shut up." We heard from the other porch.

Ryder frowned and locked eyes with his brother.

"Someone's jealous. Anyways. Bonfire tonight. You, my dear love, are my date." Scott said picking me up yet again.

"Oh my God Scott. Let go of me you big troll." I yelled. He laughed.

"Pick you up at 9." He said sweetly and kissed my forehead.

"Only if I can bring Nicole and you bring your guitar." I said and pushed him off of me.

"This is Nicole? Hello there. Any hot friend of Bambi's is always welcome. Also, it's a bonfire baby cakes. I always bring my guitar." Scott smirked and wiggled his eyebrows at Nicole.

She giggled in response and I rolled my eyes as I walked back inside to eat my tacos.

Freaking people disturbing my food time. And now the biggest assface of them all is right next door. I'm supposed to be enjoying my summer not being followed by someone from my past who refuses to leave me alone.

I throw my headphones in my ears as Nothing But Thieves fills my ears and thoughts.

Music completes my life. It gets me through loss, break ups, heartaches, fights, happiness, and times where I have no clue what I feel. Like now.

As the day progresses I am out on the beach with Nicole and my headphones. We have decided to sun bathe until the bonfire that night. I laid out in my black and white bathing suit and she has on her bright pink one.

"So. What's up with you and Jack?" I asked turning to her, pulling one of the ear pods out and looking over at her.

"There is no Jack and I." She said rolling her eyes.

"Oh...I just thought with all the staring, the stupid smiles, the winking, and you wearing his fucking tshirt that you two had something going on." I stated matter of factly.

Her jaw dropped as she stared at me.

"Babe. Don't act dumb. It's not attractive. I have seen it since the restaurant when you failed to help me with Ry." I said snorting.

"I dunno. I like him alot. But he's friends with Ryder and I know how you feel about him." She said softly, adjusting her sunglasses and looking over at the boys who were now outside playing in the water.

"If you like him you should go for it." I said. "Who cares if Ryder is a stalker. Doesn't mean Jack is too." I added and we both laughed.

"Go get your boy." I said and laughed. She got up and I sat up to watch her walk off to the group.

Jack immediately got out of the water and ran up to her which caused all the boys to stop what they were doing. I smiled at my best friend finally talking to him as I looked to the side and saw Ryder.

He wasn't looking at Jack or Nicole like everyone else was. He was staring at me again.

I sighed and pulled my glasses back down to cover my eyes and turned up my music. I want some sun and to stay away from him.

A shadow covers my body and I know sure as shit it isn't a stray cloud.

Fuck. I didn't want to talk to him.

"Bambi." He greeted. His deep voice made me shiver in the hot sun.

"Ryder." I stated not even glancing up at him.

"Can we talk?" He asked.

"Is that not what we are doing now?" I asked rolling my eyes.

He gave me a pointed look.

"Are you in love with me?" I blurted out.

"What the-" he started.

"I mean I'm flattered. But you have been following me everywhere for 2 years. So I've been thinking about it. Either you are in love with me or finally grew a conscience and feel bad for being one of the worst people that have ever been in my life." I bit back.

"Bambi. No." His face softened and his eyes became sad, "I was just tryin-" I cut him off before he could get any further.

"You keep saying that you are protecting me. But from what Ry? You never end up telling me. You could give me whiplash from how you have been treating me for the last couple of years." I said harshly.

"Bambi. I know it sounds crazy-" I cut him off again.

"Just leave it Ry. Your same old excuses will no longer work. We are leaving for college soon and I pray to God that I never see you on campus." I said harshly.

His head hung low like he was a toddler being reprimanded.

"Go have fun with your lackeys. I guess I will see you tonight at the bonfire." I waved my hand to send him on his way.

He stared at me for a minute before he turned and sulked back to his side of the beach.

I stared out at the ocean and sighed.

Why couldn't even a simple graduation vacation go smoothly?