Cloud Nine by Beach Bunny

But when he loves me, I feel like I'm floating. When he calls me pretty I feel like somebody.

This morning I wake up early, there's been one thing on my mind all week and I need to do something about it today. I wear a red and white checkered bikini because it's the first day of the summer and I want to enjoy it, I wear high waisted denim shorts over though as I have something I need to do before I can indulge in my summer leisure.  

I grab some sun block and head through the tunnels where I try to locate a certain someone. Instead I find Jameson and Avery discussing something secretively over the light of a single candle stick. 

"My mom, Paris and I used to go for walks in the park." Avery says with her eyes shut. They haven't noticed me. "She called it the Strolling Aimlessly Game." I speak up. Both turn around in panic and see me. "Hey Paris" Avery says. She's hiding something. 

"What are you doing down here?" I dig. "Just talking" Jameson says. "Why are you down here?" He flips it back on me. I grin, knowing exactly how to win "Trying to find your brothers bedroom"

He stays a little quiet for a moment, "Specify" I've basically won already, he is tense. "Grayson" I smile innocently. "And why's that?" He asks with a clenched jaw. "Care to tell me why you're down here?"

"No" he says, "right back at ya" I say impersonating his Texas accent. "Straight along, up the staircase, to the right, then his rooms straight ahead." He gives in. I nod in thanks and walk passed him, "woah" he says to me. I turn around again. "You owe me now. Why are you wearing a swimsuit whilst crawling about the tunnels?" He asks.

"First day of summer. Grayson and I have something we need to do and then I'm gonna swim" I explain. He's satisfied with that answer and lets me keep going. On my way I hear Avery continue talking.

"A few days after her funeral, I went to the park without her for the first time. When I got near the pond, I saw a crowd gathered. A man was lying on the sidewalk, eyes closed, covered in tattered blankets."

That's the last i hear before reaching the staircase. I climb all the way up the staircase, to the right and straight ahead. There is a hollow wall which I knock on. I hear his footsteps approaching the fireplace, he pulls a specific book out and the whole book shelf spins around in a circle and swaps with me. 

"Paris" he says sounding a little shocked, he clearly wasn't expecting me. I watch his eyes quickly flick down me. 

"Grayson" I nod in greeting. "Is there something I can do to help you?" He asks. "Yeah, actually." He nods as if to ask what with.

"Skye." I answer simply. He takes in a deep breath and places the book down that he used to open the bookshelf. "I've been waiting for this conversation" he sighs. "I know she's your Mother but-"

"She hired someone to shot at Avery, to shot you and tried to drug you. You don't feel safe living in the same house as her. I understand, for that she isn't my Mother" he says with a clenched jaw. 

"Follow me" he orders. He opens his door and walks out of his bedroom, I follow close behind. He leads me up two sets of stairs and through the hall. We arrive outside Skye's room. "She won't hurt you" he assures, "and if she tries I won't let her" he promises. 

I nod nervously and he knocks on the door. She opens the door quickly, she sees us and smiles. "I've been waiting for this" she says. 

We both walk inside with Kennedy staying outside. "Can I get you a cup of tea? Ava?" She says turning towards me. "Skye." Grayson warns. "Only being friendly dear" she smiles a very fake and cunning smile. 

"Oh Ava. You really are gorgeous. I'm glad you're with my boy" she says coming dangerously close to me. That was the point of us fake dating. She must have believed it. 

"I can't wait for Grayson to make you my daughter in law. Always wanted a daughter" she says. Her hand goes up to my face and strokes down my cheekbone. "Oh my. That Daniel boy really did a big one on you" she says going onto her knees and inspecting my bullet wound. 

"In fact, I have something that'll take the pain straight away" she says reaching into her pocket. She removes a tube and squeezing a blob on her hands. She moves her ointment covered hands towards my stomach and I jump back before she can put anything on my wound. 

"Skye" Grayson warns, "If you touch her we're going straight to the police with what you did." He says. "It's not harmful or anything, come here" she says to her son. She walks towards him now instead, "Roll that ridiculous shirt up. It's 8 o'clock in the morning." Skye scolds him.

"I'm not lifting up my shirt for you to put lotion on me. I'm 19" he says. "Fine. I'll do it then." She says rolling his shirt up and massaging in the ointment. He glances at me, embarrassment glued on his face. 

Grayson's jaw is so clenched i worry it may crack. His Mother takes no hints and continues with her awkward application of lotion at a very inappropriate time.

"Unzip those trousers, once I'm done with you every part of your body will be baby soft" she says making my eyes widen. "Skye" he raises his voice this time. 

"I'll just give you the whole bottle. You can do it yourself, or maybe Ava here can do it for you" she winks. 

"Out!" He yells. "You need to leave. You have until 8pm tonight. If you're not out we'll involve legal teams" he explains. 

"Grayson.." she starts. 

"Paris. Please stand outside" he begs. I nod.

"No, Ava. Stay" she grabs my arm. She clearly knows my name by now. 

"Don't touch her" Grayson shouts. I quickly shuffle out of her grip and leave the room. 

I wait for a little on Grayson and when he leaves the room he doesn't pause before walking away, expecting me to follow which i do.

"I'm sorry" he says to me. "You're not your Mother. You don't need to apologise for her" I say. 

He stops walking when we reach the staircase. "Can you do me a favour?" He says a little softer now. "Anything" I say, "Could you not mention this to anyone. I'll explain to Avery but I don't want my brothers knowing" he begs.

I nod understandingly. Say what you will but Grayson Hawthorne cares about his brothers more than he does himself.

"Could you do me a favour?" I ask, "anything" he replies. "Come out to the pool with me." I bid. He hesitates, looking down into my eyes as if there's a catch. "Deal" he nods. 

"I'll meet you out there" I say. 

I make my way outside and straight towards the pool. I remove my shorts and start applying sunscreen. Everywhere. I burn very easily. 

Grayson takes me by surprise by running passed me and cannonballing in the pool, completely splashing me. 

"You're not gonna put any sunscreen on?" I ask, rubbing the sunscreen onto my neck. "I've never burned in my life" he quips. "What if todays the day? You burn today and then you regret not listening to me" I tease. 

"Well if I burn then you've cursed my nineteen years of swimming out here burn free." He replies, beginning to swim laps up and down the pool. 

"Well as much as I would love to be right, I hope you don't burn because it's not fun." I laugh. "You burn a lot?" He asks, "Everyone in my family tans but my skin just burns" I complain. "You know, Emily used to burn really badly-" he seemingly didn't realise what he was saying until he said it and the mention of her name surprises him. 

"So do you tan?" I change the topic. "Hawthornes don't tan, or burn." He says strangely as if it's a surprise to him as well. "Well you're very lucky then" I say. I begin swimming laps up and down in opposite time to Grayson. As he swims from the end of the pool to the front, I swim from front to end, both of us meeting perfectly in the middle each lap.

"Race me" I say randomly, he stops swimming and turns to face me. I stop swimming as well. "You want to race me?" He asks with a smirk. 

I nod confidently, "Your funeral" he says as he swims to the same side as me so we can race. 

"Don't go easy on me" I warn as we get into starting positions. "I wouldn't dare" he says. "There and back" I explain, he nods.

When we kick off I'm a little farther ahead to him but he catches up in mere seconds. By the time we're halfway back he is so far ahead he's splashing me with each kick. 

I try to speed up but he ends up winning, when I reach him he is standing smugly waiting. 

"Your legs are longer" I justify, "Are you accusing me of cheating?" He asks in a mock offensive way, "I am" I play along. He starts approaching me.

I can't help but let my stare fall down, him and Jameson share their amazing bodies. Grayson's abs are really tight and defined where as Jameson's are less defined but still very much there. 

Why did I just spend that long comparing two guys abs? 

"Paris" he breathes with a smirk, he catches me looking and I quickly jolt my eyes back up to his piercing silver eyes. "Eyes are up here" he torments. 

I clench my jaw, angry I got caught. "Don't act as if I didn't see the first place your eyes went when you saw me this morning" I reply, now grinning as well.

"It's okay, I understand. You couldn't help yourself. No need to make anything up" he teases. I push him playfully, blushing a little more than I'd like.

"Paris" Avery yells from beside the pool, I swim towards the side where she is. "Yeah?" I ask, Grayson swims to the side as well next to me. 

"Have you checked your emails recently for that other school?" She asks. "I spent my whole week checking. I know i won't get in" I say. "Just check" she insists.

"Get my phone then" I order, she pulls in out of her pocket as if she knew I would ask. 

"I didn't know you were applying for schools" Grayson says from beside me, "yeah, it's a long shot but I figured I might as well apply just to know i did" I explain. 

I dry my hands on the towel and take the phone from her. 

Dear Miss P Grambs

Congratulations and welcome to the Class of 2024 at The Massachusetts Academy of Dance. On behalf of MAD faculty, staff, students, and alumni, it gives us great pleasure to welcome you to our school.

The admission committee evaluates tens of thousands of applications each year, and your considerable academic achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and impressive character stood out as truly exceptional. You will be joining a vibrant community of engaged faculty and staff, students with diverse talents and backgrounds, and spirited alumni.

MAD will immerse vou in an environment with limitless possibilities to learn, make a difference, and create your path for future success. We are confident that you will make a significant contribution to the life of the Academy, both in and out of the classroom.

An official copy of your decision letter will arrive by mail, along with materials that outline steps toward enrolling in the Class of 2024. In the meantime, you can review these steps on our admitted student website, where you will also find ways to connect with the MAD community, engage with the remarkable opportunities available to you here, and experience what makes this place and its people so special. If you plan to accept your place in the incoming class, we need to know by July 4th.

Please note, in order to attend, you must have completed your Junior year. Many students require at least Senior year education however with your memorable resume and rare dance skills, you amongst few others will be admitted early.

It is our good fortune that you chose to apply to The Massachusetts Academy of Dance, and we look forward to welcoming you to campus this fall or at the end of the summer depending when you choose to join our team. The years you spend here will be among the most memorable of your life.

Sincerely, 

Dean C Goldberg

I blink rapidly at my screen as if I'm imagining it. "Holy shit" I grin when I realise this is real. "What?" Avery asks. 

"I got in" I say passing her my phone. My mouth is open wide and my hands are shaking. 

What the fuck.

7% acceptance rate. That's lower than four Ivy leagues. They accept about 15 Juniors. I'm one of those. How the fuck did that happen?

"Paris" Avery says shakily. I look up to her with tears flooding my eyes. This is a big deal. How?

"You're in" she yells excitedly. I rush out of the pool and hug Avery, neither of us minding I'm soaking with water and now getting her wet as well.

Grayson gets out of the pool as well and runs towards me. I hug him and he lifts me up. 

"Fourth of July.. that's in two weeks. You need to hurry up and fill out those forms" Avery says. Grayson puts me down and pulls away.

After 13, almost 14 years of dancing. Putting blood, sweat and tears towards this dream, it's here. I'm in.

"I need to tell Libby. And Ms Synthia and Coach Harrison! I need to tell Dad. And Mom.." I frown a little when I realise what I said. Avery pulls me into her again, "She would've been so proud of you"

"Libby!" I scream as loud as I possibly can as I jog through the house searching for her. My ankle hurts a little at the pressure I'm putting on it "Libs!" 

She comes out of the kitchen with Nash and comes towards me. "You're dripping water all over the place" she scolds. 

"I got into The Massachusetts Academy of Dance!" I yell. "The school you've been talking about since you were 9?" She matches my volume. I nod rapidly and she grabs me and pulls me into a hug. We jump around squealing excitedly. "As great as this is. It's probably not great for my ankle" I laugh. She jumps away, not wanting to hurt me.

"Congratulations Kid" Nash nods with a proud smile. "Thanks" I yelp excitedly. 

Xander quickly jogs out from a room up the stairs and looks down at us. "I thought someone was shot again" he jokes with a sigh of relief. 

"Paris got into college" Libby yells up to him. "That's great" he smiles running down the stairs towards me. 

"What school?" He asks giving me a quick but meaningful hug. "Massachusetts Academy of Dance" I say. "I've heard of that. Pretty hard to get into right?" He asks. I nod excitedly, "That's great. I'm proud of you Paris" he says. 

We're all here. Everyone I care about most is here. I got into my dream college and everything feels right. Except it isn't. Jameson.

"Anyone know where Jameson is?" I ask everyone. "I think he's still in the place we were when you ran into us" Avery says. "Do you mind if I..?" I point away from everyone and before anyone answers I start jogging towards the tunnels where I found him.

I limp all the way through the tunnels. I find a burnt out candle stick and some photos on the table where they were standing by. 

I keep running until I reach a trap exit and try to push it open. I knock rapidly, hoping someone on the other side hears and lets me go, preferably not Skye, I'm hoping for a kind and oblivious maid who won't even bat an eye that there are tunnels in this house. 

I keep knocking and almost give up to run another way but I hear a small creak followed by a loud bang that makes me jump slightly and then the door swings open. I see Jameson in his room with a raised eye brow.

"Hi" I say awkwardly. "Hi?" He asks.

"Are you okay?" He asks worriedly at my state and helps me inside his room before closing his bookcase where I came from.

"I'm better than okay" I grin. "How are you?" I ask. "I'm fine" he smiles but I can tell it's a false smile. "What's wrong?" I frown. 

"Just a little bummed. All my friends are going to college together or with their girlfriends. I've got to go on that Hawthorne gap year of travelling," he says. "Got to? Or get to? I would give anything to travel the world" I try to lighten the mood.

Something sparks in his mind and it's as clear as the day, when he gets that look he gets an idea and if I know one thing about him it's that when he gets an idea it's never good for anyone.

"You could travel with me?" he suggests. That wasn't what i expected. "Jamie.." I sigh, preparing to tell him he has to do this by himself.

"Just think about it. We could visit Paris, Paris." He jokes making me begrudgingly grin. "It's not that I wouldn't want to.." I start. "We could go to Italy. Or Greece. Spain?" He offers.

"Jamie-"

"Come on Paris.." he grins.

"For a year?" I laugh. 

"Best year of our life"

"And what about school? Avery and Libby? I have a life too Jamie and I have responsibilities"

"At least think about it" he pleads. "Okay.. I'll think about it" I agree.

"Now what's your news?" He speaks quickly, full of joy. 

"It's not that big of a deal.." I start, knowing my news was originally about school but it would kill his good mood. "I was gonna head back to my room but im not good at the tunnels thing yet." I lie.

"You want to use my shower?" He offers. "Yeah if thats okay with you" he wraps his arms around me and hugs me.

"Stop. Your gonna get soaked" I laugh. "There's nobody I'd rather get wet for" he speaks into my hair. I snigger suggestively. "Don't make it dirty." He laughs at me. 

" 'There's nobody I'd rather get wet for'? How could that not be dirty?" I laugh. 

"Go shower!" He pushes my head to the side playfully. "For you? Of course. There's nobody I'd rather get wet for" I tease. "Shut up" he laughs. 

I go into his bathroom and lock the door, I pull off the wet bikini and get inside the shower which looks so much fancier compared to mine. 

The water pressure is great and the space is a lot bigger. Our rooms however are really similar in the way we both have left it untouched. 

I look down at my stomach as the hot water rolls down my body. The wound is less open now and looks a lot healthier. It's starting to turn into a scar a little which is strange as it's only been a week and a half and it can take up to four weeks to fully heal. The bruising around the wound is still really bad though, so bad it actually makes the wound look like nothing. 

Once I've finished washing I grab one of Jameson's towels which are really soft on my skin. I wrap it around myself and walk out of the bathroom. 

Jameson walks towards me with some clothes. He holds his favourite hoodie and sweatpants. "I don't have any of your clothes in here so you can wear these. Or I could just run to your room and get you real clothes. You know what, I'll just do that" he says almost sounding the slightest bit nervous. 

"Can I wear your clothes?" I ask when he reaches his door to leave for my room. "You sure?" He asks turning back around. "Yeah" I nod happily. 

He passes me the clothes and I hurry inside the bathroom again where I quickly throw the sweats on. I open the door and walk out the door.

"Looks good on you" he grins, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. 

It's 2pm right now. "I want to go out tonight" I say out of nowhere, "Really?" He smirks with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah. Are there any nice clubs around here?"

"Maybe another night" he laughs. I don't argue, knowing I could never actually be bothered going out right now. "What about poker? Will you play me?" I offer, "you play poker?" He asks unconvinced. "I've never lost" I comment.

Ten minutes later we are playing whilst sat at his coffee table. I look down at my cards and consider. I have a royal flush. You can't beat that. I keep my face straight and don't dare show any signs. 

I push every single chip into the middle. "You're bluffing" he establishes, looking deeply into my eyes. "Risk it and find out" I say. He pushes all of his chips in as well and then lays out his cards. Full house. He looks proud of himself. 

I place my cards out now. His grin drops and the shock in his face is clear. "I warned you. I've never lost a game in my life" I say. "Neither had I" he says. 

He looks at me for a moment as if searching for something, "Touché" he nods.

(a/n. Things are a little slow at the moment but i promise things will pick up soon and there will be some action. I was thinking about adding some smut but idk if i should or not, lmk your thoughts.)