Rachel's POV

"Rachel, is that necklace your birthday present?" Helen asked and the girls focused their attention on my necklace too.

"Yup!"

"It's so pretty!"

"Thanks, hehe."

"Zach said the boys are coming in five minutes so we should prepare to go out now." Ella informed us as she typed a reply to Zach.

In case you people are wondering, we're going to the beach today. It was a long awaited outing as we've decided this since weeks ago. I am wearing an orange halter crop top matched with a dark denim shorts. We were all gathered at Nicole's place as we stayed over for the night yesterday.

"Alright, I guess that's all we have to bring!" Nicole huffed and puffed as she tried to squeeze in all our stuffs into the large beach bag.

* honk honk *

"The boys are here, hurry up girls! Nicole get your keys!" Ella rushed us as she ran out of the house.

"Jeez, what's the rush. It's not like the beach will poof disappear if we're slower by a second." Helen muttered sarcastically as she helped Nicole to carry out the beach bag and followed Ella out of the house.

Me? *laughs humorlessly* I waited for Nicole to come out of the toilet as I'm neither in a hurry nor there's anything for me to carry.

"Hey, Rach. C'mon let's go." Nicole told me as she went to collect the car keys.

When we unlocked the door, we saw a group of people standing in front of Nicole's garden ready to take a wefie.

"Girls! Quick!" Jake waved his hand, signalling us to quickly find a spot.

Nicole and I dashed forward as Helen made a space for us and smiled at the camera. The 7 of us dispersed after Dylan retracted the selfie stick to examine the photo we've just taken.

"Oh yeah! Hey hey, could you please help us take a photo?" Dylan stopped a little boy who was about to pass by him.

The rest of us groaned as we have to take another picture again.

"Don't be a party pooper and get in positions. The little guy doesn't have all day!"

We were all scrambling to find a spot and by somehow I ended up next to Zachary. If you think I could actually stand beside Zachary, you are wrong.

"Excuse me, Rach could you please move a little to your right?" With that Ella stood in between Zach and I. Zachary frowned a little at Ella as she squeezed her way in. When our gaze met as Zach looked at me, I just shrugged and turned to face the camera.

"Okay, everyone look to the front and say cheese!" The little boy said with a not so deep voice trying to catch our attention. Well, he did and all of us grinned widely at the camera, saying cheese~.

"Hey thanks buddy." Dylan said with a grateful smile.

"You all will get a copy of the photos through the WhatsApp group. So, let's start with the seating arrangements, kids!"

"Dylan, your maturity level is as tall as an ant." Jake and the rest of us couldn't help but roll our eyes at Dylan.

"Since Nicole and I are driving today, Helen, Rachel and Zachary will be in my car. Ella and Jake will follow Nicole. Is that okay?" Dylan suggested as he swing the car keys around his forefinger.

"Why not-" Ella started to say something but was cut off halfway by Zachary.

"Let's go, we would be burnt by the sun if we're delaying this any longer." Zachary informed everyone and settled himself in the passenger seat.

Ella had no choice but to get into Nicole's car. Helen and I were seated comfortably at the back and immediately popped the ear bud into our ears. I was bobbing my head to my favourite song when the boys blasted a song through the car stereo.

"Hey!" Helen and I shouted simultaneously at the boys as they interrupted our songs.

"Finally the both of you responded to us. I was worried if you both are deaf." Zachary replied with a smirk.

"What do you guys want?" Helen questioned impatiently.

"Nothing much maybe you both can start a conversation with us? The car ride has been awfully silent." Dylan turned around as he stopped at a red light.

"If you mind that, you shouldn't even suggested this seating arrangement." I mumbled softly and looked out the window feigning interest at a bird flying past.

"I heard that, Rachel!"

"The light turned green already, just drive!" I told Dylan but couldn't hide the amusement from my voice.

"So, Rachel tell us more about yourself. Since we've only met this year. I'm sure there are lots of interesting things about you." Zachary asked with a wink.

Zachary please stop winking at me. Oh my.

"Yeah, Rachel. I'm also curious. The last time we had a heart to heart talk, it was all about me." Helen added as she began to keep her earpieces.

"Er.. I.. I can't swim." The last word was basically a whisper as I'm a little embarrassed at that. If I can't swim all I could do later was to watch them swim/surf. They would have some ball games later on but other than that I have nothing to do.

"Hey, rest assure, I am sure our dear Zachary here would be more than willing to teach you. Am I right, Zachy?" Dylan asked as he chuckled lightly.

"Dylan, if you don't speak, no one will think that you're a mute." Zachary hissed and that earned a giggle from Helen and I.

No one asked me anything else after that question. Phew. If not, I really have no idea what to say.

I actually dozed off without realising it as Helen gently shook me, "Rach? Wake up. We've reached our destination!"

Rubbing off the sleep from my eyes and took my mobile phone out of the car. Shielding my eyes from the sudden attack of the bright sun.

We went to the bathroom for the girls to change into their swimsuits. I intended to change when they are done with swimming/surfing.

"Hey Rachel, why aren't you changing?" Nicole questioned after she came out from the cubicle.

"Oh, I'll change later since I can't swim, let alone surf."

"We can teach you! C'mon go change!" Helen urged me while braiding her hair.

"It's alright, you all came here to have fun not to be my swimming coach."

"Well then. Suit yourself." Ella said and went out first.

Nicole and Helen gave me a look which says "are you sure?" I nodded and smiled as I stood up waiting for them to go out together.

My eyes widened a little and mouth agape as I took in the view in front of me. Those three guys must have worked out a lot. Their abs and muscles. Oh God. Someone please pour a bucket of cold water at me now. Rachel, calm down, don't embarrass yourself.

"Enjoying your view yet?" I heard Zachary asked me with his signature smirk.

I snapped out of my daze and felt my cheeks burning up.

But, I noticed that the pattern of Dylan's swim shorts looked similar to Helen's swimsuit. The rest seemed to be thinking the same as me.

"Dylan, Helen. Did you both planned on wearing the same design of swimsuit? Are you both..?"

"Yes, we're together now." Helen whispered and her face turned so red.

We all congratulated them, as expected, the the other boys teased Dylan for not telling them earlier.

"Ella, Nicole, Helen let's go over and surf before it's too crowded!" Dylan quickly changed the subject. He gestured them to go over first, being the gentleman that he is.

Ella was about to protest when Helen and Nicole quickly dragged her away.

Zachary on the other hand, stood in the same place, not moving an inch, gazing at me. Well, I'm not going to stand here the whole day just staring at him.

As I started to follow the others to the sandy area, my pathway was blocked by Zachary.

"Where do you think you are going, Rach?"

What now? I wondered with an annoyed look.

Author's note :
Yay! I've updated twice this week! Haha I know my updates are slow now :P So I've decided to update today! :) I hope you liked this chapter and thanks for reading! Don't be mad at me for stopping this chapter here. *hides* Please remember to vote/comment/share the story if you like it! :D