C H A P T E R   T W E N T Y - O N E
invites

duckdive:
a technique where the board is submerged underwater so as to dive under the wave.

I found myself sprawled out across Jessas bed after a long shift at the diner. We were awaiting the arrival of Miranda as the three of us were going to drive up to Bakers Cove for a weekend getaway like we do every summer.

"Should I pack this?" Jessa questions holding up what seems to be the seventh dress within an hour.

"We're gone for two nights, not a week" I laugh. "I'm sure out of the three you packed earlier you already have enough to choose from".

"Fine. I hate it when you're right" she mutters hanging the dress back up in her closet. "How's things with Dawson been lately?"

"I think that things have been good, I met his sister the other day and his mother briefly" I reply quietly as I type a text message back to Dawson who has been texting me all afternoon.

"So he still hasn't asked you to be his girlfriend?"

I scoff at her question while throwing my head back against her pillow. "What is up with everyone asking me that lately? We're just friends who are hanging out".

"Oh come on Ains that's complete bullshit and both you and I know that. I don't go around kissing and going on dates with friends but you keep telling yourself that one".

"Well he hasn't asked me yet and who knows if he will. It's not something i'm going to worry about. If it happens it happens, if not it wasn't meant to be so just drop the subject for now".

"What's gotten into you lately?" Jessa questions immediately stopping her packing as she turns to face me. "I can tell somethings up so don't you dare try covering it up".

"It's my dad" I start off causing Jessa to gasp inaudibly. "When we were signing up for the Chancier Surf Meet they mentioned he was going to be in attendance. I did some googling on him and apparently he's some college surfing scout".

"Shit" she exclaims coming and taking a seat beside me on the bed. "Has he even tried talking to you lately".

I nod. "He's tried texting me a couple of times, usually around my birthday or holidays but I just haven't answered him".

Jessa nods silently as she listens to what I have to say. "So since I heard about him being in attendance I've just started freaking out and told Dawson I want to back out of the competition. I just don't know if I'm ready to see my dad again".

The conversation was cut short as Miranda's comes bursting into the room wearing a floral sundress and a big floppy hat.

"Let's get going ladies, I need to hit up the beach so I can see some men" she exclaims pulling me up off of the bed. "It's an hour away and at this rate you guys are moving well make it there by midnight".

I grab my bag from off of the floor as Jessa zips up her suitcase prior to following both Miranda and I out to her car.

Miranda jumps into the drivers seat as I throw our bags into the back before taking the back seat of the car as Jessa stole shotgun.

Quickly Miranda sped off down the side street and onto the main one and we were on our way off to Bakers Cove.

—

The drive up to Bakers Cove was quite serine. Large palm trees lined the sides of the road and swayed side to side in the gentle breeze. Golden shorelines meeting with the teal blue ocean peaked through the cliff tops as cyclists rode past on the sides of the highway.

The three of us were staying in a cabin owned by Jessas family that was situated on a beach that wasn't too popular so we were away from the crowds.

We each had our own room and quickly went to it to unpack our things before grabbing some drinks and heading off to the beach.

My room was small and was decorated with typical beach decor such as sand dollars and seashells in frames upon the wall.

I placed my clothes into the drawers of the dresser and changed into a black bikini before heading off to the kitchen to pour myself a drink while I waited for the other two to be ready.

Miranda sauntered down the stair case a few minutes later joining me at the kitchen counter as I was mixing myself a stirred margarita.

I handed my drink to Miranda and started making myself another one as she sipped on the cool liquid.

"So" she starts off. "I've been meaning to tell you but I haven't seen much of you lately. I started dating someone, his names Trace" she says taking another sip of her drink.

"Oh no way Mir! I'm so happy for you" I exclaim pulling her into a hug. "So when do I get to meet this guy?"

"Tomorrow actually!" she says with a smile as her phone lets out a ping. "I thought Jessa mentioned that you could invite Dawson, must have slipped her mind".

"What are you saying about me?" Jessa questions as she rounds the corner. "I heard my name".

"You forgot to tell Ains that she could invite Dawson out here tomorrow"

Jessas face turns to shock as she realized she forgot to mention it. "Oh shoot I meant to tell you this afternoon but the conversation got side tracked. Tomorrow night you can invite him out here".

"I will" I respond with a smile as I reach for my phone to send a quick message to Dawson. "Now how about we hit the beach?"

The three of us make our way down the staircase of the large back deck until our feet come in contact with the burning hot grains of sand.

We were all carrying our towels and drinks, laying them out in the sand once we found a place where we wanted to throw our stuff down.

"So how about you Jess, who are you inviting out here tomorrow?" Miranda questions as she lays back on her towel, her sunglasses covering the sun from her eyes.

Jessas face suddenly goes red as she tried to change the subject which her attempt fails. "Fine... You know him. It's actually Dawson's friend Garrett. We started talking after that party a week ago".

"I can't believe Dawson didn't tell me!" I exclaim.

"That's because he probably doesn't know. Gar and I have kind of been keeping things low key because we just recently started talking" she explains.

My phone suddenly starts ringing cutting off Jessa and saving her from further explanation as I stand up and answer it.

"Hey you" a voice says from the other end causing the butterflies in my stomach to take flight.

"Dawson" I reply. "How are you?"

His laughter fills the air as I hear a car door closing. "I'm good but that's not why I had called you. Tomorrow, is there anything that you need me to bring at all?"

"Nothing at all, except you may want to ask Garrett if he's coming. You didn't hear it from me however".

"I have known about that for a few days, I was wondering if you were going to invite me out there or not".

"I just found out about it when I texted you. Sounds like someone was worried I didn't want to invite them out here" I tease with a laugh.

"I knew it was only a matter of time, I would have been moreso surprised if I didn't get an invite" he says and I can tell he has a smirk plastered on his face. "Now I'll let you get back with your friends, I'm excited to see you tomorrow however".

"I am too, I'll see you tomorrow Daws".

I hang up the phone and place it down against the sand while laying back allowing the warm rays from the sun dance across my body.

"So tonight I was thinking we could head down to the pier. Apparently there's supposed to be some fireworks and they have the local fair set up" Miranda says after a few minutes of silence.

Jessa and I both agreed and a few hours later we found ourselves strolling down the pier as the sun was starting to set.

Kids were screaming as they ran up and down the illuminated boardwalk. The smell of freshly popped popcorn and mini donuts loomed in the air.

Towards the end of the pier was a large ferris wheel lit up with bright coloured lights that stood out against the darkening sky.

"How about we grab a quick snack and then check out some of the rides?" Jessa asked, her eyes fixated on the mini donut cart.

She doesn't wait for Miranda or I to respond, instead she heads to the short line leaving us to follow her.

"I'll have a bucket of mini donuts, a bag of cotton candy, oh and a lemonade please" Jessa says to the cashier as she reads off the menu. "What do you guys want? My treat".

Jessa orders some funnel cake while I select a caramel apple before we all sit down to enjoy our food.

"How are you going to eat all of that Jess?" I question as she popped a donut in her mouth.

"You know how much I love sweets! I couldn't resist".

I shake my head as she continues to scarf down the donuts.

"Can we go on the ferris wheel?" I question after we finished our snacks. "I want to see the view from
the top with the sunset".

Jessa groans at the mention of rides and clutches her stomach in response. "I can't. I think if I were to go on a ride right now i'd be sick. But you go!"

"I'm not feeling the best either, I'll sit this one out but join you on the next" Miranda answers with a small smile as they lean back against the wooden bench.

"Alright" I say with a small smile as I stand up. "I'll be back shortly then!"

I sling my purse over my shoulder as I maneuver my way through the growing crowd and into the short line by the ferris wheel.

"For how many?" the man running the ride questions as he helps the couple out from the cart.

"Just me, my friends aren't feeling too great" I respond as the man shakes his head slightly.

Suddenly an arm gets slung over my shoulder as I assume Jessa felt bad for me going on the ride alone and decided to join me.

"Sorry, It's actually going to be for her and I" the person beside me says causing my heart to get stuck in my throat as they hand two tickets to the man.

I lift my head sightly to find Dawson staring down at me with a smirk on his face, the coloured lights of the ferris wheel illuminating his features.

"Hope you don't mind if I join you Ains"

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Word Count: 1872