𝐒 𝐈 𝐗
caleb degraw

"Jenna, she has a boyfriend!" A voice - one that Meredith remembered all too well - rung out from the front door as she watched her mother set down a table centerpiece and fruits held in glass bowls. The girl had made it back home just in time for her mother's brunch with friends, and she had been asked to help set up for the group (much to her chagrin).

Meredith Waters ended up preparing charcuterie boards and pitchers of lemonade for her mother's brunch. However, she wasn't allowed to actually consume any of the said food and drinks.

So, with a fresh hair makeover and touch-up of her makeup, Meredith joined her mother downstairs, where her friends would appear at any moment. She had caught her mother up on the latest news she happened to eavesdrop in on during her visitation to the Bug Kahuna.

Angela Cordova, a peer at Kook Academy, had revealed to her friends that she was pregnant, and shortly enough, the news had been passed along to just about everyone on the island, except Jenna. But, that's where Meredith came in to deliver the news to her mother - which she did expertly.

Now, the teenager sat on a patio chair around her mother and her mother's friends. A table sat in front of them full of appetizers and flavorful drinks. Cynthia Jones had been filling the group in on her niece's love life, who had been a big part of their weekly conversations.

Natalia Jones - the infamous niece of Cynthia - was familiar with Meredith. They had met a few times in passing during school and while hanging out with mutual friends. Cynthia was only a grade below her, and when she began attending the Kook Academy during sophomore year, Meredith welcomed her with open arms with the exception of being so close to her aunt. When she was granted permission to begin dating, the entire game changed for Meredith.

The junior was more than happy to arrange dates and be her wing-woman if need be, and since they were already familiar, she couldn't say no.

And since the small fiasco, which was ongoing, Meredith and Natalia had become close friends and had even spent time outside of school together.

However, the girl hadn't been filled in in Natalia's relationship status in what felt like months, when naturally, it had only been a few weeks since she last saw the blonde girl. So, she figured she would just have to hear it from Cynthia.

"Josh Merrit!" Said woman cheered, bringing her glass towards her. Her grin was practically ear to ear. They all knew how madly Cynthia longed to be the laid-back, nonchalant aunt, and suddenly, her dream came true. "They went on a date just last night and he asked her to he his girlfriend, which she said yes to."

"Oh, that's great, Cynthia!" Her mother cried, bringing her hand to her chest in a heartwarming manner. "I hope she's happy."

"Well, for the most part, she seems as so." She replied, glancing between the other woman on the back patio. "As to you,"

Then, her eyes trailed over to Meredith, the youngest of the group. "Do you have anyone special, Mer?"

Feeling uncomfortable from the sudden spotlight - not that she didn't enjoy the attention - shook her head. "No, I don't."

"That's a shame." Mary frowned, swallowing a green grape. "Do you have eyes for anyone?"

"No, not that the moment." Meredith, the situation quite pitiful. Funny, even. It's funny how someone so much younger than her could be so successful, and she couldn't even do that.

"What about that, Rafe?" Mary questioned, raising a brow. "You two seem to get along." Meredith knew that that was a lie. She had never gotten along with Rafe, at least not since last year when he began dabbling in drugs and tried making a move on her.

"We just don't really hang out that much." She shrugged simply because she couldn't tell them the truth. If they knew what kind of things Rafe was interested in, they would surely ask questions. "I mean, we have the same friend group, but we aren't as close as I am with the others." Meredith informed, referring to Caleb - a boy she'd known since she was young - and two other girls - Harper and Dakota.

Though she meant them, she was also once close with Sarah Cameron. But like the tide, it washed away and came back to drown her drama-infested sand.

"Oh, I figured you two were close," Mary frowned. "Considering you two used to do so much together."

That was before all of the coke scrambled his mind. Meredith wanted to say, but she held her tongue, pursing her lips.

Jenna, noticing her daughter's discomfort, cleared her throat, gaining her friends' attention. "Ladies, why don't we go over the plans for Midsummers. Surely, we have to get that out of the way."

Meredith smiled thankfully at her mother, not that she was paying much attention since she had her nose dug into planners and note cards now.

Slowly, her mother and friends began forming closer, all gathering their plans and notes for the event and combining them. Feeling out of place, Meredith gathered her phone and drink before exiting the patio and leaving to her room.

Before she could get their, however, her phone began ringing.

Looking down at her phone, she saw that Caleb's name was flashing on the screen, and she set her drink on the kitchen counter.

Answering the call, she immediately heard chattering on the other side of the call, assuming it was Caleb's family.

See, Caleb and Meredith have known each other since they were kids. They had become friends in elementary school after a couple of boys tried embarrassing Meredith, but Caleb stepped in and came to her aid despite having no recollection of knowing her. Ever since, they were able to form a mutual friendship, but they grew closer as time went on.

The first time they ever hung out outside of school premises was when they were fourteen. Both of their parents were catering for an event in honor of restoring a historical building to its true glory, and after running into each other at the event, they had spent most of the night together.

From then on, Caleb DeGraw introduced Meredith to some of his friends, Dakota Hollins and Harper Vereau. Meredith, despite enjoying the time they spent together, knew that Dakota and Harper weren't as loyal as they supposed they were.

She knew, behind their nice acts, Harper and Dakota hid their bitchy personas. Although, Meredith knew she was no better, they tended to cross the line that was drawn too many times.

"Hey, Caleb," She smiled, pressing the phone to her ear. "What's up?"

"My family is driving me insane." He sighed, immediatly cutting to the chase. Briefly, she had spoken to him at the clean up crew earlier that day before leaving, and he had mentioned his extended family visiting for his mother's birthday, much to his chagrin. Meredith knew that Caleb's family despised his poor choice in friends and unwillingness to live up to their expectations, but Meredith only admired him for it because she knew she could never be brave enough. So, he decided to call her in hopes of getting a quick break from his family for a moment.

"My aunt keeps going on and on about how my uncle is a cheating bastard and how their planning to put a lease up on a house," he informed, Meredith could practically hear him rolling his eyes. "It's a bunch of bullshit."

"Yeah, well, we've all got some fucked up families." She scoffed. "You know you can always come over if they're giving you a hard time."

"No, my dad's already riding my ass enough as it is." Caleb whinged. "Thanks, though."

"Yeah." Meredith mumbled, fidgeting with the rings on her fingers.

"Hey, uh," Caleb cleared his throat, and Meredith sensed that he was nervous. "Topper told me what happened earlier at the clean up, the dick can't just keep his mouth shut."

Meredith snorted at the use of words before letting him continue. "I just wanted to know if you're good."

"Yeah, I'm good." Meredith replied simply, nodding. She knew he couldn't see it, but she smiled nonetheless. Although the argument with Sarah happened, she knew how to shove things under the rug like it didn't matter. Because it didn't matter.

"Good, that's good." He chuckled, tapping his fingers on the table top. "Hey, if you're up to it, do you wanna go to his party later tonight with me? Harper and Dakota will be there."

"Ca-"

Whatever she was going to say was cut off because Caleb began speaking again. "I know, you're not up to seeing Rafe or Sarah or any of them, but you don't have to. I mean, I'll hang out with you, and so will Harper and Dakota."

Putting thought to it, she wasn't sure what to say. Yes, she despised the idea of seeing the death squad or Sarah, but... she also wouldn't mind spending time with Caleb and maybe, Dakota and Harper could keep their thoughts to themselves for once.

"Uh, sure." Meredith shrugged. If things didn't go as planned, she would just hikack a bottle of alcohol and find a secluded area. "Why not."

"Really?" Caleb chuckled, radiating relief through the impeccable connection - no doubt provided by figure eight generators.

"Well, it's better than staying home all day, running arrends for my parents." She shrugged.

"Thank God. I'll pick you up around seven." Caleb offered.

"Okay, thanks." With that, Meredith hung up the phone, leaving to her room, not forgetting to take her drink with her.

Meredith had two plans for the entire night, and she would try her damndest to succeed. She would hang out with her friends, surely let loose ( it was coded in her DNA to do so ). And, avoid the very people she promised herself she would ignore all night.

Because, if Meredith Waters was anything, she was stubborn. So stubborn that she would do anything to keep that spoiled bitch persona.

authors note!
decided to introduce some new characters that will show up later on! also, I've been dreading to post this because 1) it's boring as shit and 2) the writing is horrible, and i had terrible writers block and needed to at least give yall something!

i also hate the dialogue in this chapter :/