"I HAVE A PLAN to ease this damn college stress."

Austin didn't for once go unheard- everyone had heard every syllable. Jaxon was the first to whip his head in Austin's direction, eyebrows raised, and smile mocking. "Your plans are never good so why should we listen to you this time?"

Austin averted his gaze from us to Jaxon, sending him a bone-chilling glare. "I know what I'm saying, man."

"Let him continue, Jax," Jess said, with the brightest smile ever, eyes twinkling-the kind when you're excited about something.

Austin smiled, intertwining his hands like he was in some sort of interview. "So. . . I thought about it, and it came to mind that we could actually go to the beach."

If I hadn't been paying attention before, I definitely was at the mention of going to the beach, a grin perched on my lips. Jess and Bella's eyes shined brightly at the mention of beach.

"Yay!" they simultaneously exclaimed before letting belly laughs erupt from their throats.

"I've never been to a beach before," I confessed, smile intact, and Bella responded almost immediately; "You've never been to a beach?!"

Of course, I thought, I'm the only one who didn't have a normal life.

"Have you really not been to a beach before, Carla?" Valen asked, eyes lined with sympathy and curiosity, and I shook my head no.

A small nudge on my right side stole my attention away, and when I had turned to Bella, she had a raised eyebrow and a secretive smile on her face. All I did was roll my eyes because that's all she had been doing since she had caught me the other day the kitchen with Valen.

"Well don't worry Carla, you're going to have a lot of fun at Venice Beach," Austin grinned. "When are you guys free? I think I'm free tomorrow."

"Um, I'm also free tomorrow," Valen responded, and both Bella and I responded at the same time.

"Me too."

"ME THREE!!!"

Everyone was free.

"Wow, you guys are going to venice beach tomorrow?" the familiar high pitched voice spoke, heels clicking towards our direction. And whilst I turned, I only hoped for it to someone else but was met with a great disappointment when my eyes found Miss Barbie doll's.

What was she doing here?

And since when did she start coming to Betty's Cafe?!

When her hands met our table, she smiled a smile which seemed to be for Valen only. "Hey," she paused, smile intact. "I'm sorry I butted in but I just overheard you guys are going to the beach tomorrow."

I gritted my teeth. "Yes, we are."

She scowled my way, and then looked over at an empty space besides Valen. The latter groaned, already knowing what was next. Veronica swiftly grabbed a chair from another table, and sat next to her, fake smile back to her face.

Her hands went up to Valen's chin. "Hope I can tag along, babe."

My lips twisted in a scowl, and her hand was still on his chin. "You were never invited, Veronica."

My voice was strangely edged like a sword-more than usual, and she was sending a bone-chilling glare my way. "I never asked for your opinion, besides I'm surprised you still exist."

"Yes, because you hadn't threatened me in the hallway," I retorted, an eye roll coming after.

"Oh, I forgot. . . I did think you were someone from the homeless shelter," a fake smile pertained on her caked face.

At that moment, everyone's eyes were on us because it suddenly seemed like a battle. "It's really sad that you couldn't tell the difference between me and your kind, veronica."

"Uh?"

"With your IQ I don't think you'll ever understand," I said, smile mocking.

"It's okay ladies," Walter came in before she could say anything else.

With her eyes back on Valen, she shuffled in her seat. "Anyway, I've got class now so, I'll see you guys tomorrow." she finally turned to me, again. "And Carla,-stay out of my way."

Just like that, she left our presence, whilst my blood boiled uncontrollably.

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"We look hot."

That had been Bella's manta since we left our dorm building. She grinned at me whilst we made our way towards the car. Her hair was tied up in a bun, only a few strands brushing her face. She wore a white one piece swimsuit with a floral kimono and a brown leather belt-a look she pulled off do effortlessly. Jess who was now walking with us was attired in a rust polka dot tie blouse with bell sleeves, a white denim shot and a straw hat.

"Yeah," I grinned back, impressed by choice of clothing-a white tie one piece swimsuit with high waisted jean shorts and a mocha hat.

When Bella had started rambling about how much fun she was going to have, and the cute guys she might meet there, I had rolled my eyes. She promised me that I'd have a lot of fun and I hoped in the end I did.

And when we stopped in front of an unfamiliar Lexus gx 460, my eyebrows knitted in confusion, and when Bella noticed it- she explained to me that, it was Walter's car which we were going to use. Turned out Walter didn't feel like driving so, Valen was driving.

The latter stepped out of the car, that contagious smile on his face. "They're here-" and when he had stopped in front of me, his eyes ran over my body before looking into my eyes. "Goodness. . . gracious."

I almost blushed. Keyword: almost. "Let's go."

"Woah, okay there, frosty," he smiled, eyes twinkling. "Just calm down, I was-"

I shushed him, and literally pushed him into the car to join the rest of them. "Let's go, there isn't any space for Veronica in this car."

His eyes lit up with amusement, the same smile intact. "Oh, I see." he paused, then spoke with a wink, "You look breath-taking, frosty."

I spoke with a smirk, as smug as ever, "when do I not?"

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The view of the sky was beyond breathtaking, to say the least- scattered around in it's glory of sky blue and white clouds. I sat up straight, slightly bringing my head out the window, and allowing the wind caress my face so tenderly. Valen and I-like always- had earlier gotten into a bicker, and the cool air seemed ydo a great job in calming me down than the awful arguments from the guys at the back.

From where they sat, I heard them arguing about who had dressed more nicely-but as soon as Valen turned on the radio, the argument stopped, and awful singing picked up from there. I never understood boys.

It was ridiculous when Austin began singing because his voice was- wayyyyy off-key- making everyone to groan. He was practically screeching at the top of his lungs, and even though we had enough of it, we still allowed him destroy our eardrums for a little while.

Walter's Lexus-in it's glory of shimmery tenders- was really spacious because it had contained all seven of us, and when we reached the beach, everyone hopped out in a heartbeat.

Northridge Beach was one of the most busiest place I had ever been to. The fact that it was the most popular beach in California was the only reasonable excuse to why it must've been crowded. Even with the great mirage of people that surrounded the beach, Valen was somehow still able to create rooms for our activities.

Bella smiled, just as bright as the sun that shined, hand landing carefully on my shoulder. "This. . . is amazing."

When I turned around, everyone was admiring the beauty of the day as it collided with the waters. And when I sneaked a glance at Valen, his lips was turned up in a heart warming smile, eyes still twinkling.

We all plopped down on the edge of the water, and continued to stare at the bright sun. No one had decided on our first event, so I collapsed on the ground, sand warm and welcoming. Valen did the same, plopping down right next to me, and I couldn't help but avert my gaze to him.

"What's first?"

"A game actually but, Austin made this plan, he should be the one telling us what to do."

I nodded, eyes trained straight ahead. He spoke again, voice soft and like velvet. "What did you do during your childhood years?"

I felt myself tensed up a bit as the breeze caressed my skin so softly. Whilst my eyes were still trained ahead, I spoke, "I loved having fun when I was little but, different circumstances stopped me from having it. Let's say, life was difficult because my dad-"

What was I doing? I can't ruin myself by letting my past known to him.

My words had hung loose in the air, and Valen's eyes were glued to me. I don't know what came over me that I almost slipped up, and because I had begun the sentence-I had to somehow complete it. "My dad was a fun pooper."

I tried to fake a laugh, staring at the waters. If I'm not careful he's going to figure out everything about my past, I thought, and destroy the walls I had built.

Valen knew I was hiding something-it showed in the way his attention was laid on me, but, I couldn't afford to talk about my past-never-because I'd only end up being crushed and shattered.

Silence had dominated the area when neither of us uttered a word, and I had just one word for it-awkward. I just leaned back, weight on my hands and eyes forced shut. Whilst I dug my feet into the warm sand, I felt his hand on mine-gentle, caressing, and as warm as sunlight.

"I really want to help you Carla, if you let me."

I opened my eyes to be met with his, his hands unnerving me. He really did want to help but-he would never understand-that I can't open up; not to anyone.

But, before I could speak, a splash resonated in my ear, followed by Bella's voice; "What the fuck?!"

We both whipped her head to her direction, finding her in the water, and Walter towering over with a smirk-then it all clicked; he had thrown her into the water.

"Come on, let's go." Valen tugged me by my arm, pulling me along to the drama going on between Walter and Bella.

Bella emerged from the water, hair and clothes soaked, and a murderous look in her eyes. She was only in her one piece swimsuit, her kimono not in sight. "That wasn't nice Walter," she grunted and paused, arms crossed. "You'll regret it."

Walter scoffed, his brown hair messed all over his forehead. "That isn't much of a threat, babe. Try again."

The smug look on his face was suddenly wiped off when Bella had unexpectedly pushed him into the water, a big splash following.

"Limbo time," Austin had exclaimed forgetting about his friend who was dripping wet.

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"Go Carla!"

Limbo wasn't really an easy game if you asked me; as each persons try to get under the pool noodle, the more it is lowered. Austin and Jaxon we're now holding each ends of it, and whilst the soft beach tunes played, I went under it, my back facing the sand-and I was back on my feet.

"Take that Valen!"

Valen and I had become really competitive since the beginning of the game, and apparently since he was such an arrogant prick he had challenged me. At first I wasn't up for it but he had this ego which had made me roll my eyes, and since we were on it already- I wasn't losing.

We all took a break, getting ourselves cans of water. I picked up my can and drowned it, and it felt like the greatest luxury on earth. Just as I walked along the edge of the water, and letting the air blow my hair away from my neck, Austin announced a game of 'Tug of war.'

Sweet.

Just as I turned around, a high pitched saccharine voice crashed with the waves.

"Hey guys, I hope I'm not too late?"

The bitch was serious?

Veronica Blythe just had to be a stunner. Her hair was tied up in a bun, dark shades over her green eyes, and above all-she managed to pull off a monochromatic look; striped black and white bikini, a black crochet cover-up and a straw hat.

Now, that would be sexy to the eyes of half the male population.

With steps as airy and confident as always, she sauntered her way towards us. "Sorry I'm late, I just finished a class."

Bella narrowed her eyes at her, frown deepened. "Why are you apologizing? It's not like you were invited or anything."

The smile on Veronica's face fell but she managed to cover it all up. "You're so funny, Bella."

"I wasn't being funny-"

"Okay," Austin interjected, a nervous chuckle coming in complementary. "We have little time left so, let's begin the tug of war."

And so it began: Girls vs Boys.

I had placed Veronica at the back even after she had refused to play-I mean, who just shows up at the beach uninvited and then refuses to play? Placing her at the back did only result in her letting out an awful groan.

Valen and I were both in front since we both were in a serious competition. With eyes trained on each other, we grabbed the rope, and when Austin blew the whistle-which he got from God knows where-we began pulling.

I huffed, partially because I was tired of gripping the rope too hard-but mostly because, Valen was sending a smirk my way. And when I muttered how annoying he could be, Bella laughed in my ear, and because of that little distraction, Valen managed to yank the rope and we all came crumbling and down-unluckily for me, I somehow landed in the water.

Valen had run up to me, amusement lined in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

I diverted my attention from my wet swimsuit to him for a splitting second, before rolling my eyes. "I am. Fantastic even."

"You really need to tone down your sarcasm or I'm not helping you up."

He had already attempted to walk away, but I grabbed his hand in time. "Okay, hold up-sorry but what did you expect me to do? Laugh after falling into the water?"

He just smiled lazily-boyish and charming-making my cheeks warm as I realized that my hand was still gripping his. He helped me up, hands still holding mine. "But that's the fun carla."

I retreated my hands back to my sides, and cleared my throat. "Well, I don't like getting wet unless it's for a swim."

He had laughed, all before switching his attention to the waves, a smirk on his lips. "How would you like to go for a swim with me later?"

I never responded.

I never had the chance to respond because Veronica was suddenly on Valen's side, hands wrapped around his arm. "Let's take some pictures V."

With my eyes focused on how her slender fingers wrapped around his arm, I clenched my fist, fuming in fury; an embodiment of ignited hot flame. And whilst Veronica pulled Valen away, he gave me an apologetic look-and when he was gone, all that remained was a wave of awkwardness.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, catching up to the rest of them who were already making their way towards the beach's volleyball court that was already set up.

Austin grabbed the volleyball from the sand, and grinned at us. "New game, volleyball. Valen and Carla would be team captains since they're competing against each other."

Just as Austin finished speaking, Valen strode over, and I couldn't meet his eyes at the moment. My mind was slightly distant from the others, playing the last few minutes with Valen-to the point that both Bella and Jess noticed I was getting out of touch.

"You okay?"

The guys were still discussing, setting some ground rules for the game whilst I gave Jess a small smile. "Yes, just a bit exhausted."

"Don't worry, we'll soon be heading back," Bella smiled.

Valen had picked his teammates-the guys obviously-and so I picked the girls. We had both picked out our team members by also utilizing the strangers in the crowd.

Neither of us picked Veronica.

I met up with Valen at the center of the net with both of us standing on either sides of it. "Get ready to loose to me Valen."

He scoffed, eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure about that, frosty."

Standing in position, Jaxon had served the ball to start the game.

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The game was neck and neck-7 serving 7, and I just wanted everything to end-fast. I really was against Valen in literally everything, because-who in hell would make bets on winning a simple game of volleyball?

And because of how competitive I had become, I agreed to the game; an epitome of chaos, and the rules seemed okay. If Valen won, I would go swimming with him, and if I won he had to buy me ice cream.

Valen had been overly competitive-only increasing the adrenaline that had rushed through my veins. I had last served the ball, only ending us in a tie.

I breathed, regained my composure, and met Valen's stare. He was staring at me with the slightest bit of coyness and a huge smirk on his face-all whilst ignoring Veronica's failed attempt in flirting with him.

The only thing he did was get on my nerves but with how he ignored her, a faint smile crawled his way to my lips.

At that point, my arms were already hurting from the amount of force I had used to hit the ball. I gently massaged my wrist whilst Austin walked over.

He noticed me and grabbed my wrist gently. "Jeez, how hard were you hitting the ball?"

I chuckled lightly. "More harder than I wanted to."

"Well, next time be careful," he gave me a side smile, all before letting his eyes roam around me. "You look so hot by the way, and it's a mystery I could solve everyday."

Oh my, he was flirting with me.

I sneaked a glance at Valen, and saw this emotion in his eyes; anger? Maybe I was imagining it. Austin bit his bottom lip and shot me a wink before striding away. That was hot but, I'd probably be all flustered if Valen did that.

Jesus, what is wrong with me?

When it was time to get back to the game, I picked myself up from the bench, and sauntered right towards the center of the court. We all got prepared until there was an annoying change of plan.

I was no longer competing with Valen.

That was because Veronica had yet again-grabbed Valen by the arm and pulled him away-because she was bored. And all the anger that had subsided came rushing back when I saw both of them walk away.

And since it was my turn to serve-I thought of teaching her a lesson.

With eyes trained on her, and without thinking, I threw the ball in the air, and then hit it-hard.

And because of my perfect aim, it went straight where I wanted it to-Her head. Because of the force I had used to hit the ball, it had hit the back of her head really hard, and she fell face-down into the water.

"AHH!"

CARLA, YOU SAVAGE. I am so proud of you.

Please drop your thoughts on this chapter, thanks. Stay beautiful<3

Jessie❤️