In Me, Tiffany Anyel [good books for 8th graders TXT] 📗

Smiling at Paul I turn to Jenn, “I don’t mind switching rooms—I don’t need a lot to enjoy myself. I could sleep here on the beach for all I care.”

Realizing her ploy to make me feel--well like crap, didn’t work. She plastered on her cheeky smile ignoring me.

I mentally pat myself on the back--okay I’m more like doing somersaults all around the beach, screaming ‘woo hoo! whos the man’ or woman in this case.

“Kate?” Paul looks at me. “Yea?” “So do you want to?”

Realizing I had totally tuned them out during my whole mental ‘victory dance’ I look up at him, “Im sorry what now?”

“Would you like to have dinner with everyone here? Jenn asked if we would be joining them. They are having a bonfire here on the beach tonight.” “Oh, okay. Well sure that sounds like fun.”

“Well Jenn count us in.” Paul finally said turning back to her. “Cool. Okay well we will see you…both tonight.” Jenn says with a sneaky smile locking arms with Sam as they turned away.

Knowing Jenn I could bet she had something up her sleeves for tonight—something more than grilled food and a bonfire. Whatever, bring it on. I release Paul’s hand turning to him, “I will see you at the house okay?”

“Wait, where are you going?” I turn around walking backwards, “Nature calls.” Smiling I turn around heading up to the house.

“I see you and your boyfriend are getting along pretty well.” Startled I stop at the door, turning on the porch.

I see Lee on the swing, looking at me with dark eyes. I pretend not to notice his ‘obvious’ glare, and put on a cheeky smile saying, “Yea I know. Isn’t it great?”

I open the screen door--I wasn’t going to let him ruin my mood. He had pissed me off one to many times. “You think he cares for you? He only wants one thing. And we both know what that is.”

Shocked I release the door looking at him, “What are you like--eight? Stop being childish Lee.” “Childish?” “Yea—‘he only wants one thing’ come on.”

“Have you given it to him already?” Instead of screaming no! which was the truth. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. So instead I pretend to pause considering, “Who knows maybe tonight if his lucky.”

I turn around walking back, “Yea I think tonight will be the night.” I slam the door leaving Lee behind.
The Sexy in me

Shaking at the sink—I turn on the tap. I look down at my hands trying to calm my nerves and reflexively bring them together giving them a squeeze.

My heart was pounding, my body trembling, and I could not stop my eyes from tearing up—as I looked in the mirror. No, I will not do this—not now. Not over him. I bring my hand up wiping the first tear that sprung up in my eyes--forcing my eyes closed.

What has happened to my best-friend? Where was my Lee? One minute his playing around like he has no care in the world. Like our friendship--or lack thereof for the past few weeks hasn’t bothered him—at all. And just now—I have never seen him so…so…I dunno.

He has never spoken to me like that—ever. Never has it been like this. We have always been able to--well talk to each other. Something that has always came naturally to us. It was one of the things that made us--us. And now…

Failing miserably at trying to hold in tears, I feel them roll down my cheeks. Instinctively I opened my eyes looking at my wet face. Instead of wiping them away, I look in the mirror and stare blankly at myself.

And why hadn’t I done anything to fix this already? To stop whatever is going on between us--nipping this shit in the bud. Why have I let it go on for this long?

In the past I would have just shaken the crap out of Lee telling him to snap out of it. But I hadn’t--I haven’t done anything.

These last few weeks—I have tried calling him several times. But as the days—then weeks went by…I just I dunno… Have I given up on us? It just didn’t seem like me—something I would do.

Me and Lee have had fights—but we have never extended them beyond the time it took for us to look at each other realizing our ‘stupidity’—and then laughing about it minutes later. And now… What were we doing?

I hear a knock, “Kate?” Holding my breath--trying to sound normal I respond, “Yea?” “Sorry to bother you. Paul just sent me up here to ask if you had any preferences for dinner tonight?”

Realizing it was Sam--not Jenn. I silently let out a breath. I didn’t know if I could fool Jenn—she normally went fishing for something to throw in my face. And me in the bathroom crying my eyes out would have been a ‘prime catch’.

Splashing my face, I take a towel patting it dry. “Kate are you there?”

Clearing my throat, I speak to the door saying, “Yea umm...tell him anything will be fine. I’m not picky.” “Are you sure?” “Yea.” “Okay I’ll let him know. Thanks Kate.”

I hear footsteps as she walks out of the room, shutting the door. I take a deep breath leaving the bathroom. I walk over to the bed falling down in the plump pillows.

I take a blanket curling up underneath. Last thing I remember is watching the orange and pink sky as the sun kissed my skin.


****


“Kate?” Someone gently stirs me. “Hmm?” I respond automatically still half-asleep.

“I didn’t want to wake you. But everyone has been asking me where you were. And well I guess I’m being a little selfish—but I’ve been missing you like crazy,” He replied with a light chuckle.

Finally opening my eyes I look up into Paul’s smiling face. I smile up at him blinking my fuzzy eyes. Still resting on the pillow I look at him, “Have I been asleep long?” “No. Just a couple of hours.”

Looking away from him I noticed the sun was gone replaced by darkness. It was night. Finally sitting up I look at Paul, “I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” I wipe my sleepy eyes.

“No, don’t be silly it’s okay. The sun just went down. Jenn and the others have only recently started the bonfire, so you’re okay—you haven’t missed much,” Paul says chuckling and continues by saying, “But I have missed you.”

“Is that so?” I say trying to sound cute—but it came out sounding croaked and dry. I clear my throat, “Give me a few minutes?”

“Yes of course” Paul said getting up from the bed walking to the door. “Paul?” “Yea?” He stops at the door turning around.

“Should I wear my bathing suit?” I ask noticing him in swimming trunks and a slightly wet t-shirt. He stifles a laugh looking at me, “Only if you want to get wet.” He stands at the door with playful blue eyes and a sly smile.

And feeling a little nervous--okay maybe more than a little, I smile up at him saying, “Okay cool.” “See you down there?” I nod my head getting up from the bed.

After cleaning my face I look in my bags. What to wear? Hmm.

I pull out two suits—I had bought four just in case. Two simple ones for the beach: a rustic orange two piece—placing it on the bed as one of my choices for tonight.

The other full piece I grabbed at the last minute—just in case I chickened out. But the other two--let’s just say I let the ‘new Kate’ pick out and boy did she ever.

One a dark brown, the top was low cut and it had straps that tied in back—the bottom had open rings at the top with light and dark brown swirls that went around my entire hips--very low cut showing some of my ass.

And the other even more exotic one was red—I left that one in my suitcase. There was no way I was bringing her out tonight.

I stood staring at the suits--I quickly grab the brown one putting it on. I walk to the bathroom and finish getting ready--taking down my hair fluffing it out. I apply a touch of eyeliner to bring out my eyes smoothing lip gloss on my lips. And before I could chicken out I walk out of the bathroom not looking back.

I grab a long beige see through wrap-around skirt--tying it around my hips, and put on a matching top that scrunched up just under my breast that hung low on my shoulders—and leave the room.

I pause at the steps and take a deep breath. Okay Kate you can do this. It is time to show you—what you’ve got.

Making my way down the stairs with my heart pounding and my legs trembling, I finally make it to the front door walking out of the house.


“There she is,” a rather cute guy with shaggy light brown hair and brown eyes said looking over his shoulder as I approached. “I assume you are Kate—yes?”

Sounding a little nervous I smile at him, “Yes.” “Well hey, nice to meet you. I’m John.” Realizing my nervousness as I played with my hands—he points to a log beside him, “Here sit down. Are you hungry?” “Yea a little.” But my stomach was so tied up in knots I didn’t think I could eat anything.

“Me too—actually I’m more than a little. Hurry up guys! I’m starving!” He said laughing as he rubbed his stomach. I notice two other guys at the grill laughing with each other—obviously ignoring him.

“So…your Paul’s new woman. Wow—he has been holding out on me.” Seeing my confusion he continues, “I work with him and well—we like to show off our latest conquest-eh so to speak. And he has been keeping you under wraps for a while now. I’d say he likes you. And now that I see you—I can see why.” John said stifling a laugh.

I give him a shy smile saying, “Well thanks. Umm…have you seen Paul?” I hadn’t seen any familiar faces since I walked out. Where were they?

“Oh. I think they are all down at the beach—playing around. While me and Chad here have been stuck grilling the food.” He finally said not sounding pleased.

“Oh, okay. Well it was nice to meet you.” “Yea