"I'm going to go get a drink. You want anything?"

"Yeah, I'll come with you. You good?" Mason asks me, walking away with Troy.

"Sure, bring me a beer?" He nods and I make my way around the large area of the beach now populated with kids from my high school. It's not quite dark yet but the party is in full swing. There's a bunch of guys making a massive pile of wood for the bonfire. I spot my friends near the water. Kylie is there with two of our other friends, Lexi and Madison.

"Hey guys." I walk up to them and they all hug me. I was a little bit out of touch over the summer; really trying to avoid the drama that happened at the end of junior year. It was all too much for me. To say that Lexi and I were on shaky terms would be an understatement. The guy that everyone is convinced likes me right now used to be hers. They dated since the middle of freshman year and then last year everything went downhill. Ryan, the boy in question, may or may not have tried to kiss me while they were still together. He broke up with her and she was convinced that I stole him away. That's why I've been so hesitant to admit any kind of feelings for him. I have no idea what that would do to Lexi. It's not like we're best friends, but Lexi loves her drama and I don't want to be on the wrong end of one of her schemes.

"You look adorable," Kylie comments, motioning to my outfit. I didn't get too dressed up for this, unlike my friends. Skimpy shorts and crop tops, the usual outfit for a summertime bash.

"Thanks. Where are the guys?"

"Wouldn't you love to know," Lexi says, half-teasing and half not. Here we go.

"I think they're helping with the fire," Kylie butts in, always the peacemaker. I don't like drama, but I will definitely stand up for myself. She links her arm in mine and pulls me away from the girls. We're closer and Madi and Lex are closer, but the four of us usually hang out together.

"She is never going to get over that," I huff once we're out of earshot. "I didn't even do anything! Why is she blaming me and not Ryan?"

"Because she practically worships the ground he walks on. She's still madly in love with him even though he clearly does not feel the same way. Like, take a hint girl. I think you should just go for it because Ryan obviously likes you."

"Are you insane? Lexi would start world war three if I did that."

"Come on! He's hot and you've been single for way too long."

"Kylie, it would be way too complicated. Plus, what about girl code or whatever?" I ask. Isn't there some kind of rule about dating your friend's ex?

"Screw that! I love those girls, but let's be honest with ourselves. Our friendship with them isn't going to last beyond graduation," Kylie says. I definitely agree with her. We get to where the guys are, just finishing piling up all the wood. "Hello boys," she chirps.

Ryan looks up and smiles widely at me. I give him a small one in return as Mason finally hands me a red cup filled with the cheap beer from the keg.

"Have you seen Natalie?" he asks, looking around. "I was trying to find her."

"I don't think she's here yet," Kylie says, leaning in front of me to talk to Mase. She unlinks herself from me and heads towards Justin, the current object of her affection.

"Are you going to break up with her tonight?" I whisper to Mason, proceeding to take a sip from my red plastic cup. He shrugs.

"I don't think this would be a good time. I want her to have fun tonight."

"Mase, it's never a good time. You've waited way too long, you need to do it soon."

"I know, I know." He smiles as he takes a sip of his cup and I follow his gaze. Ryan locks eyes with me as he makes his way over to us.

"Hey, Savannah. Haven't seen you around much, where have you been?" He leans down and hugs me, holding on a little too long. Mason chuckles as he pulls back and I discretely kick the side of his leg. He laughs and walks towards the other group.

"I've been around as always." He nods and I slide my hands in my pockets. "How was football camp?"

"It was good, we're going to have a great team this year. There's some sophomore they're using for quarterback when I graduate. They're definitely in trouble." He chuckles to himself and I smile. I don't really care about football and Ryan is definitely all about football. "What did you do with the rest of your summer? I haven't seen you since that party at Madison's house."

Right. The one where we made out. And didn't tell a soul.

"I umm..I've just been busy. My grandparents were staying with us."

"Right. So, do you want to take a walk or something?" he asks, stepping closer to me and taking my hand in his.

"Maybe later?" He nods and stares into my eyes. I'm not sure if he makes me nervous in a good way or a bad one, but there's something going on there. Ryan is definitely an attractive guy. Sandy blonde hair, tall, muscular build. He's one of the best looking guys at our school for sure.

"Well look what we have here." I turn to see Lexi and Madi walking up beside us. Lexi gives Ryan and I a judgement once-over. I take a small step back, but Ryan releases my hand and puts his arm around my shoulders instead.

"Hi Lex," he says curtly. She rolls her eyes and stops in front of us.

"Looks like you two are getting cozy." She folds her arms and glares at me.

"We were just talking," I tell her, squirming a little under Ryan's heavy arm. The truth is, if liking him wouldn't cause so many problems with my friends, I would probably be into him. I just don't know if it's worth it. Lexi can be crazy.

"Sure you were."

"Move on, Lexi. Seriously, we've been broken up for almost four months. We're done, don't you get that? So stop trying to kill Sav with your eyes, she didn't do anything wrong."

"Didn't do anything wrong?" She scoffs and takes a step closer, narrowing her eyes at me. "I was going to forgive you and move on for the sake of senior year, but clearly you're out to get me. Take things any farther with Ryan and trust me, you'll regret it."

"Are you seriously threatening me?" I laugh slightly and she remains bitchy. "Lexi, you don't own Ryan and you can't tell me what to do. If I want to go out with him I will. I can do whatever the hell I want and you really have no say. So get over yourself." I remove Ryan's arm from my shoulders and walk down the beach away from the crowd. That may have been unnecessary, but like I said no one pushes me around.

When I get to the pier I decide to continue my walk down the wooden dock, leaning on the railing at the end of it. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, calming myself and letting the wind blow through my hair. I love the ocean.

When I open my eyes and turn around I stop, frozen in place by a pair of green eyes. It's the new teacher from my school. Mr. Styles, I think? He's got on jogging shorts and a loose fitting grey t-shirt, wet slightly from sweating. Looks like he's a runner.

When I realize I've been staring like a creep I look down at the ground and turn back around, staring out into the ocean. He comes up beside me and removes his earbuds.

"You're in my class, aren't you?" he asks, breathing heavy and leaning on his side against the railing. His curls are damp from sweat and his cheeks are flushed.

"That would be me."

"Savannah, right?"

I nod and smile at him. "I guess you're good with names. You must have met a lot of students today and you remember mine."

He laughs and shakes his head, looking out at the water. "Not really. I just remember the ones that make an impression." His gaze travels back to mine and I can't help the blood that rises to my cheeks as I look away. "What are you doing out here?"

"Just getting some air. Needed to get away from my friends."

"Right, the end of summer bonfire is on this beach, isn't it?" He looks behind me and down the beach. The fire is started now and you can clearly see it from here.

"How do you know about that?" I ask, tucking some wind-blown hair behind my ear.

"I'm staying with a friend that lives on the beach. He used to go to your school, actually. He can always see the part from his place. Apparently it's quite the long-standing tradition?"

I shrug. "I guess it is. What are you doing out here?"

He looks down at his clothes and chuckles. "Just umm..preparing for my lesson tomorrow." He smiles at me and my cheeks go red again; clearly he was running.

"Sorry, dumb question." I laugh nervously and look back out at the water.

"No worries, love. Do you run by any chance?"

"Actually, I do."

He nods his head and stands up straight again. "Well maybe we'll cross paths. See you in class, Savannah." I nod and he waves as he starts running back down the pier and to the path that runs along the beach.

I watch him until he's out of sight, feeling creepy as ever but unable to stop. Mr. Styles is alarmingly attractive for a teacher. Most of the teachers at my school are old and...old. He is not. Definitely not. Did I spot a tattoo poking out from under the sleeve of his t-shirt? I smile to myself as I walk back towards the party, spotting my friends by the massive bonfire. Mason puts an arm around my shoulder as I walk up beside him.

"You okay? Where'd you go?"

"I just needed to clear my head. Lexi is going psycho on me because of Ryan." I put my head on his shoulder and he laughs a little. "It's not funny! You know I hate dealing with this stuff."

"I know. But you and Lexi are friends because of...convenience. Don't let her control you."

"There you are!" Kylie squeals, jumping up side me. "Ryan has been asking about you ever since you left, please make him shut up. He's over there." She points to the other side of the fire and my eyes meet Ryan's over the rim of his plastic cup. I smile at him and remove myself from Mason's grip. I leave him with Kylie and walk over to Ryan, who's standing with some guys on the football team.

"Hey Sav." He throws an arm around my shoulder and I mould into his side. He laughs as I playfully steal his cup and down the rest of his beer. "This is Tom, Brody and Noah."

"Right, you all play football." They nod and I move a little closer to Ryan when Noah stares at me for a little too long.

"Where did you disappear to?" I look up at Ryan, grateful to be able to tear my gaze away from Noah.

"I just took a walk. Lexi is being difficult."

He nods and reaches up with his free hand to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "I know. Do you know what I think?" I shake my head and he smiles an adorable little smile. "I think we should just ignore her."

My heart rate increases slightly and I bite my lip, nodding in agreement. He looks down at my lips and hugs me tighter to him.

"I'll catch you guys later," he says to the guys, pulling me towards the water. I put one arm around his back and reach up with my free one to link my hand with the one he has hanging off my shoulder.

"So, what's your schedule like?" I ask, looking up at him as we walk down the beach. He laughs.

"You want to talk about school?"

"Don't make fun, I just want to know if we have any classes together."

"Oh," he laughs. He stops and removes his arm from my shoulders. He sits down in the sand and I take my spot beside him. "I assume you're taking all AP classes."

"Only two this semester. Physics and Chemistry."

"Well, I'm not. I am taking AP chemistry second period and Kylie told me you're in history third period?"

"Wow so we have two together." He nods and I turn my body towards his, putting my legs over his so I can get closer. "That could be fun."

"Could be. I'll probably need you to tutor me in chem, though. Don't know why I'm taking AP, but I do know that I'm probably going to fail."

I laugh and he puts his hand in my lap over my own hands. "I think I can help you with that."

"Can I ask you something?" His tone is more serious now and I nod my head in encouragement. "Do I stand a chance? Or does this whole Lexi thing mean we can't..."

"I haven't decided yet," I admit quietly. "I just hate the drama, and Lex seems to thrive off of it." He nods, looking disappointed. "But that doesn't mean I'm saying no."

He smiles and reaches up with one hand to put it on the back of my neck. He leans forward and pulls my face towards his. My eyes flutter closed as his lips meet mine. It's not the eruption of butterflies I was hoping for, but there are sparks. Our lips move together slowly and he pulls back after a few minutes. He's surprisingly gentle and like...polite. He's a gentleman. I smile at him and we both giggle a little.

"Do you want to go back to the party?" he asks quietly. I life myself so I'm between his legs, leaning my back against his chest while his arms wrap around me.

"Not quite yet."

---

"Are you serious, Mason?"

"What! I couldn't do it, okay?" he defends as we walk into our house with Troy.

"You're such a wimp, Mason just break up with her already! You are just making this worse for yourself and for her. It's ridiculous."

"If you're done lecturing me I would like to go to sleep." We go our separate ways at the top of the stairs, Troy and Mason going to his room and me to mine. Once I'm ready for bed I crawl under the covers with my phone, smiling at a text from Ryan.

I had fun tonight :) see you at school tomorrow

I respond with a 'sounds good' and shut my phone off so I can get to sleep. The first day of class is tomorrow and it's officially senior year. I hope it's everything it's meant to be.

Notes

numba two. off to a slow start but dont worry itll get good :)

comment, vote subsrcribe :) get this one out there!! thanks guys :) I hope you're enjoying itt