Seven More

8. Fraternising with the Enemy

"You seem chipper this morning," Peyton narrowed her eyes at me as she chewed on a slice of toast.

"I'm always chipper," I countered her before downing a glass of water.

"I'm willing to bet a certain girl has something to do with it," she pulled that 'I know what you're up to' face.

"If you're talking about Gabriella, you're wrong," I chuckled.

"So there is a girl then," her face spread into a smile.

"Not necessarily," I replied, much to her disappointment. "See you later!" I called to her as I jogged out of the house.

It was a lovely day yet again, but this day wasn't just lovely because of the weather. The day before I had realised that something was missing in my life. I don't know what made me realise it, but something had woken the desire to find a relationship in me.

And then I saw Mia. And then I realised Mia had awoken that desire in me.

Mia Hastings!

The girl who had terrorised my family for years and I found myself developing a crush on her?

It was like some kind of veil had lifted and I was seeing her properly for the first time. I mean, I always knew she was hot, everybody knew that. She had blonde hair, blue eyes and a gorgeous body she worked hard to achieve. She was every guy's fantasy. But for the first time I realised how beautiful she was. Now it was the freckle on her left cheek that enticed me. It was the way her bottom lip pouted out. It was the way there was something mysterious in her eyes, like she was a girl full of secrets.

"Mia! Hey!" I called out to her without thinking, and instantly chastised myself for going back to the eighth grade and not knowing how to talk to girls.

She looked at me and raised her eyebrow, but she did stop running. She was obviously confused why I had called out to her.

"Do you think we're friends now, Montgomery?" she asked, panting slightly. I couldn't help but admire the rise and fall of her chest and the sweat glistening above her collar bones.

"I think we could be," I shrugged my shoulders, that wasn't such a crazy idea, was it?

"Wouldn't your family burn you at the stake for fraternising with the enemy?" she raised her eyebrow at me, a hint of laughter playing in her eyes.

"Maybe, but I'm not scared of them."

"I guess you've already proven you don't have any reservations about fraternising with the enemy," she must have been referring to Gabriella.

"I'm guessing she failed to mention that I called things off then," I shook my head, slowing to a walk as the conversation went deeper.

"No, she didn't mention that," she also slowed down to match my pace. We were both panting a little bit, but the run was no where near enough to wear either of us out. "What made you see sense?"

"See sense? That's a bit of a harsh way to talk about your friend," I chuckled. I was trying to understand her relationship with her friends. She didn't seem particularly loyal to them.

"I guess you're right. I just know what Gabriella is like and I can't help but pity any guy she ensnares in her claws."

I couldn't help but laugh at that, she was so blunt and honest. It was easy to see how she got a reputation as a bitch, but I was starting to see her differently.

"Well, you don't need to pity me anymore. I have officially unensnared myself," I declared proudly, but Mia just laughed.

"That's what you think. Gabriella decides when its over, not you."

That was slightly ominous.

"Are you serious?"

"You're her new favourite toy, shes not about to let go so easily," I could see the amusement on her face. She was finding it funny, which didn't bode well for me. I was hoping she would show maybe a bit of jealousy, but no such luck.

"Can't you help me out? Talk to her or something?" I hoped she would jump at the chance, but no.

"I would, but I think it might be quite amusing to watch you suffer," and with that she began running again.

***

It was mid-afternoon and we were on the beach practising for the competition. The gang were apparently very fixed on winning it. I wouldn't have cared, except that I couldn't bare for that smug jerk, Luke, to win.

"Bash, your head isn't in the game," Peyton chastised me. She just happened to be right. I was distracted by Mia walking around the beach in a bikini.

What had come over me all of a sudden? Why was I suddenly so obsessed with Mia Hastings? Probably because she had the body of a supermodel and it made me weak.

"The competition isn't that deep, you know," I rolled my eyes at her. Mostly I was annoyed because I had to tear my eyes off of Mia.

"It is. I can't wait to see Mia's face when we crush her," she smirked evilly.

Obviously this annoyed me, but if I defended Mia I would face an inquisition. They'd disown me for not hating her, but I couldn't stop myself.

"Maybe it's time to forgive and forget P, you got the guy in the end," I said, but instantly regretted it. Peyton could read me like a book, she flicked through my pages with ease, scanning the lines and gleaning the meaning of every single word with absolute clarity. Her jaw dropped.

"Please don't say- surely it can't be- not Mia Hastings!" She exclaimed, much to my despair as I feared the others would hear.

"I don't have the slightest idea what you think is going on, but whatever it is, you're wrong, and you're dumb and clearly, I absorbed all of your brain cells in the womb."

"Have you got a crush on Mia Hastings?" She asked bluntly.

"No! Don't insult me. I have this think called taste, which you clearly don't," I looked over to Eli, who was squealed and giggled like a little girl as Vincent splashed him in the ocean.

I felt ashamed as soon as the words left my mouth. Not for insulting Eli, but for implying that Mia wasn't worthy of my affections.

I looked over to her. She laughed at something someone said, her whole face lighting up, and for a moment I forget there was anyone else on the beach. But I couldn't tell Peyton that, I couldn't tell anyone that. Nobody would understand.

****

I'm sorry. Apparently it takes a global pandemic to bring me out of a three year long hiatus!

I can't promise I'm going to continue writing this book, partly because I'm not particularly excited by it, but also because I'd like to focus my energy on writing a real novel. But who knows what the future holds and I hope you like this chapter!