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↳ ❝ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐨 ✰ 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 ¡! ❞
"𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠."

"I CAN'T BELIEVE I just fucking bought snacks for the Conklins' and Fishers' after literally not talking to them for years," I grumble, struggling to hold up all the bags of chips I have stashed beneath my arms.

"I bet the pigs will finish these by the end of tomorrow too." I huff once more before walking forward and out of the store. A small bell chimes as I push through the door, letting Selena pass me first before I keep the door open with my foot.

I let Selena pass me and my foot softly kicks off the door and it swings closed.

"Why did you buy so many?" Selena pipes up in wonder, adjusting her grip on the chips. Swung over her shoulder, however, is the beige knitted tote bag she has been carrying around with her for the entirety of our day.

"I don't even think they're gonna wanna take all this." I hear Selena mumble and I let out an amused and sarcastic scoff.

"Oh please, trust me they will." I say with a hint of judgment.

"Steven will probably smell the Cheetos around a mile away from the house. If someone jumps you and steals them, you know who it is. Don't say I didn't warn you. It's like he's a police dog for detecting Cheetos." I speak sarcastically and Selena chuckles at my comment, I have a feeling that something has been going through her mind.

"Why the hell did we not buy shopping bags to put these in?" Selena asks me rhetorically, knowing we both most likely look like crazy people.

"That would also save me from getting jumped F.Y.I." Selena commented sheepishly and I let out a chuckle.

"We, one hundred percent, should've gotten bags for these. My arms are starting to hurt." I mumble with a childish groan.

"How far away is your house again? In fucking Australia or something? It's like we're walking a marathon." I exaggerate, rolling my eyes as I groan in frustration. "My legs are gonna give out on me and I really don't want to graze my poor knees. They've been through enough torture."

When Selena and I were seven, I had broken both of my knees. An odd bone to break, or should I say bones. I never told anyone what the real reason for my broken knees were – I lied and said that I broke them playing volleyball, definitely a shitty excuse but it seemed to work.

The real reason was because my mother had been sending me to ballet lessons and ballroom dancing lessons from when I turned seven to when I turned twelve years old to which I finally decided to give up on the activity. My knees had given out on stage while I was performing a solo routine, looking back at the memory it was lame, I'm just glad I do not dance anymore.

"Uh, maybe don't do that? I don't have the strength or willpower to drag you as well as these snacks to the emergency room," Selena jokes, rolling her eyes as I nudge her by account of her joke. "And, uh, my house is just around the corner," She informs me – I glance around looking at the houses we pass, taking the neighborhood's appearance. From the freshly cut grass, to the dirty sidewalks and paths that lead to the homes.

We're going to stop by Selena's place to run in and grab a bag or two to put all the snacks in because there is no way in hell that we are going to walk another half an hour through the town looking like rehab escapees, walking around with chips in our arms.

After a few minutes of complaining and groaning, we finally reach her house. Finally. I had taken in the exterior of the house, the shrubbery outside and the different flowers just on the bottom floor window sills.

We get to her front door and I can't help but glance around at my unfamiliar surroundings. I have walked past this house many times in the past but now that the house belonged to Selena and her father? It comes with a different vibe.

Selena allows me into the house with her while she rummages around in an attempt to find a bag of some sort. While Selena looks around for a bag I can't help but take in the aroma of the new house, that clean and fresh smell of an empty house.

"Damn, this place is sick, your dad definitely has taste in real estate," I comment as I look around at the new surroundings. The floor is marble, and makes a satisfying click sound when you walk across it.

I stalk around the house, examining every room and a wall full of pictures dedicated to Selena's late mother. I have a thought in the back of my mind, I have had it the entire time we have been on the road.

It will be so weird speaking to them again, especially Steven. We just never had the close relationship that we have – or should I say had – with everyone. The past few years have been awkward to say the least, I mean avoiding them is one thing but now for some reason I'm going to drop off snacks at their house, for again, no reason.

I took notice of a small room that Selena has not looked in yet and I decide to inform her.

"That room there." I say loud enough so she could at least hear.

Unfortunately she had practically jumped out of her own skin, letting out a small yelp. She holds a hand over her chest as she turns around to look at me. "I swear to God, do that again and I will kick you," she says and a smile forms on my face as she shakes her head at my amusement at the situation.

It isn't long until she gets her hands on a small tote bag and hands it to me before I go back over to the front door where the snacks are lying on a counter beside it and I stuff them into the bag.

"I can't believe I am actually doing this bullshit," I mumble underneath my breath as I stuff the chips into the tote and sling it over my shoulder. I then turn to Selena with a hesitant and unimpressed look on my face.

"Do I really have to do this? I mean I could make up an excuse and have Noah pick us up early for the bonfire." I suggest to Selena and the girl's eyes narrow.

"Noah..? Who's Noah?" Selena questions. "And what bonfire? Look, if it includes any alcohol or drugs, then I'm out on that." I groan.

"Oh come on, Lilo. It'll be fun, it's the first bonfire of the summer." I try and convince her to join me at the bonfire, as I knew that maybe she would see Jeremiah, possibly.

My eyes narrow slightly and I tilt my head to the side, knowing Selena she won't drop the question anytime soon so I decide to answer anyway.

"Possibly." I mumble lightly causing her to roll her eyes.

She scoffs incredulously "Nope, I don't think so. I'm out."

"Sel, come on! I am not gonna let you stay home tonight, you have to come with me. The others will be there and I do not want to face them alone." I huff and catch sight of Selena's pondering expression.

"Fine, but I hope you don't expect me to mix with the rest of the crowd. Besides, alcohol is disgusting, I'll be distancing myself away from that shit." She gives a stern look and I nod, letting a small victorious smirk creep onto my lips in return.

"Great, now please for the love of god can we get this over with." I adjust the tote bag on my shoulder to which Selena nods and tilts her head to point to the door. And then we set off to the Fisher's summer house.

I hope this goes well.

...

It has become dusk, the sun is slowly setting into darkness as the only light in the sky being the bright reflection of the moon. I am nervous to say the least, it has been a while since I have spoken to each of them in the same room.

I take a long breath in and adjust the tote bag along my shoulder before I ultimately knock on the door to the Fisher house, and I am explicitly nervous. My hands are shaking as I attempt to calm myself, the sudden longing for nicotine the longer I stand face to face with the door.

I turn back as I see Selena discreetly watching from the opposite side of the road. I don't know what I'm going to do, who is going to answer the door when I knock? Will it be so awkward I want to jump into the lake?

I hold the tote bag in her hand as I knock on the door shakily, my foot tapping in nervous anticipation as I wait for someone to answer the door – glancing around as I await the most awkward interaction known to man commence.

As I hear footsteps clicking towards the door, I straighten my back and wipe under my nose as well as fixing the piercing while I was at it. The moment the sound of the doorknob twisting and the lock on the door clicking I am met with a face I know all too well.

Steven Conklin. Of course it has to be him answering the door.

The first thing I notice when we make eye contact is how his mouth goes slightly agape and his eyebrows are raised in shock.

I absentmindedly copy his actions and I go to say something but nothing comes out. After a few moments of awkward silence I spoke up, "Uh hey." I mentally face palm at the sudden heighten in my voice.

"Hey." He finally speaks after what feels like forever. I nod at his greeting and I notice how his mouth opens to speak but is then interrupted by the yell of Susannah.

"Is that Gwen?!" I hear Susannah's voice yell from inside. I can't help but peek my head past Steven's shoulder as I hear an excited squeal erupt from the blonde woman as she comes into view.

"Oh my god, you came! Steven let the girl in, would you?" Susannah seemingly snaps Steven out of his shocked expression and I can't help but give the blonde woman a small smile at her excitement. Steven nods and steps aside, giving me room to step foot into the house.

I clutch the tote bag in my hands and glance between the two before awkwardly smiling at the both of them. I feel a hand go to the small of my back and I immediately recognize that it is Susannah's hand.

"Come on, honey. Let's go say hi to the others." Susannah ushers me towards the dining room, I can't help but feel a pair of eyes burn into the back of my head – the tension already building up in my body.

I clutch the tote bag a bit tighter, seemingly trying to ease myself of the rising tension and slowly stepping closer and closer towards the dining room.

I hear the loud silence, it was deafening the second I step into the room. Glancing around at everyone I send them each a forced and awkward smile.

God save me, please.

"Hey Gwen." Conrad is the first to speak up and it eases the tension in air ever so slightly.

"'Sup Conrad." I give him an awkward yet sincere smile and he gives me the same back. I glance around the room again, my eyes landing on everyone else; Jeremiah, Belly, Laurel and Steven, again.

Susannah smiles softly and gives me a thumbs up, which makes me gaze down at the tote bag in my hands.

"I brought you guys some snacks?" My voice is laced with uncertainty, not knowing how they would react. Laurel smiles lightly and stands up – walking up to me and opening her arms for a hug.

"Gwen, honey I almost didn't recognise you, you're beautiful." Laurel goes in for a hug and I wrap my arms around her in return, resting my head on her shoulder for a moment.

"Thanks Laurel." I smile at her compliment as she lets go of me, she holds onto my elbows before Susannah starts speaking.

"Honey, you should smile more. God, I wish Selena could come back and put the bright smiles back on all of your beautiful faces." She says and my smile falters ever so slightly, I can't help but let my mind drift to Selena who was literally just outside of the house.

My eyes shift towards the others, Steven was now sitting down next to Jeremiah whose faces fall and shifts on either one of his legs. Belly is now looking down at the ground and Conrad who was looking at me, I have a feeling he knew my mind is flooding with too many thoughts at once.

However, Laurel seems to notice and points it out. She gestures to her daughter and Jeremiah, "Actually, these two never stop mentioning her. They fantasize about her returning every summer." She smiles lightly and my eyebrows barely raise.

"Mom!" Belly says embarrassed while Jeremiah stares at me with a saddened look in his gaze. I seem to realize that perhaps, maybe they do miss her more than I thought.

This may sound immature and possibly selfish, but what about me?

I send them all small awkward smiles and I place the tote bag on the table and dig inside of the bag for the chips.

"I brought chips? If anyone wants?" I try my best to not sound out of place and awkward but I fail and Conrad sends me a nod, which makes me ease up a bit.

"Uh, Conrad, Cool Ranch doritos for you, catch." I threw the packet of chips to him to which he catches.

"Cool." He sends me a smile and I nod back at him in appreciation, noticing how he has been trying to get me to ease up the entire time.

"I didn't know what chips to get you Jeremiah, but I got you Sweet Chilli, if that means anything." I sigh as I take the bag of chips out to which he gratefully accepts and gives me a smile of appreciation and says 'thank you' in his natural bubbly, joyful way.

"Belly, some takis for you." I hand her a bag of takis and then I take out a bag of cheetos and Steven gasps dramatically.

"Now that! Ladies and Gentlemen, is what I call a warm welcome. Cheetos are life." He snatches the Cheetos packet out of my hands with a genuine smile and I can't help but laugh at his excitement.

"Alright then, and two chocolates for the two moms." I hand the two older women each a chocolate bar and they each send me a grateful smile, as well as a 'thank you, sweetie' in a sweet and soft tone.

I look down at the bag to see that there were still a few more chip packets inside, I glance to Susannah.

"Can I?" I ask, referring to emptying the tote bag onto the table. Susannah sends me a nod and I immediately empty the tote onto the table, I felt everyone's eyes on me.

"Well, uhm I have to get going, I need to meet my friend back at my place. I don't want to leave her alone for too long." I try and come up with an excuse just to leave but Susannah does not give up.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for food? There's more than enough for everyone." She speaks sweetly and I shake my head in dismissal.

"Oh no, I'm alright. I really don't want to leave that friend of mine...alone. So, yeah, I will see you guys...later?" My voice is laced with awkwardness and slight uncertainty – I know I can't play it off, we all know.

"Yeah, see you sweetheart, it was nice seeing you again." Laurel decides to speak and I send her a tiny smile before I go up towards her seat and give her a hug from behind – doing the same to Susannah as well as Belly, but the hug from Belly was more tense.

I am inevitably making my way around the table and I hug Conrad from behind which makes him tap my forearm when I wrap my arm around his shoulders.

I stop by Jeremiah and just pat his shoulder in greeting and moving past Steven, giving him a small nod before I turn to leave.

"Wait! Gwen, honey. I forgot to give you something." Susannah's voice makes me stop in my tracks, the now empty tote bag in my hands.

"What is it?" I look over at her curiously as she gets something out of her handbag, which looks like a small card.

"I may or may not have gotten you an invitation to do the debutante, I know it isn't your thing but it is a charity fundraiser." I can hear the slight plea in Susannah's voice and I can't help but want to please her. I then take the card out of her hands and read the small calligraphy script on the invitation.

"I will think about it." I say quietly and Susannah smiles widely in excitement.

"She said she will think about it, it's not a no!" Susannah laughs in excitement and exclaims to Laurel who was smiling sheepishly at her best friend.

"I will, I swear." I force a tiny smile when I look down at the card, seeing my name printed out, my full name: "Gwenyth Savoy" , I internally groan at the sight of my full name. I never liked my full name, as people only used it if they were family or friends, or if they were mad at me.

"Thanks, Susannah and I'll see the rest of you guys...well, around." I send them all, once again, an awkward smile before turning on my heels and pacing towards the front door.

"Bye honey!" Susannah's sweet voice calls out to me and Laurel follows with a bye, but the others stay silent.

I might be selfish but for once I want to think about myself and not what everyone else thinks. I just want us to not be awkward anymore, is it really that hard?

I walk out of the front door and let out a long sigh before walking down the driveway meeting to where I was supposed to meet Selena, but she wasn't there.

Where the fuck did she go?

I don't hesitate to take my phone out of my pocket and text her to make sure she is okay.

gwen <3
Where the fuck did u go??? Did u get kidnapped?

Liloooo<3

i'm finee
meet me at your house :)

I read her text messages and I let out a sigh of relief before looking back at the Fisher summer house – then walking in the opposite direction towards my house.

On the way I receive a text message from someone, my phone vibrating in my jacket pocket to which I take it out. I assume it is Selena but I am mistaken to see Noah's contact pop up on my screen.

Noah :)
hey , I just wanted to see if ur still coming to the bonfire later??
Lmk if i should come pick you up

Gwen
Hey, yeah i'm still coming Im gonna bring a friend so dw
Her and i were gonna walk anyways

Noah :)
Alright cool, see you later gorgeous

Read at 8:34pm

...

The time has come where Selena and I are ready to leave my house and walk over to the bonfire on the beach. Her and I had spent two hours getting ready which involved a lot of talking and a lot of complaining.

With my luck, I knew that Jeremiah, Conrad and Steven would be there. The only real reason I wanted to go to this bonfire was to get wasted and maybe see Noah. Noah is the guy I have been speaking to since the start of last semester. He and I are getting along really well to say the least and I am fairly surprised.

He is not the normal 'bad boy' type of guy I usually go for but he is fairly popular, not that it matters but he is the only guy has seemed to actually like me for me and not my body.

Selena and I walk across the concrete heading towards the beach and we are talking about what it will be like for Selena to see everyone again.

"Laurel said that Jeremiah and Belly fantasize about you returning every summer," I say to Selena, my hands in my jacket's pockets while she holds up her phone for a flashlight.

I know Selena has no actual interest in coming to the bonfire tonight, but I can't help but want to include her in everything. I also know that she only agreed so she could see the other perchance.

Tonight I have my hair in a messy bun, a few loose curls framing my face, I didn't bother fixing them. I am wearing sharp eyeliner and my signature silver nose ring. For pants I am wearing a pair of leather shorts, and a white T-shirt with the same leather jacket I wore earlier in the day. I still wear the same chain with the ring on it around her neck. To match with my nose ring, I wear a pair of silver hoop earrings.

I know Selena would not go full out for this bonfire. Her hair is half up half down, naturally wavy from the water earlier. She only put mascara on and lipgloss with some highlighter. For clothes, she wore another denim skirt, the length stopping midway down her thighs. To match, she put on her beloved white laced cami shirt. Like always, she has her signature sandals on. She has pearl earrings in and a pearl necklace with a star for a charm.

"I don't know how I'm going to surprise them," Selena says into the air, her eyes trained on the sand ahead of us as she makes sure neither of us trip. It's so dark and we cant see much other than the phone flashlight and the bonfire ahead.

"Or maybe wait for them to come to you," I suggest, hearing the sounds of the waves crash against the sand a few meters ahead of us. "Oh look! We're here. Time for you to meet my man."

"I can't believe you never mentioned him to me," She says, not letting her smile falter as she watches me closely. "He must be a very lucky man to have you."

I giggle at the comment. "God, I need a drink. I'm thirsty." I rush off in front, to which the bonfire was right there. It lit up the small part of the beach, and several other teenagers and young adults surrounded it while music blared loudly. I think I can feel the beat through the sand.

I catch the sight of a familiar face, Noah and I run into his arms. I am happy to see him to say the least but I am also happy that her and Noah can meet each other.

I introduce her to him, to which Selena shyly greets as he greets her back with his usual confidence.I dont notice his hungry gaze on me, as I am too preoccupied talking to Selena about something new. After two minutes or so I excuse myself and walk off to get myself a beer.

As soon as I put my hands on the beer I chugged it down, I am not shy when it comes to drinking and a few of Noah's friends kept telling me to chug down a couple of beers and I did.

Tonight I was here to get wasted, but also to spend time with Selena but by the time I finished my interactions with Noah's friends, she was gone. I am already a little tipsy and I had Noah by my side most of the time but I can't help but notice how he stares at me. I never know how to feel when he looks at me that way.

He sits me down on the sand, holding me in his arms against his chest. The alcohol is starting to get to me and I can't seem to stop drinking.

We sat in our own silence whilst the bonfire carried on around us, a beer bottle in my hand – taking a few gulps every few minutes. He holds me in his arms, my eyes fluttering open and closed every once in a while. My head feels heavy as I feel myself getting more and more drunk by the second.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sudden sound of my name being called.

"Gwen," I hear the familiar voice of my best friend call for me, as she treads toward me with a seemingly serious voice. My eyes meet hers, and a drunk smile paints onto my lips. My eyes don't stay on her since they are unfocusing and blurring every few seconds.

"Hey," I reply in a sing-song voice, a giggle erupting from my lips as I, once again, bring my beer to my lips and take a long sip.

"Hey, ease up on the drinking, okay? We gotta walk home still," She instructs me like a parent lecturing her child. I raise my brows at her, and I decide to tease her as I bring the glass bottle back to her lips. She frowns back at me disappointingly.

Noah scoffs loudly as he tilts his head at Selena. "Hey, pipsqueak," he calls Selena, and I immediately turn my head to him in disbelief as Selena scowls, "leave us alone, yeah? You don't fit in with this crowd. Run along back to mommy."

I'm taken aback by his sudden, unnecessary rudeness and my brows burn into the middle of my forehead. My eyes burn into his head, looking at him with disbelief.

Selena raises her hands in surrender and backs off, signifying she does not want to start any arguments. As she turns around to walk away, I look at him with my mouth slightly agape.

"What the hell was that for?" I ask him in a tone of disbelief, my words slurring a bit.

"What are you talking about?" Noah glances down at me confused with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Why did you insult her like that? She was just telling me to ease up on the drinking. You didn't have to be an ass about it." My voice slurs a bit more as I send him a tiny glare before looking off into the direction Selena walked in.

I slouch back down into his arms with a slightly annoyed expression, I can't keep it up for long as I slowly feel my mind slipping away from me.

As we sat and looked at the stars in the night sky above us I take a large sip of beer from the bottle in my hand – my grip loosening and I let it roll onto the sand.

"Hey Noah?" My speech slurs and I gaze up at him with unfocused eyes.

"Yeah?" He replies softly, looking down at me.

"Do you like me?" My voice softens – making me sound like a toddler as I twirl a loose curl around my finger. His eyes seem to soften and he brushes my hair out of my face,

"Of course I like you." He mumbled back and I can't help but let out a childish giggle, I am so drunk right now.

"Yay." My voice fades a bit and my eyes start to heave – flickering closed every few minutes before my empty thoughts are interrupted by Noah standing up and my gaze following him as he lets go of me.

"Where are you going?" My voice slurred quietly watching him with doe eyes and he kisses my temple before brushing a lock of hair out of my face.

"I'm just gonna get another drink, okay?" He reassures me and I nod lightly.

"Oh okay." I sigh softly to myself, rocking myself back and forth watching as he walks to go and get another drink. My gaze follows him until my eyes land on Steven and a girl, a very pretty girl.

I smirk teasingly at Steven the second his eyes reach mine and I wave to the two who walk by to which they wave back in return. The girl sending me a small smile before I look away and lay back on the sand.

As soon as I lay on the sand, it was comfortable and I let my eyes close completely.

...

𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥'𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘
𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗐𝗈 𝗂𝗌 𝖽𝗈𝗇𝖾!! 𝗐𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗆𝖾𝗍 𝖭𝗈𝖺𝗁...𝗁𝗈𝗐 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝗐𝖾 𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗁𝗂𝗆? 𝗉𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗏𝗈𝗍𝖾 𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒 𝗂 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝗉𝗉𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗂𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝗂𝗍!! 𝗀𝗈 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗁𝖾𝖼𝗄 𝗈𝗎𝗍 '𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋' 𝗐𝗁𝗂𝖼𝗁 𝗂𝗌 𝖲𝖾𝗅𝖾𝗇𝖺'𝗌 𝗉𝗈𝗏 𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗈𝗇 eltheria's 𝗉𝖺𝗀𝖾.

𝗍𝖺𝗀𝗌: m1stywrites (comment if you want to be added)