"CHUG, CHUG, CHUG!" The crowd screeches. The music blares as Brennen tries to down a whole bottle of tequila.

I laugh, feeling the euphoria of the room accentuate off the walls. Swarms of people flood the beach house and swaying bodies are aligned across all the floors of each room. There's people hopping in the pool, and I had changed into a new bikini that I bought some time ago with Sam.

I dip my feet into the pool, and it was too cold to my liking. It was beginning to get a little darker out so the climate must've died down.

"Hey, Ash," A boy taps me on the shoulder and I turn around to see Sam.

"What's up! You liking your party so far?" I ask, grinning.

"Like it? Ugh, you know I love it!" He hollers, hugging me. I hug back tightly.

"I just wanna go swimming and there's just way to many people in the flipping pool though," He sighs.

"Ha are you dumb?" I laugh sarcastically, "The beach is literally across the street dude."

"You right. Let's get some people and maybe we can have a little bonfire on the beach!" He says excitedly.

"You get people, I'll get some blankets and the lighter, meet back outside in front in ten," I say.

"On it," He replies, turning and running off the pool deck into the house.

I sprint into the house and look through their closets. I grab as many blankets I could fit into my arms and rush down the stairs. As I'm going, one blanket begins to dangle and I trip suddenly. As I start to fall, a pair of strong arms catch me.

And to my surprise, it wasn't Colby I was falling into.

It was Kai.

"Kai!" I exclaim, "-H-hi!"

"Ash! Hi!" He says, like how I greeted him.

I giggle, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, you invited me and I came for you only and I guess your friends because it's their party but mainly you," He says, smiling.

"Oh. Right. Yeah! Okay well I'm about to go outside and start a bonfire outside on the beach. Wanna join?" I say shyly.

"Course," He says, "-Let me help you with those blankets."

"Thanks," I smile back.

Kai and I walk around to the front of the beach house where Sam had gathered a group of about twelve people.

Kai and I start handing out blankets for pairs of two and we had the perfect amount of blankets handed. Kai and I even got one for each of us.

"Are you going to night swim?" I ask him.

"I can. Do you want me to?" He asks me.

"With me, yes," I half smile.

"Alright," He responds, lifting his t-shirt off of his body. He revealed his toned abs and it just made him ten times more attractive. I hope he doesn't catch me staring too much.

He drops his shirt off and begins to walk across the street along with the group. 

"You coming, Neil?" He grins with his pearly white teeth.

I nod.

"Like what you see?" He smirks.

I roll my eyes. "Who wouldn't?" I wink, walking ahead onto the empty street

/////

You seem happier when you're with her, Colby.

I don't know everything about you, but one day, I won't be the one who will know the most about you.

It's going to be Ellie.

And my only regret is not telling you, I like you too.

But do you really, actually like me?

You lie to me, all the damn time.

You're the reason why I have trust issues.

So why or how could I believe you liking me?

I mean, it seemed believable but... I don't know what's believable anymore.

I sit on the log seat, clutching the blanket around my back.

Sam and some other friends are telling stories and talking and are having a good time while I am here making myself feel like crap.

It's just a super power of mine, 

to make myself feel down on my own.

Sucks.

"Hey, you okay?" Kai asks, pulling me out of my trance.

I look up and smile, "Just fine."

"C'mon wanna go take a little dip?"  He suggests. I shake my head yes and drop the blanket carefully onto the log seat. I get up with Kai and we walk over into the ocean.

"It's such a nice day," Kai says, "The sun is almost setting."

"Yeah, it's a pretty great day with the weather," I grin. I dip my feet into the water. "Just a little cold..." I murmur, wading slowly.

Kai takes one gallant step and directly submerges himself beneath the blue waves, consequently splashing me.

I squeal,"Hey!"

"Ashlyn, the water feels amazing!" He laughs, flipping his hair aside.

"Okay, I'm going in!" I giggle, trudging to waist deep water and diving in. The coldness of the water felt like a wave of relief just washed over me. I emerge out, gasping and pulling my hair to the side and out of my face. "Woah! That was refreshing."

We laugh together.

"You're cute," He chuckles, coming closer to me.

"Glad you think so," I smile.

He smiles back but it suddenly turns into a frown and he glances off longingly into the distance.

I frown back, "What's the matter?"

"Dannie. She's just always on my mind," He sighs heavily.

If I were any other girl, I'd probably be peeved that this attractive boy is talking about his ex.

But I'm not.

Because being hung up on Colby Brock kinda takes it's toll.

"Do you need a good rant?" I ask, touching his arm lightly with sympathy.

"No. This is a party, we're suppose to be having fun and forget about our exes. Sorry, I'm just being a douche."

"No you're not, don't be dumb."

He rolls his eyes, " I'm moping about a girl who loves testing the DNA on peacocks more than me." He crosses his arms.

I pull his arms away, and give him a hug, "Then she's not worth moping for. You loved her, and because she didn't love you as much, she left for another purpose and you need to understand that there will be many other people out there who want to love you if you just let them." I look up into his big dark brown eyes, "She doesn't deserve someone like you and you deserve someone better who will love you back."

"Ya, but-"

"Nope, you deserve someone who cares for you regardless of their job and dreams. Sounds inhumane but, honestly, who would love testing the DNA on peacocks more than you?"

"Thanks Ash, you speak the truth and I feel like I really needed that because damn that was deep," He half smiles back at me.

I smile back and lean my head on his bare chest, "I'm kind of an expert, Kai. Take notes."

"How come is that? You seem like you talk from experience," He questions, "-Every time I am with you, you give such valid advice and we have only hung out twice but, you're too wise for me Neil."

"I have experience because I fall head over heels for a boy who keeps breaking my heart," I sigh.

"Who is this boy and do I need to hurt him?" He interrogates.

"No and his name is someone unspeakable. It's really private and nobody can know because I can't trust anybody with a secret this big. I can't say, not that I don't trust you! But-"

"Ash calm down, it's fine. Just tell me what's been bugging you. You seemed off earlier and I know it was about him. So spill," He points.

"Well, this boy is not your average boy," I trail, "He isn't the type of boy you'd expect me to like."

He nods his head, "How come?"

"Well, again, he's not average because he's certainly above all averages. He's someone everyone thinks I hate and I'm suppose to hate him too but I can't," I say with shame. 

"And why's it so important with what other people think?" He asks, "You can like whoever you want, what does it matter what everyone is thinking now. You can always change that and have them deal with it. They're not living your life, Ash. You're living your life and so, other people's opinions are irrelevant." 

"You're right, but there's an issue. He hates me back,... or so he did? He had? He does? I don't know anymore!" I shout with frustration. 

Kai raises an eyebrow, "Do you know if he actually does hate you?" 

"No...yes," I mumble.

"Ash, does he hate you?" He deadpans.

I throw my head back, dreading to tell him the incident. I stand and furrow my brows while pointing fiercely at Kai. "Whatever I say, you can't tell anybody." 

"Not like I know anybody here," He shrugs. 

"Okay, the boy I like revealed to me he likes me but-"

"PERFECT! Why don't you do anything about it!" He claps.

"But...he could be lying, he's been lying to me my whole life basically, so why believe he has feelings for me now? Honestly, he's conceded and untrustworthy. I can't believe I have feelings for him even after the three times we kissed behind his girlfriend's back and his girlfriend is my bestfriend!" I cry out loud, throwing my hands in the air. 

Kai chuckles softly and pauses, "Wait back up, you've kissed him how many times?" 

I scratch the back of my neck, "Umm, two kisses and one make out session."

"Make out sesh? You guys sexually frustrated or somethin'?" He laughs.

"Dunno, we're weird and so inappropriate and I hate it," I groan. "My life is honestly so confusing, sorry, but my bad."

"Ash, but are you actually an idiot? What did you have? A 4.0 gpa? And you're this oblivious?"

I wince at that remark, "What? Me? Oblivious? If anything, he's the oblivious one!" 

"You're both oblivious!' He exasperates, "He told you he liked you, you guys have kissed multiple times and there's nothing short of that. You gotta tell this dude you like him before it's too late. From one intelligent being to another, don't be stupid."

"Kai, you don't get it. Did you not hear me say that he has a girlfriend? And his girlfriend is my best friend? It is too late." I turn away, "He can't like me because he has to like her."

He trudges in the water and wraps an arm around my shoulder, "No, he doesn't. It's never too late until they get married. For the reason he dates her is because he doesn't know how to let go of her. When in reality, he wants to like you."

"We're rivals..."

"Does it matter? Titles change, you can't always be a world champion or get first place. You don't have to be his rival."

I feel the realization pass over. Kai's right. I've been giving myself excuses for why I shouldn't tell Colby I like him and it's getting fucking old. I'm old enough to freaking vote and I'm capable on voting on my own decisions so why can't I grow a pair and man up. 

Er, woman up. 

"You're... right." 

"I know, now c'mon," He says, taking my hand and leads us out of the water. We sit on the beach and dig our feet into the sand and the waves begin to topple onto our bare feet. The ocean breeze flows as the front moves onto the land, sending chills up my spine. Kai and I sit in silence, hand in hand. I feel a cold wind surge through, making me rub my hands over my frost arms. 

"Cold?" Kai asks, breaking the silence. 

"Very," I shiver. 

"Be right back," He says, quickly running back to the group. Seconds later, he arrives with a blanket and wraps us both beneath, shielding us from the cold and protecting our warmth. 

I lean my head on his shoulder, "Thanks, I love you, just so you know."

He chuckles slightly and says, "Love you too." 

"You love him?" 

That voice, wasn't mine or Kai's. 

I turn around, startled, as does Kai, confused.

"Colby?" I stutter.

"Ash? You love him?" He stands, asking again with bewilderment.

"Yeah! But not like that..."

"You just said you loved him, I don't need anymore bullshit in my life," He sternly puts and stomps away, back up the beach. 

I throw my hands in the air, "Why must the world hate me!" 

"That's a lie," Kai laughs.

"This isn't funny!" I cry, standing up. 

"So is that the guy?" He asks.

"Yeah..."

"And you're throwing him a party?"

"Yeah..."

"The things you do Neil," He chuckles. 

"Yeah..."

"Well don't just stand there saying 'yeah' go after him, idiot!" 

"Right. Okay!" I holler, running after Colby. 

I sprint after the boy who I thought was a lost cause. The guy who made me want to actually kill myself every time I saw his presence in the school hallway. The guy who kissed my best friend and dated her to tick me off. The guy who I absolutely hate.

Because I like him. 

The reason why we are rivals is all on him. 

The reason why everything is so difficult is because we're rivals. 

I hate liking my rival. 

But here I am, chasing after him. 

--------------------------------------------------------

bum bum bahhhhhh! CLIFF HANGER BITCHES. Also, THANKS FOR 5K+ READS AH, YEAAAA. 

I finished this chapter today and I'm so behind on my writing schedule because it's been a HELLA hectic week. I did relay for life with the American Cancer Society and we raise $750 and it was SO much fun, I recommend you do it:) It was a beautiful event, I loved it. I also have a math test tomorrow and I'm pretty stressed because I need to maintain my A average. LOL. I'm really glad I got to write today and finish the chapter. Hope you enjoyed! As always, love y'all.

COMMENT, *VOTE*, AND SHARE!! DON'T BE SHY, FEEDBACK IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED<3

comment, "chasing colby since I started breathing" if you read up to here;)

hugs, kt