Chapter 3

Saturdays, we worked the morning shift when everyone in town wanted a table for breakfast and brunch. It was way busier than Friday nights, but it meant more tips. Plus, it gave us the night off for partying.

There usually was some kind of house party or bonfire, and tonight was Cassandra's turn to host. Although we were both seniors in high school and about to graduate, she still seemed to hold her head higher and think she was above me. I gave it to her, though. I didn't want to be in charge of the cheer squad or rule the school. I liked the physical part, and a part of me knew I would be a great leader, but I didn't want to lead a bunch of girls who endlessly gossiped and made everyone else feel bad.

So I stayed in the background. Tonight would prove interesting since Cassandra and Shawn were back together. I really had thought Shawn was into me. We became quick friends while they first dated. It was maybe a year after they broke up that he finally asked me out. We went on some dates, he met Ma and Pa, and we had a lot of fun. Cassandra wasn't a fan. She would pick on me and got her best friends Alana and Kate to do it, too. Eventually, she decided she wanted Shawn back, and he went running. I haven't talked to him since.

Ma and Pa were sitting in the living room when it was time to leave for the party.

"So who is hosting the house party this time?"

"Cassandra."

"You know the rules."

"Yes, Pa. No alcohol, no drugs, and home by 1 AM."

"12 AM!"

"That was last year! Come on! 1 AM is not a big deal."

"As long as you follow the rest of the rules, then fine."

"Let the girl live, honey. She will only be a teenager once."

"See Pa, let the girl live!"

We all laughed as I went around, giving them hugs and kisses before leaving.

"See you both in the morning!"

"Be safe!"

Cassandra's house was on the other side of town. She had a lake front property. Her family was fairly well off.

I rode my bike over, so I had dressed in a pair of tight fitted jeans with a belt and a cropped, pink tube top. I threw my ash blonde hair up into a ponytail before taking off.

Once I got there, I locked my bike up to the mailbox out front and headed inside. I pulled the elastic in my hair out and let my hair fall over my shoulders. As soon as I got inside, I started my search for Ceasar. I spotted him on the back deck, making moves on a poor freshman.

"Leave the poor freshman alone, Ceasar. She isn't falling for your fake charm."

"None of this is fake."

"I'm sorry, he will find you later."

"Bye, Ceasar!" the freshman said.

"Isn't she sweet, but haven't you learned that their still too intelligent for you?"

"Ha ha, thanks, Sawyer. I'm really after that blonde from the diner, though."

"Wait! What? Their here?"

"Oh yea, and I swear I overheard the one guy asking about you."

"Which one?"

"Oh, so someone is interested?"

"Not even! I'm just wondering why their creeping me."

"Sawyer, reality is, you need to move on from Shawn."

"I have moved on!"

"Oh, you mean Tom. Tom is an idiot and you could do much better than him. He's just another dumb jock."

"So, who would be so much better? You?"

"Actually, yes. If you ever decided to cross that line with me, I'd be willing to meet you in bed," Ceasar said with a giant grin before I smacked his arm. "Ouch!"

"Go back to torturing freshman with your outdated pick-up lines. I'm going to mingle."

"Oh yes, how can I deprive the cheerleader of her duties."

Ceasar walked away as I grabbed a drink and made the rounds. I spoke to a few teammates who obviously had too much to drink before talking to a couple of the football players until I eventually found Tom. Tom was your typical jock. He was best friends with Shawn and got full permission to date me. Not that I needed permission from anyone.

"Hey babe, how are you doing?" Tom said as he wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing me in for a kiss.

He was standing out on the dock with Cassandra, Alana, Kate, and Shawn.

"I'm good!"

"You look so beautiful tonight. What took you so long to find me?"

"Just making my rounds."

"That's right, you're a popular one."

I smiled. Did he know me at all? I considered ending things, but there wasn't much to choose from. So until I leave for college, he will do.

"Hey! There's our new friend! Hey! Krewe, over here!"

"Hey, thanks for the invite."

It was him! The jerk from the diner.

"How do you know him?"

"We met tonight at the party. They seem pretty cool. Apparently, they come around town often while heading to meet up with friends. I guess someone must have invited them to Cassandra's party."

He stood there staring at me with his friends from the other night.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name?"

I smiled before responding, " Sawyer. I think I overheard your friends calling you Krewe?"

"That's right."

"Are you following me or something? It's quite a coincidence."

"Something like that. So, Sawyer, do you have a last name?"

"It's Handler, right babe?"

"That's right."

"Interesting."

"Why's that interesting? Have you heard of me?"

I noticed the way he kept staring at my necklace. As if he was memorizing it.

"I thought it would have been something else."

"Hey babe, I'll be back. Shawn and I are going to play a round of beer pong! I'll find you after."

"Alright," I said before he kissed me. I saw Krewe look at us with a hint of jealousy.

"Want to talk a bit more?"

"About what?" As I leaned against the railing of the dock.

"Hey Krewe, don't hog her. I saw her first. Remember me?"

"I do. Sorry I couldn't join you at your party. Max, is it?"

"You have a great memory," he took my hand and kissed it.

"Hey Elizabeth, let's go check out the rest of the party!" Max said before they walked away from me and Krewe.

"Do you ever take that necklace off?"

"No, why?"

"It just looks familiar, like I've seen it before."

"Like I said, my parents gave it to me before they passed away."

"Interesting."

"Yea... So why are you so interested in me?"

"No reason. Just thought I would make some new friends," his arm brushed against mine as he leaned against the railing too.

"Well Krewe, I hope you enjoy your evening. However, I must meet with a friend. See you later."

His eyes remained focused on me as I walked away. It was as if I could still see him watching me. But I couldn't because my back was facing him. His image burned in my mind. I needed to get out of here.

"Sawyer, where are you going?" Ceasar asked as he jogged up to me.

I had already made it out front to my bike by the time he joined me.

"I need to leave. I'm not feeling all that well."

"Okay, well, text me when you get home?"

"Sure."

I rode off into the night and back to the safety of home.