Begin Again

Chapter 3

"Savannah, honey!" Melissa calls through the door.

"Go away," I mumble.

I hear her sigh. "You've been locked in there for three days. I think it's time you came out."

"What? To see him?" I ask.

"You don't have to talk to him. But understand, he's your father and he loves you."

I snort. "If he really loved me, he wouldn't lie to me."

She doesn't respond, so I assume she walked away. I close my eyes to drown the world out, but then she comes barging into my room and pulls me out of bed. I groan in annoyance when she opens the curtains.

"C'mon. Today's new day. Go to the beach!" she suggests.

"I don't want to go to the beach," I tell her stubbornly, crossing my arms.

She comes behind me and pushes me towards the bathroom. "Shower now!"

I comply, deciding not to put up a fight. I take a quick shower, before putting on my bathing suit and over the top a white crop top with patterns over it and denim shorts.

I grab a beach bag and slip my phone, purse and a towel into it. Slinging it over my shoulder I put on my flip-flops and run down the stairs - hoping not to run into dad. Noticing dad isn't around I run out of the house and down the beach looking for a good spot to put my stuff down. I find a spot a a few metres from my house and from the pier.

Putting my stuff down, I grab my purse, deciding to buy ice-cream. I turn and walk in the direction of the pier and then all of a sudden something - or should I say someone - runs into me.

I close my eyes, awaiting the impact of the fall, but it never comes. I open them and come face-to-face with Joe. Just my luck. Note the sarcasm. He's holding me by the waist, my body almost touching the ground.

"Sorry! Are you okay?" he asks, pulling me up.

I ignore the tingles that run up my arms.

"I'm fine. You can let go of me now," I respond.

A faint blush covers his cheeks and he slowly lets go of me. "S-sorry."

I give him a small smile. "It's all good."

Suddenly, his face shifts from concerned to realization. " Wait, I know you! Savannah right?"

"Yep, that's me."

He gives me a boyish grin. "Here's your change by the way."

He pulls a twenty out of his shorts and hands it to me.

"Oh, its okay. I told you to keep the change," I protest.

"No, take it. Seriously," he insists.

I take it from him hesitantly. "Thanks."

"No problem," he gives me another grin.

"Hey Babe!" a voice calls, causing Joe to turn around.

I look for the source of the voice and find a girl, who looks about the same age as me. She is surrounded by two other girls and a boy, all who seem to be the same age.

"Yeah?" he asks.

"Hurry up! Don't keep us waiting!" she shouts.

"Yeah, hang on one sec," he calls, turning back to me. "Come meet my friends."

I do a double-take. "What?"

"Meet my friends."

"No, It's okay," I respond, slowly backing away.