“Dude..what the fuck?” Milo began and I quickly stood before excusing myself and headed for the bathroom..the place I always seem to go after running into Caspian. Why does he hate me so much?
I rushed into one of the stalls, the tears temporarily blinding my vision as I tried to take deep breaths in and out.
Maybe I am just a waste of space..someone who doesn’t belong here..why did I think I would be able to do this? I didn’t even last an hour before Caspian broke me down.
“Johnnie?” Robin’s voice suddenly echoed through the large bathroom, making my stomach tie into knots as I quickly swiped away those treacherous tears.
“Yeah?” I called out, trying to keep my voice steady as I heard footsteps approaching me.
“Can I come in?” She suddenly asked, making me furrow my brow as I froze for a moment, not sure what to do. This was new.
“Umm..okay.” I blurted before opening the stall and stepping back.
Robin quickly slid in and locked the door, making me look down at the ground awkwardly.
Robin was a few inches taller than me but at this moment..I felt like a speck in comparison.
“What was that about? Why did you let him talk to you like that?” She suddenly blurted
Her words made me blink rapidly before glancing up at her.
“What do you mean?” I asked, prompting her to let out a long sigh.
“I know what I said was shitty..but to be honest..when I first met you I was surprised you were related to Ben..not because of what he said..but because you were so shut off and quiet..” She explained..making me nod as I could see what she meant. Ben was the life of the party..and well me..I was nothing..just like Caspian always said.
“But what Caspian said was not cool, like really..he is such a prick. Does he talk to you like that a lot?” She suddenly asked, making me shrug..I didn’t know if I could trust Robin fully..this really was the first time she was being somewhat nice to me.
“Come on, stick with me okay? I won’t let him get away with that shit. I know Ben and your mom really want you here..I guess me too.” She added with a playful smile before bumping her hip into mine and making me laugh.
I was surprised Caspian treated me that way in front of other people to be honest..usually it’s only in private..so to see that someone else thought it was shitty kind of made me feel better.
“Thanks Robin.” I whispered, feeling like I was seeing a side of her that I never knew existed.
“Of course, now let’s go out there and give Caspian some side eye while we whisper judgmental things about him a little too loudly. It wouldn’t hurt to knock him down a few pegs.” She smiled brightly before reaching up and fixing my hair.
“By the way, Milo was right, you do look hot..so fucking own it okay?” She stated before smiling at me and turning to walk out of the bathroom.
I was left speechless as I followed beside her, trying to take her words and use them as we headed back toward our gate.
I watched as multiple guys looked our way, smiling and turning their heads towards us as they checked Robin out…well..I thought it was just Robin until some guy walked straight up to us.
“Excuse me, I don’t do this very often..but I was wondering if you had time before your flight to grab a drink?” An older guy asked me, he looked to be Ben’s age and I just stood there in shock.
“Sorry, but she is not only underage but also has a boyfriend.” Robin said rudely before yanking me along as I gave the guy an apologetic look.
“Maybe next time the asshat should take off his wedding ring before hitting on a girl.” She scoffed and I hadn’t even noticed..I was too busy being shocked that he was talking to me and not Robin to realize I guess.
“Oh, there’s Ben and Alder with our coffee..come on.” She said with another sultry smile and you know what..I can see it..if this is the side of Robin that Ben always gets..then no wonder he is head over heels for the girl..This version of Robin is actually kind of awesome..
(Johnnie)
We had just landed in the Melbourne Orlando International Airport after our long six-hour flight and I have to say I am pretty damn proud of myself.
I managed to stay away from Capsian for most of the time and actually had fun with Alder, Robin, and Ben. We were sitting in the seats across from each other and Alder and I even watched the same movie.
Eventually, I fell asleep leaning against Alder and by the time I woke up, we had already landed.
We were now in the caravan as I peered out of the window with excitement humming through me.
Cocoa Beach..the place we have come to every summer for the past ten years.
David King owned a house right next to the beach..yeah..it was ridiculous..it just shows how wealthy this man truly is. This will be our sixth year coming to this house and I can’t wait to be there again. Not only does it have a private pool, a gaming room, and a tennis court..but it is only a few minutes walk to the beach.
“Okay everyone, before we get there remember that you need to put sunblock on and bring your water with you at all times. I’m serious..we don’t want what happened to Jo last year to happen again.” My mom suddenly chimed in, making me frown from her using me as an example.
Okay..I might’ve forgotten to reapply my sunblock last year and got horribly burned..I looked like a damn lobster..but not this year..I made sure to pack a few extra bottles, plus this cute little Keychain one that Anna grabbed for me. I even applied some as soon as we landed.
I watched as Caspian scoffed before giving my mom a cold look. I couldn’t help but study him, wondering what he was thinking as he peered back out the window. Watching his reflection…I swear sadness filled his eyes..if only for a second..I saw some type of emotion.
Could Caspian be having a harder time with this than he is letting on? I doubt he would ever tell me..plus..I’m done trying with that Neanderthal.
“Jojo, you want to go straight to the beach with me like old times?” Alder suddenly asked, making a smile pull at my lips as I nodded my head happily.
Ben, Alder, Caspian, and I would always run straight to the beach as soon as we got to the house..we didn’t even wait to unpack or change..we just ran to the ocean and would jump in..it was kind of our tradition. But for the past few years, we haven’t..we stopped the same year Caspian began bullying me before Dad died.
“Count me in.” Ben suddenly chimed in as Robin frowned before Ben began giving her puppy eyes.
“Fine..geez..you are ridiculous.” She said before rolling her eyes and fighting a smile.
“Cass? What about you?” Alder asked his brother as Caspian’s large frame didn’t even budge.
“No thanks.” He stated firmly, his eyes still staring out the window as we passed those familiar places we would visit every summer.
“I will, if that’s cool with you guys.” Milo asked wearily as he looked back, glancing towards me briefly.
“Of course dude.” Alder responded happily before slapping Milo on the back in a friendly way.
I could feel the excitement building the closer we got to the house..my eyes scanning over palm trees and old restaurants that we frequented throughout the years and then we turned down the private road that led to a large gate.
Dave pulled the car to a stop and spoke with the security guard before showing his ID and gaining access.
I moved to the edge of my seat..feeling that itch to get some sand beneath my toes as Dave turned down the street and that’s when the gorgeous house came into view. The outside was a light grey and blue color with two huge palm trees in the yard.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.