Waves: Chapter 9- Lead The Way

Waves: Chapter 9- Lead The Way

"Party my house!" Dean announces very loudly to the whole school during lunch.  He then plops back down in the seat next to me. "You better all be coming." Dean says to our table where we have Macy sitting next to James (who she is still dating), Kara and Nick, and Dylan and Mason's flings of the week Georgia and Nina. It has kind of become an annoying couple's table with me and Dean being the only non-couple.

"Sounds good." Nick says and Kara nods in agreement.

"I will be there." Macy says.

"Me too." James joins in.

There is another couple of replies and it is decided that everyone is going.

"What about you, Lala?" Yeah, Dean and I got drunk one night and he accidentally called me Lala and it stuck. Mostly because he knows how much I hate it.

"I thought we agreed that you would stop calling me that. And sure, I will go." I shrug.

"No, you agreed. And great. You can help me set up then." He grins.

"Fine." I sigh. "If I have to." I fake being sad at the prospect of helping him.

I have been here a month already and dad still hasn't been found. So I am still staying here and I have grown much more attached to these people than I expected. It has been great catching up with Macy and I love spending time with Dean. Being at a normal school and on the surf team has been good too. Makes me feel like I belong somewhere. That I am a part of something.

After school, I walk into Dean's car and head to his house to prepare for the party and hang out like we usually do. I have avoided the hotel as much as possible. I usually spend my evenings at either Macy or Dean's house.

"So we need to get alcohol for this party." I say as we walk into his very large mansion. 

"I can use my fake ID." Dean shrugs as I go and grab myself a glass of water and start walking to his room. 

"Can I stay here tonight? Linda wanted to have a family dinner tonight and I am still avoiding her." I tell him.

"That's cool. Dad is on another business trip for the next few weeks and mum went on some spa retreat for a long weekend or something." Dean tells me before lying back on his bed.

I go to his walk in closet and grab my yellow bikini. Okay, so I have kind of made myself at home a little. Or you know, a lot.

I change in the closet and make my way back out, pulling on my white board shorts. "So why the sudden party?"

"I don't know." he says looking away from me.

"You are lying." I state.

"No I am not." he says blushing now. 

You see, really, Dean is a bit of a softy. He just tends to act a bit like a cold hearted and self centred rich kid at school. For reasons that are still unknown to me, he has built up some walls that I have mostly managed to knock down just as he's knocked down most of mine.

"Come on. Tell me! Please!" I beg now joining him on the bed.

"No." he says frowning.

"So you were lying! Tell me! Please, please, please. I will do anything?"

"Anything?" He says suggestively.

"Well maybe not anything." I roll my eyes. "So why would you throw a party for any reason other than to get drunk? It's not just that cause we could do that whenever. It's not for attention because you wouldn't swoop that low. Is it a girl?" he looks away. "Oh my god it is! Who? Tell me?" I start begging him again.

"No way." 

"Yes way. Come on. I thought were meant to be best friends!" I point out.

He sighs and then looks me in the eye. "Fine. I like someone. But she is with someone else, so it's not gonna happen. I figured that if I had a party she would come over." Dean finally explains. "Is that lame?"

"No, of course not. Will you tell me who?"

"Not yet." he says. "Forget about it, okay?" he asks.

"Fine." I sigh.

"Great. Now let's go to the beach." Dean says before kissing me and then dragging me out of his room.

So we still kiss and make out every so often but we really are only friends. I don't have any romantic feelings for him and he doesn't like me that way either. And we only do it in private. No one knows, not even Macy. 

To be honest I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't met Dean. It sure would make all of this a lot harder.

***

"It is party time! Your first high school party! I am so excited." Macy rambles after school on Friday. 

"Stop it with the firsts. They are overrated." I roll my eyes as I walk into my room.

It is the first time I have let Macy come over to the penthouse and that is only because I know mum is on a business trip and I wanted back up in case I bumped into Layla.

"Fine. Onto the important part. Your outfit! I think you should wear this." She holds up a dust blue and shiny silver dress with lace detailing. It is tight and goes down to about mid-thigh with a round neckline. It was actually perfect.

"I don't remember buying that." I look at it quizzically.

"That is because I picked it out when we went shopping before you started school last month." she reminds me.

"Oh. Okay." 

"Do you want any help getting ready?"

"Nah. I am good. Gotta go over to Dean's soon anyway so I will probably get ready over there." I tell her.

"You sure do spend a lot of time over there." She says skeptically. "You sure nothing is going on?"

"Yeah, we are just friends. Only friends. Why are you so interested?" I ask her.

"I am not!" She says defensively.

"Yes, you are."

"I think I am going to break up with James." she blurts out.

"Why?" I ask confused. I thought she was happy with James.

"I just feel like... like there is something missing. No passion. I think I am gonna end it tomorrow. I don't want to ruin the party tonight." she admits.

"Have you and James...?"

She looks at me surprised. "No, we haven't had sex." 

"Have you ever?" I ask curiously.

"Yes." she admits.

"Really? With who?" I ask.

"This guy who graduated last year. His name is Adam. We dated for six months and he is the only guy I have ever slept with. He broke up with me at the start of summer." she admits looking sad.

"So James is a rebound?"

"Not really. I have dated a couple of guys, had a few summer flings and random drunken hookups. I am still getting over Adam but I was never in love with him. I just cared about him a lot." she explains.

"It sounds like breaking up with James is a good idea." 

"What about you? Have you ever done it?" 

"No." I admit blushing.

"Really?" she is shocked.

"Yeah. It is kind of impossible to have a relationship when you never stay anywhere longer than a month or two." 

"Makes sense. Maybe you can have your first relationship whilst you are here." she says.

It is kind of bittersweet being here. I love having my friends and being a part of something. But then the only reason I am here is because dad is missing. Is it awful that a teeny tiny part of me wants to stay despite that meaning that dad wouldn't be found? What am I thinking? Of course it is. I love dad more than anyone in the world. I would choose him being safe and happy than my life here anyway. Even it the thought is almost too painful to bear. 

"I miss him." I say quietly.

"Of course you do." Macy instantly understands who I am talking about and comes to sit next to me on the bed.

"It has been over a month and there has been no word from him! I feel like maybe I should be doing something. To help instead of sitting here worrying about homework and parties." I ramble.

"If there was anything you could do then you would already be doing it. All you can do is wait for him to be found." she reminds me.

"Okay. You're right."

"You bet I am." She says brightening the mood.

We continue chatting for a while and then Macy drops me off at Dean's house. Since being here, I managed to get a job and that combined with my savings I have been debating buying a cheap car that I could always sell when I leave but I haven't decided if it is worth it or not. I am getting fed up of relying on people for lifts and it would make it easier to haul my surfboard around.

"You are here!" Dean opens the door excitedly. 

"Yes. Just like I said I would. Have you been drinking already?" I ask him as I walk up to his room and leave my stuff there.

"Maybe a little." He shrugs.

I laugh. "Okay, so we only have about three hours to set up and get ready before people come over." I remind him as I now make my way into the large hall space by the entrance of the mansion. This place was freaking huge.

"Cool. I already got the drinks." 

"Yes, I can see that." I say gesturing to the very large pile of beer, vodka, tequila, and Jack Daniels. He also already bought lemonade, coke and juices to mix the vodka with. "Did you get any food?" I ask him looking around.

He grabs my hand and pulls me into the kitchen where I see large piles of crisp packets. "I also preordered like twenty pizza's that are already paid for." 

"Wow. Someone is organised. Or was over excited." 

"What? Is it too much?" He asks nervously.

"No. It is great. Hopefully people will bring their own stuff too. Now lets sort out the furniture."

"Furniture?" he looks at me confused.

"You have never planned a party before have you?" I laugh.

"Nope. Lead the way, boss." he jokes and we set off to prepare for the party.

***

So here is another chapter! What did you think?

Waves: Chapter 8- A Friend Date

Waves: Chapter 8- A Friend Date

"So when you have aggregate demand, there is economic growth and-" Mr Terrance is interrupted when someone walks into the classroom late. And not just anyone. "Dean. Nice to see you finally turned up to school. Had a nice summer?" Mr Terrance asks him slightly sarcastically.

"Good to see you too, Mr T. My summer was good." Dean smirks and then grins when he sees me. "Lana. Interesting to see you here." he plops down on the empty seat next to me. 

I see Mason glare at Dean from the other side of me. Well this is awkward.

"What are you doing here?" I whisper. "I thought you were eighteen?"

"I am, but I went down a year a few years ago." He whispers back.

"Where have you been since I have been here? I haven't seen you around since I started going here." I point out.

"I was in New York for a while. Then in LA until Thursday. So I just started the year late." he shrugs.

"You are not really a rule follower, are you?" I joke.

"Nope. They are only there to be broken." he smirks.

"Of, course." I roll my eyes and go back to paying attention to Mr Terrance's lecture. 

However, a few minutes later Dean starts whispering again. "So I hear you are on the surf team." 

"Ssh. I am trying to listen. And yes I am." I answer without looking at him.

"I am just trying to get to know you better after what happened on Friday night. I had a great time." he grins when I look at him.

I also notice Mason out of the corner of my eye now looking at us with interest. Oh god. I am sitting in between two guys that I randomly made out with. That just makes this situation so much better.

"Look, I had a great time too. But get to know me out of class, okay?" I ask him.

"Fine. Then you are having lunch with me." 

"I was meant to meet up with Macy later." 

"After school?" he suggests.

"Can't. Surf team practice." I inform him.

"Then why don't I meet you at the end of practice and we hang out after?"

"Okay," I smile. "Sounds good."

"It's a date." I am about to open my mouth when he sees the look of my face. "I mean not an actual date. I mean not that you aren't-" he rambles which is actually kind of adorable.

"A friend date." I interrupt his rant. 

"Yeah. Awesome." Then the bell goes off. "See you later." he says before standing and leaving to go to his next class. Or you know, skipping. Whatever Dean gets up to. 

"So you and Dean, huh?" Mason comments.

I roll my eyes. "It's not like that."

"That is what it seems like." he says frowning.

"You know, it almost sounds like you are jealous." I joke.

"Me, jealous?" he responds almost too quickly. "No, Dean just has a reputation. That's all." 

"Well, from what I have heard, he's not the only one." I comment before leaving to go to my next class.

***

"So what is this I hear about Dean and you flirting in Economics?" Macy asks me as we unload some of the surfboards from Dylan's jeep at the beach later that day.

"We were not flirting!" I insist. "And how did you hear about that anyway?"

"So there was something to hear about! And Mason mentioned something about it." she answers.

"Well nothing happened. We were just talking." I tell her. 

"Oh, really? Just talking?"

"Yes!" I insist again.

"How do you know Dean anyway?" 

I can feel my cheeks heat up instantly. "Uh..."

"Uh?" she waits for an answer.

"Ikindofmadeoutwithhimonfridaynightwhenwewentskinnydipping." I mumble very quickly.

"What?" she looks at me confused.

I look around to make sure that no one from the surf team is listening to our conversation. "I kind of made out with Dean. On Friday night when we went skinny dipping." I whisper.

Her eyes widen. "YOU WHAT?" she yells getting the attention of everyone else.

"Nothing to see here!" I yell to them and they go back to their own conversations before I face Macy. "You didn't need to tell the whole planet. Actually I don't think China heard you. Want to say that louder?" I say sarcastically.

"Sorry. I just can't believe you have already made out with the hottest guy in school after only being here a week." 

Yeah and your brother. I add in my head.

"It was nothing really. I mean sure he is a good kisser. But I don't have feelings for him or anything." I tell her.

"So you aren't going to date him like Mason said?" 

"Forget what Mason said. We are hanging out. As friends." I explain.

"Okay. But let me know if anything changes." she winks before we head out to join the others in the water.

We had regionals coming up soon. There was a team event and then there were the individual events too. We were competing for both, so if any of us are eliminated individually then we can still compete in the team event, as long as the team isn't eliminated that is. But it also meant double the work, so we are all training hard. I have to admit though. We are pretty good. Then again I spend almost all of my free time surfing. I go out every morning before school, and then practice is on Monday and Wednesday and a long session every other Saturday. I also tend to surf for fun after school on non-practice days anyway. If we get through regionals we agreed that we will probably increase training hours. On Saturdays we also do conditioning which includes a lot of swimming, running, pushups, sit ups and more.

"Well that was exhausting." Kara sighs as we exit the water.

"Yeah,  Mason is a slave driver." Dylan whines which causes him to receive death glares from Mason. 

"You guys are wimps." I joke. 

"Wimps? No way. That was tough." Nick joins in.

"We need to be ready for regionals." Mason reminds us on a more serious note.

"We have two months." Macy joins in. 

"Then we need to work harder." I say.

"Harder?" Dylan looks at me like I have grown three heads. 

"It is important. We need to place in order to make it into sectionals." I argue.

"She is right." Mason says agreeing with me for once.

"Wow, if you two are agreeing on something then it must be important." Macy jokes.

"Lana!" I hear someone call from further up the beach. I look up to see Dean.

"Ooh, Lover boy is here. Have fun." Macy winks.

"We are just friends" I remind her. "I will see you guys tomorrow." I say before leaving them.

"Hey, you." I greet him.

"Hi. You ready to go?" 

"Yeah, I just need to shower, change and drop off my board." I say as we start walking to the hotel which is only a ten minute walk away. 

Other than Layla, Macy and Mason, the only people who knows where I live is Dylan and Dean. I told Dean everything that was going on during the gala during our long drinking session.

"Cool. How was training?" 

"Good. Tiring but don't let Mason know I said that." I joke.

"What is going on with you two?"

"Nothing is happening. Why?"

"He keeps looking at you. Like at class." Dean says.

"No he doesn't." I insist. I haven't noticed him looking at me or anything.

"Yeah. He does." he laughs. 

"No he doesn't."

"Does to."

"Does not."

"Does to." 

"Does not." 

"Does to."

"I give up." I finally say.

"Do you agree with me then?" Dean looks at me smug.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes." 

"No."

"Yes."

"N-" I start when I am suddenly lifted up into the air, causing me to drop my board and squeal like a little girl. "Let go of me!" I scream.

"Only if you admit that I am the most awesome person in the world and you suck."

"I am the most awesome person in the world and you suck!" I yell.

"You know what I mean." I am pretty sure he just rolled his eyes.

"Never!" I yell playfully.

"Okay. Get comfortable then."

"Fine, fine. You are the most awesome person in the world and I suck!" I finally say, as I feel the blood rushing to my head.

He puts me down, laughing at me. "I know." he grins.

We arrive at the hotel and head up to the penthouse so that I can get changed. 

"Just wait here. Will only be a sec." I say leaving Dean in my room as I drop my surfboard in the corner and go to the bathroom.

After a hot and steamy but short shower I grab my towel and then realise that I didn't bring my clothes in here with me. Slowly, I creep into my room to find Dean laying on my bed, texting. I walk over to grab my underwear from my walk in closet and change into my underwear and my white skinny jeans. I look around to try and find my top but I am guessing I left it in my room so I go back in and look around all the clothes that have been thrown about. I am not exactly a neat person. 

"Do you usually walk around naked when you have company over?" I jump when I hear Dean's voice.

"I forgot you were here. And no I am not naked. You have seen me in a lot less than this." I point out.

"That is true." he says grabbing my hand and pulling me on top of me on the bed.

"What are you doing?" I question him.

"I am doing this." He says before kissing me slowly. 

I kiss him back for a second before my head catches up with the situation. "You know, this isn't proving that we are only friends." 

"We are just friends. Friends that happen to kiss a bit." he says before kissing me again.

I pull back. "Fine. As long as it is only kissing and not more." I ask him.

"Deal." He agrees and I happily go back to making out on my bed.

I guess I won't be needing that top after all.

***

Hey! This chapter is a bit uneventful so, sorry. Hopefully next chapter should be more exciting.

Waves: Chapter 7- I Need Your Help

Waves: Chapter 7- I need your help

I find a door that looks like it is meant for staff and walk in to avoid the lobby. It looks like I found the kitchen. Or one of them at least, but as it was so late, I am guessing this one isn't being used. Or so I thought until in walks... 

"Dylan?" 

"Lana? What are you doing here? Looking like that? Have you been up to some trouble?" he smirks.

"Shut up. I need your help." I beg him.

"With what? Clothes?" he jokes.

"No, I need to get to the penthouse without being seen." 

"The penthouse? Why do you want to go there?" he asks reminding me that I haven't told him that I live here.

"I... uh.."

"If I am going to help you then I need you to tell me what is going on." Dylan insists.

"Fine. But promise not to tell anyone, okay?"

"I promise."

"I kind of live there." I admit.

"But Layla Hayle lives there."

"She's my sister. Our parents split and I have been living with my dad for the past eleven years. Now I need to get back before my mother finds out. Please?" I beg.

"Okay, let's go. I have an idea." he says leading me through a hall and some doors until I am lost.

Then something occurs to me. "Why are you here?"

"I work here." he admits looking slightly embarrassed.

"Oh. Okay." I shrug.

"No comment on me being so poor that I have to have a job so I don't starve?" he asks sarcastically.

"No. I have had part-time jobs for years. Actually I am looking for one now."

"Why? You are rich."

"My mother is rich. Not me. I don't want anything from that women."

"Someone has mummy issues." he jokes.

"So what? Someone has rich kid issues." I joke back.

"Good point. Now up here." 

I look up in horror. "What?! You want me to climb up twenty flights of stairs?" Was this boy crazy?

"Or you could risk going through a lobby filled with rich people and go up the elevator where they will judge you."

"Stairs it is." 

We start going up the stairs and by floor eleven I am exhausted. All that drinking, dancing, swimming and running for your life is pretty exhausting.

"I need a break." I pant, sitting down on the steps.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Just the adrenaline and alcohol wearing off." I respond as he sits next to me.

"So what happened?" he finally asks me.

"Are you sure you don't need to be somewhere? Working?" I deflect.

"No my shift just ended. Now are you going to tell me?"

"Fine." I sigh. "Just your usual story. Go to a fancy party that you are forced to go to. Meet a hot guy. Get drunk with said hot guy, go skinny dipping with him and then run away from security for breaking into a pool." I tell him the short version.

"Sounds more fun than my night." Dylan laughs. "Now come on. We have less than halfway to go." he says standing and grabbing my hand to pull me up.

"Thanks. Please don't tell anyone. Especially Mason. I know he is your best friend and all but I don't need him teasing me." 

"I won't tell him. What is the deal with you two anyway?" he asks curiously as we reach floor seventeen.

"What do you mean?"

"Is there something going on? He keeps looking at you weirdly and sometimes you guys have these moments where I feel like I am intruding." 

"That is not true!" I exclaim.

"So that has nothing to do with the make out session you guys had on the beach?" he suddenly admits.

What? "How did you know?"

"Make tells me everything." he laughs at my reaction.

"I didn't know it was him."

"So what is it with you getting drunk, going swimming and making out with strangers?" he jokes.

"Hey! Don't make me sound like some slut. It only happened twice." I admit.

"So you did make out with that guy tonight?" Damn, he caught me out.

I sigh. "Fine. Yes. You can't tell anyone this either."

"Okay, I promise. And here we are. The top floor." he says before punching in some kind of code that takes us into the living area of the penthouse. 

I never even noticed this door before. It might come in handy in future. "Thanks for your help."

"No worries." he grins. "Now if you don't mind I am going to take the elevator back down."

"Elevator?" I look at him confused.

"Lift. I forget your English words are different to American English." 

"It's not my fault I am English and not American like the rest of you lot."

"See ya, Brit." 

"Bye, American!" I call out as the lift doors close.

Wow, it has been a long night.

"What have you been up to?" I jump when I here the familiar voice.

"Bloody hell, Layla. You scared the freaking heck out of me!" I whisper as she continues to stand by her doorway, smirking.

"First Mason, then Dean and now Dylan? You sure like to sleep around a lot." she remarks.

"I do not-" I start.

"Don't bother. I'm going to bed." she turns around.

"So you aren't going to tell on me?" I ask, surprised.

She turns back to face me before grinning. "Nope. This way, you owe me." she smirks before retreating back to her room.

Well that was interesting.

***

Sorry it is very short! Sorry was too tired to proof read so sorry for misspellings and typos.

Waves: Chapter 6- Of Course, Mr Dean

Waves: Chapter 6- Of course, Mr Dean

"Where have you been?" Linda, aka my mother asks me on Friday afternoon, right after I get back to school. 

"For a surf. Why?" I mean I thought it was pretty obvious as I was soaked, sandy and wearing my bikini and board shorts.

"I have been looking for you for hours." she stands now looking a little pissed. Yeah, sure. She was looking for me. More like her assistant, Rebecca who I have grown a large disliking to, was looking for me whilst Linda was too busy on the phone, at a meeting or doing paperwork.

"Why?" It wasn't like she ever actually took the time to get to know me since the week I have been here.

"There is a charity gala tonight. You are going." 

"Why do I have to come?"

"Like it or not, you are part of this family and it is important for appearances for you to come." 

"Family. Right. Because that is exactly what we are. Having a sister who I don't know anything about, a mother who loves her job more than she even wants to spend time with me and a dad who is the only one I actually care about, who is missing and might not even be alive." I ramble.

"That is not true!" she starts.

"Yes, it is! And you know it too. You can pretend we are the perfect family but we are anything but that. I don't even know why I don't remember my own sister." 

Her face softens. "You two were close. Practically joined at hip. But she was always closer to me and you were always a daddy's girl. So when we started fighting when you two were about three, I took her with me when I had things to do and you spent time with your dad and his best friend John. You became close with his kids and then spent most of your time with them. As me and your father drifted apart, so did you and Layla. Then we split up and you went with him and Layla stayed here. I don't know why your father never mentioned Layla. That is something he will have to tell you when he comes back. Because he really is coming back, okay?" She says hopeful. 

I can spot the sadness in her eyes. Maybe I am not the only one worried about him?

"Fine, I will go." I turn to go into my room when I stop and turn back around. "I don't have anything to wear." I mean you don't exactly tend to have a large supply of ball gowns and dresses when you spend most of your time at the beach.

She smiles. "I am sure I can find something of Layla's. She has a ton of dresses that she has never worn. Follow me." 

I do as she says and takes me through what has felt like the forbidden door. I have never been in Layla's room before. I have no idea where she is right now. I would have thought she would be here getting ready.

"Layla is at the spa downstairs with her friends getting ready." She says reading my mind. "You can go and join them once we have a dressed picked out. Just tell them who you are."

I shake my head. "That's okay." Didn't exactly sound like my idea of fun.

"Let's pick something out, then." She says walking into Layla's very large walk in closet.

Who knew one person could own so many clothes? 

"What about this?" she pulls out a fluffy pink dress that resembles a marshmallow.

"Uh, not really my style." 

Then she pulls out another dress with the label still on it. "What about this one?"

Now I was never a girly girl but I had to admit it. The dress was gorgeous. Amazing really. 

"It is beautiful." I admit.

"And it will look even better on you. I have to go and get my hair done at the salon at the spa. Do you need anything else?" she asks.

"No. I can take care of everything myself. Thanks for the dress. I will make sure to put it back once it is cleaned."

"Don't worry about it. Keep it. Layla won't even notice it is gone." She says before leaving.

After showering, doing my hair and makeup and changing, I don't even recognise myself. I straightened my hair and then curled the ends so it is now hanging down to almost my waist in long, loose curls. My makeup took hours but it flawless and my dress is amazing. The skirt part is floor length and is a tulle skirt in a creamy, dust pink colour. The top part is a more cream colour than pink with thin shoulder straps and a plunge V-neckline on the front and back. The top part is also has a slight criss cross pattern of thin silver lines that glitter in the light. The whole pale colour of the dress contrasted against my tan making it stand out more. I then paired the outfit with some gold patent strapped heels. I could barely walk in the things but at least I have good practice balancing. 

After about half an hour of walking around the penthouse to get used to the heels and make sure I don't fall flat on my face, I finally head over to the lift to take me to the charity gala. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I am not exactly used to hanging out with a bunch of stuck up rich people in fancy clothes, sipping champagne. Which is exactly what I saw when I went to the far patio area which is further out and away from the main hotel and patio and pools. It was apparently mostly used for parties and things like this. It was all beautiful though. It was all outdoors with a large gazebo, fairy lights, large circular tables with white table cloths, a stage with a fancy band and people in fancy ball gowns and tuxedos. 

I quickly spot Layla and her friends chatting as they flirt their way into getting champagne. As much as I hate to admit it, Layla looked great in her long floor length white dress with a halter neckline and a chunky gold chain that holds the neckline around the neck and a long slit up the side showing off her toned legs. Her friends on the other hand looked a little bit slutty and tacky. One with a very shot dress that barely covers her butt and the other has her boobs practically falling out of her dress.

"So you look just as uncomfortable as I do." I turn to see some guy standing next to me. 

He looked about my age. Basically he looked like your typical cliche tall, dark haired bad boy. And I can only assume that because he is here then he is rich too.

"What do you mean by that?" I look at him curiously, trying to work out why he was standing here talking to me.

"You just look like you don't want to be here, that's all." he smirks.

"How do you know? Maybe I have been waiting months for this gala. Counting down the days." I lie.

"Or maybe you spent the day surfing and you didn't even start getting ready until only two hours ago. Taking your time on the beach like you had all the time in the world." Okay, creepy.

"Are you stalking me?"

He laughs. "No. I saw you at the beach earlier."

"How do you know that it was me?" I question him.

"Like I could miss that pinkish hair of yours." Oh yeah. Whoops.

"So I look uncomfortable?"

"Well a little. But still gorgeous." He flirts.

I roll my eyes. "This isn't exactly my scene." I admit to him.

"Me niether. I was kind of forced here by my parents." he reveals.

"Do you know what would make everything better?" I ask him.

"What?"

"A drink."

He laughs. "Then let's do something about that." he says grabbing my hand and leading me to the bar. 

I notice him slip the bartender some money, before the bartender hands over a bottle of vodka. The guy whose name I have yet to learn hides it in his suit jacket and then leads me over to a bench in the gardens where he uncaps the bottle and takes a large sip before giving it to me.

"What is your name by the way?" he asks me as I give him back the bottle.

I laugh. "Lana. You?"

"Dean. Well that is my last name but that is what everyone calls me." he shrugs as I take another sip.

"What is your first name?" I ask curious.

"I am no way near drunk enough to tell to tell you that." he laughs.

"It can't be that bad." 

"Oh, it is. Maybe one day I will tell you." he says mysteriously.

"One day?"

"I get the feeling that we are going to be good friends Lana. Or you know, more than friends?" he flirts again.

"Or you know, maybe not?" I joke.

We continue chatting and drinking for a while until we are both more than a little drunk, but we try to hide it as we go back into the main area where the gala is. 

"Would you like to dance?" Dean says over dramatically in a terrible english accent.

I laugh. "Of course, Mr Dean."

"Ew. That sounds like my dad." he grimaces as he grabs my hand and we start to dance along with everyone else on the dance floor.

"Oh, is he hot?" I ask him.

"I can't answer that!" He exclaims.

"Oh well. I will just have to settle for you instead then." I joke, pretending to look disappointed.

"Hey, I am awesome. You are lucky to be hanging out with me."

"Really? Maybe, you are lucky to be hanging out with me?" I respond.

"Maybe." he agrees smiling at me. "You look amazing by the way. Not many people can look just as good in a dress as they can on the beach, in a bikini covered in seawater and sand."

"Thanks." I blush slightly. "You don't look so bad yourself."

"Let's get out of here?"

"And go where?"

"Follow me. It is a surprise." He says before yet again leading me to god knows where. 

Maybe going off somewhere with a complete stranger is a pretty bad idea but for some reason I trust Dean. It is like he understands me more than any of these other rich snobs. Or even more than Macy. He understands what is like being forced into a high class society when you would rather be anywhere else.

We walk for ages until we finally get to one of the pools. Then Dean suddenly takes off his tux jacket along with hit shirt. 

"What are you doing?" I ask him confused.

"Going swimming." he pulls off his shoes.

"Have you seen this dress? It's not like I can wear a bra with it?" I exclaim!

"Then it is skinny dipping. Come on. I promise not to look. The lights are off and it is dark. I can't see anything." He promises.

I sigh. "Fine. But if you look, I will disembowel you." I threaten him and he just laughs now standing there shirtless with a very impressive six pack.

"Okay, now stop drooling and change already." I blush, looking away before turning around to take off my shoes and pull off my long dress so I am standing in only my underwear, and using my arms to cover my chest.

I feel a chill against my naked skin, giving me goosebumps as I jump in with a scream. I hear Dean laughing as I resurface.

"You kind of have a bit of makeup..." Dean says laughing.

"Oh god." I say embarrassed as I try to rub off the makeup from my eyes. "Better?"

"Yeah, you just missed a bit." He says coming closer to me and slowly lifting his hand to wipe away some of my smudged mascara away from my cheek. "There." he says quietly.

"Thanks." I barely whisper before his lips land on mine.

He kisses me slowly at first. Then as it deepens I feel shivers down my spine and pull myself closer to him, kissing him back. My legs wrap around his waist and our naked chests are pressed against each other causing me to feel almost feverish. Our kisses become more rushed as I suddenly hear a noise and then see some lights moving coming from what is probably a flashlight.

"Shit. That's security. We gotta go." he says pulling me out of the pool.

He picks up his tux jacket and wraps it around me to cover myself and then proceeds to grab his clothes as I grab mine and we take off running before security finds us. We run fast, laughing the whole way down to the side of the hotel.

"Oh my god. That was hilarious." I say panting, still in stitches from laughing so hard.

"That was brilliant. You were fast." he says grinning as he finally puts his trousers back on as he was only standing in his wet underwear. 

"Yeah you too." I say looking at my dress, really not feeling like putting it on.

"Keep the tux jacket. I have loads of them." 

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Besides you look kind of hot in it." He suddenly says taking a photo of me.

"Hey! No fair. You can't do that." I say snatching his phone. "You need to be in the photo with me." I say before pulling him next to me and aiming the camera to take a photo. But just as I press the camera button to take the photo, he kisses me. 

"Now that is the photo I want to keep." He says grinning at the picture. 

It was a good picture, and kind of hilarious as we are both soaked and only half dressed. It would be a great reminder though. I grab his phone and put my number in it before sending myself the photo. 

"There. Now we both have it." I grin.

"Great." Then his phone rings. "Shit." he frowns when he looks at caller ID. "It's my dad. I have to go. I will see you around?" 

"Sure." I say, a little sad to see him go and for the night to end. Don't you go thinking I am in love with him or anything. But I had fun. It was a fun night to get away from all the drama. I was pretty sure that the only feelings I had for him were of friendship but the kisses were a bonus.

"Goodnight." He says kissing me.

"Night." I smile as I watch him leave.

Once I was alone, I realised that I was left with only one small problem. How the heck was I meant to get back to my room unseen?

***

Here is the next chapter!