My Shifted Life

Chapter 2 - Lettie

“So, Mum, we are just going to go hang out on the beach for a bit.” I try my luck. I don’t expect for a second that she will let me go, but I can’t wait to see Bren, I have been daydreaming about tonight all week. He did invite me tonight, so I guess that kinda makes it a date, right? I hope so, I’m calling it a date anyway. But asking my mum for permission to go was a terrible idea, she’s never going to let me go. I should never have mentioned it, I should have just snuck out after she goes to work. Why did I even bother asking?

“Who’s we?” My mum enquires thoughtfully.

“Me and some friends from school.” I reply with a slight exaggeration, I’m not sure I would actually class anyone who is going to be there tonight as a friend.

“You don’t have friends from school, you’ve only been at that school for 2 months.” My mum says as if she’s reading my thoughts.

“I know, but I am an expert at making friends. I’ve had lots of practice.” I grit my teeth and put on a huge fake grin. Mum knows I don’t like moving so much. I would much rather stay in one place and really get to have some proper friends, but Mum always gets restless after a few months so we keep moving.

“Be back at 11:30.” Mum says eventually, but she sounds unsure about it.

“Really. You’re going to let me go?” Wow. I did not see that coming.

“Mmmm. I guess so. Just don’t be late back.” She says hesitantly.

“Thanks Mum, you are the best.” I say whilst giving her a hug.

I walk out of the campervan, across the campsite, and along the path at the side of the road that leads down to the beach. I am half way there, when I am illuminated from behind by the headlights of a motorbike. I turn around and watch the bike get closer. It’s not really dark yet, but I can see the sun is starting to set making the sky all pink and romantic looking. Could this night get any better?

The bike stops at the side of the road next to me.

“I thought you weren’t coming.” The rider says, lifting up the visor of his helmet revealing his gorgeous, deep brown eyes.

“I guess I thought of something.” I say with a smirk. “I gotta be back for 11:30 though unfortunately.”

“Great. Jump on. I’ll give you a lift.” Bren says stepping off the bike to lift the seat and remove a spare helmet that he holds out to me. I accept it, of course I do. This is like all of my dreams coming true at once. I put the helmet on and climb on behind him. I try to hold onto the back of the seat awkwardly, but I feel like I am going to fall off at any second.

“You have to hold on to me.” He says laughing at how ridiculous I must look.

“Oh ok.” I say back, placing my hands one on either side of his waist. He suddenly accelerates and I fall into his back. I grab harder on to him, circling my arms around his perfectly muscled waist. He must work out a lot to be so perfectly muscled, but I have never seen or heard of him doing any sports at school. Hell, I don’t know what he does at school, other than walk around looking as hot as hell, and getting into trouble.

“That’s better.” He shouts over the sound of the engine, although I can’t help but wonder what it would be better for, scaring me half to death?

We arrive at the area of the beach where the bonfire is piled up. Bren parks the motorbike close by and helps me climb off, before climbing off himself.

“Did you enjoy the ride?” He asks staring at me, as I stare at my fingers, which have turned white with clinging on to him for dear life.

“Yes, it was great.” I say back, not so sure if it was.

“Good.” he says as he takes the helmet from my head and places it back under the seat. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to some people.”

He takes my hand in his and leads me towards the bonfire that someone has now lit. I suddenly realise I am holding hands with him. If only my hand had got some feeling back in it.

“Lettie this is Tommo, Jace and Frankie. Everybody this is Lettie. She’s new in town.” Bren says introducing me to three cute guys, that are stood a short distance away from the bonfire.

“Great. Nice to meet you. So how do you two know each other?” One of the guys asks.

“School. Lettie is always in the music rooms, and you know how much time I spend there.” Bren says to the guy whilst smiling at me.

“Only cos you always have detention there. I’m not even sure why you chose music, you hate it.” One of them jibes.

“I thought it would be an easy option. No writing. Anyway, detention in the music rooms is amazing when you can listen to Lettie sing the whole time.” He beams at me.

“So it’s deliberate then.” I enquire.

“Of course. No one gets that many detentions in music without trying.” Bren replies smiling, but lets go of my hand as soon as he spots a beautiful girl walking up the beach towards us, her long, bleached, perfectly straightened hair and short white dress blow in the wind as she walks. It almost looks like she is auditioning for a commercial for cologne except for the hateful glare she gives me as she gets close. I roll my eyes and turn away looking behind us towards the bonfire, as if it is the most amazing thing I have ever seen.

“Hey Max. Good to see you.” One of the guys says to her.

“Hey Frankie.” She replies in a saccharine sweet voice. “Tommo, Jace.” The lack of introduction to me and Bren was as subtle as a freight train hitting a brick wall. “b***h!” Hattie says in my head, and I can’t help but snicker.

“What’s so funny?” She demands with her hands on her hips, trying to look intimidating but looking like a stupid little girl. I bite my lip trying to stop the giggles, but the more she stares at me, the more ridiculous she looks and the harder it is to contain.

“Hey, I’m talking to you?” She shouts getting close to my face, as I now bite my tongue, trying really hard not to say what I really want to say to her.

“Max, leave it.” Bren says gently whilst staring intently at the sand.

“Ugh, you guys are so lame.” She shouts before turning to walk away to a group of equally mean looking girls.

“You shouldn’t piss Max off.” One of the guys says to me.

“Why not?” I ask trying not to sound bothered by the confrontation.

“She will make your life miserable.” Bren replies still looking down.

“She certainly knows how to make you lot miserable, I thought this was supposed to be fun.” I don’t care if she wants to make what little time I have left here miserable. I know I won’t be here much longer and I can give as good as I get, granted most of the time it’s only Hattie that gets the short end of my temper, but I’m sure I can handle my own with Max. I can feel the group of mean girls looking over in our direction, and I turn around and give them a playful little wave, which is met by a scowl from each of them.

“Let’s go for a walk.” Bren says turning to me and offering his hand. I take it without hesitation, of course I do, and we start to walk away from the group towards the lighthouse. It’s beautiful and quiet down this part of the beach, and the lighthouse gives a gentle glow to the sand.

“I’m sorry about that.” Bren says as we get further along the beach.

“About what?” I ask innocently.

“Max.” He replies quietly.

“Do you really want to talk about her?” I ask, letting go of his hand and turning to face him. He stares at me with a small shy smile on his face.

“No, I don’t want to talk about anything right now.” He reaches both his hands into mine and pulls me gently towards him.

“Good.” I say standing on my tiptoes and reaching up to meet his lips with mine. He lets go of my hands, and puts his hands around my waist, whilst I place my arms around his neck. His kiss is soft and gentle, not how I had expected him to kiss at all. Not that I have been picturing kissing him every night since the first day I saw him. Slowly the tip of his tongue reaches into my mouth and gently licks against my tongue. His hands start to move down from my waist and rest over my arse. It feels so amazing, and I never want it to end but I can’t breathe, I realise for some reason I’ve been holding my breath, and we both pull apart. As soon as we have had time to gulp in a few breaths, I reach back up to kiss him again. I am determined to get the most out of the time I have alone with him. Who knows what will happen after tonight.