Unauthentic Arrangements

"So, what'd you think? Not too shabby, huh?" My dad says as I look around at my surroundings seeing the light blue cotton sofa and wooden rustic coffee table.  It's not really my style, if I'm being honest.   "Boy, do I have some memories in this place" My dad chirps out whilst smiling at Me and Eli as I look around at the large beach house.    "It's not home." I announce and my father puts his head in his hands sitting down on the sofa like I'd just ripped a piece of his heart out.  "I've already told you hundreds of times Astrid it was your mother's decision to finalise the divorce when we get home things are going to change, this summer is one last chance to be carefree, god Astrid be a teenage make friends, I don't want to see you in your room writing in that stupid journal of yours!" My father says as I glare at him.  "Mum would've never finalised the divorce if you never cheat......." I start to say as I stop myself and look at my father feeling guilt hit me like a ton of bricks.  "Yeah dad I will have fun, make friends and do whatever." I say robotically as I fake a smile at my father giving him the sliver of hope that he craves.  "That's my girl." He mumbles attempting to sound like a father as Eli smirks at me.  "I'm glad you said that because a couple friends from band camp want me to come to a kickback tonight, I said you'd tag along!" Eli announces walking out onto the ocean view decking as I follow him.  "And what friend is that huh? I don't remember you ever having friends." I say smugly digging at him.  "well, there's Aaron, Wes and Darian." Eli answers me as I laugh at him.  "Darian?" I ask looking at my brother smiling sweetly.  "Yeah, do you know him or something?" Eli questions looking suspiciously convinced as I laugh.  "No, I'm just surprised you know guys with such stupid ass names!” I say mockingly, smirking at my brother as he hits my arm and I yelp.  "Like Astrid's a normal name!" Eli says smirking and crossing his arms.  "Like Astrid's a Bla Bla Bla." I say mockingly sticking my tongue out.   "Just be ready for nine, okay?" Eli says as he starts to walk back into the house before I get a chance to answer. He waits at the door and turns around to face me. I take it as my chance to make a sly dig.  "I mean if I have to ass face, I guess I will!" I shout after him as he rolls his eyes and shouts back.  "You do have too!"    "Oh goodie!" I say taking my dark blue converse off and dipping my feet into the ocean, shivering feeling the cold waves hit my toes.   The time hits nine and I run out into the living room shuffling through boxes and boxes. I am looking for my black leather jacket to pair with my black skinny jeans and grey cropped vest top.  Once I find it I run out the front door. I notice Eli is standing waiting for me wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a pair of light blue swimming trunks. My eyes skim over him as I hold back an evil cackle.  "Do you have to look like such a doofus!" I say glaring at Him as he glares back at me looking rather piqued by my curtness.  "And do you always have to talk like such a naive little child? Oh wait you are nineteen what should I expect?" Eli retorts as I roll my eyes.  "Oh, I forgot, you were born two years before me you are so old dude, so are we heading out or is the party starting at the front door? I think I hear the music!” I say mockingly as he mimics me but starts to walk. I follow not far behind him.   As I walk, feeling my short legs aching, I complain, "How long?".  "Eli......" I murmur and he ignores me.  "I'm tired Eli." I complain as he looks back at me and rolls his eyes exasperated by my tired pleads.  "We've been walking five minutes, quit complaining." Eli says glaring at me as I roll my eyes. I look in front of us and see a group of guys and a couple of girls.  "Can I leave now, please?" I question feeling my social anxiety prickling my stomach.  "No, you can't, but look at that girl she's smiling so go mingle maybe get her number for me!" Eli says pushing me forward a bit too enthusiastically because I stumble forward landing in the sand underneath me as I turn and glare at him.  "Oops at least now you look a little less stiff!" He says smirking as I stand up and brush off the sand sticking to my Jeans.  "Darian my guy!" Eli says to some guy sitting behind a tree up a table sniffing God knows what.  "Eli its good to see you again man, come have a line." That Darian guy says smirking as he stands up and hugs Eli, he then looks at me then sits back down. I glare at him then turn around and start to mumble about how much I hate parties.  "Astrid what are you doing just standing there? Can you get that chick's number for me and quit looking so depressed!" Eli shouts as I turn and scowl at him.  "This isn't my scene, drugs aren't my thing and I don't ever remember them being yours Either wannabe pill popper." I snap as that Darian guy looks up at me and smirks. I just roll my eyes.  "You too good for this huh, pretty girl?” He asks lowly as I glare at him.  "Yeah, I am and what about it." I snap crossing my arms. I turn away from them both feeling bored.  I walk over to the girl smiling at me.  "Hey I'm Astrid my brother wants to know if you're single." I say smiling at the girl as my wavy dark brown hair blows in my face. I take a hair tie off my wrist and tie my messy hair back.  "Hey I'm Elle and no I'm dating Aaron. You see that guy? Yeah, the one chugging the beer upside down, that's him.” She says as I nod.  "Good to know, sorry my brother would have bugged me all night.. I figured I might as well bite the bullet and see if you were interested. Now I know that you’re not, I can walk over to him and gloat in his stupid face." I say smiling as I turn around looking at my brother as he waved and I smirk sticking my middle finger up.  "I get it, my brother's the same, so you just moved here." Elle smiles, pushing her black hair out of her face as it blows against the wind.  "For the summer only, then I'm off to college." I say feeling bitter towards my father for making me leave my mother.  "Oh, cool we go surfing every Saturday. You should totally come with your brother too!” She says smiling as I nod reluctantly.  "Yes, sure I mean if my asshole brother wants too” I say as she laughs.