Untamed

Meeting you

I grabbed the volleyball before it could roll away and raised my gaze when a shadow fell over me. “This must be yours,” I said holding the volleyball out to him. It must have been quite a show and I felt remarkably flustered for being the one who got knocked off my board.

He was barely holding himself together not to break out from laughter. “Yeah, I am really sorry about that.” He apologized and accepted the volleyball.

“You don’t really look apologetic.” His smile was filled with amusement.

“Are you okay?” He then asked, holding out his hand to me.

I ignored his outstretched hand and pushed to my feet on my own. “I’m fine,” I grumbled, rubbing my butt where I hit the ground.

“You don’t need me to call you a doctor or even perform CPR? I might just get locked up because I don’t know how to do CPR correctly.” I just gave him a bland look. Not really impressed with his so-called joke.

This wasn’t the first time I fell off my skateboard. My body is covered in healed scars and scrapes from hitting the ground a few times. I just never had a moment where a volleyball threw me off. “I’m good,” I replied, bluntly when I crouched down to pick up my board.

“You do realize that this is not the skatepark.” He pointed out.

I tilted my head to the side. “And you have a whole beach stretched out before you and somehow you hit me against the head with a volleyball.” I bit back.

His smile caught me by surprise. “I was a bit distracted.”  He admitted, his eyes striking baby-blue eyes gleamed with humour.

This guy was made up from every girl’s fantasy. He was tall, lean, tanned bronze skin of spending too much time in the sun, broad tone shoulders and then a face that a girl wouldn’t forget easily. His brown hair was pushed back by sunglasses resting on top of his head. A tattoo running up from his arm to his shoulder.

His striking blue eyes kept mine captive against their own free will and I couldn’t convince myself to look away from them.

“Is this your way of flirting?” I questioned.

“Is it at least working?” Definitely arrogant.

I snorted at how smug he sounded. “You should really work on your people skills.” I turned away from him to walk away but he stopped me.

“What’s a New Orleans girl doing here in Los Angeles?” He asked smiling.

It was pretty much obvious that I have an accent that I started to regret always protesting that I don’t have an accent. “That obvious?” I muttered.

“The accent pretty much gives it away.” He noted with a smile. He was one of those people that got more handsome even when you thought it wasn’t possible. I noticed the dimples on each of his cheeks and a piece of me was staring at him with awe. I’m a sucker for a man with dimples.

“Good to know,” I mumbled. I really wanted to get away from him. I know too well what guys like him could do to a girl who finds his charms attractive.  

I didn’t even notice that we had company until a girl dressed in a very exposed bikini called out to him. “Travis! Come on.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him and at the same time threw her long silk hair over her shoulder to get his attention or she just wanted me to know that he is already taken.

He didn’t acknowledge her right away as kept looking at me but he must have realized that she wasn’t going to leave anytime soon. So, he handed her the volleyball and whispered something to her that made her smile even though she was burning holes through my face with her eyes but she started to leave eventually.

“Do you want to join us for a few games?” He asked. “We’ve got beer on ice.” He added, motioning to his group of friends and girls I had no desire to hang out with.

I shook my head. “Tempting but I think I’ll pass.” I respectfully declined.

“Look, I’m really sorry for what happened. Are you sure I can’t maybe buy you something to drink?” I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes at him. This guy was really something.

“I am fine and as I said. I think I will pass.” I dropped my skateboard, got on and made my way further down the sidewalk.

I made my way through town, grabbing myself a milkshake from a stand and continued to take in the big city when I came across a dance studio. My feet halted and I couldn’t seem to make them walk. They stood glued to the ground as I gazed through the window and watched the dancers moving to the beat of the music.  

Dancing was something that used to be my passion before my life spun out of control.

I would have received a scholarship to join one of the finest contemporary dance schools in New York but I let that bridge burn to the crisp because I was caught between a good heart and a rambling spirit that wanted to raise absolute hell.

Dancing was at a time the only thing that made sense to me. The feeling of losing control while your body moved to the chords of a song is priceless. The world outside of the dance studio didn’t matter for that moment.

I messed up any chance of ever returning. No one would want me on their team not after what I did.

I dropped my empty cup into the bin and made my way down to the beach. This time I at least survived without being hit against the head. I was sitting on the beach watching surfers take on massive waves. A familiar face stood out when he took on a wave and actually made it through to the end and did not get caught by the wave.

He was definitely impressive and I wasn’t the only one who was expressing my approval.  

I decided to call it a day when the sun started to set and everyone else was making their way back home. I was making my way down the sidewalk minding my own business when a truck pulled up next to me. “Well, I would say that this is fate, sugar.” A familiar voice spoke. I quirked an eyebrow at the endearment he used for me and looked at him while I continued to walk.

He was slowly following me. Unbothered by the other cars behind him.

“Fate?” I asked. “Don’t flatter yourself.” Knowing it was a bad idea to entertain him but I just couldn’t stop my mouth from not wanting to co-operate. “You hit me against the head with a volleyball, remember? I don’t call that fate.”  

He actually smiled at my smart-ass remark. Even his friends who were in the truck with him smiled.

“This is the second time we cross paths. I call that fate.” I controlled the urge to roll my eyes.

“Not from where I am from,” I muttered.

“Can I give you a ride?” He then asked.

“I’m good. I’ve got wheels.” I gestured to my skateboard that was safely tucked underneath my arm.

“You don’t really say yes to friendly gestures, do you?” He noticed.

I shrugged. “In the end, they are not really friendly gestures because everyone wants something in return.” I’ve learned that the hard way.

He seemed to really think about it before he answered. “Not everyone wants something in return. Some of us, truly mean it as a friendly gesture.” I hid my smile.

I looked around and then realized that I had no idea where I was. He would probably know because he lives around here. “Fine, but pull any tricks on me and you will wish you didn’t.” My father taught me some moves to defend myself if I ever need them.

His answer was a smile and then a salute. His friend who was sitting in the front moved to the back seat. I slipped in beside him and then greeted everyone. “This is Zack, Connor and Jacob.” He introduced everyone. “I’m Travis.” I kind of figured since the girl back at the beach called him Travis.

“So, where am I heading?” He asked putting the truck in drive.

I gave him the name of the dormitory and he immediately knew where it was. “Ah, so you are a student at UCLA.” He noted.

I nodded. I didn’t ask him how he knew about it since he lived around here. He would know. His friends were making small talk and all of them seemed different from what I am used to. Even when Travis talked to me. He almost seemed kind.

He pulled up in front of the dormitory and turned to me when we came to a stop. “There you are, sugar.”

“It’s Jaylin.” I corrected him.

His smile widened. “Quite an unusual name.” He remarked.

“Yeah, my dad wanted a boy but instead here I am.” I joked, which earned me a round of laughter. “Thanks for the ride. See you around.” Not that I was planning on seeing him anytime soon.

I grabbed my skateboard and got out when Zack opened the door for me.

I started walking towards the entrance when Travis spoke up. “I will definitely see you around, sugar.”

I didn’t bother correcting him about my name. I just turned around and made my way.