(Third Person POV ---Sophie and Troy had spent all summer long in her parent's summer house, down in Quintana Roo. Binge-watching Spanish soap operas they rarely understood what they said, but nonetheless, loved every minute of it. Embracing their freedom of no parents around, and going shopping any chance they could. )
Sophie (Late July in Mexico, Quintana Roo)
It wasn't until the middle of summer when the third person of our trio came to join us. Our best friend, Alexa Garlik. She looked stunning like always, flaunting a Grecian tan to match her beautiful curves and making her blue eyes sparkle. She had to spend her first weeks in Greece visiting her maternal grandparents.
She told us about her adventures, and the handsome boy she'd meet while visiting her grandparents. She was very outspoken and very outgoing, but even then, she could not get Troy and me to budge on going out to the numerous clubs around the town we were staying in.
Both, Troy and I were far too responsible for our age, or so my parents say. Which was why our parents had allowed us to go on this trip alone. I had no intentions in breaking that trust my parents and Troy's grandmother had placed on us.
We made a pact the last day we were there....To make the best of our last year of high school, regardless of what happens. We'd stick together and protect each other like we always do, and embrace the end of school by bidding each other good luck when it was time to leave for college.
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Present Day, late August, just a day before school starts.
I lay on my bed. My mind wanders off, reminiscing of the awesome summer nights I spent with my two best friends. Meanwhile, Alexa and Troy try to talk me into having a little fun and going out to a party one of the football guys is throwing. Oddly enough of him to invite us, don't you think? This definitely has prankster-Logan written all over it. But, Troy takes it as a sign that things might just be changing for the good. Huh, maybe not T. I'm not falling for it.
I can't understand how everything between the two of us got this bad, but he doesn't care, so why should I? The arguing and pranking gets worse and crueler each year. But does it matter? All I know is that neither one of us can stand each other any more than the other.
I can't stand the sight of him, and he can't stand how annoying and nerdy I could be, I know...he's said before. The worst punishment for him, is having to spend hours sitting down in the same classrooms as me. And being that we are both A.P. Students, we get stuck in similar classes all the time.
He told me that he hoped this year would be different, he would avoid falling into one of my dumb pranks and stupid comebacks, as if he was any different? I was getting better and sneakier at my comebacks though, and for all the same reasons he thought of every single way possible to make my life a living hell this new year coming up, I know it, I can just feel it. He's probably going to give me hell, and give me little, to no chances to find ways to make my comeback.
'Just a few more hours to go between the end of summer and the start of a new year.' I think to myself.
He has the perfect event to go to, to celebrate his new twisted plots and incredible ideas to make the life of 'Sophie Patterson' the worst in all of Lakeview Academy's history.
( third-person pov: meanwhile, in a different house- Logan gets ready, dressing in a black t-shirt, with dark blue jeans, and his converse high tops. He grabs his keys and runs down the stairs of his house, slamming the door behind him. He'd always forget to lock the door, but for all the good reasons, his sister, Ashley would always keep an eye out to secure the house when he'd leave. He quickly got into his car, driving away to Sam's house for the last summer party, before their first day of class tomorrow morning.)
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Sophie
"I can't believe I let you guys talk me into coming here tonight. Do you have any idea what tomorrow is? The last I need is to show up to school tomorrow, late or worse! With a huge hangover! That's it, I'm staying in here and waiting for you two to come back, and you two better not talk me out of it." I stood in the passenger's seat inside Troy's car with my arms crossed.
I puffed my cheeks and pulled down on the hem of my dress. I hated wearing short dresses. But it was part of the deal I made with Troy and Alexa. To dress to impress, along with the new makeover they gave me a few weeks ago.
I said goodbye to my glasses, getting fit for new contacts I had been wearing for the past two weeks now so that I could get used to them. Though from time to time, my doctor told me to wear my glasses so my eyesight wouldn't get too tired.
I underwent a torturous three hours getting a facial, hair cut, and Mani-Pedi a few nights before leaving Quintana Roo, inside a beautiful salon full of gorgeous massagers who pampered me with a wonderful massage. It left me feeling like I was floating in mid-air. Though any other girl would have loved every second there, it made me feel a tad frustrated, in my eyes, beauty is in the mind and soul, and not in the physical appearance, I didn't want to change. But, I promised my friends, and I always keep my word.
"Sophie we had a deal! And you promised not to chicken out, remember? Now, this... is part of your new persona! So get your ass out there, and flaunt those gorgeous legs honey, because you look smocken' hot!" Troy moved his fingers up and down, gesturing towards my body. I grunted in protest, making Alexa giggle as she sat in the back seat. She clicked away on her phone, tossing her hair back.
"Wow, Troy!...if I didn't know you were gay, I'd think you were hitting on Sophie!" The three of us chuckled and got off the car unanimously.
Alexa and I stood side by side and waited for Troy to come around the car to join us, while he grabbed his jacket off the back seat.
"You ready Soph?" Alexa looked at me with a gleam in her eyes, but...was I really ready to show all these stuck-up preps who the new Sophie Patterson was? I gulped down hard and nodded my head unsure of myself. "No, not really! I think I need to throw up." I grabbed my stomach and puffed my cheeks.
"Oh no, you don't...You're just nervous, baby girl. Don't worry, after tonight, everyone will want to be your friend. You'll get so many invitations to parties, you'll be entering these things like a pro by the end of the year." Alexa giggled and looped her arm around my arm.
I roll my eyes and chuckle, "Oh, she speaks with words of knowledge and wisdom now, darling! The pro that gets invited to every party and doesn't dare to hang out with her two best friends on movie night, because popularity in high school is so important. Right, Miss Lexie? God forbid you get stuck all senior year with your two Geek friends!" Troy raises an eyebrow at Alexa making her turn red and squint her eyes.
"How many times am I going to apologize to you guys over this subject? I invite you guys to every party you know? But you two always turn me down. We only live once Troy! I want to be able to enjoy and make the best of life. This is why you two need to start doing the same, as of NOW. So come on, let's get in there and PARTY." She grabs Troy, looping her other arm around his and pulling us towards the house.
Many girls are in the front yard giggling and watching some of the football guys messing around in a friendly game, tackling each other and throwing the football to one another.
Troy's eyes are caught on a new guy who we hadn't seen before. He stands by Steven holding a solo cup. His golden hair tossed back and to one side. His jawline looked sharp, and even with his black hoodie, we can tell he is very well fit and very VERY attractive.
"Wow, who's the new hottie? Do you guys see him? He is hot! I wonder if he's gay?" Troy whispers, making Alexa chuckle, and I roll my eyes.
"Troy, you wish every hot guy was gay. But if that was the case, then what would be left for us? Selfish Troy, selfish!" Alexa hits his arm softly making Troy chuckle, catching the attention of that particular person he has his eyes on. The guy clenches his jaw and quickly looks away. Troy brushes it off, maybe Alexa is right. Wishful thinking of him to hope the hot new guy would be gay, though, I hope he finds someone soon.
We enter the house and just as quickly, Alexa disappears towards the kitchen Island grabbing a beer and two Jack Daniel's coolers for us. Troy pops open each drink, handing the southern peach flavor to me and the fruit punch to Alexa. We click the bottles together before taking our first sip.
In the far end, where everyone grinds and dances together, Logan dances away with McKenzie. I bet the liquor has already intoxicated him, probably trying to forget the fact he came back this summer just to find Amber in Carter's arms. He was now a free man, and all he wanted was to have a good time and forget the rest. Especially now that it's their last year before going off to embrace adulthood. It's a small town, by the way, word spreads quickly here.
He has plans to go to NYU with a full college football scholarship, and study law. Amber will be heading out to USC to study out there, saying goodbye to this boring old town and her mother, who she despises with every inch of her. I'm not sure what their relationship is like, but I do know that she hates her mom, and can't stand her.
The music played extremely loud and the house is so crowded, that it's hard for the three of us to stand in one single spot without being pushed or bumped into. Troy grabs my hand, I quickly give my drink to a girl near me and grip Alexa's hand, and pull her in the direction Troy is guiding me.
I almost lose Alexa in the crowd, but she manages to retake my hand and doesn't let go until we are safely outside in front of the pool.
"Hey there's an empty table over there with plenty of chairs, let's go take a seat." Troy gestures to us and we follow right behind. Soon as we sit, the new hot guy comes over, taking a chair and turning it around with the backrest to his chest as he takes a seat.
"Hey, mind if I sit here with you guys?" He smiles and reveals his beautiful blue eyes and deep dimples matching Troy's. Troy sits in shock, with his lips slightly parted, and Alexa quickly clicks his chin to close his mouth making me giggle.
"Promise you won't bite?" I say chuckling and wink my left eye. He chuckles and throws his head back slightly. "No, of course not. Not unless you ask!" He looks at me, softly biting his lower lip. I widen my eyes and look straight at Troy nervously.
"I'm kidding. I won't bite. My name is Dylan. I'm new in town. I just got here a few days ago, my dad is a sergeant in the military nearby." He says smiling and glancing between each of us. He stops his gaze on Troy who is particularly overprotective of me, due to the constant bullying the cheerleaders and football guys do to me, because of Amber and Logan.
Troy gives him a stern look, narrowing his eyebrows and clenching his jaw. Dylan clears his throat and looks away towards Alexa. "So, what's good around here? What do you guys like to do for fun? I mean, besides partying of course."
Alexa and I chuckle, but Troy stays serious and crosses his hands over his chest. "Um, well, to be honest, we don't get out much. At least not Troy and me. Lexie is another story, she's the wild one in this group." I say chuckling, getting a soft slap on my arm from Alexa.
"Hey! That's not. . . . .completely true!" She begs to differ, but Troy and I laugh, making Dylan smile.
A few minutes later, Dylan has hit it off perfectly with the three of us. Dylan and Troy take turns fetching drinks for the four of us. But when one of the guys realizes who is sitting with Dylan, he smiles and gestures to another guy to look over.
"Hey, you're the new guy who's going to join our football team this year right?" He says as the other guy pours him the four cups.
"Um, yeah. That's me!"
"Cool man! Good luck this year. Here you go." He hands him the cups, and though Dylan finds his behavior oddly suspicious, he dismisses the thought.
He walks back, but he can't shake off the feeling something is off about those boys. He slowly sets the cups down and looks at Troy, who sends him a confused look as well. Slowly, Lexie reaches out for a cup but he stops her. I sigh in relief, since I wasn't sure we should drink then either.
"Wait!" He demands. We both get startled and he reaches into his back pocket. He brings out a small bag he has inside with thin paper strips. Unzips the bag and brings out one of the little strips, gripping one of the cups in his hand.
We stared at him dumbfounded and lean forward. "Dylan, what in the world are you doing?" Alexa questions him. He raises his hand to his lips asking her to remain quiet. Looking at Troy and gesturing him to look at the boys who are laughing and whispering amongst themselves.
"Wait! Do you think they did something to our drinks?" Troy asks as he sits forward. Both Alexa and I gasped in shock. I knew it, I cross my hands and grunt in frustration.
Dylan clenches his jaw and closes his eyes. "I don't know. Maybe! There's one way to tell." He lifts the drink, smelling it.
"It smells oddly familiar. And you see the small bubbling? This drink shouldn't bubble in just one spot continuously. It should fizz evenly in all directions if it was beer. Now, if I'm right, then my strip will turn into a bright pink color." He holds up the strip and dips it into one of the drinks. He brings it out and places it in the middle of the table.
All four of us glue our eyes to the strip, slowly changing to a faint pink, slowly turning darker and darker.
Dylan's jaw clenches and narrows his eyebrows in fury, matching the anger that builds up inside of Troy.
Both Alexa and I stare at each other, and before we knew it, the boys each take two of the drinks and walk towards the guys who gave them the drinks. "Oh-no." Lexie and I look at each other with eyes opened wide.
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