It was the early morning sun that raised me from the dead. Well, that and the fact that I hadn’t eaten more than a bag of chips since we left Australia. The girls had tried to get me up for dinner the night before but judging from the pile of shoes thrown up against the door that hadn’t gone very well. Cursing the sun I pulled the sheet off of me glad for the semi-cool breeze coming through the windows. I was used to California but who knew Spain was so hot, and it was only 5:30 in the morning.

The subtle sound of crashing waves drew me like a sirens call as I slowly made my way to the balcony my tank top and shorts sticking to my skin in the heat. Strands of my hair whipped into my face as I surveyed the courtyard below. How Rachel had found this place I had no idea, but it was rather perfect. Unable to resist any longer I grabbed a green bikini from my bag and grabbing an orange from the complimentary fruit basket made my way to the beach.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” I heard a familiar voice ask as I exited the hotel.

“Stupid sunshine.” I muttered earning a laugh from Calum.

Unpeeling the orange I took a seat at the table next to Calum. The fruit wasn’t quite ripe but I was too hungry to care. A smell of salt and ocean wafted towards us as we relished in the silence for a couple minutes. The metal seats were still cool from the night and the palms scattered around the courtyard gave it a relaxing mood.

“We missed you last night.” Calum stated trying to break the silence. He shifted uncomfortable something obviously on his mind.

“I was too tired I’m pretty sure I practically passed out.” I said with a small laugh before turning to him concerned. “What’s wrong Cal?”

“It’s Rachel.” He admitted.

I let out a sigh knowing we were going to go over last night with Calum overthinking every little detail. The boy was smitten with her and I was often the one he ranted too. Honestly, I didn’t mind though Calum was the only bearable thing about staying with the Irwins for the 10 months I’d been on exchange. Plus helping him deal with his problems kept me from musing over my own.

“It’s like she doesn’t see me. I mean we’re friends but she treats me the same as the other guys. She doesn’t notice that I give her extra attention or how I laugh at her jokes even if they really aren’t that funny.” Calum ranted.

“Just ask her out all ready.” I said placing a hand on her shoulder, “If she can’t tell you’re flirting telling her is the only way she’ll know.”

“But what if she says no?” Calum asked his tan cheeks turning a slight shade of pink.

“Cal!” I explained exasperated. “You won’t know until you ask. I swear if you don’t ask Rach out at least once before the end of the summer I will kick your ass.”

Calum opened and closed his mouth like fish obviously flustered. Trying to compose himself I noticed a familiar mischievous glint in his eye that told me I wouldn’t like what can out of his mouth next.

“What about you and Ashton?” He asked trying to change the subject.

A scoff was all I gave him in response. Ashton Irwin may have been the single most annoying person on the planet. He was a self-centered, idiotic jerk and someone our friends had tried to set me up with several times. I’d had him pegged the second I met him and nothing or no one could change my mind.

“What about Ashton and me?” I asked nonchalantly letting Calum know this was the last thing I wanted to talk about.

“You mean you can’t see it? I could cut the sexual tension between you two with a knife.”

I let out a loud uncomfortable laugh. “As if! Ashton is an arrogant prick who should….”

“Sierra!” Calum interrupted me not wanting to hear another one of my Ashton rants. “You two should just go get drunk and make some mistakes. Maybe then you two would get along better.”

I gasped at Calum my mouth dropping open like a fish. Little did Calum know that exact situation had happened more times than I would admit. Not that I was going to tell anyone that. Ashton was still a prick who I could care less about. He was just a good bed warmer when I got homesick. Flustered I shook my head and dumped the orange peel into the trash can behind us.

“I’m going swimming.” Was my only response as I stood up and headed to the beach.
“Tata dear.” I said sweetly blowing Calum a kiss.

His laughter was the sound that followed me as I strode down to the beach.

---

“Morning bitches!” I exclaimed loudly as I threw open the door to our apartment.

Groans met my ears as more than one pillow was thrown in my direction. Apparently the other girls hadn’t gotten up yet. Running my fingers through my damp curls I made my way around the small apartment pulling covers off of heads and dodging well aimed kicks. I was used to grumpiness although I, being a morning person, was rarely grumpy in the morning. Shaking my head I threw the curtains open.

“It’s a beautiful day and we are not spending it cooped up in a hotel room sleeping.”

“What time is it?” Melanie whispered shielding her eyes from the bright sunshine.

“6:30.” I stated bluntly checking my watch. My revelation earned me another round of hushed curses as the girls dragged themselves out of bed.

Dancing slightly to music in my head I sashayed into the bathroom. I had no idea what Rachel had planned for the day but I hoped it involved sitting on the beach for a couple of hours. Drawing some of my bangs into a twist on the back of my head I quickly applied some waterproof makeup. Banging on the door told me that I needed to get out of the bathroom quickly. Leaving my hair in my natural beach curls I strutted out of the bathroom letting Dakota in to go pee.

Patience wasn’t my strong suit so after 15 minutes of waiting I left the room for breakfast in a huff. The gorgeous smells of eggs and toast met my nose as I entered the lobby. Spotting waving arms I grabbed a tray from the buffet and after loading it I joined the boys.

“Good morning.” I stated giving Luke, Calum and Michael kisses on their cheeks like the Spanish. I ignored Ashton although I could feel his eyes boring into me.

“The girls should be down in a couple of minutes.”

I buckled into my food devouring everything on my plate as we ate in silence waiting for the others. The swim had just made me even hungrier and that orange earlier hadn’t helped.

“Jesus Sierra, when did you last eat?” Rachel teased as she took a seat.

My fork in my mouth I looked up and shrugged. Slightly embarrassed now, I wiped my face with a napkin and with once last mournful glance at the sausage took a break from eating. Cheery conversation lasted most of breakfast. Although between my passionate banging on the table and the general volume of our excited conversation I think we had the staff slightly worried.

---

After breakfast our next stop was the beach. There were a couple of votes for the pool and some complaints about sand but within the hour we were on the beach. I had excited purchased a floating raft from one of the beach vendors despite Dakota and Michael claiming that it was waste of money. So my sunglasses shielding my eyes from the glare I laid in the calm waters of the ocean perfectly dry. Trying to nap I heard hushed whispers and shrieks as the others decided it was the perfect opportunity to have a splash war.

“Get me wet and I will kill you.” I warned the group opening one eye to peer at them. I just got the roll of eyes and a small splash sent my direction.

Content I laid back relaxing once again. At least until I felt the cold water of the Atlantic and the raft upended above me. Coming up spluttering I grasped my sunglasses in my hand. Ashton stood where my raft used to be a smirk on his face. Of all the infuriating……. With a groan I sent him a glare.

“You. Are. Dead.” I hissed through my teeth before jumping at him.

Anticipating my actions Ashton started swimming away leaving me to chase him. Shouts of ‘Run Ashton run’ and ‘you’re in trouble now’ came from behind us as I chased him to the beach. He was fast I would give him that as I tried to stay on the wet sand to make running easier. Ashton however took off up the dry sand towards the hotel. I would have caught him too if some little kid hadn’t left their hole uncovered.

I was grateful sand was at least soft as I barreled face first into it. Spluttering I groaned and turned over relishing in the warmth and not in the mood to continue the chase. I could just give Ashton a good smack later. My fingers danced across the sand as I placed my sunglasses back on my face.

“Are you okay?” I heard asked.

Looking up I saw a boy standing above me his tan skin glinting in the light. His pools of sapphire blue eyes scanned my face as I fumbled for an answer.

“I think I’m fine.” I said with a smile.

The boy offered me his hand and pulled me to my feet when I took it. His muscles shone from the water as I perched my sunglasses on top of my head. My lips curled in a smile as I dusted sand off of me.

“Thank you.” I stated. “I’m Sierra by the way.”

“Caleb.” He offered.

“Well Caleb could I at least offer you a drink?” I offered gesturing towards my towel. The others had gotten out of the water and snacks and drinks were littered around them. It was much to my satisfaction that I saw Ashton watching us an annoyed look on his face.

“I suppose you could.” He stated offering his arm.

Notes

Here's the next chapter lovelies :) Hope you like it

-A