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Taking Europe

The Walk of Shame

Sierra's POV

~The Night Before~

The sand was cool against my toes as the moonlight reflected off of the beach casting a pale blue glow on everything. I stared into the darkness letting the wind blows strands of hair around my face. I'd just wished that my thoughts could have been as peaceful as the scenery.

My mother had called again, and I'd hit ignore for the thousandth time. I knew what she wanted. For my entire life my parents had been making plans for me. Where I was going to school, what job I was going to have, who I was going to marry. And once they divorced I just got two very different plans thrown at me and was told to choose.

Stanford or Columbia, New York or LA. That was the choice I was being asked to make and honestly I didn't want either. Letting the cool air try to calm me down I pulled on the zipper of the light dress I was wearing. The beach was deserted and the ocean seemed to be beckoning.

Standing in the water up to my waist I let the ocean surge against my skin. Closing my eyes I took a deep breath trying to compose myself. Warm hands against my waist broke me from my reverie. Fingers skimmed against my waist warm in contrast to the water.

With a light I turned to see the last person I wanted to see tonight. His eyes sparkled in the moonlight as his arms trapped me against him. I could feel his distinct lack of clothing as his hair brushed my face his lips dangerously close to my ear.

"What's wrong?" Came the breathy whisper as I went to take a step back.

"I can't do this." I protested as I pushed against his bare chest.

A smile crossed his face as he leaned in his lips just grazing mine. I felt my body shift forward as my mind screamed at me to run. It was always like this with him, urges against common sense and I was sick of it.

"Sure you can."

With his whispered I looked up meeting his gaze. His eyes were darker at night but still never ending pools. I sometimes thought that if I stared at them long enough they would never release me. My fingers moved from his chest into his hair as he pulled me closer against his naked form.

It was with cautious hesitance that his lips brushed mine again. This time I didn't pull away the taste of peppermint chap stick warm against my lips. It started hesitant like a couple on their first date who are unsure of where they are going. But soon the hands at my waist started to travel upwards leaving goosebumps along my skin.

When the kiss was broken I closed my eyes a long sigh escaping my lips. My mind had won over telling me every reason why this wasn't a good idea. Which is why when he leaned in again I placed my finger against his lips backing out of his arms. I saw the hurt expression crossed his face but I shook my head my hair cascading around my face.

"I can't do this anymore, I just can't."

"But you were fine doing this in Sydney."

With a sigh I gestured around at the beach and the town behind us. My heart told me to stop, to kiss him against like it was the last time. But my head had won this battle, the first victory in a while.

"We're not in Australia anymore. We graduated, things have changed. I'm tired of the sneaking around and the midnight rendezvous. What would our friends say. This has never been real."

Adverting my gaze from his I slowly approached a firm compromise. My fingers trailed slowly down his chiseled jaw as I gave him a shy smile.

"Goodbye." I whispered my lips grazing his cheek.

Grabbing my dress I slipped over my now ocean soaked underwear my shoes in my hands. Fleeing the beach I took a deep although shaky breath through pursed lips. I could feel warm tears slide down my face as I collapsed into a chair in the elegant lobby.

What was I doing here? It was the summer before college and I thought I could just spend it gallivanting across the world. The lonely American exchange student around people who had known each other their whole lives. Once again I was the outsider, the girl who nobody knew what to do with.

With a deep breath I headed to the one person I knew might be able to understand. I could barely even bring myself to knock on the door. I was a total mess. Sure that my silent knocks went unheard I turned away hoping I could find a place to stay for the night.

"Sierra?" His questioning tone was soft from behind my following the soft click of a door being opened.

As I turned I felt his haze soften obviously noticing my disheveled appearance and smeared makeup. He took a step into the hall towards me and wrapped his arms around me gently. It was all I needed as I broke down into gut wrenching sobs. Clinging tightly to his chest I let him lead me gently back into the room.

~The Next Morning~

Cool air streaming in from the balcony woke me up as I endeavored to snuggle deeper under the covers. As I yawned preparing to fall back asleep I felt the bed shifted with a muffled groan. Stretching out I gently removed the arm from around my waist careful not to disturb the owner. With a slight smile I leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Slipping on my dress and leaving his shirt at the bottom of the bed I scribbled a note on the hotel pad on the dresser.

Thanks for last night
-S

Slipping out of the room I started towards the apartment hoping that nobody else was up yet. I was still in my clothes from last night and I knew what it looked like. Unfortunately I met a rather wet and brooding Luke storming out of our room when I arrived. Peeking behind him I could see the others getting up.

Cursing under my breath I slipped into the room to be met with 3 pairs of searching eyes.

"Where were you last night?" Rachel asked I could tell by her tone she was judging me.

"I needed a walk to clear my head."

"All night?" Came the echoed simultaneous reply.

"I ended up at Caleb's." I admitted and similar looks crossed everyone's faces before they went back to what they were doing.

"We just talked and then fell asleep." I protested but no one seemed to believe me.

Maybe it was for the best. Everyone thinking I was hooking up with Caleb would make it easier to mask my broken heart. Not that I was looking forward to facing the boys. Hoping in the shower I sunk onto the floor letting the water pour down on me. I needed to get away, go sightseeing, do something to keep myself distracted.

So slipping on a crop top, shorts and some comfortable shoes I made my way to the breakfast table. The gazes turned towards me told me that news traveled fast and I was once again doing the walk of shame. Taking I deep breath I gave everyone a smile.

"Who wants to go sightseeing with me. I figured we could check out the sights, scout the clubs and maybe go party tonight?"

Gazes were glanced around the table. I bit my lip hoping for an answer but none came.

"I'll go." Ashton offered.

"Whatever." I muttered. "Meet me outside when you're done."

Grabbing a banana from the buffet I strode through the front doors of the lobby and took a seat on the bench outside. Even though I knew it was a total mistake I turned on my phone the familiar ringtone meeting my ears. It was too expensive to use out of country but my family often called anyways.

Ashton stopped me from listening to my voicemail by showing up just as I was dialing. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and his earbuds in his ears. Honestly I didn't much like the idea of sightseeing with him but it got me away from the hotel.

"Ready?" He asked and I shrugged standing up, my phone now back in my pocket.

"Sure."