My shower turned into a marathon affair as I took the time to shave my legs with care before dipping my fingers into Buttercup's homemade hair conditioning cream. As I waited to rinse the concoction from my head, I sorted through the many thoughts floating through my mind. It felt good to have a job and some new friends. If Butch and Buttercup could stay off the town's radar, things might actually work out in Turtle Bay.
I left the bathroom surrounded by a billow of steam and made a pit stop in the kitchen to get a glass of iced tea before heading to my room. Player greeted me with a meow as he trotted toward me on his slightly bowed legs. Smoothing a hand down his back, I scooped him up and skirted around the supplies the plumber had left stacked in the middle of my floor. I was thrilled with the progress he was making on my bathroom. A toilet, still in the box, sat to the side of the small construction zone, but everything was nearly finished. Before long I would no longer need to trek into the main house every time I needed the bathroom, which was a plus.
Player batted around a small piece of PVC pipe that had been discarded while I got ready for Evan's party. Selecting an outfit was simple enough since my wardrobe was limited at best. Working at Tasty Freeze a couple days a week would help supplement that eventually.
Since my hair was the most time-consuming part about getting ready, I did that first. I had been blessed, or cursed depending on your point of view, with stick-straight hair. I didn't need to spend hours every night straight ironing like some girls, but if I wanted any kind of waves or body, I had to work at it.
Once my hair had as much life as I could coax into it, I pulled my dress off the clothing rod Butch had suspended from the rafters and eyed it critically. I had a sneaking suspicion this crowd was at a different level when it came to fashion than anyone back in Kansas, which was why I selected the simple white sundress. It had a timeless, vintage look.
After slipping on the dress, I glanced in the mirror, pleased with my appearance. Even with my limited resources, I felt I would pass any judgment tests.
"Well, what do you think?" I twirled around for Player who responded by flopping over and swiping at the strap of my sandal. I was beginning to think he was a bit self-centered.
Leaving my rambunctious kitten behind, I headed out for Evan's party an hour after it started, figuring fashionably late would be better than arriving early. Butch and Buttercup sat on the front porch, sharing a jug of their homemade wine.
"Do you want to take a jug with you?" Butch asked.
Coming from any other teenager's parents, this question would have been a test or joke, but from Butch, the question was genuine. The thought of showing up with a jug of our family wine concoction didn't seem like the cool thing to do. "That's okay. I'm sure they'll have enough liquor to float a small boat."
"Just be smart. Don't drink anything that you didn't see being poured with your own eyes," Buttercup advised.
"Sound advice. Trust me, I know," Butch agreed. Clearly, he had personal experience in that category. "And don't set your drink down," he added for good measure.
"Got it," I said, waving to them as I made my way down the short path toward the busier street that separated our houses from the ones that sat directly on the beach. I could still hear Butch bellowing out advice as I waited for a break in traffic that would allow me to cross the road. Evan's party was in full gear by the time I circled around to the backside of his house. A sudden case of nerves stalled my steps as I took in the crowded deck. Not knowing the proper protocol or party etiquette, I debated if I should circle back around and ring the doorbell.
"Hey, Rain," Farrah called out, peering down at me over the railing. I could tell by the way she was slightly swaying she was already well on her way to enjoying the party too much.
"Hey," I answered.
"Come up and dance with me. Paris and Leslie are too busy texting to enjoy the party," she slurred before turning back to the party when someone behind her called her name.
"Going to the party?" a soft voice asked from the darkness, making me jump. It took less than a half a second to realize it was Turtle Boy.
"Stalk much?" I asked, placing a hand on my heart. The sudden rapid beating had as much to do with seeing him again as it did with being startled. "What do you do, work twenty-four seven?"
"Just passing by to make sure you and your friends don't use the beach as your own personal trash can."
"Just because we like to have fun doesn't mean we're all asshats who litter," I countered. "Are you always such a dick, or is that just for my benefit?"
Even in the dark I could see his eyes narrow. He didn't answer right away, and I was beginning to think he really was a tool. He surprised me by shooting me a rueful smile a moment later.
"I guess I am being a dick, huh?" he replied, running a hand over the top of his head. "I'm not usually this way."
"Great, so it is for my benefit."
He actually shocked me when a small smile split across his face, making my breath catch in my throat. If I thought he was cute before with a scowl, then a smile made him downright hot. It was the kind of smile that accentuated every other feature of his face. He stepped from the shadows and his eyes sparkled slightly from the dim light of the streetlamp. I was tempted to ask him if he was wearing contacts. Surely no one had eyes as brilliant as his looked.
"I owe you an apology. I didn't mean to be such a jerk yesterday. I'm a little overprotective where the turtles are concerned. I guess you could say they're my passion," he added. "Truce?" he asked, holding out his hand. "I'm Josh."
I eyed him for a moment before shaking his hand. "Rain," I said, liking the way his fingers wrapped around my hand. It didn't surprise me that his skin felt rough to the touch. It was obvious Josh wasn't some pretty boy afraid of a little work. "I get it. I should have been more careful," I added.
We stood awkwardly for a moment as each of us waited for the other to say something more. "So are you going to the party?" I asked, my hand still engulfed in his.
He snorted. "No. Evan and I don't exactly run in the same circles," he answered, releasing his grip. My hand suddenly felt bereft, which was ridiculous considering we didn't know each other.
"Oh. Well, I should probably go," I said after another long moment of silence.
"Right. Me too. Maybe I'll see you around," he said.