Chapter One
Ella
* * *
“What’s so funny?” I ask as I peer over the bus seats in front of me.
My four friends (if you can call them that) ignore me as they giggle and whisper something amongst themselves.
It’s like I’m not even here.
I drop back down in my seat with a sigh and stare out the window. Coming on this trip was a bad idea.
I knew I should have stayed in my dorm to study, but I could hear the constant nagging voice of my older sister in my ear saying, ‘college is about meeting people and having fun. Don’t forget to party!’
It’s my senior year and I haven’t done much except for studying, working at the coffee shop on campus, going to classes, and sleeping (in that order). Partying hasn’t been high on my list of priorities. Actually, it’s been completely absent.
So, when my roommate invited me to go to Daytona for Spring Break with her and her friends, I said yes. I’m regretting that decision now. I truly don’t know why they even invited me, since they all seem to hate me so much.
They’ve completely excluded me so far. They’re sharing the four seats in the row in front of me and left me alone back here. Even when we stopped for lunch, they took a booth for four when there was an empty table for six. I had to sit with the bus driver who kept stealing my fries and talking about the old tractor he was rebuilding.
We’re not even there yet and I want to cry. It’s going to be four long days of being ignored.
I rest the side of my head on the window and watch the boring scenery flying by.
“What’s your target?” I overhear my roommate Leah ask.
“At least three,” Willow replies, and they all break out into giggles.
“I just want one,” Addison says. “But a hot one. If you see any rich older men who are shredded with muscles, send them my way.”
“Yeah right, bitch,” Mackenzie says with a laugh. “I’ll be keeping any men like that for myself. What about you, Leah?”
“We’ll see,” Leah answers. “It’s been so long. I’m due.”
“Didn’t you nail that waiter from your restaurant two weeks ago?”
“Oh yeah,” she answers with a laugh. “He wasn’t too memorable.”
Heat blooms in my cheeks as I eavesdrop on them. I’m glad I’m not included in this conversation. I’d have nothing to contribute.
I’m on this vacation to do a bit of dancing, maybe have a few fruity drinks, but that’s it. I’m not here for sex.
“What about her?” I hear one of them whisper.
My stomach drops as my ears perk up. Why did I think coming was a good idea? I just want to go home.
“Zero,” Leah says and they all laugh. “She still has her V-card.”
“Oh my god!” Mackenzie says with a sneer. “You’re kidding, right? She’s a senior!”
“I’m not,” Leah answers as I sink lower into my seat. “She’s a good girl.” She says it in a mocking tone and they all laugh at my expense.
I want to die. I want to jump out the window. I want to get out at the next gas station and hitchhike home.
“Why did you invite such a prude?” Addison asks. “We could have asked Tammy.”
“We did ask Tammy! She had to work.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“She was the only one we could get if we wanted the group rate.”
So, that’s why they invited me. For a discount.
I’m a human coupon.
“At least she’s got big tits,” Mackenzie says. “She’ll help attract some guys and then we can steal them.”
They all giggle as my cheeks blush.
I put my earbuds in and crank some Adele. When the emotional songs threaten to make the tears come pouring out, I put on Ed Sheeran, but even with the upbeat songs on, I still want to cry.
This is going to be the worst trip ever.
I sigh when I walk into our hotel room and see the two comfy-looking king-sized beds and then spot the dingy cot set up in the corner.
I don’t even bother asking who’s going to get the cot, or if we can set up a schedule where we take turns. It’s all mine. The girls are going to make sure of that.
They leap onto the comfortable beds and spread out with moans as I dump my bag onto the cot. The metal springs squeak under the alarmingly thin mattress.
“We still have time to go to the beach,” Leah says. “This hotel is lit. There’s a huge party going on around the pool all week!”
“I want to get fucked up,” Willow says, imitating a frat guy.
“Where’s my bikini?!” Addison says, freaking out as she rips through her suitcase. She finally finds it and I’m stunned that it’s a swimsuit and not hot pink dental floss.
“Where are we going tonight?” Mackenzie asks. Everything she says sounds like a whine.