Every Part of Us

Chapter Five

"Just be careful," I said, my tone turning a little serious. "There's always some weird people" 

"Please," she said with a laugh "I've got this under control. Now, go meet your new friends and don't overthink it. You'll have fun, trust me." 

"Yeah, okay," opening the door to get out. 

"And don't forget to text me if anything happens! Or if you want to bail early l'll come rescue you," she called after me, waving dramatically. 

"Got it," I shot back, smiling as I shut the door.

"Stevie!" Hannah's voice called out from across the street. She was waving outside the café, a big grin on her face. I smiled back and jogged over.

Lila was sitting on one of the benches listening to Harry and Nate who were cracking up over something on Harry's screen.
"Did you guys wait long?" I asked, once I reached them.

"Nah, we just got here. Don't worry about it," Harry said. Nate looked up and shot me an smile.

Before I could say anything else, Hannah grabbed my hand, her energy same as always. "Let's go, Everyone's already down at the beach," she said, pulling me along without waiting for a response.

Lila stood up, and Harry and Nate trailed behind, still chuckling about whatever they had been watching.

——

"And thats how Nate and I met, if it wasn't for that smelly sock, we wouldn't even be here," Harry said, his arm draped around my shoulder. His retelling of the story was so dumb I couldn't help but laugh, even though it was, without question, one of the most disgusting stories I'd ever heard.

We were walking down the wooden stairs leading to the beach, and the sound of music and distant chatter was already filling the air.

"Hey!" someone called from the crowd. Harry's face lit up. Without a second thought, he let go of me and bolted towards the voice, leaving the rest of us behind.

Lila and Hannah were already a few steps ahead, lost in a conversation. That left Nate and me walking behind them.

"So, are you into parties?" Nate asked breaking the silence, as he glanced down at me.

I hadn't really had a chance to talk to him before now. He definitely came off as quieter than the rest of the group.

"Yeah, sometimes," I said. That was lame, I couldn't think of something more than two words?

"Really?" he asked, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "I totally thought you weren't the party type."

"Why do you say that?" I asked, smirking up at him.

He shrugged, scratching the back of his neck. "I don't know. You just seem like the type who prefers somewhere quiet like by yourself"

I raised an eyebrow, teasing. "So what you're saying is I look boring?"

His eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. "No, no, that's not what I meant!" he said, stumbling over his words. "I just—like—you seem more chill than the party hard type. That's all. I swear I wasn't calling you boring "

I laughed. "Relax, I'm messing with you."

He laughed, relieved. "Okay, good. I thought I just ruined my chances of ever talking to you again."

"Chances?" I teased again, enjoying how flustered he was getting.

"Yeah," he said, smirking now as he caught on to my tone. "You seem like you'd be cool to talk to, so... I'm just trying not to blow it."