The return

I wake up at the break of dawn, sun shining on my face. For a second I'm confused how I ended up sleeping on the beach, then the actions of yesterday come rushing back to me. A smile emerges on my face that I can't hide. It's like I get to experience it all again, I feel unburdened, happy and free. I couldn't see a soul, the beach was empty, the sunrise, the sand, the water, all for me and I was ready to embrace it. I take off my shirt and enjoy the sun on my skin for a moment, just to crack a smile and run into the water. The beach accepting me like a long lost brother, the waves hugging me and playing with me. For the first time on this trip I was having a good time.

After a while it was time to walk back to the house. I forgot how long the beach was, it did make me appreciate the spot they picked. It was genuinely great, an amazing beach with lots of nature all around. I bet there are some awesome hikes in the area and make a mental note to google them one I charge my phone and go on at least one before I leave.

Eventually I reach the beach house, I hope to be able to sneak in but that plan lasts a total of two seconds . As soon as I take a step through the door I hear "He's Alive!" it's Todd with a smile on his face.

"Where have you been dude?" asks Mark half jokingly "Find another party?"

"haha nah, just enjoying the beach." I respond

"That's fair" Said Todd "It's a shame we gotta go back in a week, I could live like this forever"

"Let us know next time though" continued Mark, "We were worried, at least text someone."

"You were?" I ask genuinely surprised

"hahaha don't look so shocked" said Mark with a laugh

I hesitate for a second but with a bit of fear in my voice I ask "The person that bullied me for a better part of a year was worried about me?"

"See I told you and Brad he remembers!" interrupted Todd before Mark could respond.

"Kind of hard to forget" I say softly thinking about the year where I was mocked in the halls, pushed against lockers, and had my homework stolen and grades messed with, I remember my parents being disappointed to hear my grades were slipping but there was nothing I could do.

Mark shifts awkwardly "Listen" starts Mark, "about that... Brad and I are sorry, when Maisie started talking with us and said you we're joining us we kind of hoped you had either forgotten about it or moved past it." he paused for a second rubbing the back of his neck "If it makes a difference, we stopped when we realised we actually respected you for the same reason we started giving you shit"

"Which is?" I ask, confused.

"You stood up for Maisie when we we're talking shit behind her back, and instead of snitching or telling parents or teachers, you just copped it. You didn't even tell Maisie, We didn't deserve it, but we noticed"

Through it all I had forgotten how it started, but it came back to, they we're mocking her behind her back and I told them proudly they'd be lucky to have a friend like her and then they stopped mocking her and started mocking me, at first it was fine but... it just kept going.

I manage a half smile "Thanks, believe it or not that does help."

Looking relieved Mark asks "We're about to head out for our morning run, do you wanna join?"

"haha appreciate it but I want to get a shower in and my phones dead, gotta charge it"

"That's why you didn't respond to our messages" Said Mark, "We thought it was very unlike you to disappear"

"Oh my bad" Says Todd with a grin "You told me it's dead last night but... I was kinda busy"

"We'll see you later" Said the boys leaving the door

"Enjoy the run gents"

______________________________________________________

I head upstairs, plug my phone in and shower. As pleasant as that interaction was with Mark and Todd I'd like to avoid the others. I decide the present is as good a time as any for a hike.

When I pick up my phone, I freeze. 16 missed calls and 7 messages.

As weird as it is, feels good to realise people actually noticed me missing

Mark 10:28PM

"Hey dude, the bonfires going out, we're all headed back to the house and going to continue there. lol hopefully Brad and Maisie arent being too loud "

I roll my eyes. At least he told me, better than nothing.

Todd 10:49PM

"Hey dude, realised your not here where are you at?"

Todd 08:02AM

"hey bro, peaked in your room and you're not back. Whats up? you good?"

Ari 11:01AM

"Hi Scott, how are you? Sorry if we've been distant, not really sure whats going on between you and Maisie but we can talk about it tomorrow if you like :) we're back at the house, hope to see you soon"

Jayda 12:38AM

"Are you alive?? A **** investigation wont look good for my athletic scholarship application lol, legit though, why aren't you responding to anyone? Let someone know your okay"

Tess 12:51AM

"You're being selfish. Mark, Todd and Clemson went back to the bonfire spot to look for you. I hope they find you. Stop being annoying and just message somone."

Unknown Number 01:37AM

"Hi, It's Clemson. Hope you're doing well. Not really sure what's going on but people are kind of worried you drowned. Message someone back just so we know you're alright"

Along with that they had all called me multiple times, even Brad had called me once, as nice as it is to see people notice me missing and message, it stings knowing Maisie would have known but didnt message me.

Whatever. Fuck it.

I open the web determined to find things to do nearby. There's a well known as hike The Hulk... pass sounds like too much effort, maybe later in the week. I keep scrolling, theres a few more hikes in the area and then there it is, Marvel lake, scenic, relaxing and a great spot for fishing and luckily for me the AirBnB had some old rods in the garage.

I grab my things and head out. As I pass Aris room I hear sobbing, I pause for a moment and hope her and Todd are alright.

I head downstairs and immediately notice everyone other than Maisie and Ari are having breakfast, Tess is wearing a low cut tank top with a lot of cleavage on display. You check the time and it's just before 10, it's crazy how long a day is when I wake up at sunrise. Six head turn towards me.

"Uhhhh" I try and think of something to say "Is Ari alright? I think I heard her crying"

"It's Maisie you idiot!" Jayda snaps, Clemson recoiled his arm around her as she almost jumps out of her seat.

Tess glares at me "What did you do? She's been avoiding you for and now she's in crying, how'd you make it worse last night"

I use all my willpower to look her in the eye. "I don't know?" I lie. Truthfully I don't want her in tears, but I'm also tired of the way she's been treating me and I didn't do anything that horrible when I think about it, just took away everything I gave her.

"Well?" Tess presses "are you going to apologise and make it up to her? You're ruining the mood of the trip"

I can't help but let out a short laugh, "Well sorry" I say sarcastically "Tell you what, figure out what I've done wrong. Get Maisie to speak to me and then I'll apologise" I grab my bag "Until then, I'm going fishing!"