Clemson brings some fish

I wake up from my nap feeling refreshed.

The barbeque has started, the music is pumping and the drinks have already started pouring.

Still the girls stay between me and Maisie to help Maisie feel safe but when I look over, rather than the girls staring daggers at me I see them with scheming grins and the occasional wink.

Clemson walks through the doors, and it's hard to believe my eyes but four stunning girls follow, two brunettes and two blondes followed by another guy. They introduce themselves as Florence, Lisa, Alina, Kat and Charlie respectively. Turns out they're in the cheer team as well and get along swimmingly with Maisie, Ari, Tess and Jayda. Everyone was drinking, eating and having an amazing time, before long, people started coupling up again, Clemson with Jayda, Mark with Tess and Todd with Ari. Maisie was drinking and laughing with Florence, Lisa, Alina, Kat and Charlie. I started to wonder if they were in on the plan to get her drinking so that she's willing to talk to me. Then I got caught in her smile. My gaze met hers and I found myself lost there. For a moment it felt like time stood still for me to appreciate her beauty only to realise Brad wasn't next to her, touching her as he's been doing all trip.

"What are you staring at doofus"

I jump, not expecting anyone behind me.

"Or should I ask who?"

I pause not answering

"Legit, let me be your wingman, pick a girl, I'll set you up and then I'll pick a girl"

I pause again, shocked by the proposition

"I dont let people get first dibs often, Im feeling generous come on, pick away"

"What about Maisie?" I ask, genuinely surprised, I knew Brad wasn't a saint but he was with Maisie just last night. "Aren't you with Maisie?" I ask, with concern

"Nah, that was yesterday, we had our fun. Between you and me, it was like i was mesmorised by everything about her, and she was great, I just woke up this morning and barely felt anything, like she's still cute but doesn't feel like anything out of the ordinary. I looked over at her in bed and realised I don't want to wake up and see her every morning" I dont know why, but this hurt me, she was extra-ordinary, even if Brad couldn't see it, but this wasn't worth fighitng.

"Yeah ok" I say half-heartedly, "but also no-one wants me approaching anywhere near where Maisie is."

"Nah man, I get that you're a respectful guy but she's taken this too far, you're allowed to have a good time too, now pick a girl or I'm picking for you"

"Uhhh" I pause thinking about how this might affect Maisie, and frozen between four choices.

"Trust me bro, you're good at fishing at the Lake, Im good at fishing here. Pick one"

"It felt like anyone could catch a fish at the lake" I say a little defeated "This isn't the same"

"Trust me, anyone can catch a fish here as well, maybe not every time, but everyone can"

I don't fully understanding his metaphor but decide he's right, why does Maisie get to have a great night, but I'm stuck wallowing from the sidelines "The cute blonde" I respond

"Good choice, they're both cute, which one?" Brad says enthusiastically

"The shorter one" I say distinctively, she was slightly shorter but had a similar build to Maisie with braided hair going down her back she looked like the perfect girl next door.

"Perfect, because I had my eyes on the taller one Kat, look at her legs" Brad says with a stupid grin slapped on his face. "Also the shorter one's name is Alina, remember it, they appreciate that stuff"

Without hesistation, Brad slips into the circle between the two blondes as if they we're keeping the spot safe for him. Flashing his smile he shares a few words with them that I can't hear, they both immediately laugh. He gestures towards me, drink in his hand, both blondes look over, then Alina smiles and they all start walking towards me. I'd kill to know what he said I think to myself as they walk over to me.

"Hey Scott" says Alina in a voice so sweet and smooth she should be on the radio "I hear you're to thank for tonight"

"Uh" I hesitate

"That's right" Brad interjects, pulling me in and whispering "be confident bro" he lets go and grins "All his idea"

The conversation flows from there, Brad leads the conversation with ease and somehow makes me look good at every turn. Soon enough, we're drifting away from the noise, Brad having his arm around Kat and me hand in hand with Alina. As we're leaving the beach house, I catch a glimpse of Maisie, she doesn't look happy. I can't tell if it's because I'm with someone else or because Brad is.

We find ourselves sitting on the sand, Brad and Kat sitting to maybe a meter to my right, Alina settles on my lap her arms loose around my neck as we watch the stars over the beach my arm around the small of her back. I smell her perfume over the salt in the air and lean in for a kiss, to my pleasant surprise she kisses back, my left hand trails lower along her back while my right rests on her thighs over her jeans.

Brad chuckles, I hear him say "Let's show him how it's done" and in one smooth motion lifts her up and puts her over him so that her legs are on either side of his legs. He kisses her passionately and uses his hands to guide Kats legs around his back. It's obvious he knows exactly what he's doing and isn't afraid to show it.

You hear a sound in the distance, someone, rather clumsily was leaving the beach house, I pause mid kiss and look over. It's the unmistakable silhouette of the girl I can't help but love. I look into Alina's emerald green eyes, wishing they were hazel like Maisies.

"Hey" I say softly, easing Alina of my lap. "I... I need a minute"

"Something tells me this is going to be more than a minute" Alina responds knowingly

"I uhhh, I need to speak with her"

"I've only met you both today" She responds gently "and believe it or not, I think she needs to speak to you as well"

I can't help but look confused.

"We already know you two are besties and she's been avoiding you, that there's a plan in motion to get her a little drunk so that you two talk and honestly... there's so much gossip being thrown around that house, she probably knows the plan as well"

I chuckly unsure of what to say. "If you want me to stay, I will" I offer, though I can't muster any real enthusiasm.

She grins, "You two are best friends, go make up, oh give me your phone first though"

I pass my phone to her. She taps at the screen a few times and passes it back.

"Here's my number fill me in on the goss in the morning"

"Thank you Alina" I say sincerely "and maybe I'll take you out on a proper date"

"Oooh a gentlemen" Says Alina with a smile

"Alright I'll speak to you soon" you peck Alina on the lips and head towards Maisie