The sun had turned me a whole new shade of tan, with my skin practically glowing golden.

"I swear if I never got that brown?" Alex poked my arm suspiciously. I shrugged.

"Maybe I got more of the Spanish genes." My father was Spanish and looked it, with dark hair, dark eyes and tanned skin. I had my mother's hair and eyes though, and before today, her complexion too. We had always thought that my mothers genes were stronger, but maybe it was because the English weather was awful, but my brother had lived here for years now, and hadn't tanned too badly.

We had driven back to the house after a full day at the beach, and I was starting to feel gross from all the salt in my hair. I couldn't wait for a shower to wash all the grossness off, and to get changed out of my bikini.

"Be quick, and we can go out to eat if you want. I think some of the guys from school were planning on having a bonfire tonight too - we can eat with them." I nodded.

"I'll be ready in ten minutes."

Fifteen minutes later (I couldn't decide what to wear) I stood on the stairs in ripped denim shorts with a cool faded affect, a grey tank top and a blue flannel which I had bought in the men's section so it would actually keep me warm when the evening turned cooler. I had struggled with what shoes to wear, as I wasn't sure on heels or not, but I had decided on my favourite pair of boots with a wedged heel. They were difficult to lace up, but so worth it, with a leather brown and reaching just under my knees.

"Come on," Alex called my over and I jumped in the car, this time allowed to stay in the front as we were taking two cars this time.

"Has Shades got back yet?" Who was Shades?

"Not sure, probably. I know he's at least back in the country. He might be there tonight." Alex replied.

"Hell yeah!" Alex chuckled.

"Don't get too excited, mate. You know what he's like." Ryan scoffed.

"Damn right I know what he's like - always bringing the best drinks! And fuck, that guy knows how to drink!" My brother rolled his eyes and ignored his comment.

"Who's Shades?" Alex eyed me out of the corner of his eye.

"A friend." Ryan scoffed again, poking his head between the seats.

"You, him and Kaiden are literally three teenage girls together. You're all like oooh, we're besties! Fuck with one of us and you fuck with all of us!" I laughed as he retracted his head quickly before Alex's elbow made contact with his face.

"Aww, have you got a best friend now, big brother?" I pouted up at him teasingly, mocking him. He glared at me.

"No, we're just chill."

"No, you guys are -"

"Shut the fuck up, Ryan!" I laughed again and got out as the car pulled to a stop in front of a cute diner. We walked in and sat at a booth in the corner, where a group of guys and girls were already sitting.

"Hey, it's Alex! Where've you been, fucker?" Everyone turned to Alex, grinning and greeting him. He laughed, brightening up instantly.

"Hey, long time no see, Carl. Still kicking around with Beck?" The guy who called out to him blushed slightly.

"Yeah, he's at his parents though right now. Said he might get back for tonight, but doesn't know yet."

"Anyway, who's this?" Everyone turned to look at me and now I was blushing as Alex dragged me to sit between him and Kaiden, who smiled down at me.

"My sister, so stay the fuck away." One of the girls grinned at me and I smiled back.

"Nah, she's too pretty to stay away. Wanna hang with me tonight, baby?" I blinked at her in surprise, not expecting her to be forward. She winked at me, laughing at my shock. Alex, of course, wasn't laughing.

"Back off, Sam. I know what you're like. You'd convince my sister to get a tattoo or piercing or something stupid the second I turn my back."

"That's if I don't fuck her first!" She dodged to the side as Alex threw a fork at her, although he had a small smile hidden under the scowl. She gave him the middle finger and turned to the girl next to her and started chatting with her again. I couldn't help but feel jealous at the several pairs of earrings dangling from her ear, and the dragon tattoo curling around her shoulder. I had a phobia of needles, so Alex had nothing to worry about. If I ever got over it though, I would so get a tattoo.

Or several.

There was about twenty of us altogether, with ten of us shoved into one booth and ten into the one next door, with people ordering several rounds of food and drinks.

"Would you like anything, Love?" Kaiden asked, nudging my shoulder when the waitress came over once again. I was surprised at him using my nickname - only my brother really called me that.

"Yes please, could I get a sprite?" He nodded and ordered for me as I listened into Alex's conversation next to me.

"Is everything set up then?" A boy with neon pink hair asked.

"Hell yeah, it's gonna be a huge fire tonight, bro. I think Carl got hold of some fireworks too, so we're gonna light them up too." A boy walked up from behind us, pulling up a chair next to Alex at the end of the table.

"Careful, last time we got the cops called on us for that."

"Nah, that was only cus one of them flew too close to Ms. Witcher's window."

"The bitch called the frickin cops! Who even does that?"

"I mean, it was always gonna happen. She is kind of a bitch,"

"Remember when we TP'd her house when we were kids, Kaiden? She's held a grudge against us ever since." Alex asked Kaiden. Kaiden looked up and snorted in amusment before turning back to his phone, completely disinterested in the conversation.

"Is anyone else meeting us there?"

"Yeah, Jack and his mates are setting up this time, although there's not so many people as last time."

"Still enough though, dude. You sure Shades can pull through?"

"When hasn't he? He said he was gonna be there, so he's gonna be there. Now fuck off. I swear to god everyone thinks I'm his fucking babysitter."

"Not our fault that you and Kaiden are the only people who ever know where he is. Not like you tell anyone."

"Cus he doesn't want you following him, fuckface." I was surprised at how harshly Alex spoke to everyone, with no hesitation when it came to swearing and insulting them. I was glad he never spoke to me like that - I would probably cry.

"Can we head off already? I just got another message off Jack whining about how cold it is. I swear to god if he fucking sets the bonfire off without us, I'm gonna throw him in it."

"Sure, let's go." Alex said standing up and holding out a hand for me. I smiled, thankful that he hadn't forgotten I was there. I hadn't exactly been active within conversation, despite numerous people trying to talk to me.

We walked back out to the car, with Kaiden sitting up front this time and me on my own in the backseat. We were the last to set off, but we drove a different way to pick something up.

"Hey, Love," I looked up.

"Yeah?"

"At the bonfire tonight, make sure you stick with either me or Kaiden, or even Sam. As bitchy as she is, she'll look after you."

"Why do I need looking after? I'm not a baby!"

"You're still sixteen."

"For two more days!"

"That's still sixteen in my books." I grunted, throwing my feet up onto the seats.

"People are gonna be drinking tonight, and smoking too. I just don't want you getting lost already in a foreign country." I suppose that was a decent enough excuse.

"I still don't need a babysitter though,"

"Fine! Just... just stay close to the bonfire then, if you insist on doing your own thing." It went quiet for a minute as I thought. If I was on my own, people would try to talk to me, and I don't like people trying to talk to me. That's not a fun thing.

"I'll stick by you."

"Good." It went quiet for a minute.

What are we picking up, anyway?"

"Weed."

"What?"