My alarm went off and I remembered why I set one. I took my phone off the bedside table and shut off the alarm. I noticed Abraham was still asleep. He was all up on my side.

I got up and went to handle my business in the restroom. I put on some running pants and a grey v-neck. I tied my hair into a high bun and brushed my teeth.

After I put on my Nikes I was ready to go. I went to my dresser to grab my earphones when I heard, "Where are you going?"

I turned around and seen Abraham stretching. "Going for a walk. Beautiful morning today." Before he could say anymore I walked out of my room. I quickly went downstairs and out the door. I don't need him to follow me.

When I knew I was safe, I slowed down my pace. I plugged in my earphones and was enjoying the morning beach smell. I should go walking more often.

I turned the corner and was only a block away from the juice bar. Hopefully I don't get turned down. That would be embarrassing.

I walked in the juice bar and there he was. He looked up where he was making another customer's drink. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

After he finished giving the drink to the customer he said, "Hey regular."

"Hi Daniel."

"What would you like this morning?"

"Banana berry smoothie. It was bomb yesterday."

"I'm glad you liked it." He went on to making my smoothie when he said, "So any plans for the fourth of July?"

"Yeah we are having something back at my place. A BBQ." Thank god he brought it up. "Are you doing anything?"

"Nope. I usually just go to a friend's house and hang out. But I've been doing that for years, it gets boring after awhile."

I should approach the topic. "Well if you want to do something different, why don't you come to my place at 6ish." He stopped making the smoothie and smiled his beautiful white teeth smile.

"Is Alicia from Pennsylvania inviting me to her place for the 4th of July?"

"Only if you want."

"I'll be there." He continued to make my smoothie.

After he finished making the smoothie, we exchanged numbers so I could text him the address.

"I'll see you later Alicia."

"Bye Daniel." I walked out and was happy he said yes. I actually have a friend in California.

I made my way back home and checked to see if Ann needed any help with the party tonight.

I went to her room, she wasn't there.

I went to the kitchen, she wasn't there.

I checked in the backyard and seen she was there telling some workers what to do.

The rich life.

"Hey Ann. Need any help."

"Darling. You know what you can help me. I was going to make some deserts. You could help me make some treats."

"Sounds fun." I have a weakness for deserts.

"Okay let's go then." I followed her into the house and kitchen.

"So I was thinking we make some cookies, cakepops, and a jell-o. My sister is bringing more deserts."

"Okay I love making cakepops."

"Good than that is your job." She started to get everything out of the cupboard.

I made red velvet cakepops topped with white chocolate and some fourth of July inspired sprinkles.

Ann said about 75 people were coming so I made 50 cakepops. I never knew making cakepops could be so hard. After about three hours of baking my heart out, I was done.

"Sweetheart these looks phenomenal." Ann said rubbing my shoulder.

"Thanks Ann. I missed the feeling of baking."

I headed upstairs and I heard giggling from Abraham's room. A girl's giggle. Krystal.

I rolled my eyes and went to my room. I don't know why I reacted the way I did. He has a girlfriend. From now on I need to be more careful around him. Be a little distant.

I opened the door to my room and noticed the bed was still unmade. Really Abraham. You could've made it.

I opened my drapes and sliding glass door to my balcony to let some sun in. I love the sun.

I walked out and seen that there was some surfers in the water. The California life.

I walked back into my room and started to clean up a bit.

I put on some music. I played I Found You by Alabama Shakes.

I started to make my bed and pick up a little. I intend to keep this room clean.

I heard a knock on my door. I opened it and seen it was Scott.

"Hey Alicia. Remember me?"

"Yeah. Scott right?"

"That's my name." We just stood there in my doorway.

"Ummm.."

"Can I hang out with you for awhile, while my other friends come? I kinda don't want to hang out with Abraham and Krystal. They are all over each other. Sort of awkward." I know how you feel.

"Of course." I opened the door for him to come in.

I left it open.

He went to sit on my just made bed. Really. I didn't say anything.

"So how's Abraham treating you?"

"He's getting better. He was an asshole to me the first days but I think he's getting used to me."

"He's always been a jerk to the girls. He's even a jerk to Krystal. I don't know why she stays with him. They aren't even an official couple." He scoffed.

They aren't dating?!

"Well they seem like one."

"She thinks they are one but he knows they aren't."

"Weird."

"Yup."

"So why did you guys come early if the party doesn't start till six?"

"I don't know. I guess the boys always come early because they hate their lives at home. We find this place like a second home. Ann is a cool lady. She treats us like her own." He smiled when he said the last sentence.

"I could see that. I feel like I've lived here all my life. She makes me feel welcomed."

"So why exactly are you here? Abe won't tell us."

"Umm. My Dad got called back to the Army on an important notice. He had to leave right away. So he sent me here."

"Wow you are an Army daughter."

I laughed. "Yeah."

We heard commotion coming upstairs.

"The boys are here." Scott said. "I better go. I don't want them to know where you sleep. Can't trust all guys." He waved bye and closed my door.

Scott is a really good guy. I like him.

******

It turned four and I decided to get ready.

I bought a cute shirt, special for the 4th of July.

I decided to wear some ripped jeans and my Rainbow sandals.

I put on some red lipstick for the red part of fourth of July.

By the time it was 5:30 I went downstairs to see if Ann needed anything else.

I walked in the kitchen and seen all the guys drinking their brains out. Bottles of beer were all over the counter.

"Look who just walked in!" I heard one of the guys say.

I seen Abraham throwing a beer back. "Where's Ann?" I asked him.

"Figure it out." He said wiping his mouth after chugging the beer.

I rolled my eyes and walked out. I hate when people get sloppy drunk and I know that is where Abraham is headed.

I walked towards the backyard and seen Ann. She was putting all the decorations and deserts in the table.

"Hey Ann."

"Alicia. You look ready."

"I am. I came out here to see if you needed any help."

"Um. I don't have anything actually for you to do. You did enough today. Just wait till the guests come and enjoy yourself for the rest of the night."

"Okay." I went back inside and avoided the kitchen.

I just have to wait.

*********

The party was in full swing. A lot of people showed up. Mostly family of Ann's and Abraham's. I was introduced to all of them. Ann insisted.

It was 6:30 and Daniel texted me he was on his way. Thank god. Abraham's friends were far from starting to get annoying, they beyond passed it. They would try and get my attention any time they could.

If I ignore you it means I don't want to talk to you. They didn't get the picture. But I did notice that Scott wasn't among them. He must've left. Abraham on the other hand was doing nothing to stop his stupid friend. Especially one friend in particular.

All I know is he has a man bun and a jean jacket on. I have been avoiding his cat calls all night.

My phone vibrated and I seen that Daniel texted me he was here.

I went inside to go get him.

I opened the door and there he was. He was wearing an American flag muscle tee.

"Hey Alicia."

"Hi Daniel."

"When you said house, you didn't mention mansion."

"Oh. Well I didn't think it mattered. Come in." He came in and followed me towards the backyard. "I want to introduce you to someone." I took him to Ann and introduced the two.

Ann gave me a wink when I walked away. Really Ann.

I was definitely not going to introduce him to Abraham. I didn't know what he was going to tell Daniel.

We grabbed a plate and got hamburgers and other side dish food. I led him to an empty picnic table.

"This mansion is beautiful. The beach is your backyard."

"It has its perks."

"You know Alicia, I'm happy you invited me tonight. I was just going to be miserable but I'm not now. Thanks to you." He picked up his beer and raised it up as a cheers.

"I'm glad I can help."

The song You Give Love A Bad Name came on by Bon Jovi.

"Yeah I love this song!" He said excited.

He started to lip sync the words and play the air guitar.

I started to bob my head to match his excitement. We were rocking out by ourselves. We didn't care who was watching.

I finished my third wine cooler and I could feel the effects. He is such a good time. By the time the song was half way finished we were on the sand laughing.

"Daniel I haven't felt this free in a long time!"

"You just got to enjoy life to the fullest. Live life like no one is watching!"

Like no one is watching...

"Let's go!" I grabbed his hand and ran towards the water.

"Are we going in?!" He yelled.

"Yup we are living life like no one is watching!" I stopped before I got in and took off my jeans and sandals.

He took off his shorts and muscle shirt. We jumped in and dove right in under a wave that was coming.

We rose up and I swam towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Thank you Daniel."

"For what?" He smiled.

"For giving me a different perspective on life."

"Anytime Alicia."

*******

We were sitting on the picnic table with a blanket around our shoulders.

The fireworks were about to begin.

This night was perfect.

"Here we go guys!" I heard Ann say.

We looked up and seen a beautiful array of colors shooting in the sky. They were nonstop and I loved that.

"Amazing." I heard Daniel say next to me.

"I have to agree." He looked down at me and looked into my eyes.

I was lost.

"Here I go." He leaned down and gave me a kiss on the lips.

Woah.

Fireworks were going on inside my head.

He didn't stop and I didn't pull away. His lips are so soft.

He pulled away and smiled.

We continued to watch the fireworks with a smile on both our faces.

******

I closed the door after saying goodnight to Daniel.

I feel like we are going to go somewhere after tonight.

I headed upstairs to shower and call it a night.

As I was at the top I heard stumbling and cursing. I looked down and seen Abraham sloppy drunk trying to come up the stairs.

I rolled my eyes and went back down to help him.

"Abraham."

"Who's calling?" He chuckled.

"I don't know if you would look up you would see who."

"Aliiiicccciiiaaa." He slurred. "I haven't seen you alllll niiight doll face."

"I'm pretty sure you didn't see anyone with so much alcohol in your system. Come on you can barely go up the stairs." I grabbed his waist and put his arm around my shoulder.

He leaned in and slurred in my ear, "So I seen you with that...guy..." He said 'guy' in a disgusted tone. "You are the reason why I...I..dr..drank tonight." His breath reiked of beer.

"Oh yeah why is that?" I slowly started going up the stairs.

"Because you brought a guy over." He burped. Oh no burping turns to barfing.

"He's a friend Abraham." We finally made it to the top and he was swaying. "Come on we need to go to the restroom, I have a feeling you are going to throw up."

"He didn't look like a frr..friend..when you kiss...kissed." He seen that.

I ignored him and went to his room towards the restroom. He let go of me and went on his knees and let out everything he ate...well drank since I noticed there was no food. Only liquid.

I went downstairs to get him some water. I quickly came back and seen he was passed out near his toilet.

Great.

"Abraham." I shook him and he opened his eyelids. "Come on get into bed." I brought him to his feet and pretty much threw him into bed.

I took off his shoes and turned off the light. He will have an interesting morning tomorrow.

I went to my room and closed the door behind me.

First thing I did was take a shower to get the sandy feel off me.

I put on my big t-shirt and shorts and headed for a bed.

Before I could get comfortable my door slammed open.

"Why did you have to kiss him?!" He yelled.

"What?"

"You heard me!"

"You can't think straight right now Abraham. Go to bed."

"I'm perfectly fine." He said swaying.

"You are definitely not."

"You did this to me."

"Stop blaming me for your drinking habits."

He moved closer and said, "Who else am I going to blame?"

"Yourself."

"Ha. Okay." He landed on his knees and said, "I sleep more comfortable with you."

"If you weren't drunk I would let you..."

"I'm half sober."

"No your not." He jumped into bed and shoved his face in a pillow.

"Abraham always gets his way." He chuckled.

"Always." He mumbled in the pillow.

I turned off the bedside lamp and flipped to the other so Abraham wouldn't get too close.

"Why are you so far?" He asked.

"Because I do not approve of this."

"Shut up." He moved closer to me and cuddled.

He instantly fell asleep and I did too.