Your Biggest Misconception

Packing was no easy task contrary to what anyone might tell you. Ask anyone who moves around frequently. The stress of tucking away all your belongings can be a daunting one, especially if you’re not organized. However, packing for a weekend away should not be this hard. Ever.

“Wow Kali, and I thought I was bad.” Amanda laughed as she walked into the tiny bedroom of my run-down apartment. She had come to pick me up so we could head over to Brian’s house where we would be staying this weekend. The problem was, I wasn’t near being ready to go.

“Why is this so hard?” I groaned as I threw a few tank tops on my bed after debating what would be most appropriate for a weekend at the beach.

Manda plopped down on my bed and emitted a chuckle. “Trying to impress someone are we?” She teased gently making me send a glare in her direction.

“Hell no I’m not. I just want to be comfortable this weekend.” I tried to reason firmly, being that that was indeed the truth. “Who would I be trying to impress exactly?” I asked her, with a hint of a dare in my tone.

“Oh no one in particular.” She replied with a smirk.

“Mhmm.” I hummed, tossing an extra bikini into my small duffle bag before flipping the top over and zipping it shut, confident that everything I needed was packed away inside.

“You ready finally?” She teased as I hauled my bag over my shoulder where it slumped against my hip.

“Yes dear.” I said with a roll of my eyes. “I’m ready.”

Amanda just laughed and shook her head as she exited my room with me on toe.

“Kali, can you promise me something?” She questioned as we made our way out of my building after having a near encounter with Mr. Gordon who lives down the hall. He was always going on and on about his puzzle games he plays and frequently tried to enlist passerbyers in helping him with his latest crossword. He was a nice man but could easily make you ten to fifteen minutes late to wherever you were headed.

“Sure thing Mands.”

“Promise me you’ll try and enjoy yourself this weekend alright?” She asked softly after we had climbed into her car, which was loaded with our typical beach supplies.

I looked sideways at her as she buckled her seatbelt. She actually looked sort of stressed out about this and I couldn’t help but feel like I was at fault for those feelings. After all, our last outing really hadn’t turned out like she had planned for it to.

This was different though. I loved the beach and spending the weekend at the nation’s biggest surfing competition was only going to make it more enjoyable.

“I promise Amanda.” I informed her with a smile as she started her car. “Besides, I love the beach. Just as long as no jerks go tripping over me.” I added with a good-natured laugh.

She too chuckled and backed out of the parking spot, headed down the road toward the opposite side of Huntington. “Even if said jerk is quite attractive.”

“Amanda.” I warned with a sideways glance.

“Oh come on Kals! He’s gorgeous! They all are and you know it.”

The corners of my lips tugged up slightly as I tried to hide my smile.

She may have had a point there. While Zacky was the biggest douche I had ever encountered so far he was situated in the eye candy category. As all of the guys were.

“Woah.” I stated in awe as we entered into the wealthier side of Huntington. “This is where Brian lives?”

This side of Huntington was known to be way above what my price range for a house would ever be. While I knew Brian had a lot of money I never dreamed he lived in this area. I was pretty sure the same could be said for the rest of the guys too.

“I guess so.” Amanda replied in just as much awe as I was. Living off a waitress’ salary didn’t leave a whole lot left over once you factored bills and living expenses into the equation. That was partly why the two of us spent so much time at the beach. Free entertainment.

Her gps informed up that his house was coming up on our right and as we neared the correct numbered house our eyes only grew in size. Manda eased the car to a stop against the curb. Both of our faces were nearly pressed against the window with our jaws dropped to the floor.

Brian’s house was enormous.

“I feel so out of place here.” I mumbled to Manda as we climbed out of the car after regaining out composure. This house must have cost Brian millions, evidence that they’re band was more well off then we had thought. The double garage driveway had several cars parked in it besides Brian’s black BMW and they too were also always going to be out of my price range.

“Me too.” Amanda said as she raised her hand and rang the doorbell, knowing no one would ever hear us in this giant mansion-esque house if we were to knock.

The door opened and Brian stood before us grinning from ear to ear. “You made it.” He said with a smile as he stepped back and allowed us to enter his home.

“Yeah. Once miss slow poke here finished packing.” Manda said with a laugh as she hugged Brian and then I followed suit.

I simply rolled my eyes as I pulled away from Brian. “Sorry we all can’t throw our things in bags as fast as you.” I told Manda making us both laugh.

“Well welcome to my humble abode.” Brian said as he motioned us further into the house.

“Humble my ass.” A voice scoffed in good fun from the living room.

Brian rolled his eyes as we entered the living room to see Zacky lounging on the oversized sofa with a bottle of water in his hand. Part of me was surprised it wasn’t a bottle of beer but I suppose it was still only ten in the morning.

“Hey Zack.” Amanda said politely as she situated herself in one of the plush armchairs that were scattered throughout the room.

“Hello Amanda.” He replied casually but gave her a small smile.

Amanda’s eyes shifted to me and gave me a nudge in his direction with her head. She looked pointedly at me after I refused to say anything and I finally caved as I sat down.

“Hi Zack.” I said softly after opening me eyes that were tightly shut in frustration.

His green eyes shifted to me slightly after Brian smacked him in the arm and forced him to sit up on the couch so he could sit as well. Zacky leaned back in his spot and crossed one of his ankles over his knee as he observed me skeptically.

I bit my lip softly and gave him a small smile. I guess that was enough.

“Kali.” He said with a nod of his head. “How are you?” He questioned further, shocking me with his push of conversation.

I glanced sideways at Amanda and saw she was smirking at me slightly. When I looked back at Zacky it was to see he too was smirking. He had caught me off guard.

“Fine. Been fine. You?”

He rolled his eyes at my typical response, earning a frown from me and a smack upside the head from Brian. “Never better.” He said with a sneer.

I bit my bottom lip and stood up from where I had just sat. “I’m gonna go get things from the car.” I mumbled before snagging Manda’s keys and exiting the house just after I heard Brian start to chew Zack out.

I was trying to be nice. That’s all, just like Amanda had asked of me. My teeth were grit together as I walked down the sloped driveway and unlocked the car.

Why was it so hard for him to be nice to me? What had I ever done to him? Other then trip him on the beach unintentionally which could have been done by anyone, I didn’t see a damn thing I did to make him despise me so much.

After hauling my duffle bag and Amanda’s from the back end of her Civic I set them on the ground and shut the trunk. I shoved the keys into my pocket and lifted both bags onto my shoulder before turning toward the house.

Startled to discover Zack standing right behind me, I jumped back out of surprise and sent a hand to my heart that was now racing.

Oddly enough he let out a small deep chuckle that I also wasn’t expecting.

“Sorry.” He mumbled gently before finally meeting my eyes in a stare. “Do you need help?”

The corners of my lips curled down into a frown as I narrowed my eyes at him. “No I don’t.” I said with my typical stubborn tone.

Zack simply rolled his eyes at me and reached out before taking one of the bags off of my shoulder. “You’re too hard headed.” He informed me as he took a sideways glance at my body as we walked side by side toward the house again.

“The same could be said for you.”

“Touche.”

We re-entered the house silently and Zack led me up a flight of stairs to where I presumed me and Manda would be staying.

“Brian has two guest bedrooms. He said you get one and Manda gets the other.”

I merely nodded and followed Zack into one of the rooms. He set the bag down on the bed that happened to be mine before turning to head out of the room.

I on the other hand was firmly planted as I took in the sheer size of the room I was standing in. This was a guest bedroom? This thing had to be the size of at least a master, if not bigger. I could only begin to imagine how large Brian’s room was.

“Are you coming?” Zack’s agitated tone asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Oh. Sorry.”

Out of the corner of my eye I saw him roll his eyes but chose not to acknowledge it any for fear of starting a fight I didn’t want to deal with.

Across the hall was the other room and it was very similar in size and décor. I set Manda’s bag on the bed and continued my surveillance of the room before Zack was quick to usher me out.

I simply gave him a scowl before following him back downstairs to where Manda and Brian were still sitting in the living room chatting.

“Everything alright?” Brian asked as we entered and sat on opposite sides of the room.

“Yeah.” I responded softly.

Manda and Brian both looked between the two of us before nodding skeptically. “Well then… ready to hit the beach?”

I looked down at my attire and was glad that I actually wore my bikini under my clothes this time so I didn’t have to worry about changing here. This way we wouldn’t waste any time.

“Ready when you guys are. Where’s everyone else?”

Zack just looked at me and rolled his eyes. “Clearly not here.”

I pursed my lips and was trying very hard not to chew him out for being stupid and rude.

Unfortunately Brian beat me to it. “Thank you captain obvious. Get a grip Zack.” He informed his friend before turning to me. “They’re going to meet us there.”

“Oh alright.”

Zacky just folded his arms over his chest and glared at me silently.

This was going to be the longest weekend of my life.

***

“Johnny! Get back here you dipshit!” Jimmy yelled at the shorter man as he chased him around the crowded beach for a reason that still wasn’t known to us.

I brought my beer bottle to my lips as the cool liquid rushed down my throat pleasantly.

My unoccupied hand was propped against the towel that was creating a divot in the sand as I held myself up.

“Does anyone even know what short shit did now?” Matt questioned as he watched his friends run dangerously between people camped out on beach towels.

I cringed slightly and diverted my eyes as Jimmy’s long legs went into the air as he half jumped over some poor unsuspecting lady and came crashing down on Johnny who let out a yelp.

“No idea.” Zack replied as he too shook his head with wide eyes.

“Hey Zack? Can you make a hoodie run to the cars? It’s going to get dark here soon.” Brian asked with a slight glint in his eye that made me curious.

“Damn it man. I told you to bring them with us earlier.”

Brian simply shrugged innocently and tossed his car keys to Zack who caught them as he stood. “Hey Kali would you mind going with Zack? I left my glasses in there and you know I can’t see well at night.”

My jaw dropped at my friend because I knew exactly what she was trying to accomplish. Unfortunately for me I didn’t have a good enough excuse to say no.

She just grinned knowing I was too good of a friend to shoot her down.

With a playful glare at my friend I stood up and crossed over to where Zacky was standing. I didn’t bother putting my shirt back on and neither had he. So I was still in my bikini with a pair of jean shorts on over the top of it. Zack only had on his board shorts.

I had to admit, it was fun seeing all of the guys’ chest and back tattoos. I had only seen them the one other time at the beach but I had just met them for the first time. This go around I was more comfortable around them and felt brave enough to look carefully at them and even ask a few questions about certain ones.

The only person I didn’t dare ask questions to was Zack because I feared he would chew me out and tell me it was none of my business.

The day had surprisingly been rather pleasant. Zacky and I were civil to eachother for the most part and only had one small altercation over what event we wanted to go see.

“It seems like we always get stuck together.” He said with a chuckle as our flip flops both flung sand behind us as we trudged through the masses of people that were still piling in for the nightly bon fires.

“Tell me about it.” I said with a sigh. “Can I ask you a question?” I pulled my arms around myself and shivered slightly as a breeze rolled through.

Zack looked at me out of the corner of his eye with a slightly annoyed expression. “I guess so.” He finally replied as we finally reached the sidewalk and hung a right to head down to where we had parked at Bolsa Chica earlier this morning.

“Why do you not like me?” I tilted my head to see he had a puzzled look on his face. My question obviously wasn’t what he was expecting to hear.

Zack let out a sigh as he fumbled awkwardly with his keys. “You just came in at a very inconvenient time.”

My brow furrowed as I gave him a baffled expression. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” He said with a frown. “I don’t know. I’ll try and be nicer.”

Well someone was stubborn today and it was rather frustrating. I did know though that his answer was going to be as far as I got. “Well sorry if I ever did anything wrong.” I said back to him in the same stubborn voice. Two could play that game.

“Oh don’t be like that Kali.” He said with a roll of his eyes as we finally entered the full parking lot. My brow furrowed as I gave him a baffled expression. “What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t be like what? How in the world would you know how I’m acting? You don’t even know me at all because you’ve put no effort into even speaking to me this entire day!” My exasperated sigh made him return it as he ran a hand over his face. “You’ve talked to everyone but me. So what’s this vendetta you have against me?”

“Alright. I’ll admit I haven’t spoken to you much today and that I don’t know you much at all but you too haven’t been into talking to me so why should I return the courtesy? It’s a two way street and I don’t see the effort on your part either.”

While Zack did have a point I found it hard to admit that to myself. I felt like it was his fault but he could very easily see that it was mine from his point of view.

“Alright. I’ll make you a deal. You try and be civil to me and I’ll return the civility.”

He cast me a sideways smirk as he pressed the unlock button to disarm the alarm on Brian’s car. “Deal.”

While I didn’t like his smirk I accepted the truce for now.

I opened the back door to Brian’s car and fished out the hoodies that Manda and I had packed, as well as her glasses that were in her case sitting on the seat.

A loud yelp escaped my mouth as I felt a firm pinch on my backside. The surprised made me jump up and knock my head against the roof of the car.

I climbed out of the car and sent a deadly glare at Zack who was standing innocently behind me.

Raising a finger I pointed it at him and narrowed my eyes. “What the hell happened to our truce? Don’t you dare touch me like that again Baker.”

“And what do you plan on doing about it Jimmerson?”

I simply scowled in his direction, not feeling like he deserved an answer. I pulled my hoodie on over my head before grabbing a hold of Manda’s things.

“You are such an ass.” I mumbled as Zack threw his own hoodie on before locking Brian’s car again.

“So I’ve been told.” He retorted with that stupid smirk again.

Silence filled our walk through the parking lot but once we hit the long sidewalk Zack decided to speak up. “So you’re a waitress at that café Brian always goes to?”

Surprised at his casual conversation question, I blinked a few times before nodding. “Yeah. Me and Manda both work there. Her mom owns the place. It’s been in their family for years and she and I both started working there when we were young.”

I glanced over to see him nod briefly before he turned his head to look at me as well. “Is that your only job?”

“Yeah. It’s not much but it’s enough for me to get by.”

Zack scrunched his nose up momentarily before scratching his head. “What about your parents? They don’t help you out?”

I cringed lightly at the subject of my parents. It wasn’t that it was a touchy subject but it was always difficult to explain. “My parents passed away when I was younger. Manda’s family basically took me under their wing. At the time of their passing I was too young to inherit anything, only sixteen, so most of it went to my other relatives and they were supposed to hold onto my inheritance until I turned eighteen. Unfortunately they weren’t so responsible with it and I eventually received nothing. My grandparents are still alive and constantly pester me about moving out of the apartment I live in but I can’t afford it right now. My parents were always close with Amanda’s family though so they helped me some until I could earn a salary of my own.”

“Oh.” Zack said softly. “I’m sorry to hear about that.”

I simply shrugged. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ve come to terms that my life isn’t the greatest but I enjoy it nonetheless.”

Silence fell across us once again and I figured Zack didn’t know what else to say to me. It was obvious we came from two very different worlds but I don’t think he had realized that until now. I wasn’t some spoiled kid growing up and often had to work for what I needed just to live off of.

“So you come to the beach often then?”

With a nod I turned to face him feeling a little more confident now. “All the time. It’s the one place I can think and just relax and let my worries disappear.”

Zack mused a hum softly. “Same here.”

As I glanced up at him I thought I saw a very small smile cross his lips but as soon as I saw it, it was gone again.

He seemed to be deep in thought as he bit down on one of his snakebites.

Instead of watching him like a creeper I looked out toward the ocean to see the sun was beginning to set. I loved sunsets at the beach and often came down just to watch them. It seemed like a perfect ending to the day overall and just painted a very pretty picture across the horizon.

“You like sunsets?” His question brought me out of my gaze as my head whipped back around.
“Yeah. Perfect way to end the day.” I stated with a soft sigh as we started to trek back across the sand to where I could hear our friends laughing loudly.

Zack laughed at my pained expression. “Day’s not over yet.” He said with a smirk as we reached everyone and tossed out various hoodies to their respective owners. Matt, Jimmy, and Johnny had since already put theirs on since they were smart and brought them out in the first place.

“You survived.” Manda said with a smile as I sat back down beside her.

“Barely.” I laughed.

“What happened?”

“Well, we chatted.” I started to explain as warmed my hands up near the fire the guys had built. Thank heavens for fire rings along the beach. “He pinched my ass.” I grumbled looking over to see Zack laughing at something Jimmy had said to him.

Amanda simply looked at me with wide eyes and burst out laughing. “I think he likes you.”

Now it was my turn to laugh. I brought my hands back in and tucked them inside the front pocket of my hoodie. Glancing across the fire I couldn’t help but let a small grin cross my lips as the orange glow of the fire illuminated Zack’s face among the shadows.

“Somehow I doubt that.”

Amanda just looked from me to Zack and eventually put her hands up in surrender.

I gulped as I really surveyed Zack and hoped that he really did try and stay nice to me.

His earlier words still had me slightly baffled and I spent a good few minutes before giving up trying to decipher them. How could someone come in at an inconvenient time? What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Just maybe there was more to Zack Baker than met the eye.