Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll: Part Two

California was not at all as I’d expected, nor hoped. It was like a dirtier Colorado. It had the same green street signs, the same yellow and white lines on the road, the only difference was the beach.

At the time I had never been to a beach. I used to have dreams, trying to imagine what they were like, and the moment the car was parked my heart began to race.

“Your first time at the beach, girls!” My dad said, mostly Sammy and Taylor, not so much to his gloomy eldest daughter, sulky from the move, and hormonal about her period. It disturbed me that my stepmother told him these things.

Despite my less than formidable mood, the beach managed to

lighten my spirits at least a little bit. I took off my shoes and stuffed my

socks into them. My first step in beach sand.

It was still warm from the day’s sun. Sammy and Taylor ran out

ahead with my dad trailing behind them. Jenna stepped up beside me.

“How do you like it?” she asked me.

“It’s alright,” I said.

“Alright?” I knew I’d hurt her pride. This was her hometown.

“It’s really pretty, I love the sand,” I said, cutting her some

slack. She smiled.

“There’s somebody I want you to meet. He’s the son of one of

my high school friends.

I tried to picture my stepmother in high school, with friends and

dates and proms. I couldn’t.

“Jenna,” I sighed.

“Callie,” she said.

“Can’t I at least adjust before you try to set me up?” I asked,

only half joking.

“You’ll like him,” she reassured, “how old are you?”

“Fifteen,” I answered.

“Oh, he’s a little old, but I trust you to make smart decisions.

Please Cal, give him a chance.”

Typical Jenna, talking to me like I was her best friend, living

vicariously through my high school years.

I grudgingly agreed. Jenna yelped in her joy. Thirty-six going on

sixteen.

“Come with me,” she said, pulling me by the hand, something

in me knew that I was about to meet the mystery guy.

“You two are going to have such a nice time! He’s taking you to

the pier, and then to dinner-”

“Jenna!” I interrupted, “you already had this all set up?”

She nodded excitedly. There was a figure sitting in the sand, we

made our way toward it, my heart beating faster despite my brains anger.

He looked our way, his green eyes meeting mine. I lost my

stride right then and there, falling face-first into the California sand. Jenna

laughed, the guy laughed, I dammed myself to hell.

“Callie, this is Patrick,” she said, “Patrick, Callie.”

I brushed the remaining sand out of my hair, I was still sitting

in the dirt and there was no doubt in my mind that my face was the same

color as my hair.

“Welcome to Cali, Callie.” Patrick said.

Smartass, I thought.

“Hi,” I said.

Jenna walked away, “I’ll pick you up here at ten, okay?”

How the hell had she talked my dad into ten? He was a

strict “be home by eight,” kinda guy.

“So, Callie,” Patrick began.

“What?” It came out harsher than I’d intended.

“Sorry,” he said.

“No, I am. It’s just…her. You know?”

“Yeah, she can be a bit pushy…”

“That’s one word for it,” I mumbled, Patrick laughed.

“Sorry if I seem…weird. I moved three days ago.” I said, as if it

were my excuse.

“How do you like it so far?”

“Don’t know yet…” I looked around, “It has it’s charm.”

“Oh, charm is one thing it definintely has,” I found myself

looking into Patrick’s eyes as he spoke, they were a mirror image of mine.

Only he had brown hair falling into them instead of red.

“Meaning…” I said with a smile.

“I’ll show you.”

Part Three- Drugs: Coming soon.