The Vacation House: Psycho-Thriller Book 3

Rachel’s POV

I sat with my friends at the lunch table, munching on a sandwich I brought from home, waiting for my best friend Hannah to show up. I have to bring my own lunch because I can’t actually afford to buy it from the school. And my parents refuse to contact the school and ask for financial aid. So that leaves me to bring my own sack every day. But I guess it’s fine. I bring what I like and don’t have to stand in a line waiting for food.

Vicki and Chels are gossiping about one of the boys on the football team, Andrew. He’s a wide receiver, I think. They both can’t get over how hot he is. But I’m not really paying attention. I’m not much for girl gossip, and I’m not in a position to be involved in sports. Sometimes, Hannah drags me to a football game to watch her brother play. If it weren’t for Drew, Dax, and Hunter being on the team, I wouldn’t pay attention.

Trish and Millie are flirting with Hunter, of course. Millie is feeding Hunt her nachos, while Trisha has her hands all over his muscles. The playboy can’t help himself and doesn’t seem to be embarrassed by all the attention they are getting around the cafeteria. Although the girls don’t seem to be worrying about it either. (I just wish they didn’t have to do it in front of me. It’s making me uncomfortable.)  From the rumors going around school, he knows his way around a girl’s body. But like I said, I don’t really pay attention to the gossip. As long as it doesn’t involve me, I don’t need to know about it.

Suddenly, someone slides into the spot next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. His scent and warmth immediately tell me who it is that has decided to steal the seat from Hannah. It doesn’t, however, help my heart to calm down. I’m sure my face is already burning. Why did he do this?

Startled by his bold move, I looked at the culprit. And there he is, with sparkling blue eyes and blond hair that matches his sister perfectly. There is a reason most of the girls in the school are after the QB. And that would be that he is charming, and he also knows his way around girls, but I’ve never really seen him with any one girl in particular.  He says he is nowhere near as much of a player as Hunt is. He likes to flirt a lot, but he told me once he is waiting for the right girl to show up.

“Drew!” I giggle. This guy is asking for a death sentence if he doesn’t move soon, and we both know it. He may just be doing this to get under Hannah’s skin. The twins have a funny relationship where they try to one-up each other. I don’t know how it’s gonna play out or if they will ever declare a victor. Until then, we’ll all have to put up with their antics.

Drew is Hannah’s twin brother, and he’s been flirting with me for the last year. (I’m honestly not sure if he is flirting with me because he actually likes me or if he is doing it to tick Nana off. I’m not sure I’ll ever know for sure…) If I were honest with myself, I’d admit my crush on him. The only problem is I'm shy… Well, that and he happens to be my best friend's twin. What would Hannah think?

“Hey, beautiful, what’s up?” he chuckles as my face burns. Now I can’t even look in his eyes anymore after he called me that. I don’t know if he actually thinks I’m beautiful or if he is just used to calling girls beautiful. Either way, it’s making my pale cheeks flame up.

Hannah grumbles and sits on the other side of the table, sitting between Gage and Dax. “You stole my spot, brother!” she huffs, setting her tray on the table with a heavy thump and grabbing a handful of chips and stuffing them in her mouth in displeasure.

“I don’t see your name on it slow-poke! Plus, you always steal Rach away from me,” Drew teases his sister, eyeing my sandwich and apple slices with interest.

He can’t steal my food! I’d have nothing else to eat! In order to save my lunch, I grab his nachos from his tray and stuff them in his mouth!

He just chuckles in appreciation and winks at me, munching happily on his chips.

“Ya know, Rach isn’t yours,” grumbles Gage, watching the exchange, also munching on his lunch. But it looks like he also has a sandwich instead of the nachos. His green eyes are also sparkling, but not with happiness like Drew’s. No, they look like they are upset.

Gage is not on the football team. He’s on the swim team and has a long, lean swimmer's body with disheveled soft brown curls. He also had plenty of girls after him, but unlike his football friends, he ignored them all. He just said he wasn’t interested in fake girls. I can understand where he’s coming from… I’m sure Hunt, Drew, and Dax all understand, too.

I flash Gage a small smile before I bury my face in my hands. He has always been a quite shy boy, but he always stood up for me, especially when Drew happened to be possessive. What is with the boys today? I wondered. Really, I’m trying to figure out when everything changed around our group of friends… Also, I wish I knew WHY it changed? We are all seniors this year. Are they scared we won’t see each other again? Well, that may be true, I wouldn’t have a reason to hang around with these guys if it weren’t for school, and I don’t have the money for college… I’ll have to get a job somewhere soon.

“Speaking of stealing MY best friend away, I’m taking the girls to our vacation house this weekend. We’ll be back next Friday,” she informs her brother with a smirk. She looks so satisfied at the look of dismay plastered across her brother's face, and he just sends Nana a hard look.

That was news to the rest of us. When was this decision made, and why is she just telling us now? I’ve never been to the twin’s vacation house, but they always come back with fun stories. I’ve always wanted to go… I wonder if I can sneak away for a week without my parents knowing?

Jude walks up to our table with his arm around his girlfriend, Portia. None of us can stand the chick. She acts completely superior to all of us… which is dumb, because Drew and Hannah actually have more money and a bigger house, and basically everything they have is better than she has. She just doesn’t like to be second.

We are still trying to find out what Jude sees in her. He could literally have any girl in the whole freakin’ school with his dark looks. His hair is dark black and covers his dark chocolate eyes and his beautiful caramel skin. And yet, he picked a leech. If she’d just be nice to us, then I wouldn’t have a problem with it. Jude’s been our friend a lot longer than he’s had her attached at his hip.

“Sweet! Sleepover!” shouts Hunt, tickling Trish, who somehow happened to be sitting on his lap. When did that happen? I guess I’m not paying much attention to their flirting right now as I’m too interested in Hannah’s news… And then Portia showed up…

“NOPE! OUT OF THE QUESTION!” insists Hannah. “I am having a girls only vacation! No neanderthals allowed! You can hang out on Saturday!”

“Hey, that’s not fair! It’s my place too!” demands Drew, pulling me tighter into him, to prove what point, I have no idea.

He and his sister are having a stare-off, and I seem to be right in the middle of it. I just wish I could take myself away from the middle of it. I have no wish to be stuck between the siblings! This could get really messy, seeing as they can both be really underhanded if the situation calls for it.

Then the stare-off is interrupted when he suddenly nuzzles my neck and whispers in my ear, “Rach, tell my harpy of a sister that we can come too!” he demands. That is his big plan? He has to know that will never work!

I just giggle and shake my head at his attempt to win one over on his sister. He can’t pit me against her! That's not fair! “Since when have I ever been able to tell your sister anything? Once her mind is made up, that’s how it is,” I give him an apologetic smile, still giggling at the ridiculousness of it all. What was he thinking?

I hear grumbling from the other end of the table, and I don’t think it’s only Hannah sending death glares at her brother. Both Dax and Gage seem to be upset with Drew's close proximity to me. What’s up with Dax and Gage?

I know Dax doesn’t approve of Hunt and Drew's playboy ways… Maybe he just doesn't like PDA? Although, I’m not sure what this is… It feels more like I’m being held hostage by Nana’s flirtatious brother! And I don't even understand why!

“But Hannah,” Millie tries to get my friend's attention with pleading eyes and a pout. Millie should know by now that that never works on Nana. My best friend is stubborn. Plus, it’s her house, so I guess she gets to make the rules. I’m honestly not too upset about leaving the boys behind. If they followed us up there, I’m scared there’d be all this weird tension around us, and I’d never be able to relax like that.

I’m not naive. I know what boys do with girls in houses when there are no grownups around. I don’t attend parties like that. And yes I’m still a virgin, and I'm proud of it! I plan to wait until I get married for my first time! Everyone at this table, including Portia, knows this, and they are okay with it. (Even if Portia doesn’t believe I’ll wait that long. But it’s really none of her business!)

“We have to spend the whole Spring Break away from the boys?” Chels sighs. “Where’s the fun in that?” She looks longingly at Dax and Hunt. I’m sure she’d look at Jude too if Portia hadn’t been there. She knows to stay away from Gage… She tried to get him alone once, and it ended badly. Luckily, they were able to mend their friendship. Otherwise, it would’ve been really uncomfortable for all of us.

“Trust me! We don’t need boys to have fun!” Insists Hannah again, causing all the boys to glare at her in frustration. She just shrugs her shoulders and shoves more chips in her mouth, munching loudly and smiling right at Drew.

Portia snorts. “Are you sure about that darling?” she asks, condescending at  Hannah. What does this even have to do with Portia? I’m pretty sure she isn’t invited as Nana hates her guts! She’d rather have her brother crash her plans than that snake… I still don't know why she hates everybody so much!

“Babe, chill. This is between Hannah and the girls… And Drew,” Jude chuckles looking at Drew, who is still trying to keep me away from my best friend. Jude looks at me and winks, shaking his head. I think he knows exactly how I’m feeling right now… But that didn’t help me in the slightest. Maybe if he could convince the wall of muscles to let me go before world war three breaks out.

“Why do you even hang out with them, baby? You’ve got me!” Portia pouts, pushing her extra large chest into Jude’s body. The display is annoying. I really wish they’d just get a room… or they’d just break up! That might solve a lot of issues with the group.

Apparently, Jude thinks so, too, because he sighs in frustration. “Babe, I’ve told you. They are my friends, and I’ve known them since kindergarten!” He really doesn’t look happy with her right now.

I can understand why Portia wants him all to herself. He is gorgeous. But he is right. We’ve all been friends since forever… Then Portia moved here a couple of years ago, trying to split us up. But Jude refused to leave us, much to Portia’s dismay.

“Portia, shut the hell up. This has nothing to do with you! We only tolerate your presence  because you're wrapped around my bro’s arm like a snake… And there’s no way in hell we are kickin’ him outta here,” Dax grumbles next to Hannah. “If you’d learn to keep your mouth shut, we might actually learn to tolerate you,” he finishes, putting an arm around Hannah.

Drew snorts. I have a feeling he agrees with the sentiment, at least to a degree. Drew has never liked Portia at all. She tried to get her claws into Drew first, but he cast her away like the snake she is, at which point she latched herself to Jude. Poor guy.

And now Drew has to watch Dax getting all cozy with his twin sister, which seems to annoy him less than having Portia butt into our conversation.

His best buddy has had a thing for his twin for years, and Hannah knows it. She actually looks quite content to be up next to Dax, and she looks happy for his support. I still wonder if they will ever get together, or will they keep playing this game for the rest of high school?

Hannah chooses to ignore the tart glaring daggers at her and focuses on her girl friends. “So, chicas, we’ll be doing mani-pedis, sunbathing and eating lots of yummy food… And I’ve got some games and stuff for makeovers… Especially you, Rach. I’m gonna dye your brown hair and give you a cute cut,” she winks at me.

She knows how much I want to change how I look. My parents aren’t rich… In fact, we are the opposite of rich. We live in the ghetto, but Hannah doesn’t care. In fact, she tries to keep me away from my abusive parents as much as possible.  I’m not outgoing like her, and I tend to hide when there is a loud noise or conflict. But she loves me anyway.

I send Hannah a thankful smile. She gets me! That’s why she’s my best friend!

“Why does Rachel have to change her look? She looks beautiful  like she is!” Gage grumbles under his breath, stuffing his face with his sandwich. His face has a cute blush going up his cheeks. Gage can be really sweet when he wants to be.

“Thanks Gage,” I give Gage a small smile. “Hannah is just trying to help me out. My hair is really bad… and I can’t…”

I see understanding in Gage’s eyes. He nods his head and gives me a knowing look.

I don’t know what Gage’s home life is like because he doesn’t like to talk about his family. He doesn’t dress like Drew and Hannah, who can’t seem to wear anything less than designer clothing. But he doesn’t come to school in clothes full of holes like mine either. I would guess he at least has enough money to fit in with our crowd, especially if he can afford to be on the swim team. The only thing I know is that Gage is an only child and seems to be lonely.

He sends me another sweet smile and whispers “Okay, Rach. If it’s what you really want…”

I giggle at him. I can feel my face flushing again. Why can’t I keep my face from flaming up just because a guy seems to be nice to me? What is wrong with me? They are all my friends, I shouldn’t be reacting like this to any of them!

Drew seems upset now… Like I said, I don’t understand what has gotten into the boys lately. They all seem to be acting like lions defending their territory. The only problem is I don’t actually belong to any of them. No one has asked to claim me, so I don’t know what’s going on.

“And don’t forget the heated pool and hot tub….” Hannah sings, getting our friends' attention. This girl really knows how to seal a deal!

“I’m in!” Vicki chimes in.

“Me too!” Chels squeals.

“I’m there!” Trisha sings happily.

“Same! When do we leave?” Millie demands, now paying more attention to Hannah than Hunter, who looks to be slightly put out.

Hannah looks at me in the eye with a question.  She wants me to come, and I haven’t yet responded. I know even if I told her ‘no,’ she’d still find a way to kidnap me on her little vacation.

“I’ll be there… But you are gonna have to pick me up before my parents wake up,” I whisper. I’m a little worried about what my parents will do if they find out I’ve left. But that is a worry for another time… Maybe I can convince them that I’ll be at Hannah’s house working on school work?

“Kay, girls. Since we gotta pick up Rach about six in the morning, be at my house at five. Anyone not there by five twenty, we are leaving behind!” Hannah states with finality.

There are moans and groans around the table complaining of the early hour. I feel bad about that. If it weren't for me, the girls could’ve waited until a decent hour, like nine or ten before they had to leave.

“Sorry guys,” I mumble, looking down at my lap.

“Hey, Rach. They won’t care about how early they have to wake up once you get to my place,” Drew says, lifting my face up to his with his forefinger, sending me a beautiful smile and butterflies descend into my lower belly. How does he do that?

“He’s right!” Hannah says from the other end of the table, and noises of agreement from the girls do a lot to calm my guilt.

“Thanks Drew,” I say quietly.

“No problem, my shy little butterfly,” Drew winks. Then he leans into me once again and whispers so only I can hear, “I’m gonna try to break my sister's silly rule and see about coming up to see you this week. I don’t know why she has to have you all to herself when she knows how much I like you.”

Now my face is flaming red, and I send him another shy smile that causes his smile to widen.

And then there are more grumbles coming from the other guys at the table.