"Do I want to look like a valentine?"
"With your already confused love life, maybe not."
"Okay, so back to my love life and this weekend."
"Okay, so I'm looking at the pictures now. So this Dawson, he is gorgeous, and he looks very sweet and vulnerable. It's a very sexy look."
"I know."
"And he's the one that invited you to their house in the Hamptons for the weekend?
His parents going to be there?"
"Oh, I'm sure." (Or not.) "Did you ask?"
"Uh, no."
"Kiki."
"Fine. They aren't going to be there, but he said they have a housekeeper, cook, and groundkeeper that are on permanent staff and will be. So we will have some adult supervision. I mean, sorta."
"Okay, lets see this hottie god. Oh. Wow. He's got that magnetic charm, that I don't even realize how good looking I am because I'm too busy playing soccer look."
"Yeah, that's him, but I'm pretty sure he knows he's good looking because he is not ashamed to use it against me. So who should i choose? Aiden, Dawson or Brooklyn?"
"It's like trying to chose between Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Matthew McConaughey, it's impossible. But you said Aiden is out of the picture?"
"No, um, he's like, uh...."
"On the back burner?" (I'm realizing now that pretty much this entire scene got cut. She still talks to her mom here, but not all of this.) "Yes! He hasn't been very nice, so I'm leaving him back there to simmer."
"Hmmm. And Brooklyn wants you to see him surf. So what are you going to do?"
"I don't know! That's why I called you! I think I want to go both places, I need transportation, and mostly I just need you to tell me what to do, who I should like."
"I can't do that sweetie, you have to follow your heart."
"My heart is confused."
"Then tackle one at a time. Go see Brooklyn, first. See if things feel the same, better, or if they just feel kinda over."
"Then go see Gorgeous, have fun, let loose a little. Then when you go back to school on Tuesday, you will know more. And you have your credit card for a reason, or even better, call Tommy's assistant, Marcus, and tell him to book all your travel arrangements. He can get you a car, helicopter, whatever you need."
"A helicopter?" (Ahh. To be Abby Johnston.) "Well, I mean if you want to avoid traffic in NY, they are the fastest. But that's like his specialty. Here, I just sent him a text, he'll take care it. Also did you take swimsuits? Or clothes suitable for the Hamptons?"
"Oh shit. I only brought one bikini and no, I didn't!"
"I just texted Kym. She will have something couriered to you. If we have it there by three tomorrow, will that work?"
"Yeah, thanks, Mom, so much. And I know this boy stuff seems silly, but thanks for talking to me about it."
"Kiki, it's not silly, it's your life. Just make good decisions, okay? I really don't want to have to send you to rehab, although with all these boys, you're planning on being safe, right? Did you and Brooklyn use a condom?"
"Ug, Mom!"
"You know this is important, right?"
"Yes, and we did."
"I think you should go on the pill. Just in case. Plus it will make your periods way shorter and with less cramps. I'll get the doctor to send you a prescription."
"Uh, okay."
"But that doesn't mean you should just go doing it with anyone, okay? And always still use a condom, it's just like a back up plan."
"Uh, okay."
"Bye, Kiki."
Friday, September 2nd Today was a blur. I can't even tell you what all happened. Nothing really important. I think I was not really engaged in what was going on around me because I was worried about this weekend, thinking about what it would be like with Brooklyn.
Would things feel the same or different, would we do it again?
I was worried about going to see Dawson, what would that mean? I mean we want to take it slow, but spending the weekend with someone seems fast, but I know there are lots of friends going, so I'm sure it's just a friendly type thing.
I was worrying about Aiden, that I told him I wouldn't hang out with him tonight because I had other plans. I was worrying that he really didn't say anything to me in french.
I was really worried about dancing at the football game. I was so worried that I would mess up. I only flubbed up like four times, and they weren't too bad, I'm hoping no one really even noticed. Aiden suits up for varsity, but does not start, so he was on the sidelines watching me a lot. And that made me even more nervous. That's one thing I do like about Dawson, I always know what he's thinking. I had no idea what Aiden was thinking.
I hung out with Dawson a little and then the girls later. We didn't party. Lots of kids left right after school, and everyone else was busy packing and getting ready to leave tomorrow. My clothes arrived, I packed, and now I am going to sleep! I have a car picking me up very early tomorrow! (Blah, blah, blah.) Saturday, September 3rd A sleezy train wreck (Just this title almost gives me hives. I was SOOOO mad at B here! I was also really upset that Keatyn even went to this. And when the stalker showed up! Eek! But I digress, let's get back to this.) 10am I'm at the surf tournament. It's crazy. People everywhere, but when you show up in a limo, at least you don't have to worry about parking.
I have chosen my outfit for today very, very carefully. Well, I mean I chose it out of the stuff that Kym sent. I want to look like the Keats that Brooklyn knows and loves, but I want to look more grown up.
Like seriously, I feel like I've aged five years since I left him. He needs to see the grown up Keatyn Monroe.
Kym sent me a detailed list of ways to wear everything she sent me. A bunch of bikinis, clothes suitable for the Hamptons, which she says is a very casual, but couture place.
I pick my way though the crowd and look for Brooklyn's sponsor tent.
Yeah, his dad made a few calls, and somehow he got him three major sponsors. I see the tent and spot Brooklyn inside. He's so cute. I can tell he's been out surfing already. The tips of his hair are dry but it's still darker close to his head. His bangs are hanging down in his eyes. He's got on board shorts, my necklace and a pair of sandals. (And now, I love him again. I think K and I both have some sort of boy ADD.) There is actually a short line of girls waiting to get his autograph. I watch him laughing, smiling, flirting with a girl. Then I watch him sign the boob she has extended to him.
There's a girl with her, who apparently doesn't want to be outdone, so she turns around, wiggles her thong toward him, and he signs one of her butt cheeks.
Who knew surf competitions were so classy.
Then three girls crowd around him to take their picture. Two of the girls start to walk away, but the third one, who is sporting orange tanned skin and huge fake boobs, grabs him and starts kissing him.
I can barely believe my eyes.
And what's worse is he doesn't seem to mind.
I watch her kiss him deeply, finally stopping. He gives her a huge grin, she gives him her number, and I'm standing here feeling like I need a shower. (Me, too.) Seriously?
Ick!
I don't think i could ever kiss those sun-chapped lips again. (Also, I remember cutting the sun-chapped part. Because that doesn't sound attractive.) I suddenly have the urge to leave. I want turn around, chase my tail back to the limo.
But I don't.
I drove all the way here and really after his little display, I feel even more confident because I think I am done with Brooklyn.
And I'm thinking he needs to know it.
I stand in front of his tent until he notices me. I'm wearing a skin colored macrame bikini, little chunky turquoise and coral stones run down around my cleavage, and the bikini's strings have little stones at the end of them. There's a single long gold chain around my neck with a large turquoise stone. I'm wearing turquoise and straw colored platform wedges that are surprisingly easy to maneuver in the sand. Big gold Dolce & Gabbana aviators on my face. Gauzy white shirt all unbuttoned, holding a straw cowboy hat, my hair in beachy waves.
He seems me, smiles, checks out my bikini. Doesn't recognize me.
I put my sunglasses on top of my head and smile back.
He takes a second look. His eyes get big as he recognizes me. (Also just realized...OMG! In this version, they don't have matching chaos tattoos!) "Keats!!!" He leaves his line of admirers and pulls me into a big hug, leans into kiss me. I totally turn my cheek.
"I just saw your make out session with fake boobs, you'd have to sanitize your mouth before I'd kiss you."
He laughs, doesn't seem to be the least bit worried I just watched him kiss another girl, throws an arm around me, and leads me to his tent.
I stand there basically while he finishes his autograph session. Watch girls fawn all over him, watch him loving it, and wonder what the hell I'm doing here.
But worse case, he's my best friend, right?
I should be supportive.
But then he says, "Hey, I have to, uh, run somewhere real quick, I'll be back in a few. Uh, hold down the fort."
That really doesn't make sense to me. Where would he be going that I couldn't tag along? Plus he looks sorta sneaky as he's walking away, and for some reason, I follow him.
He meets up with the orange, big boobed girl, and she pulls him into a changing tent. He does not resist.
About ten minutes later, they sneak back out, him looking satisfied, and her just looking like a sleezy train wreck.
I walk straight up to him. "It's a good thing all we are to each other is friends, or I might have been really hurt by that. And I'd say, have fun, enjoy your first tournament, but you obviously already are. I'm outta here."
He starts to come after me, yelling, "But, Keats."
I flip him off and continue to walk away.
I call Marcus, say, "Get me that chopper and get me the fuck to the Hamptons." (LOL) He says, "I take it Brook is history?"
"You could say that. He made out with a girl right in front of me and then snuck off and screwed some chick in a cabana."
"Oh....uh, that sucks, sorry Kiki. I'll make a few calls and get right back to you."
So I retreat to the cool quiet air in the limo and call Dawson.
"Hey, so I was thinking about heading your way." I try to sound happy.
"Already?"
And for a second I think he doesn't want me any more either.
"Uh, well, I mean if you still want me."
"Oh, I want you," he teases.
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah I do, and it's awesome! I can't wait for you to come up here. Hang, party, have some fun. Oh wait, what happened with surfer dude? It must've been bad if you're leaving all ready. You okay?"
"Lets just say he and I are very finished."
"What happened?"
"Basically he's an idiot, no wait, I'm the idiot. (I might agree with her on this point, but I get it. Love makes you do dumb things sometimes.) I'll tell you about it later. After you have made me one of those amazing drinks you have been bragging about."
"I'm sorry if he hurt you, I know how that feels, but still, I'm kinda excited cuz I can't wait to see you. It will probably take you a good couple of hours with traffic."
"Hang on..."
I look at the text I just got from Marcus. It has a address to meet the chopper and says, eta Hamptons, 22 minutes.
I click back to Dawson, "I might be there a little sooner than that."
And I can't help but smile to myself.
I just gave you goosebumps.
12:30pm He's waiting for me outside a huge rambling colonial mansion when I pull up in a limo.
"Sweet ride."
"Well, I can't drive yet."