Chapter 8.

"Are you ready to go, Jenny?" said Luka, getting ready to start the engine. "Yeah, let's go," I said. Luka extended his hand out, helping me into the boat. I sat down at the top of the boat, while Luka went to the back. Luka started the engine, and we pulled out.

At first, the waves crashing on the bottom of the boat were actually painful. I was being tossed around like a rag doll in the front. I couldn't deny, the intermittent splashes of the cool water were soothing. The sun was still warm, even as it was setting. In the middle of the water, Luka stopped the boat. "Luka, what are you doing?" I said, concerned. "Did the engine break?". "No, I just thought we could talk," said Luka, staring at me. "In the middle of the ocean?" I said looking around, seeing a faint outline of land. "We're not in the middle of the ocean," said Luka, laughing at me. "This spot exactly is ten miles off of shore, and it's the only spot where the waves are semi-calm".

"Okay, what do you want to talk about?" I said. "You," said Luka. "What do you like to do? What are some of your favorite things? I just want to know more about you Jenny". "Well, there isn't much to know. My mom died when I was seven, my dad became a millionaire after she died, I went to college, and then I came here" I said. "Like I said, not much to know". "Jenny, I'm sorry," said Luka. "What about you Luka, what's your story?" I said, trying to ease the tension.

"I was born here in California, I met Jesse when we were kids. When my parents adopted Lacy, Jesse's parents adopted Andi. We've all been super close. Once we all graduated, Jesse's parents bought him this house as a graduation present. We've all lived here since" said Luka. "What do Jesse's parents do now?" I asked. "Well, don't ever tell him I told you this, his parents died a while back. Jesse's my best friend, and he tells me everything, but he is very secluded about his family" said Luka. "I've learned not to take it personal. Jesse can get really defensive sometimes, especially over those he cares about…".

"That makes sense, I understand that" I said. "You know I'm always here for you Jenny, if you ever need to talk to someone" said Luka. "Thanks Luka, I appreciate it," I said. I never realized how attractive Luka actually was.. His emerald green eyes, his dark brown hair; the way it drifted in the wind, and his sun kissed skin. I then realized all the men here are definitely lookers.

After we realized we had been staring at each other for a while, Luka finally broke the silence "Should we get back? It's starting to get dark" said Luka. "We probably should, Becca might start to think you drowned me" I said. "What's Becca like?" said Luka. "I haven't really gotten much time to talk to her". "Well, she's been my best friend since childhood. She, more than anyone else I know, loves to eat. She tends to get ahead of herself most of the time," I said to Luka. "Yeah, she seems nice," said Luka. "We better head back, Jesse will freak if we're out on the water when it's dark, he's got a thing about that". Luka started up the motor, and we headed back to shore.

When we got back to the beach, Luka helped me out of the boat. "I had a really great time; we should go out again soon" I said to Luka. Just then, I felt a sharp pain on my foot. I tripped over a rock. As I started to fall, I felt Luka grab my back, then my hips, in a dip like stance. "Jenny are you okay?" said Luka, as he stared into my eyes. I stood there speechless, staring at Luka. "Luka I…". I noticed Luka staring at my lips. I couldn't help but feel a sudden urge to kiss Luka. Although, I couldn't get Jesse out of my head. Luka looked as though he was going to kiss me, but suddenly I heard a voice coming closer from the house.

"Luka, what the hell man!" shouted Jesse. Luka instantly let go of me and acted as if nothing happened. Jesse came running, full force at Luka. "Jesse stop!" I shouted as Jesse tackled Luka. I grabbed Jesse's arm, attempting to pull him off Luka. By then, everyone came outside to see what was happening. Andi was the first one to the beach, followed by Conner. Andi grabbed Jesse off of Luka, pulling him by the neck, causing him to let go. Conner barely drug Luka out of Jesse's grasp.

"What are you thinking?" shouted Andi to Jesse. Andi screamed, swore, and knocked Jesse in the head a few times. "Andi, you need to come here" shouted Conner. I turned to see blood coming from Lukas face. By then, the rest of the girls were down on the beach. "Lace get me a light" said Conner motioning for Lacy. Lacy sprinted over to Conner with her phone. She turned on her flashlight, revealing a small cut on Lukas face.

"C'mon, everyone inside" directed Andi. Andi grabbed Jesse by the wrist, practically dragging him inside. Becca and Elena stopped me at the door. "What happened down there?" said Becca. "Luka and I got back from our ride, as we walked up the beach I tripped on a giant rock and fell. Luka caught me as I was falling. Nothing happened" I said. "Jenny, I don't think you realized, Jesse was ready to kill Luka… just because he was touching you…" said Elena. "Yeah J, believe me, Jesse was like a freaking bull in a China shop…" said Becca.

Andi walked Jesse to his room. Once they got there, she slammed the door behind them. "Jesse what the hell were you thinking?" shouted Andi. "I don't know Andi, lay off," said Jesse. "No Jesse, I'm not going to lay off. Especially when you just about killed your best friend!" said Andi. "Whatever let me go" said Jesse trying to get past her. "Sit down!" shouted Andi. "What is wrong with you? You looked like an idiot!". "I don't have time for this, I'm out" said Jesse as he pushed Andi out of the way. I went to Jesse's bedroom door, hoping he'd give me the chance to explain what happened.

Just as I was about to knock, Jesse flung open the door, stormed out, and ran right into me. The force of his body hitting mine nearly dropped me to the floor. Jesse stared at me for a minute, then maneuvered out of the way. "Jesse" I said as he walked away. Andi walked under the doorway, "Jenny let him be, this is what he does". "Is he going to be okay?" I asked. "He'll be fine in the morning, don't worry about it too much," said Andi. "Is your foot okay?". "Oh yeah, I'm fine don't worry about it, thanks" I said, glancing at my foot. Just then, Conner walked in, "Andi, can you come here". "Of course," said Andi. Andi left the room with Conner, leaving me alone in Jesse's room.

I couldn't help snooping around. His room only had one bed, unlike the room Becca and I shared. He also had a bathroom like ours, but a bigger hot tub. I walked over to the window, staring out at the stars. I took a deep breath and turned around to leave. I walked out of the room and headed to my room. It was getting late, so I decided to just go to my room, and go to bed. It had been such a long first day, so I decided to end it. I took a shower and climbed into bed. Around an hour later, I could hear Becca come in. I pretended to be sleeping so I could avoid any altercations.