Page 7 of Coastal Runaway

Aiden turned slowly, looking annoyed. “Next time you want to sneak in an overnight guest behind our backs, don’t leave his shoes and clothes scattered in the living room.” Aiden made a gagging sound before turning back to his beloved bacon, “also, do a little research on the quality of men you sleep with. Michael Robinson has had a long-distance girlfriend since his freshman year.”

Maeve gasped, “what?!” She looked over at me for validation.

“Maybe they broke up?” I pondered with a pitying smile and shrug.

“Aw, how’s our little home wrecker this morning?” Nolan came sauntering into the kitchen, and looped an arm around Maeve who looked like she was going to burst into tears.

“Ugh, this is why I swore off men. They’re all liars and dirty cheats.” Maeve slammed her coffee mug down and stormed out of the kitchen.

“Hey!” Aiden and Nolan shouted in unison.

“Very much offense!” Maeve shouted back as she stormed up the stairs.

The entire exchange really lifted my spirits after waking up in the one place I swore I would avoid this year.

Maeve was going into her sophomore year at CCU and was on track to continue in my footsteps as captain of the CCU cheer team once I graduate in the spring. She was an iconic it-girl with bleach blonde hair, bright green eyes, and a killer body.

She was the epitome of every college boy's wet dream, and she never struggled to find male attention. It usually ended with her swearing off men every other weekend, but she always bounced back.

Maeve was the one who finally convinced me to embrace my inner influencer when I moved out west, convincing me to be more active on social media platforms and post about my life.

Over the course of that summer escape together, every night was like a sleepover. She taught me how to apply makeup and we highlighted my muted blonde hair, fully bringing it to life in the California sun.

She even convinced me to try out for the cheerleading team, and with my gymnastics background, I walked on as a flyer. I never thought I would see the day where I was voted head cheerleader, and became a cliché popular girl.

Oh, how things had changed.

Nolan was staring at me when I shook out of my deep thoughts.

“Don’t.” I hissed as I slid off the counter and placed my mug in the sink, “I am not in the mood for a lecture from the biggest man-whore on campus.”

Nolan had the audacity to look hurt as he held his wounded chest. “okay, fine, I won't say anything. But Sinclair is not invited to game night.” He said in a stern voice, “I am not having a repeat of the Dairy/Diary Pictionary fiasco.”

Nolan was referring to the time that we were playing Pictionary and Patrick read the word “Diary” as “Dairy”. He started drawing a cow and got very flustered when we lost the game. He and Nolan got into a screaming match about the rules, and I had to break up two hot-headed football players before they came to blows over a crappy party game.

On that note he turned and sauntered off; back to whatever girl he was probably stowing in his room. I made my way upstairs and found Maeve sitting on her bed viciously typing on her phone; no doubt ripping Mike Robinson a new one and sending his supposed girlfriend a “hey girly” text as icing on the cake.

That’s the thing about Maeve, she was dramatic and emotional, but she was not to be fucked with. I saw her take down grown men with one look, and a few with a swift kick to the balls.

“Hey girl, let's leave for practice in forty five?” I asked lingering in her doorway.

Exasperated, she threw herself back on her bed and sighed, “Yeah, I’ll be ready. I just have to dig out my practice uniforms that I have yet to unpack.”

Laughing at my sister’s usual antics, I headed to my room. I walked out to my balcony and stared at the ocean like I did every morning. Remembering the promise that I made to myself all those years ago, and reminding myself who I was supposed to be.

Forty five minutes later, I glanced at myself once more in the mirror. I wore a maroon Lululemon sports bra with the iconic CCU block-letter logo across the chest, paired with our white pleated practice skirt that had a maroon and gold striped hemline.

My hair was French-braided in the front and gathered with a maroon bow into a curled ponytail. I wore light makeup when we had practice and today was no exception. I rubbed my lips together to spread the light pink gloss I always wore.

I looked like the girls I aspired to be in high school—effortlessly beautiful and confident. Pleased with how I looked, I set up my phone on the tripod in the corner of my room, hitting record.

“Hey everyone!” I waved, “wish me luck today. First practice of the year! I have a feeling that this is gonna be a good one. I hope you have a great day, and don't forget to reflect and be grateful.” I blew a kiss to the camera, “Love you, bitches. Kisses, talk soon.”

I posted the video to my socials and then grabbed my cheer bag and pom-poms, and headed out to Baby Blue to find an identically dressed Maeve already blasting music in the front passenger seat.

When I came to college, I was unsure what I wanted to study, but after Maeve encouraged me to start using social media more often, people started paying attention. My TikTok alone had a few million followers who liked to keep up with my daily vlogs.

Over the last few years, I had the opportunity to promote brands and products that I personally identified with. Something that started as a hobby quickly spread into my college major and a potential business.