I'm Only Me When I'm With You [part2]

A Story by christina

Sofiee and her family arrive in California. She is stuck thinking about how perfect Tanner was for her and how she didnt even bother to get his number. Luckily, she gets a second chance. (:

“Sofiee, wake up.” Alex said, nudging my shoulder. “What?” “We’re about to land.” I sat up straight and adjusted myself. I looked to my left at Tanner. He was playing a game on his iPhone. I felt the jerking and shaking of the plane as it started landing. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out to see I was receiving some texts I couldn’t receive in the air, I didn’t read them. I just stuck my phone back in my pocket.

When we stepped off the plane, Tanner led Alex and I to the luggage pick up. Alex found his suitcase before me and went over to stand with mom and dad on the other side of the luggage pick up while they retrieved their bags. “What does your suitcase look like?” Tanner asked. “It’s purple.” Tanner picked up a black and green duffle bag and a small black suitcase. My suitcase (the only purple one in sight) came rolling through. “This must be yours.” He said, picking it up. “Thank you.” I said. “No problem, Sofiee.” He replied with a sweet smile on his face. “Well, I guess I should go now.” I threw my purse on my arm and my carryon bag over it. “Maybe I’ll see you around.” Tanner said. “It’s a big city, but maybe.” I replied. He smiled and said, “Hopefully.” I smiled and walked over to my mom, dad and Alex.

The car ride to the hotel was quiet and boring. “Mom, what are we doing after we get to the hotel?” Alex asked. “Well I thought we would go unpack and maybe hit the beach afterwards.” “I think we should get something to eat first.” Dad said eagerly. “I agree with dad! I’m hungry!” I shouted. Dad pulled into the parking lot of Del Taco and asked, “Is this okay with you guys?” We opened the doors of the rental car before we could even respond to him. We went in, ordered a bunch of tacos to go and got back in the car to head to the hotel.

We checked in at the hotel and went up to our room. “Uh, who sleeps where?” I asked. Dad pointed to the closet and said, “There’s a cot in there. You and Alex can fight over who gets the bed and who gets the cot.” “I want the bed. I’m older; I deserve it.” I declared. Alex opened the closet, looked at the cot and said, “I want the cot.” Mom laughed, “That was the simplest and quietest argument you two have ever had.” We all laughed as we started unpacking. I checked my phone; it was 4:37. “When are we going to the beach?” Alex asked. “Finish unpacking and get your bathing suits on.” Mom responded. I put all of my clothes in two drawers of one of the dressers. I pulled my bathing suit out and went to the bathroom to put it on.

The beach was absolutely beautiful. I had wanted to feel this amazing breeze along with the amazing ocean. Dad and Alex took complete advantage of the water. Mom got up to join them and I stayed behind to lie out in the sun in hopes of getting a tan. I pulled out my iPod from my purse and was about to listen to it when my phone started ringing. It was Karlie, my best friend. “Hello?” “Hey Sofiee! How is California so far?” “It’s great actually! I have a story for you!” I said with excitement. “Oh do tell!” “So, at the airport back home we were waiting in the gate for the plane to board and this guy started talking to me. His name is Tanner and he lives here in Los Angeles. His mom, stepdad and younger sister live in Missouri. Anyways, he’s 17. He was so cute and so nice. He sat with me and Alex on the plane and he let me use his shoulder to sleep on.” “Sofiee! He sounds like a sweetie.” Karlie said. “I swear Karlie, he was perfect.” “Well, did you get his number?” I sighed and said, “No, I didn’t even think to ask.” “Dang girl, you need to find him!” I laughed. “Karlie, this is a big city. What are the odds that I’ll see him again?” “Well California must be crawling with hot guys. Snatch one up!” she said giggling. “Sofiee, we’re gonna be leaving here soon.” Mom called as she we walked towards me. “Hey Karlie, I gotta go. I’ll call or text you later.” I said. “Okay. Bye Sofiee. I hope you find that guy again.” She said before hanging up. I put my phone in my purse and stood up. “Wanna go for a quick swim with me?” I asked mom. “Sure.” She said. We walked down to the water together and ran in.

“We’re just gonna walk Hollywood Blvd and shop around. If you guys see anything you want to eat for dinner, call it out.” Dad said. The four of us walked out of the parking garage and to the street. The street was crowded with adults, teenagers, street performers, spring breakers, and families with small children. “There’s a pizza place across the street.” Alex said, pointing at the small pizza joint stuck between tall buildings. We walked across the street and into the pizza joint. We sat at a booth towards the front. Alex and I were facing the street, watching as people walked by. Mom ordered a medium pepperoni and a medium hamburger pizza for us. We sat, talked and ate. “I’m gonna give you guys some money every couple of days that we’re here. I’ll give you both 20 tonight. You can choose to spend it on yourself or your friends.” Mom told me and Alex. “Screw friends. I’m spending it on myself!” Alex said. I laughed and said, “I wanna go to Hot Topic and find me a new purse.” “We can walk over towards that way after we look at these little souvenir shops.” Dad said.

Alex and I sat in the booth, bored, while mom and dad talked and finished eating. A group of teenage guys walked by the pizza place and stopped right by it. I heard one say “Let’s get some pizza.” Another said, “No, I don’t want pizza.” One of the guys had his back facing the pizza place. He looked kind of familiar from what I could see. “Hey Alex, let’s go look in the store next door.” I suggested. “Okay.” He said. We got out of the booth and walked towards the entrance of the pizza joint. The group of guys started walking again. When Alex and I got to the street, the guys were going in the store next door. We walked in and looked around. From the corner of my eye, I saw the guys walking around. I heard one say, “What about that one? She’s cute.” I looked around to see who they were talking about. Alex and I walked to the far side of the store and I watched them. “Hey, one of those guys looked like the guy from the plane.” Alex said. “Oh really? I didn’t see.” I said, trying to play it cool. “I’m gonna go see if mom and dad are done eating.” He said. “I’ll be over there in a few minutes. I wanna go look at something over there.” I said, pointing across the store. Alex walked out of the store. I walked to one side of the store, close to where the guys were at. They were talking about video games while looking at some magazines. I walked past them, figuring my eyes were just playing a trick on me. I was halfway to the exit front of the store when I heard a guy yell, “Sofiee?” I stopped and turned around. Tanner was standing with four other guys. “Hey!” I said, awkwardly. “I didn’t think I was gonna see you again.” Tanner said. “I know. What are the odds that we’d be in the same place at the same time.” I said, giggling. “Guys, this is Sofiee. I met her at the airport in Missouri.”