Goal:

I double checked myself once more in the tall, skinny mirror hanging on the wall in my room. Coach had sent a text out to their group chat to say that we had a reservation at a restaurant in the town and needed to be ready by 8pm. As it had cooled off slightly, I stuck on a white mini skirt, and a v-neck, frilled white with black polka dotted blouse tucked in, cinched in by my Gucci belt. I put on a pair of thin black stilettoes with a strap around the ankle and made sure my skin was gleaming with moisture to highlight the tan I had already caught. I curled my blonde hair and made a note to phone my hairdresser when we were home to touch up my roots, and stuck on a full face of make-up, highlighted with black eyeliner, fake lashes and a pop of red lipstick. I layered a gold necklace on my chest that matched the gold in my belt and sprayed some perfume.

The idea was that I would catch Elliot's attention.

Once I was happy with my appearance, I headed through the corridor and down to the lobby of the hotel, met with nearly all the third years and most of the second years. I spotted Theo and strolled over to him, my heels clacking on the hardwood floor. Theo was standing at the reception desk, leaning over it to talk to a young woman, pretty with dark brown hair accented with a yellow flower. Once I got near Theo turned and waved me over.

"Buenos noches." I smiled at the lady and Theo.

"This is my friend, Isla." Theo said, and the lady politely smiled at him, not having a clue what he was saying. I tried not to laugh and gently placed my hand on Theo's forearm, signalling for him to stop talking.

"uhhh, ¿hablas ingles?" I asked the lady and she shook her head. I looked over at Theo and giggled slightly. "She doesn't talk English."

"You're joking!" He exclaimed and I shook my head. The lady looked at him with curiosity and I had an idea.

"Mi amigo-" I paused and pointed at Theo. "-no habla Espanol, pero cree que eres muy bonita." I smiled and she blushed.

"Wow, gracias. El es muy guapo." She replied and looked up at him. Theo looked between us with confusion.

"What? What's going on? What is she saying? What are you saying?" He asked, looking worried.

"I said you think she's pretty and she said she thinks you're handsome." I translated and Theo immediately smirked.

"Tell her-"

"Right guys, I think everyone is here so let's get a move on!" Coach bellowed, appearing on the stairs and cutting Theo off.

"I'll tell her we'll be back later ok?" I asked Theo as he stared at the lady disappointedly. He nodded.

"Please."

Once I was done translating, Theo and I followed the group out of the hotel as we began the twenty-minute walk to town.

"You look really nice tonight by the way." Theo said and bumped my shoulder. I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks, so do you." I replied, looking down at his black denim shorts and white shirt.

Not long after, someone suddenly grabbed Theo by the shoulder and dragged him behind us slightly. I looked back to see Elliot whispering in Theo's ear. They looked suspicious, and I felt left out. Once Elliot was done whispering both of their eyes turned to me and I frowned at them, wondering what on earth they were talking about. Elliot looked gorgeous, in a pair of black denim shorts like Theo's, a long line white t-shirt, a nude hoodie and a black denim jacket along with the same all white trainers he was wearing earlier on. At first, I thought he would be warm, but the further we walked the colder it got, with the goose bumps on my arms beginning to rise when the wind blew. Theo and Elliot stayed walking behind me for the rest of the journey, and all I could hear were their whispers, making me feel uncomfortable and left out. By the time we reached the restaurant I was cold and annoyed, my arms crossed over my chest. But no one seemed to notice or care.

The restaurant itself was lovely, a medium sized hall decorated in white and gold. The workers had set up two long tables to fit everyone in, one for the third years and one for the second years. The boys all bundled straight in and I got pushed even further behind, so by the time I got there, there were barely any seats left. The next one available when I got there was next to Jack and so I sat there, not thinking anything of it. That was until Elliot walked straight up to me.

"Move." He ordered and I looked up at him in shock. At first, I thought he might have been joking but when I saw his face, I knew he wasn't. His face was blank of any emotion and when I didn't say anything he sighed. "Please." He muttered and I just shook my head, my mouth open in shock.

"Why should I?" I asked and he huffed and ran his hands through his hair.

"Just do it."

"No."

"Isla-" He said in a low growl and I felt my insides churn in excitement at him saying my name.

"I'm not moving!" I exclaimed, more and more people turned to look at the commotion we were causing but I wasn't going to sit there whilst he bossed me around. He didn't want anything to do with me, so what gave him the right to tell me what to do? Nothing.

"Isla-" Jack interrupted, and I turned to face him, expecting him to be on my side but knowing he wasn't by the guilty look on his face. "Just move. Just this once." He pleaded and I stood still for a moment before sighing. I pushed my chair back suddenly and hit Elliot's feet. I stood up in a huff to face him and glared at him harder than I had ever glared at anyone in my life before. Why was he trying to upset me?

But he didn't look bothered, and instead, politely moved out of my way and sat in my chair like he had done nothing wrong. I huffed and stormed over to the last vacant seat on the opposite side of the table, next to some boy that I didn't even know the name of.

Everyone continued like nothing had happened, which only made me madder. Theo was even in on it and sat next to Elliot as the three of them whispered between each other. I could feel myself glowering at the three, but I couldn't help myself. I was so frustrated. With Elliot, with myself and with the situation. And when the waiter finally came around, I found myself ordering an alcoholic cocktail without even thinking about it.

When it finally arrived, I took a sip and Coach appeared next to me. He tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned to face him.

"I'm just letting you know that while I appreciate the fact that you might normally drink, the boys are on strict no drinking premises whilst here due to the tournament being rather important. So drink all you like, but if I find one of them drunk or you late tomorrow morning I will be holding you accountable." Coach muttered quietly and I nodded, trying to keep my head high despite knowing I was being scolded.

"That sounds fair." I nodded and placed my drink back down on the table. I caught sight of Elliot looking over at me and immediately my face turned sour. He had gotten on my nerves and I didn't know what to do to rectify it. The three of them were acting weird, and whilst I knew Elliot wanted nothing to do with me, I wasn't expecting him to go as far as to turn Theo and Jack on me also. Without them I was alone, and without them I wanted to go home.

The rest of the night passed without a hitch, the food was lovely, and the chatter was light between the boys, but I simply sat there, sipping my cocktail, listening in on conversations and taking pictures for my report. I was alone, and boy did I feel it.