Shadow-Land by Heather Parsons (best books to read for teens .txt) 📕

Trying to find her happiness again and finally seeing Travis and Sierra coming down the stairs.

Teri had already figured out the driving arrangements so the girls could go together and the guys could too. And once that was all settled, she watched Joseph carefully get into Dean's jeep and only smiled when he looked at her.

Once the girls were in the car and settled in, Teri placed her foot on the gas petal and drove off. She doesn't know how they were able to find the beach that the boys wanted to go to without knowing which one but she found it. And of course after taking a couple wrong turns, they did finally make it there.

The sun was shinning brightly in the sky and they all could see that the guys had everything set up for them so they wouldn't have to lift a finger. Teri's eyes followed down the beach and found Joseph sitting by himself by the water. He looked like he was playing with something and when he caught sight of her, he rose. Walking over to where the girls were, he stood behind her with his arms securely around her waist. It felt nice and his scent was sending her mind in a completely different direction all together. He must have seen this happen because he shook his head and smiled. Just the slightest shake of his head brought her out of her state and she looked towards Travis and nodded. Her thoughts were on them being together and his thoughts she hoped were the same.

They all walked down the path together, in groups of two. Finding the towels laid out, ready for them to sit down but first the girls had to take off the extra clothes. Carmen being so modest went first, stripping off her short and then her t-shirt. Seeing Dean's eyes pop out was amazing but what Teri really wanted to see how Travis would react to what Sierra was wearing.

Teri looked at Sierra as she was looking at her and nodded. They both took off their shorts and Teri took off her t-shirt. Joseph was standing by her side instantly with his eyes glued to hers. The look he had earlier was gone completely and as she looked into his eyes, all the love she felt was there. She was lost in his eyes that she didn't see the reaction she was waiting for.

TWENTY-THREE:

Gold Beach

SIERRA has never been more embarrassed in her entire life than right now. With Teri looking at her and then nodding as to tell her to start taking off the clothes that were concealing her swimsuit. If she could, she would have turned invisible right now so she wouldn't have to deal with this situation. Why oh why did she let Teri talk her into this?

For the life of her, she couldn't look at Travis. Sierra didn't want him to see how uncomfortable she was right now. Blushing a deep shade of red as she was sure she was right now, that if she looked at him it would only make matters worse. So, she turned towards the water and started walking that way with her t-shirt still on. It didn't matter to her that she would get it wet because knowing Teri, she probably brought some other clothes just in case.

"Sierra, your not going in the water with that shirt on!!" Teri yelled and Sierra turned her head to see Teri headed her way. Without even thinking about it, she laughed out loud and run for the water. Right when her feet touched the water and the shock of the coolness of it, did Teri reach her.

"Teri, please don't do this!" Sierra begged, struggling with Teri to keep her shirt in place. Teri had it almost over her head when she lost her grip and Teri was running away with it. "Teri!" She was so embarrassed and Travis was looking right at her with his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. Nothing could happen now that hasn't happened already but of course she spoke too soon.

"Oh Sierra. Come here babe, I've got something for you!" Dean was walking her way with something behind his back. She looked at him and instantly started running away. But of course he wouldn't give up that easily and soon he was chasing after her. The bucket of water he had hidden behind him was splashing all over the place.

"Travis! Make him stop!" Sierra screamed passing by him and thinking about having him shield her but she didn't. From running away and laughing so much, she collapsed on the sand and gave up. Raising her hands in the air as a surrender while Dean lifted the bucket over her head but nothing come out, it had spilled out and he didn't even know it. This and the look on his face had her laughing so hard, she had to hold her sides.

"Just you wait Sierra. I'll get you!" Dean stomped off towards the water and looking at him pouting had her laughing again. But this time she wasn't alone, Joseph and Teri were laughing along with her. Travis was still stunned sitting by himself on the towels.

"Travis are you okay?" Sierra heard Teri ask and she would have but she still couldn't control her laughing. "Sierra maybe you should go and talk to him. He hasn't moved since I took your shirt away from you." Agreeing she stood up and slowly making her way over to him.

"Travis." Sierra approached slowly, coming up beside him and sitting down. She could see him breathing but still he hadn't moved so she leaned in, placing her lips on his. Kissing him with all the passion she could give him and slowly his hands found her waist. Wrapping them around her and holding her closer. She knew he'd respond to this but of course with her eyes closed and his as well, something bad was going to happen.

She had her fingers entangled in his hair, kissing him deeply when out of nowhere they were soaking wet. Both their eyes shot opened and they both looked towards a retreating Dean. "Dean!" Travis yelled then took off towards him. Sierra sat by and watched the smile that was once on Dean face disappear and be replaced with terror.

Teri and Joseph joined her sitting on the towels and watched as well. They were all laughing at the scene playing out in front of the,. "Are we just going to sit by while everyone is having fun?" Sierra was as shocked as they were, saying this but it just felt right.

They all run together into the water and at least for her, Sierra needed to pay back Dean for what he did. But the closer she was to him, the further he swam away. Honestly she has never been that great of a swimmer so staying pretty much near the shore is what she did. She did have fun teasing Dean and making him think she was coming after him. Watching him swim further and further away.

Bending her knees so the rest of her body could be under the water because of all days, the sun was beating down on her skin making it burn. The coolness of the water was rather soothing but the hands that found there way around her were more soothing. Sierra didn't have to turn to know who's hands they were but she did close her eyes briefly while his hands traveled up and down. Laying her head back on his chest and prayed for everyone else to be to busy to notice.

"Remind me to thank Teri later." He whispered in her ear, his breath sending goosebumps down her neck and to her back. She shivered slightly and blamed the coolness of the water on that even though that's not what it was.

"Everyone we have somewhere else to go so let's all get going." Teri chimed in from the sand. Opening her eyes she look around she saw that they were the only two left in the water but she didn't want to move. Turning her head to the side she saw the same look on his face, a look of longing and his hands never moved from where they were. "That means you two as well. Sierra! Travis!" Teri yelled again and again until they responded.

"Alright we're coming, jeez." Sierra turned around and faced Travis. Big mistake, her top half of the swimsuit came off and floated away. With it being so small she didn't even get the chance to see it go. On her knees now in the water so it could cover herself up to the shoulders. She placed her hands on his chest and pleaded with her eyes. "Honey, I'm not getting out of the water like this. The swimsuit was embarrassing enough but now there's no way." He raised his eyebrows and smiled huge. God she really doesn't want to know what he's thinking. But then again, it could be interesting.

"Teri could you grab my shirt and throw it to me." He looked toward the shore and pointed. "Remember Sierra I'm right here." And boy did she ever know it, he was pressed up against her body so tightly that the water couldn't even pass by. With her hands now on his chest, she could feel her own heart beat rising.

"Travis don't tell me your afraid to come out of the water without a shirt on. Besides the only ones that are looking at your body is us." Teri laughed and turned around to walk back to the cars.

"It's not for me, it's for Sierra." If that wasn't obvious enough now her face was bright red, turning around so no one could see her. A minute later Travis had the shirt in his hand and his other hand was on her shoulder. "Love I'll stand in front of you then you can put the shirt on without anyone seeing." And he did just that, only problem was there were other people on this beach now and with the slightest turn of their heads, they'd be able to see her.

"I'd rather put it on under the water than to chance having someone on this side or that side of you getting an eye full." He turned his head and caught sight of everyone else, dropping the shirt in her hand and laughing. "Did I miss the punchline?" She pulled the shirt over her head and down her chest, covering everything very nicely. Standing up now so she could see his eyes, she wanted to find out what was so funny but then she quickly learned. The shirt was white and with being soaking wet, it stuck to my body like glue. "Travis get your mind out of the gutter and lets go." Sierra tried stepping around him but his arms were locked around her waist making her efforts extremely hard.

"Sierra I wanted to ask you something but it seems