Free Ibiza Summer by Anna-Louise Weatherley Page A

‘superclub’ on the other side of the island, and this was perfect. It
was too far away to worry about her popping back to check if I was OK.
    I made some soft groaning sounds. ‘I might stay here tonight if that’s cool. Look, you go. It would be mental to miss out on my account. I know you promised Mum you’d take care
of me and everything, but I really don’t mind being here on my own,’ I said, adding another sharp ‘ohhh’ sound for authenticity. ‘I’ve got my CDs and magazines,
and Edie and her parents are just a few apartments down the block so I could always go there in an emergency,’ I said, quickly adding, ‘not that there’ll be one.’ Ellie
opened her mouth to speak, but I continued. ‘I promise not to open the door to anyone and I’ll keep my mobile on. Really, it’ll all be fine. You just go and have a great time.
I’ll be better by tomorrow I’m sure.’ I pulled my knees up to my chest and put my arms around my legs. Ellie gave me a look that fell somewhere between concern and gratitude,
although I could see she was at pains to hide the latter. She sat down on the bed next to me. Her clear skin was glowing and her pink dress set off the tan she’d miraculously somehow already
managed to acquire in, like, two days, and in that second I felt a wave of love for her. I knew in my heart that she only wanted what was best for me. I wanted to reach out to her and tell her I
was so happy yet frightened because I had met someone that had made me feel different about myself, and I was scared and excited, and could she help me.
    ‘You really feel that bad?’ Ellie said, placing her hand on my brow to check for a temperature.
    ‘Yes,’ I croaked, pathetically. ‘I mean, I’m sure I’ll be OK if I get some rest tonight though.’
    Ellie continued to stare at my face, surveying it carefully like she was checking for any notable changes.
    ‘Are you sure you’re happy with this?’ she said after what seemed like minutes, but was probably just seconds. ‘I mean, me going out with the others and leaving you
here?’
    ‘Honestly Els,’ I said, ‘don’t feel bad, just go and have a good time. I’ll be perfectly OK. Remember I’m sixteen, not six.’
    Ellie was quiet for a few seconds and then said, ‘If you get worse, you must promise to call me and I’ll come back straight away.’
    ‘Yes,’ I said.
    ‘Promise,’ Ellie demanded.
    ‘I promise, straight away,’ I said.
    ‘Right then,’ she said sharply, signifying the end of the conversation. ‘I’d better get going.’
    Ellie stood up and smoothed down her dress.
    I looked at her, a tall svelte vision in pink; her glossy caramel-highlighted hair cascading past her shoulders and hanging in perfect strands, her killer cleavage that subconsciously drew your
eye to it, and her smooth tanned legs that just seemed to go on for ever.
    ‘You look so pretty,’ I said, my voice dry and cracking, and I really did sound sick this time, genuinely so.
    ‘Thanks Iz,’ she said, smiling softly at me now, and I felt a little bit better.
    ‘Oh, and Els,’ I said, just as she was closing the door behind her. ‘What does “self-deprecating” mean?’

 

    he stretch of sand in front of Café Del Sol was already buzzing with people. I was amazed I’d managed
to find my way there as Rex had only explained the directions to me briefly when we’d said our goodbyes earlier and I’d been too busy thinking about our kiss to properly concentrate on
what he’d been saying. As it was, though, I found my way without even having to stop and ask anyone, which made me think that Rex and I had this subconscious telepathic thing going on between
us that they say people in love can sometimes have. At least that’s what I wanted to believe.
    Girls and guys were scattered around the rocks that surrounded the small area of beach in front of Café Del Sol enjoying the last moments of the day’s fading sunshine. The
atmosphere was relaxed,