My Best Friend's Boyfriend.

"It's a bikini, just tie the strings, Bianca."

Siobhan, it's pronounced 'Shiv-awn', spoke through the phone in a high pitch. I could hear the blast of the music station and the splash of the beach waves through my phone. She was probably posed in one of those magazine poses she copied off the numerous fashion magazines in our hotel room and it worked because guys fawned over her. The boys hanging around our umbrella flexing their muscles in a game of beach balls probably didn't even notice I was gone. Siobhan was enough to hold their attention. She's just that pretty. I had to leave because the stringy bikini she insisted I wear had decided to come undone just when I was about to join the boys in their games. Now here I am behind an abandoned ice cream kiosk trying to fix it myself.

I tried once again to get a firm grip on the strings holding the front and the back together and once again it slipped off my fingers.

"Need help with that?" a voice said suddenly.

Throwing a glance over my shoulder without seeing who it was that spoke, I answered. "Duh. Don't just stand there, help me please," I bit out in frustration.

Cool, strong fingers closed around the strings, pulled tight on them so that the front part of my bikini wasn't falling apart anymore, and tied them together. I could feel the warmth radiating from his body as he worked expertly on the strings. What is he, a part-time bikini adjuster?

"There," he stepped back. "All done. Got it tied and hard. Wouldn't want to show those nice titties to those boys out there, am I right?"

I turned to give him a lash of my tongue at the audacity when I paused and tilted my head to get a really good look at him. Dark eyes, dark brows over them, dark hair blowing in the wind, nice high cheekbones, incredibly sexy, moisturized lips, great smile, very tall, and boy oh boy he's hot. I'm 18, I'm in my final year in high school and yes I know a hot guy when I see one and this boy tops the chart.

His lips tilted up. "This is the part where you say 'Thank you'," he whispered leaning toward me a bit.

I was tongue-tied for a bit but somehow I found my tongue. I meant to say thank you, I truly did but he provoked me and the next thing I knew I said, "And this is the part where you apologize for talking about my boobs."

His eyes sparkled and in the bright summer sun, his eyes drifted down to my chest. My breasts suddenly felt tight and heavy. Why was he staring?!

"But they are nice, aren't they? A bit on the small size but I'm not a man of discriminating taste."

"If you're even a man at all," I scoffed suddenly exasperated. What kind of man objectifies a woman so cruelly?! "Does that line work on every dimwit girl you try it on?"

"Not when their bikini straps are falling off, no, but usually," he had the audacity to pretend to think. "Yes, it works pretty well."

"Ha!" I said with just enough sarcasm to make my tone biting but he simply smirked even more. "You must have dated idiots then."

He laughed. When I tried to move past him he hurried to block my path. "Do you know it's easy to tell when a woman is lying?" he asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. His muscles bulged. He had an athletic build and though he was tall enough to look older, I could tell he was just around my age, maybe a year older. His eyes though were no teenager's eyes. They were bold, accessing my body without any hint of coyness. He came closer and I involuntarily took a step back. "I find that when women see something they find exciting, let's say a hot guy, for example, their nipples become hard pebbles." He nodded down to my chest and sure enough my betraying nipples were puckered hard, showing like hard little rocks through the thin material of my bikini.

I fought the blush in my cheeks but it was inevitable. Still, I had my dignity to recover. It was easy to mistake him for a gentleman because he helped me but once he opened his mouth it was one trip fall after another and I already hate him. So bad.

"So, wanna hear more of my lines? Or do you want to see my lines?" he winked.

Ugh! That was just the push I needed to throw my hands up, push past him with as much strength as I could muster, and walk away. But his laughter – his mocking laughter if I might add followed me as I walked away.

"Try learning how to lie a little better, kitten," he yelled after me.

"And try learning some manners, you idiot!" I shot back over my shoulder.

He continued to laugh as he walked in the opposite direction of the beach. I walked as fast as I could praying that I wouldn't run into him throughout the rest of our summer vacation here in Mainland. I've been starving for male companionship, hoping to be noticed by anyone, even the bell boy who had taken my and Siobhan's things to our room with no luck and the one guy who shows interest is an uncivilized pig who thinks women are all boobs and fragility.

To hell with him.

By the time I got to the umbrella the beach ball game was in full swing but I wasn't in the mood to play anymore, not when I was all flustered and angered by a certain someone. Not to mention I had to hide my nipples.

Siobhan turned her bored gaze from the game to look at me, noticing my red chest and cheeks. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I shot out and realized what I had just done. Softening my tone I turned on my side to look at her. Her dark shades were pushed into her hair and her green eyes were soft and concerned. "I'm sorry. It's just..." I didn't want to tell her about that idiot. Siobhan might look soft and sweet but when it comes to defending me she's even more terrifying than I am – and I am terrifying trust me. You should ask the boys who messed with Siobhan. And though nothing will give me great joy than seeing her match over to Mr. Bikini-expert and give him the talk down of his life, I will rather just forget about it. "It's this bikini, it was giving me a hard time," I finished lamely.

"But look on the bright side, those guys are totally checking you out."

I scoffed. As if. They had eyes only for her and definitely not me. Where Siobhan is I am just a shadow. Her blonde hair and green eyes were movie star gorgeous, she had the looks and the money. I had the brains and well...I don't know what else. But we've been friends since forever.

We met in kindergarten, the very first day of school. I had been skipping excitedly into my class when this mean kid shoved me making me spill my lunch and my books. I had barely gotten up to defend myself when a much smaller Siobhan roundhouse kicked the kid's ass. She held out her hand to me and I gawked.

"My mom makes me take taekwondo lessons," she shrugged. And that was that. Her chauffeur came to pick her up after school and she told him to take me home. She had invited herself into my house and stayed for dinner. It was only when my dad came back I learned that she was the daughter of his boss so I guess our friendship...is fate. And we've been close ever since. Inseparable at the hip and though my looks were plain in contrast to hers we became like sisters.

"You really need to try and dress a bit better, Bianca," Siobhan whined. "What am I going to do with you?"

It was hours since we left the beach and we were back in our hotel room looking nice and tanned. Siobhan was holding out a little peach dress, eyeing it with a critical eye. She looks good in whatever she wears though. Me the other hand, I was just trying to look for something to make my boobs look a lot bigger. And no it has nothing to do with that idiot who called my boobs small!

"I try!"

"Yes, you do. When are you not wearing sweats and old t-shirts," she rolled her eyes. Digging into the box of clothes at the foot of the wardrobe she pulled out a white summer dress with floral prints with an exposed back and tossed it at me. "Wear this instead. Mom and Dad must be waiting downstairs already."

Since Siobhan and I became friends her parents became mine and mine hers. She had instead of vacations together so during summer and spring breaks we were either going on exotic trips with her parents or toughing it out in the yard behind my parents' house. My mom never lets Siobhan work when she's around because you know her dad is my dad's boss but Siobhan still does her bit around the house. She may be rich and spoiled rotten but she's great. That's why she's my best friend.

Mr. and Mrs. Hayes had chosen the warm Island of Mainland for our summer break this year so Siobhan and I had packed our things and joined them on their private jet. So far since the vacation started it was peaceful and lovely, we ran into a friend or two and we were only separated when Siobhan was invited on a date with one hot guy or the other. There has been no mishap until today with that good-looking idiot. Oh God, why am I still thinking of him?

I hate boys like him. Cockish, annoying idiots.

Downstairs in the restaurant adjoined to the hotel we lodged, we were supposed to meet Siobhan's parents for dinner and one look at the time told us just how late we were.

"Put that on already," Siobhan said. She was already coming for me with her makeup box in hand.

"Arghh not that too. You know how hideous I look with makeup!"

"Yeah because you apply it like an idiot," she laughed. "There are men who know more about makeup than you do. Now hurry up."

Before I could resist her she sat me down and began to comb and brush and dab and smoothen until after 30 minutes she stepped back to admire her handiwork.

With an exaggerated flip of her hair she sighed, "God my talents are wasting. Look in the mirror," she exclaimed.

I did and oh boy. Okay, maybe I've been doing myself a great injustice by using my lipstick for my blush. I looked different. I looked pretty. "Wow."

"Wow indeed, darling. Gosh, look how much beauty you've been hiding. I'm sure you'll get a date tonight."

"Yeah right because I need one." I rolled my eyes.

Siobhan didn't notice my bitter statement. She was chirping excitedly while wearing a nice light blue gown with cream-colored sandals. "We could even go on a double date. One last fling before the next week when we have to return to school."

To be honest I can't wait for the summer to be over. I get reminded every time of just how much different Siobhan and I are even though we are practically sisters. Even though we are best friends she doesn't seem to see how hard I struggle with being second to her. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in a competition to win the hearts of boys with my best friend, it's just that she forgets about me when a new boy comes and when he goes – which is usually after two weeks – she comes back to me seeking comfort. Then it's on to the next fling.

My only consolation is I'm smarter academically. But then I have to be smart or else...Mom and Dad are not rich and I am the only child they have. I want to work hard in school, graduate with high grades and make them proud. Siobhan doesn't have to worry about that because she can either join her dad's company or start her fashion or interior design business like she always wanted. I guess it was just as well that between the two of us, I was the one chosen as head girl of our high school, Edwin and Co.

An expensive high school for a poor girl like me? Yes. Siobhan had convinced her parents to help me through high school and though dad had been insulted at the idea, Mr. Hayes, Siobhan's father had presented it like a scholarship. If I do well in my junior year he would support me through till senior year. Dad had disagreed but mom had been thrilled at the thought and eventually convinced him to accept. I am indebted to the Hayes and I love them but sometimes Siobhan doesn't know when to stop. I know she does it out of love as my best friend though.

As we started to leave for the restaurant our room phone rang. It was Mr. Hayes.

Siobhan picked it. "Hey, dad."

I could hear him from over the phone. "Hi, honey. Your mom and I wouldn't be able to join you and Bianca for dinner tonight, I'm afraid. We got called on business."

"But dad! You promised!" she shrieked.

"I know I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. We'll not be long. Maybe I can make reservations for a sightseeing tour before your mom and I are done? That would be lovely!"

"Whatever," Siobhan replied sulkily.

"Oh, honey I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. Be downstairs in 5 minutes, your guide should be there and waiting."

Siobhan hit the phone hard on the table. I could tell she was angry because her bottom lip stuck out like a baby's.

"He promised! I knew he was going to call off dinner."

"Maybe he's busy. You know how busy he and mom gets," I tried to help. But even I was somewhat disappointed because I had endured 30 minutes of makeup to look good only to have dinner canceled.

"Yeah right, they are always busy and never have time for me! I hate them!"

"You don't," I laughed and linked my hand through hers. "Now there's nothing like sightseeing in Mainland. You can never get tired of the view. Let's see what surprises our guide has."

She reluctantly agreed and took her small Prada fashion purse which was too small to hold anything. Not even her phone could enter so I offered to put it in my bigger bag. We left the room and went downstairs where a staff directed us to the lobby to meet the guide from the local tourist shop: Mainland's Attraction.

"Oh my God is that him?" Siobhan gasped. She wasn't frowning anymore. She now had that naughty flirty smile on her face that worked on so many boys in school and beyond. I looked in the direction she was discreetly pointing and almost stopped dead in my tracks.

Of course, he is the one.

Handsome and tall with the uniform shorts that displayed his long, strong legs, the idiot from earlier stood on one side of the lobby with his hands in his pocket. He looked up at the same time I was looking away.

Oh God let it not be him! I prayed in my mind. There were many other people in the lobby but none of them wore the Mainland's Attraction tourist uniform. And he wore it so well. Ugh.

He started coming towards us, a hint of a smile on his lips as he watched me. My heart began to beat heavily in my chest and I prayed I wouldn't trip up and fall. Then his eyes slipped to Siobhan and they sparkled.

Sure. What was I thinking? Like I could ever hold a candle to her light.

"Good evening ladies," he said. His voice was a lovely memory and far more formal and respectful than it had been earlier this afternoon at the beach. "My name is Andre Rio, shall we begin our tour of Mainland's Attraction?"

"Andre Rios, uhn?" Siobhan asked. I recognize that tone of voice. Believe me, there are many suckers who have been drawn in by that sweet tone. She knows how to enchant you and make you fall for her. It's a rare gift she possesses that I don't. My idea of flirting is probably poking my fingers in my eyes if I want to do that thing where I put my hair behind my ear while looking up from beneath my lashes. But Siobhan on the other hand excels at that kind of thing.

We were in a golf cart of some sort. Well, it resembled a golf cart only difference is it was much bigger so Siobhan and I sat in the back while Andre drove.

Andre. That's a pretty name for a rude dude like him.

Siobhan leaned her head to one side and locked eyes with him through the mirror. "That's a nice name. Do you know any hot clubs around here?"

"There are many but won't your friend tell on you? She does look like the killjoy type."

"Bianca? Nah Bianca would never do that. Actually we are not kids just so you know, we are 18, high school seniors."

"So am I."

I knew it! I knew he was my age, he just has that streetwise look that makes him appear more mature than Siobhan and I.

"So Bianca uh?" he called my name. I was looking outside the open cart pretending not to be interested in their conversation whereas I was giving him my side view, Siobhan used to say that a woman's side view was the perfect view. I thought he was looking at me through the mirror on my side, I mean I could feel his eyes on me but when I stole a glance his eyes were locked with Siobhan's. She gave him her biggest smile.

My heart sank. Why do I keep forgetting?! My only chance of having a hot guy take a look at me and decide he wanted me over her is if by magic Siobhan grew horns and a tail overnight.

"And what's yours?" he asked.

"Siobhan Davis," I frowned at her. She just gave away her name so easily. I nudged her and she ignored me. Oh boy, here we go again. Once again I am the third wheel. Wait till Annoying Andre breaks her heart then she'll come running back to me to tell me everything. But as soon as that thought came into my mind I sat up straight. Siobhan has dated many boys in the past, most of whom knew how rich her father was and was hoping to leech off her. Then some were with her because she was hot and sexy and the most popular girl in school.

Siobhan has done "it" before. The first time she had sex was during a bring break in Florida with an attractive 25-year-old bartender. She had promised me not to tell her parents and I did partially because I was silently wishing that one day I too would get laid.

Andre Rios looks like the kind of trouble I don't want my best friend to date let alone have sex with. I must keep him away from her, I thought.

"I will take you to a club where a pal of mine works but I'm worried your friend here would ruin your night."

"Oh Bianca is actually dying to party, right?" she gave me that direct stare she always did whenever she wanted me to lie.

"Sure," I said, not sounding convincing in my head. "We are dying to party."

I thought I saw Andre's amused smile but in the night with only flashing lights to see I couldn't tell for sure.

"Alright then, if Bianca wouldn't spill then I'll take you."

Siobhan whooped and cheered, yelling party, party, party. Honestly, she can be such a child sometimes. While she flirted with Andre I took notice of the roads in passed just in case, you know, he decides to abduct us and whatever streetwise teenage boys did with girls like us. But to my surprise, he stuck to the main roads and only took a corner when we got to the club. It was a small but bubbling place with neon lights, booze smell, music, and the works. Siobhan was out and falling in Andre's arms before I could do a thing. It was another ploy to catch Andre in quick but I don't think she needs to play the whole trick in her books because, by the looks of it, he was already smitten. His hands didn't leave her waist after she 'mistakenly' tripped on him.

I nudged her from behind. "You know we can't stay for too long, mom and dad won't be long remember?"

"Yeah yeah yeah," she said over her shoulder. "Lighten up a little will ya?" she blew a kiss at me. She was literally dancing in Andre's arms when they entered the club leaving me to follow them.

Andre really had a pal who worked in the club because as soon as we got to the bar a young cute boy hailed him over. They talked in low tones or maybe I just couldn't hear them because of the loud music before he turned to Siobhan to ask her what she wanted to drink. She ordered something alcoholic and he did the same. The bartender got their drink.

They forgot about me.

"I will have a coke thanks for asking!" I yelled over the music.

Three pairs of eyes turned to me as if they just realized I was there. Siobhan smiled apologetically.

"A coke?" Andre asked. The disco lights gave his eyes a twinkle. "This may be a bar but snorting lines is prohibited here."

"More line jokes?" I rolled my eyes. And only then did his eyes settle on me again the way they did this afternoon. My breathing stopped altogether as I waited for us to resume our banter from this afternoon like a stupid little schoolgirl. Suddenly Siobhan poked her head out to look between him and me.

"Line joke?"

Andre cocked a brow at me. "You are staring. Are you making your order or what? There's a light forming."

I shook myself mentally. "Cola was what I meant to say. Cola."

"Hey," Siobhan said to Andre as she slipped away from his hold. Her eyes were now glued to someone dancing on the dancefloor. "Can I see you guys later? I see a potential dance partner."

Andre's friend handed me my drink. I watched as Siobhan danced her way toward the unsuspecting guy who now caught her eyes. She danced in front of him and gained his attention.

"She's pretty," Andre observed. "And bold."

"Yeah, she's all of that." I must have sounded wistful because the next thing I knew I looked and he was watching me. Is it possible that he's even more handsome than the last time? "Why are you staring? What are you in love with me?" I joked pretending to be nonchalant even though once again a guy was looking at me.

But then he opened his mouth and spoiled everything. "Look, Bianca, right? Does your friend have a boyfriend?"

My heart sank to the pit of my belly. I looked over at Siobhan who was now practically rubbing herself all over the other guy. At that moment it seemed so unfair that she had it all and all I got were crumbs.

"No," I responded.

Andre made a victory gesture. "Let's make a deal. She doesn't know about the bikini incident yeah? If you get her to date me I'll keep shut about it."

I frowned. Okay, this guy has a lot of balls on him and it's annoying.

"Excuse you? What your boobies lines didn't work on her?"

"Are you jealous?" He leaned close with a smirk - well in my opinion it looked stupid -ly hot. "Don't worry sweetheart that line is specifically for you. Also, they might not work, she's different from the usual."

The insult just keeps getting worse. Different from the usual? So I was the 'usual' and Siobhan was what? Classy? Worth the effort and chase?

I slammed my coke glass on the counter. "No! I'm not going to get my best friend to date you because you are rude and disrespectful. And you know what? You won't even get to see us after today because once this week is over it is bye bye Mr. Rude and Annoying!"

Without waiting for a word from him I stormed the dance floor, caught Siobhan by the hand pulled her away. She protested but once I lied to her that her dad had called she came willingly and even hailed a taxi.

"I wish I could have said goodbye to Andre though," she said.

Don't worry, I thought, I already said enough for two.