Chapter 23: 10/26 featuring Glow sticks

Sorry that this chapter is so long. :(

Note: This song is super scary and I wouldn't even listen to it. Plus, there are a lot of dog references in this chapter and I wanted you guys to know that I'm actually not a big fan of dogs... I seem like I'm addicted once you read this chapter.

Chapter 23

After showering again and making sure to brush my hair well so it won’t be a problem when I’m in the water. That’s if I get into the water. My mother was out and my Father was on the couch, watching some Political program that I found deathly boring.

Using the purple bathing suit that I’d purchased last Summer when I was taking swimming lessons (which didn’t help all that much because I had a hot instructor and I enjoyed staring at his abs when I was supposed to be watching him swim).

It’s a bikini and I don’t even know what possessed me to buy the devilish thing. Now that I look at it, I literally hurl in my mouth. I don’t have the body for a bikini. Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not skinny, I have no thigh gap, my stomach isn’t flat enough to write on, and my collarbones aren’t as defined as a model’s collarbones.

In fact, my thighs are a bit thicker, my stomach has a bit more meat and my collarbones are ‘healthy,’ as the doctor calls it. If it were just Jessie and I going out for a swim, I wouldn’t care because it’s Jessie! But I’m going to be going to a pool with Trent, Logan, and Adrian. Who knows? Maybe even more people!

After a debate with Jessie over the phone, I put on the bathing suit and a pair of plain black jeans over the bottoms and a light purple tank top on top of it. I had that smooth feeling on my legs right after you shave and put material on your legs.

Instead of the usual pony tail, I French braided my hair to make sure that it’d stay whilst I swam. I painted my toe nails and finger nails purple, placing a top coat on them to keep them intact. I didn’t bother with makeup because I was going to be in the water.

I had to double pack a bag for after swimming, the night, and for tomorrow. Not only did I include clothes but I included makeup, deodorant, a brush, lotions, two towels, movies, my bucket list (for some editing overnight), phone charger, bras and underwear, and a few hair products to tame my hair.

I had to unpack my bag after realizing that I’m not going to be able to get into jeans after I swim, so instead I put a pair of sweatpants and a tie dye t-shirt I made at camp a few years back. Surprisingly, it still fit me.

I walked over to my window to shut it, to make sure no bugs get into my room when I saw Adrian walk into his room from the bathroom with his swim trunks on. His hair was sopping wet and he shook it out in a dog manner.

“Put some clothes on!” I scolded him and he turned toward the window, his hair dripping water down his abs. I avoiding my gaze and couldn’t help the blush that formed on my face. A few drops of water and you’re already blushing and having a heart attack, imagine what him being completely drenched in water will do.

“Why? Does it bother you?” He asked, rubbing his abs. I still avoided contact, closing my window after I heard his mocking laughter and telling me to be at his car in 10 minutes. Scowling, I made my way downstairs.

“Dad, Can I spend the night at Jessie’s?” I asked him, standing beside the couch.  He glanced at me before looking at me again with a raised eyebrow.

“You’re already packed. Am I that see through?” He asked, smiling so widely that his eyes crinkled. I let out a small laugh, awaiting his answer. He furrowed his eyebrows for a moment.

“Are you going swimming?” He asked, motioning to my neck. I’m guessing he noticed my purple bathing suit tied around my neck. I tried to think of an excuse. My dad may be cool but he has limits, and those limits aren’t beyond letting me swim in a boy infested pool.

“No, we’re going to give her dogs a bath.” I quickly said and my father looked uneasy before he nodded. Jessie had three large dogs, a Great Dane named Wesley, a Doberman pinscher named Hayley, and an Alaskan malamute named Benji. I was not too fond of her dogs so she keeps them in their kennels when I’m there but my father doesn’t realize this.

“Oh, well, have fun.” He said, smiling at me. I nodded, hugging him before exiting the house to see Adrian sitting there, waiting patiently for me to arrive at his car.

“You take forever!” He whined as he grabbed my bag for me, such a gentleman.

“Let’s just go before my father gets suspicious.” I whispered and he rolled his eyes, opening the passenger’s door for me and then closing it before packing my hockey bag into the backseat.

“You played hockey?” He asked me, motioning to the hockey bag he’d just put in the backseat. I nodded.

“In 7th grade,” I informed him and he nodded, smirking slightly. I rolled my eyes while I turned to him. “What are you smirking about?” I asked and he drove down an unfamiliar street.

“What’s in your bag?” He questioned me and I furrowed my eyebrows. That didn’t sound creepy at all.

“Clothes for Jessie’s house, make up, and stuff.” I shrugged and he nodded his head, looking at my bag in the rear view mirror like a total creep.

“Is anything about swimming on your bucket list?” He asked me, attempting at sounding casual but the weird smile on his face gave it away. I was unsure about whether to lie or tell the truth.

“Yeah, why?” I asked him and he shook his head, smiling.

“No reason, just wondering.” He smiled and I nodded, turning away so that I was staring out of the window, watching as the sizes of the houses increased majorly as we drove along.

“You do have a bathing suit on right?” He asked me after a few silent moments passed. I turned to look at him and nodded, tossing the strings on my bathing suit top up in the air. He looked at my jeans for a minute before nodding, deviously.

“How deep is Trent’s pool?” I asked him and he thought for a minute before he spoke.

“It goes from 4 feet to 11 feet, why?” He asked and I shook my head.

“I just want to know my boundaries.” I replied and he nodded his head, glancing at me with an apologetic look before looking back at the road. What was that about?

__

“Hey,” I said to Trent and Jessie who were waiting outside. Jessie was smiling widely, waiting for me to reach Trent’s large set of stairs.

Trent had a bag in his had that was obviously Jessie’s, the pink hearts gave it away. He laughed when he saw Adrian carrying my bag. They were our pack mules. Although my bag was heavier than me, Adrian seemed to be carrying it like it was a bag of bread.

“Logan’s already inside. Let’s go.” Trent stated, placing Jessie’s bag over his shoulder unknowingly. I snorted and he quickly rearranged the bag so that he was holding it in his hand. His face blushed a light pink and I saw Jessie smile at him.

Trent led us down a hallway that had paintings on the walls; they were beautiful and abstract. They reminded me of something you’d see in a gallery.

“My mother’s hobby is painting.” Trent informed us and we all nodded, aside from Adrian who was walking behind. I remembered the way he looked at my bag so I quickly let him fall into step with me.

“What? You don’t trust me?” He asked, tilting his head sideways before licking his lips. I felt my face burn and I coughed awkwardly as he laughed.

“Or is it that you want to walk beside me?” He asked, looking at me from under his long, thick eyelashes. Just looking at his greenish blue eyes under them made me jealous. How come his eyelashes were so full and luscious and mine… weren’t?

“I like your eyelashes,” I awkwardly blurted. He smirked at my embarrassment, furrowing his eyebrows slightly. “They’re thick and mine aren’t. I have to use mascara.” I continued and he smirked. I felt my face cooling down, thankfully.

“Are you wearing makeup now?” He asked me and I shook my head. His eyes scanned my face before they met my eyes again.

“You don’t need to,” He shrugged as I felt my face burn. “Besides, you have a natural blush.” He smirked, pinching my face. I punched his shoulder lightly.

“Are you guys going to flirt forever? Because I’m not going to keep holding this door.” I heard Trent shout from the far end of the hallway and Adrian and I ran towards the door, laughing. Even though Adrian had a bag that weighed half of him in his hands, he still ran faster than I did.

“Where’s the bathroom?” I asked Trent and he pointed towards a small room at the end of the pool. The pool itself was huge. It was bigger than the pool in my old middle school, and that says a lot seeing as in my old middle school pool, 100 kids fit in it at one time.

I walked over to the bathroom after grabbing my bag from Adrian. The bathroom itself had no lock and the door wasn’t secured, it was swinging and I had no doubt it’d show me using the bathroom. I quickly exited it and shook my head.

“That is a sad excuse for a bathroom. Where is a real bathroom?” I asked and Trent laughed, looking at the bathroom I was standing in front of before laughing even more.

“I’ll bring you.” Adrian suggested and I looked at Trent who shrugged before walking over to Logan and Jessie, sparking up a conversation.

“Give me a second.” I replied. I unzipped my bag and grabbed only the clothes I needed before approaching Adrian who was leaning against the wall, looking amazing, like usual.

We made our way to the bathroom, I made sure to remember the way there so when I needed to go back, I wouldn’t need the help of Adrian.

Adrian stopped at a door placed in the middle of a random hallway; such an odd place for the bathroom. I went inside the bathroom and walked to the sink, washing my face and hands before I changed into my swimming shorts, leaving my tank top on and putting my jeans in my hand. I planned on taking my swim trunks off when I was going to swim because they got very uncomfortable. But until then, I’ll leave them on.

Exiting the bathroom, I saw Adrian at the end of the hallway, away from the pool area. When I turned and saw him, I could make out him holding his hand up and lowering his fingers as he went. Was he counting down?

When he held up nothing but a fist, I saw him start running. It was until he was about 30 feet away from me when I realize what he was doing.

In an effort to get away, I started running towards the direction we came from and Adrian was hot on my heels. I see why he is on the baseball and football team. I couldn’t help but let out a girly shriek when he started getting closer.

I was so close to the door when he scooped me up into his arms and in a swift movement, opened the door to the pool area. He ran into the pool area with me clinging to him for dear life, dropping my jeans near the tables. Doesn’t that sound swell? Didn’t he ever hear of not running in a pool zone?

Next thing I know, I’m encased in water, my arms still wrapped around his neck and his hands on my waist, holding me tightly. I was holding my breath pretty well and I opened my eyes, in a state of panic and I realized that he was looking at me.

He was smiling widely. I wonder if he got water in his mouth from doing that. I’d gladly take that water out of his mouth for him.

When I realized what was actually happening and how I was under water, in the arms of the guy I had a major crush on. But then it hit me, I couldn’t swim. When I looked down, I noticed that we weren’t even on the floor of the pool.

Adrian quickly started pushing us up to the surface and I gulped in a mouthful of sweet air. Adrian’s hands were still on my waist and I had my hands around his neck still, but not holding onto him very tightly.

Our eyes were locked and I couldn’t help but smile like an idiot when I realized that he’d just helped me eliminate another item from my ‘For Now Bucket List.’ My face was warm and I knew that I was blushing.

It wasn’t until I heard a round of applause that I realized that we were in the presence of three other people. I dropped my hands from around his neck but he kept one hand on my waist, technically keeping me afloat.

“Way to make an entrance.” Logan joked, smirking at the two of us. I splashed water up into Adrian’s face when I spoke.

“This idiot decided to chase me through the halls and slam me into the water like I was a basketball and he was Michael Jordan.” I joked and Adrian smiled, splashing me back. I scowled at him, wiping my mouth with my hand, ready to say that ‘my mouth was open’ but decided against it when he smirked like a pervert at me.

“Clearly you didn’t realize that I don’t play basketball. I play football and baseball, babe. Get it right next time.” He winked. I felt my heart flutter when he called me ‘babe’ even if he didn’t mean it in the way I’d wished he had.

“I’m sorry, Sportacus.” I teased him and he narrowed his eyes at me. Sportacus was a superhero from an American children’s television show called ‘Lazy Town.’

“Did you just call me the name of a children’s television character?” He asked and I shrugged.

“He’s a superhero.” I smirked, wrinkling my nose at how it sounded. He seemed to catch this, too.

“So are you saying that I’m your superhero?” He asked me, smirking as my face turned red.

“No, you’re like the villain, actually.” I admitted, tilting my head to the side.

“Oh really?” Adrian asked, pulling me a bit closer. I felt my breath hitch in my throat and he seemed to notice this as well. He smirked, licking his lips. I tried to keep my eyes away from his mouth but failed.

“Guys! You’re in public, please!” Logan scolded, stomping his foot. Adrian and I broke apart. I quickly German Shepard Swept to the side of the pool, getting out quickly and walking over to where Jessie was standing.

I didn’t realize that the windows were made of glass; it was the type of glass that you could see out of but people outside couldn’t see in. I suddenly wonder how much money Trent’s family has. It was dark outside and I realized that it already nearing 9:30 P.M.

I caught Jessie’s gaze and she gave me an amused look before coughing and grabbing her bag.

“Take me to the bathroom, Fiona? Thanks,” She demanded, walking towards the door before calling out to the boys. “We’ll be back.”

__

“What was that?” She asked me, her voice implying as we made our way to the bathroom.

“What do you mean?” I asked, playing stupid.

“You know what I’m talking about.” She hissed, turning quickly and halting my walk.

“Honestly, I don’t know.” I shrugged, leaning against the wall and running my hand through my hair.

This boy was so confusing, one minute- he’s saying that I’m not his type and the next; he’s jumping into the water with me and flirting in front of our friends.

“That was obviously flirting,” Jessie’s smile was growing creepily. “I think he likes you.” She started saying in a singsong voice.

“Don’t be stupid, he’s him. I’m me. We’re two different people from two different groups. He’s the popular, hot guy, jock and I’m just dorky ole me. Besides, I’m about 80% sure that they heard you.” I replied and she shrugged carelessly.

“I’m the stupid one? You’re just in denial! And so what if he’s hot, popular, dreamy,” She started drooling jokingly and I hit her arm, narrowing my eyes at her. She laughed. “But you’re gorgeous, smart, and hilarious. You’re not a dork. Any guy would be lucky to have you, honey. And guess what?” She asked, smiling and wriggling her eyebrows. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile that was growing on my face. Jessie always knew how to make me feel better.

“What?” I asked her, my curiosity growing. She smirked mischievously, her eyes glowing and her hands rubbing together. We started walking back to the pool. She didn’t even use the bathroom.

“I have a surprise for you at my house.” She said, laughing loudly and maniacally. I furrowed my eyebrows before deciding to try and guess.

“Can I guess?” I asked her and she shrugged, nearing the pool door.

“Hot male models,” I guessed as she opened the door. “Twister with Hot Male Models? A movie with hot male models?” I continued as Jessie shook her head. I felt the eyes of the guys on us and I noticed Adrian trying to unzip my bag.

In the heat of the moment, I nearly roundhouse kicked Adrian in the face when I saw him get his hands on my bucket list. He noticed my oncoming hit and he dropped the list and ran over to the pool, jumping into the deep side. Using my weaknesses against me, eh?

I quickly put my list back into its folder and into the hockey bag before glaring at Adrian who smiled sheepishly.

“What’s all this talk about hot male models?” Logan asked, shedding his shirt and striking a pose where his hand went to the back of his head and his other hand met his hip. He had a six pack. He had a sick pack. HE HAD A SIX PACK. They were defined and I felt my eyes glue to his abdomen. I’m a teenage girl, abs are amazing.

“Stop drooling girls, it’s embarrassing.” Logan joked and I coughed awkwardly, my face heating up. I averted my gaze to the pool where Adrian was glaring at Logan. He swam to the side of the pool and hopped out, yanking his trunks up and walking over to Logan challengingly.

“Really, Logan? A six pack? I had a six pack when I was 2.” Adrian snorted, rolling his eyes and waving his hand.

“What do you have now? A 51 pack?” I asked him, snorting at my smart joke. You see, if you do that math- It makes sense.

“No, an 8 pack.” Adrian replied, wrinkling his nose at me.

“I got that joke, Fi-FI!” Trent called from the other side of the pool. He smiled and I nodded. I turned and looked back at Adrian who was lifting his soaked shirt off of his body, revealing his 8 pack that I’d seen a few hours ago accidentally.

When Adrian took his shirt off, Jessie nudged me with a wink and I scowled at her. They were right there! There was no doubt they didn’t see it! How discreet, Jessie.

“Trent, come show off your stomach!” Logan squealed girlishly. Trent scowled before standing up and walking over to us. I felt my face heat up when I averted my gaze from Adrian’s teasing eyes. Trent pulled his shirt off while Adrian began rubbing his own stomach.

“It’s a boy, guys!” Adrian joked, tracing the lines of his eight pack. Adrian spends too much time at the gym. Don’t act like you mind. That’s the thing, I don’t. Being the kind best friend I am, I shoved Jessie towards Trent and he smirked, rubbing his stomach.

“Want to feel the baby kick?” Adrian asked me as I shook my head ‘no.’ He grabbed my hand and yanked me forward a few steps.

“I insist.” He spoke and I tried to pull away but he places my hand on his tan abdomen, the warmth rushing to my face. He moved my hand around and I tried to pull my hand away to avoid any more embarrassing moments.

When my hand was touching his stomach, my fingers felt like they were on fire and he was smirking at me the whole time until I finally managed to pull my hand away. I’m pretty sure that if you placed a pancake on my face, it’d cook perfectly.

A knock on the pool door stopped all activities and Logan raced over to the door, swinging it open and greeting the girl with a long kiss.

“I really don’t want to see my sister and my best friend kissing, thank you very much.” Trent spoke, gagging as he walked over to greet his sister who just finished making out with Logan, who I’m assuming is her boyfriend.

“I want to introduce you to two people, Em,” Trent informed her and she nodded, allowing her brown hair to bounce as she walked over to meet us. I realized that she was tall, at least 5’8”. “Emilia, this is Fiona.” He introduced me.

“She’s my girlfriend.” Adrian joked, taking my waist in his hand and pulling me close to his side. I awkwardly squirmed out of his grasp, shaking hands with Emilia.

“You finally settled down, Adrian?” Emilia said, smiling at me and then glancing at Adrian.

“I’m not his girlfriend, I can promise you that.” I quickly cleared, scowling at Adrian and then smiling at Emilia. I heard Adrian reply with a nice, firm ‘Yes.’ Emilia smiled amusedly at the two of us as we bickered.

“And this is Jessie.” Trent introduced and Emilia smiled at Jessie and shook her hand.

“My little brother’s told me such good things about you.” Emilia assured Jessie and Jessie’s smile was so wide.

“Did he now?” She asked, sending an amused look Trent’s way and he quickly pushed Emilia towards Logan.

“Go make out with your boyfriend.” He huffed, scowling at his sister as she smirked and shook her head.

“”Where’s Chase?” She asked suddenly and Trent shrugged.

“He was complaining so I just told him to forget it.” Trent replied and I smirked, turning to Adrian.

“Chase isn’t too fond of me, is he?” I asked, making puppy dog eyes and Adrian smiled at me, an actual smile. Someone get a picture of this rare occurrence. His eyes looked between mine before he blinked a few times and shrugged.

“He’s just upset,” Adrian assured me with a smirk. “That he doesn’t get to have you.” He smiled.

“Are you upset?” I asked, placing my hand on his bare chest. To be honest, I didn’t realize it was bare until the burning in my hand appeared.

“Why would I be upset?” He asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

“Because you don’t get to have me either.” I smirked jokingly, a sudden boldness rushing through my bones. I would have been slamming my head against a window if it weren’t for Adrian’s nodding of his head.

“Of course, my love,” He tried to imitate a British accent. I found one thing that he’s terrible at! I shook my head and he grinned. “Not everyone can talk like Ethan, can they, love?”

“Firstly, Ethan didn’t call me love; he called me Fi-Fi or Fiona. Secondly, his accent was not that strong.” I cleared up and Adrian smirked.

“Whatever you say, Fi-Fi.” He called me with the terribly strong accent and I repeated how he said ‘Fi-Fi’ in my head. I quickly shook my head.

“Don’t call me that.” I quickly said and he slumps his shoulders and gave me a flat look.

“You let a jerk call you that but you won’t let dear ole Adrian?” He asked, frowning.

“Look what happened to that jerk,” I said, placing a hand on my hip and Adrian nodded. “Besides Aidey, that’s what people that I like call me,” I said and he raised his eyebrows, already taking it wrong. “People that I like as a friend, Aidey.” I said. He smirked smugly as if the perfect idea appeared in his head.

“Well, why not me? And what about people that you like more than friends, or people that you want to kiss?” He asked, smiling.

“You can call me Fiona but they can call me later.” I winked jokingly and he laughed, smiling at me for a minute awkwardly. It reminded me of the pizza buffet and I awkwardly stared back.

A loud bell rang throughout the house and I nearly jumped through the roof. Trent raced towards the door; I’m guessing it was a doorbell. The guys followed him, leaving just Emilia, Jessie and me to sit at the tables near the pool.

“So you go to school with them?” Emilia asked us and we nodded. She sighed, shaking her head.

“I’m so sorry about that.” She smiled and we laughed.

“It’s not that bad.” I assured her and she smiled, placing her hand on her hip.

“And why is that?” She asked, winking jokingly. I shook my head, already understanding what she was trying to say. She’s been here for a mere 5 minutes and already witnessed Adrian and I’s ‘flirting,’ as Jessie calls it.

“We’re from two different groups, you see?” I smirked back and she scoffed.

“Yeah, right.” She laughed. Jessie cut in quickly.

“What school do you go to?”  Jessie asked her.

“I go to University, first year.” She replied and I coughed on my own air, how pathetic was I?

“And you’re dating Logan? Why not date a hot college guy?” Jessie inquired and Emilia laughed, shaking her head.

“All the college guys are players and I knew Logan since when we were younger, I’m only a year older than him,” Emilia explained and we nodded. “Besides, I’ve known all the boys since we were younger.”

“They’ve been friends for that long?” I asked her and she nodded.

“Chase came into the picture in 4th grade. They were ugly kids.” She laughed and I curiously grinned.

“Do you happen to have any pictures of them?” I asked and she nodded her head.

“A whole boatload, up in my room. Want to come see them?” She asked and we nodded. I grabbed my bag and took my ‘For Now Bucket List’ out of it just in case Adrian wanted to try and look at it again.

We started walking down the hallway and we saw the boys come into the house with stacks of pizza in their arms. They looked at us curiously.

“Where are you going?” Adrian asked us, his eyes locked on mine.

“I’m taking them to see the animals.” Emilia slickly lied. They nodded. They had animals. We continued on our way.

“You guys have animals?” I asked and Emilia nodded her head, smiling widely.

“We have a Saint Bernard and a Wolf Dog,” She replied and I felt my hands start to sweat. “Don’t worry, they’re put away. And they wouldn’t hurt you, they’d probably run after the pizza.”

“A Wolf Dog?” Jessie asked after a minute.

“Yeah, we bought him from a Wolf Dog Dealer online and we got him as a pup. He’s bad, though,” Emilia laughed and I felt my stomach clench. “Not vicious bad, he just likes to chew on toilet paper rolls and shoes.”

“Oh.” I replied, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Here it is.” Emilia said, opening a large door. The room inside was a light orange color and had white dressers and a white canopy bed.

“Your room is beautiful.” I whispered, looking around her room. She shrugged.

“Thanks, I always thought it was childish. I have a slight obsession with Disney Princesses.” She said, pointing to a wall dedicated to just Disney Princesses. I smiled.

“Logan bought me half of those.” She said, pointing to a large amount of dolls. They were Disney Princess dolls and I wondered how manly Logan must’ve looked at the checkout counter.

“That’s so sweet.” Jessie cooed, smiling as she examined the wall.

“Here they are!” Emilia exclaimed, grabbing a picture album and flipping through the pages.

She opened up to a picture of four boys sitting on a hammock. Trent was smiling widely and his hair was past his eyes. Logan was trying to cover his face, someone’s photogenic. (Sarcasm, my friends.) Chase was too busy playing a Gameboy, I always expected him to be a gamer.

Adrian was at the end and he was grinning widely, he looked like Mattie does now. He had thick lensed glasses on and he was missing his top teeth. His hair was long, up to his ears and he looked so nerdy. I let out a bark of laughter as I reached for my phone but realized it wasn’t there. I left it in the pool area.

“I need a picture of this.” I announced and she shrugged, digging behind the picture and pulling out two exact copies. I took it, smiling creepily.

“Why do you have these?” Jessie asked, holding out the copies. She shrugged.

“Just in case they try and rip them up,” Emilia spoke, flipping the page. “This is them in 6th grade.”

The other boys looked like normal 6th grade boys. Adrian’s hair was still long and he had braces. Adrian had braces. HE HAD BRACES. He still had glasses, but they weren’t as thick as they were in the other picture. He was also a twig. He was so skinny that if someone hit him, he’d break. I couldn’t help but notice that he wasn’t smiling in this picture. I laughed and Emilia proceeded to take a pair of pictures from behind it and handed them to us.

“And this is them in the 8th grade.” She spoke, flipping the page again. Scanning my eyes over the other boys and noticing that they look quite normal; my eyes met Adrian’s face. Adrian’s face was covered in acne. His hair was still as long as it was, up to his ears. He still had his glasses and braces, and he looked like a nerd. He still wasn’t smiling in this picture, either. I laughed and Emilia gave us a picture.

“And then the ninth grade.” Emilia said, snorting. When my eyes found Adrian in the picture, I felt my jaw drop. His face was clear, his glasses were gone, his braces were gone, and he looked hot. He had a small smile in this picture. How the-?

“What happened over 8th grade summer vacation?” I asked and she shrugged, giving me a face that said she was still clueless. I just stared at the picture, shocked. Puberty hit him as hard as Chris Brown hit Rihanna.

“You’re drooling, Fiona,” Emilia laughed, handing me a picture. I tossed a glare her way and shook my hand, placing the pictures into my folder. “Now let’s get going before they think the dogs ate you.”

We left her room. Jessie asked me to hold her pictures in my folder and I did. I couldn’t help but feel a bit creepy about it because I have pictures of my crush and his friends in my folder. It’s really a stupid idea because he keeps trying to get into my bag, into my folder, where I skillfully hid the pictures.

When we walked into the pool room, we noticed that the guys were eating. They waved at us and we furrowed our eyebrows.

“We have an idea,” Trent said, handing us plates. I grabbed two slices of cheese pizza, placing them onto my plate. “Let’s play Hide n Seek.” He said, smiling like a school girl. I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Where?” I asked him and he pointed towards the door that we just entered through.

“We stay on the main floor, don’t go on the second floor or you might open the door and let the beasts out.” He explained as I walked over to my bag and placed my folder into it. They called the dogs beasts?

“We turn off the lights to make it even more fun, it’ll be midnight Hide n Seek. You can’t lock the doors of the room you’re in, either. When I find you, you have to come back to the pool area,” He explained and I shrugged. “Who wants to be it?” He asked and we watched as nobody put their hand up.

“I’ll be it,” Trent sighed and he walked over to the not-really-a-bathroom-bathroom and started counting. “I’m only counting to 30.”

Everyone started walking out of the pool room. I sighed, staring at my pizza before I left. I had no clue where I was going. When we reached the end of the hallway, we flicked the lights off and everyone broke up into groups. I couldn’t even see.

I didn’t feel anyone beside me and I saw a light at the end of the hallway. I heard footsteps and I nervously looked around. I felt a hand grab my wrist and cover my mouth. I was yanked into a small supply closet. We heard footsteps pass the room and fade out. I let out a sigh of relief.

“Were you doing the Cha Cha Slide? You were just standing there.” The voice hissed and I instantly recognized him. Adrian is always the one who ‘rescues’ me in times like these.

“Why are you always the one who finds me at times like these?” I asked him, my voice a quiet whisper.

“I put a tracker under your skin,” He replied back, humor in his voice. I can’t see his face in the dark. “I’m kidding. This is a shutter door closet. I saw you there and I was laughing but I realized that Trent was going to get you so I grabbed you. I guess you can say that I’m your hero.” He furthered.

“Were you always hot?” My mouth blurted. Why did I just say that? I know the answer already but why would I ask that/

“What?” Adrian chuckled. I felt my face heat up. Stupid, stupid me!

“You’re approximately 101 degrees Fahrenheit. I suspect a fever.” I awkwardly lied and he laughed.

We heard the footsteps but Adrian couldn’t control his laughter so I quickly shoved him in front of me. The door opened and Trent grabbed him as I lowered myself in the closet, in hopes that I wouldn’t be caught.

I waited in the closet for about 20 minutes until I heard footsteps again. I was starting to think that they forgot about me. Adrian wouldn’t let them, right? You just gave him away to Trent; he isn’t going to bake you a cake, is he?

“Fiona, where are you?” Trent called in a sing song voice. I swallowed and rested my head against my knees. Trent obviously had a magical idea and it was to play the scariest music he could find on his phone.

‘Tip toe, through the tulips, out the window…’ The song sang and I covered my ears with my palms, burying my head against my knees but I was still able to hear the song faintly. This could be a scene in a horror movie.

“Fiona,” Trent called again and I felt my stomach lurch at the sound of his voice over the music. I’d never realized that Hide n Seek could be so suspenseful. He sounded closer to me than before and I saw a shadow walk in front of the closet.

I heard his footsteps walk away and the music slowly fade through the hallway. I decided to make a run for it towards the pool.

I reached the door and I swung it open, breathing heavily and I couldn’t help but look around. Everyone was looking at me.

“Did he catch you?” Jessie asked and I shook my head.

“He played Tiny Tim!” I exclaimed, grabbing my pizza and sitting down. Eventually, Trent walked into the pool area, a worried look on his face.

“I can’t find Fiona guys; we need to look for her,” He explained, running a hand through his hair before he saw me. He gave me a flat look. “You had me searching out there for you while you were right here?”

“You started playing Tiny Tim; I’m not going to sit in a dark closet listening to that.” I explained and he furrowed his eyebrows.

“Weren’t you in a closet, Adrian?” He asked and Adrian nodded.

“He couldn’t control his laughter so I sacrificed him to you.” I told Trent and everyone laughed.

I noticed that the room was duller than it was and I looked towards the pool to see glow sticks at the bottom. I smiled widely and childishly, clapping loudly.

“Glow sticks!” I exclaimed, pointing to the pool and Adrian snorted.

“You’re so late; those were there when you first walked in.” Adrian informed me and I rolled my eyes.

“Don’t blame me; I was shaken up because I had to listen to creepy music. Besides, don’t be so angry that we were in the same hiding spot and Trent found you before me.” I told him, tapping his nose and he glared at me.

“He didn’t find me. You kicked me out of my own hiding spot!” Adrian retorted. I rolled my eyes. Kick, schmick- I call it a sacrifice.

“Let’s swim, now.” Jessie spoke, jumping into the water. Everyone else followed after her.  I, being the nerdy loser I am, walked over to the 4 foot side and got in, waded around a bit before sitting on the stairs.

“Come over to this side,” Logan explained, waving his hands around himself. “Come to the dark side.” He said, laughing maniacally before Emilia dunked his head underwater and he came up spitting and choking.

“I can’t swim.” I explained, splashing on my side of the pool. I felt like a little kid.

“We won’t let you drown.” Logan told me and I grabbed onto the side of the pool, slowly making my way over there. Everyone was diving down and grabbing glow sticks and I felt jealous.

“Want to see the glow sticks?” Adrian asked and I nodded, expecting him to bring me a glow stick but instead, he grabbed my hand, allowing me one last gasp of air before he dragged me to the bottom of the pool. I grabbed a handful of glow sticks, holding them up in Adrian’s face and he smiled, rolling his eyes before he rocketed us back up to the surface.

“Look,” I told him, holding them out. He nodded. I placed them between my fingers and smacked him across the face. “I’m Wolverine!” We laughed and I smacked him again.

“We should take these away from you before you hurt someone,” He announced, trying to grab them. I smacked him in the face again while growling and hunching my back. “You look like Quasimodo.” He called me. Did he just compare me to a hunchbacked man?

“That’s not nice.” I told him, grabbing the glow sticks in one hand and smacked him across the face with them again. He glared at me and I went to smack him again but he grabbed them and placed them behind him on edge of the pool. I went to reach for them but he stopped my hand with his, placing his fingers through mine.

I awkwardly went to reach for them with my left hand but he stopped me with his other hand, doing the same thing he did before. I felt my face heat up as my hands felt like they were on fire.

“Are you going to try and grab them with your mouth?” He asked and I felt my face get hotter, if it was possible. He just smirked at me and licked his lips. I averted my gaze and stared at the water, slowly bending my neck and dipping my face in the water.

“What are you doing?” He asked me as I brought my face back up from the water.

“Peanut butter.” It was the first word that came to mind. I hate peanut butter!

He furrowed his eyebrows and smiled, it was an adorable action that caused me to dip my face in the water again, an attempt to try and cool off my face.

“What are you doing?” He asked me again and I bit back any words willing to make an appearance.

“Peanut Butter.” I muttered and he let out a bark of laughter. I tried to drop my head into the water but he swiftly waded closer. I frowned, my breath hitching in my throat at the sudden closeness.

“Arm’s length, Easton, Harper,” Logan said, pushing a pool cleaner between us. “This is a public pool. There are children here.” Logan pretended to be disgusted.

“There are no children here!” Adrian replied, his hands still entwined with mine. The fire was still burning even though our hands were underwater.

“Put that thing away, there are children here!” Logan spoke, quoting an episode of SpongeBob. I let out a quiet laugh and rolled my eyes. I felt a lot better now that Adrian was a good two feet away from me.

__

Eventually at 2 o’clock, we all decided it’d be best to be getting back to our houses. We helped clean up, though, discarding the pizza boxes and soda cans. I even managed to change without being harassed by Jessie.

Being the gentleman he is, Adrian grabbed my bag for me and helped me carry it to Jessie’s car and put it in the backseat. He looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t and decided on just smirking.

“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” He explained and I nodded my heat. “I’ll text you later, Peanut Butter.” I glared at him and pushed his chest, my face turning red and warm. I ignored it.

“Bye Adrian,” I told him as he opened the door to the passenger’s seat of Jessie’s car for me. He took something out from behind him and handed them to me. It was a Ziploc bag of glow sticks. I smiled widely and accepted them. “Thanks Adrian. Did Trent give you the Ziploc?” I asked and Adrian shook his head, rolling his eyes.

“I HEARD THAT!” Trent called from the front of his house where he was standing and waving with Emilia.

“What? No hug?” He asked, holding his arms out and I awkwardly hugged him. He lifted me off of the ground for a minute before putting me down.

“Text me when you get to Jessie’s. I’ll see you tomorrow, Peanut Butter.” Adrian told me, walking away and I waved to him before getting into the car, quietly. Jessie looked at me expectantly.

“Wait until we’re at your house.” I told her, placing my head in my hands. I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my face and the girly giggle that escaped my mouth. I took out my bucket list and scribbled a bit of words onto it. ‘It is official; I’ve fallen for Adrian Easton.’

Bucket List

1. Go on a real first date (with someone I actually like) for a picnic, I like picnics.

2. Get kicked out of a store, one I don’t go to because they might ban me and I can’t have that. (Adrian)

3. Skip school for a day and go out, not stay home.

4. Go on a roller-coaster at an amusement park, one that my instinct says ‘No’ to.

5. Dye my hair a crazy color, for example; dying the tips red or blue. Or maybe even a streak. (Or two.)

6. Dance in the rain with someone, hopefully a guy… who has abs, and happens to be shirtless but I’ll settle for Jessie if I have to.

7. Go to a drive in movie. I think this is pretty self-explanatory.

8. Throw a drink in someone’s face because they’re a jerk. (Ethan)

9. Pull an all-nighter and watch the sun rise on the roof, it seems fun. (Adrian)

10. Carve my name into a tree and hopefully it’ll stay there.

11. Go laser tagging, it seems amazing; lasers and tag.

12. Have a paint fight… an accidental one.

13. Go through a drive through on foot, it’ll tick off the worker and it’ll be fun! (Adrian)

14. Have a nerf gun fight, if I can get my hands on some.

15. Jump into a pool with all of my clothes on, or maybe get pushed. Ha, kidding. (Adrian)

16. Play Hide n Seek at midnight, its dark and fun. You have to play it with people you know though; you can’t play with an ex-convict because they can shank you. (Adrian, Emilia, Trent, Jessie, Logan)

17. Have a shopping cart race at Wal-Mart or any other large department store. (Adrian, Jessie, Trent)

18. Go swimming at Midnight, it sounds adventurous and dangerous. (Adrian, Jessie, Emilia, Trent, Logan)

19. Buy white Converse and have people sign them, hopefully there isn’t anything bad on it, though. I may want to wear them to school.

20. Go to the Zoo, I’ve never been there and I really want to go.

21. Take pictures in a photo booth with either a guy that I like or a friend, it seems fun. (Adrian)

22. Play Hide N Seek in a store. If you get caught by a store clerk, pull a Velma. ‘My glasses, I can’t see without my glasses.’

23. Have a scary movie marathon. (Adrian, Jessie, Trent)

24. Have boys vs. girl’s water balloon fight… probably won’t happen. But one can dream, right?

25. Have someone win me a giant stuffed animal. And again, one can dream, right?

26. Get a boyfriend… and I repeat, one can dream!