by Dawn Doyle
“Nah, I think she only gets like that for Alex.” Said Kyle, waggling his eyebrows.
“Yeah.” Ryan laughed. “Do you remember his face when I called Holly ‘sweetheart’?”
“Ryan…stop” Alex said.
“I did actually.” Kyle added as if Alex hadn’t said anything. “You were mad bro.”
“Ok that’s enough, guys, drop it. Ok?” Alex said as he was getting annoyed.
“Yeah c’mon” Ben said.
“For now” Ryan was still laughing.
They got outside, and Alex saw Dev talking to Holly by her car. He walked over.
“I’ll scrag er’ed if I see her do that again.” He heard Holly say.
She had her hand on her stomach as if she were in pain, and he understood.
“Hey.” He said as he got closer.
“Hi Alex.” Dev said and Holly turned, her cheeks going pink.
She looked down towards the floor, obviously uncomfortable, releasing her hand.
“Thanks Holly.” He said as he watched her face for any of the signs he’d seen in A.Bio.
“No problem.” She replied, weakly.
Alex just wanted to reach out to Holly and hold her tight. He hated that she was quiet around him. He now knew that she did have feelings for him, but he didn’t know, however, was how strong those feelings were. He had to put his hands in his pockets to stop himself from reaching out.
“I need to go…um…speak to you later Dev.” Holly said nervously and swallowed.
“Ok, Honey, Bye.” Dev hugged her.
“Bye Holly.” Said Alex as he watched her turn to open her car door.
“Bye, Alex.” She replied and looked up at him, pausing in surprise at how close he was to her.
They stood still, looking at each other and he could see Dev looking between them, out of the corner of his eye.
“I…I…have to go.” Holly said quietly and quickly got into her car. Dev waved goodbye.
“Come on.” She said and pulled Alex to his car.
“I wanted to punch Will’s face in.” Alex said as they discussed what had happened that day.
“Yeah I saw” agreed Dev with a knowing smile. “I’m pretty sure Holly wanted to punch Stacey.”
“Hopefully, she’ll get the message now.” He said.
“I wouldn’t count on that. She doesn’t seem to take ‘no’ for an answer. She may just wait until Holly’s not around.”
Maybe Holly should always be with me.
Alex smiled at his thought.
“Oooh you’re thinking that Holly should always be around.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
“Oh I don’t know…maybe the goofy smile on your face gave me a hint.”
Alex snorted a laugh at that.
Holly got home and had put her bag away before texting Dev.
H: Just got home.x
D: Us too. Cold shower?;)
H: ?!!
D: I was there too, you know. Don’t think I didn’t
notice.
H: *o.o*
Holly sent a blushing text.
D:XD
When Holly went down the stairs, she was greeted by Emily.
“Hiya tatty ‘ed! Did yerrav a good day?”
“Eventful” Holly replied.
“Come on. Tell ye big sis all about it” Em said as she put her arm around Holly’s shoulder.
They went into the kitchen, and Holly told Emily everything.
“Aww babe, you need a love, and a brew.” Emily put the kettle on and gave Holly a big squeeze, before making them both a cuppa. “So. What’s gonna ‘appen with her then?” she asked. “Are you gonna give her a smack?”
“I’ve no idea, Em.” Holly replied as she shook her head. “I lose my temper with her.”
“Don’t let it get to ye babes. She’s just a dirty minger.”
“I can’t help it. I see her and she gets me back up sum’n rotten.” Holly said.
“I can tell by your voice babe. You can’t arf ‘ear your scal comin’ out when ye get pissed off.” Em smiled sympathetically at Holly when she started to look upset.
“I nearly lost my rag in front of Alex though.”
Holly had told Em that she thought Alex was ‘cute’. She didn’t want to go into detail about how much she really felt for him, in case Em decided to play Cupid and ‘make a show of her’.
“I bet he was made up.” Em smiled.
“I don’t think so” Holly didn’t believe that for a minute.
“I bet he got a proper lob on.” Em stifled a laugh.
“Oh my God, Em! He so didn’t!” Holly was horrified.
“I’d put a tenner on it.” Emily winked and took a sip of her tea. “So what else is happening then?” Em asked. “Got anything planned for the weekend?”
Shit, the pool hangout, party, whatever.
“Riss is having a hangout day at her pool. She’s invited the whole group, and you too. I said we might already have plans, but they said to ask you anyway.”
“What are you gonna do? You can’t go…unless…”
“Unless what?” Em knew the extent of Holly’s aversion so for her to have an alternative meant that, maybe, she wouldn’t let her friends down.
They’d been looking forward to it and had reminded Holly to ask Em before she’d left the school building.
“Unless you stay sitting down and say you can’t get in because you’re ill.”
“I can’t say I’m ill. I could, however, just say I don’t want to get in. The girls already know that pools don’t interest me so they won’t push me to get in if I don’t want to. Besides, I could sit on the side and put my feet in at the shallow end.”
“So we’re going then?” Em asked with her eyebrows raised and a smile tugging at her lips.
“I guess so.”
Chapter 11
Stacey had kept to herself, a nice change, in homeroom on Friday. Holly had asked the girls to go out for lunch, so she could buy something for the hangout the next day. Holly had to try to explain why she didn’t own any swim wear and the girls we’re satisfied when Holly explained she didn’t go swimming so never bought the suits for it.
Nothing more was said over Thursday’s events, due to Dev asking Alex to have words with the boys.
Holly felt bad at avoiding Alex again but after A.Bio, Social and the parking lot, Holly needed to take a breath.
Every moment with Alex had been amazing. She could just sit and look at him for hours but unfortunately other people, Alex included, would notice. She had only one thing she had to take the edge off from seeing him again, and she needed more. She wanted Alex, but that wasn’t going to happen any time soon. Just thinking about him and his lips…the way he looked at her with his deep brown eyes and his sexy perfect smile…
Holly wanted to pull him down, tangle her fingers in his silky black hair and kiss him. She wanted to know what it felt like to have his arms wrapped around her, holding her close to his muscular chest.
She’d never had, or wanted, any of those things before. With anyone. So to want them, and with such intensity, now, with Alex… it was freaking her out. He was so perfectly gorgeous, there was no way he would be interested in her.
He’d knocked back every one of the girls who’d asked him out at their school, and most were really pretty. When he’d stared at her in class, she thought it was because she was staring at him.
Great, he thought she was a weirdo. And the staring by her car? Coincidence. He was just being polite. No. There wasn’t a chance in hell he would like her that way.
Holly and Emily spent Saturday morning planning their last two days together as Emily was flying back home on Monday afternoon.
They both got a change of clothes, and Holly got spare underwear and bottoms incase she sat on the wet floor. Holly had decided to wear a loose, white football T-shirt and pink cutoff style shorts. Not the kind you can see your butt cheeks, but just above mid-thigh. The kind th
at kept your dignity when bending or sitting and also didn’t make you look like a surfer.
She tied her hair back in a loose braid with some strands falling loose at the front. Emily wore her royal blue two-piece. The top was more like a sports bra than a bikini, and the bottoms were boy shorts style. She had her blue skinny jeans and yellow sleeveless blouse on, changing into them again when they would leave.
Holly was going in her stuff and changing into black leggings. She wasn’t getting in the pool so a spare top wasn’t necessary.
Holly sent a text to Dev.
H: Hey Dev. We’re ready now. On our way.
D: Cool. Alex will be leaving to get the guys soon.
H: Ok, I’ll be as quick as I can.
Holly wanted to avoid seeing Alex, so getting there, before he left gave them a head start on the journey, getting to Riss’ before them.
D: You’re going to see him there, you know.;)
H: Yes, but in the safety of a crowd. :D
D: Haha! Be safe.x
H: Will do. X
Holly managed to pick up Dev without seeing Alex. She’d secretly hoped for a glimpse, but he hadn’t come out.
“Let’s go” Dev had said as she got in the car.
“Alex has just texted Ben to say he’s leaving.”
Knowing that Em and Dev were watching her, Holly decided to just go.
They arrived at Riss’ house, the girls meeting them at the door.
“The guys will be here soon.” Dev said as Holly looked around.
Riss’ garden was a plain lawn with large pebbles lining the edges. The house was a huge two story build, again similar in style to Holly’s, but the garages weren’t attached to this house. They were set off to the right. She guessed that it was the style for that part of the city. They walked into the house and on the way to the pool room; they met Riss’ Mum.
“Oh Hi girls!” She said cheerfully.
“Hi Mrs. Kennedy.” They chorused.
“What are you carrying, Mom?” Riss asked when she noticed her Mum had a tray of flowers.
“Oh just plants I picked up from the market. I don’t know what they are though, but they’re pretty.”
“They’re called Stock Lucinda.” Said Holly and the girls turned to look at her. She felt a little embarrassed at her sudden outburst, but Emily looked like a proud sister.
“They are?” asked Mrs. Kennedy.
“Um…yes. They grow in our garden”
“Oh well thank you Holly. Now, I can find out how to look after them.”
“You’re welcome” Holly replied. She could have told her how to look after them, herself, but decided not to.
Riss led them to the indoor pool room.
It. Was. Huge!
In front of them were white wicker couches, with white cushions, and also a bar, on the right that had a bowl of fruit punch and a fridge full of bottled water and sodas.
To the left was the pool and left again, next to the doorway was the shower and changing room.
Em put her arm around Holly and gave her a little squeeze.
“You’re good with flowers aren’t you?” asked Riss.
“I just picked up a few things” she said.
“So what’s happening’ first, girlies?” Em asked, changing the subject.
“You can put your stuff in there” Riss pointed and they walked through.
Inside it looked like an emptied out sauna with a shower big enough for two people and a toilet, both in their separate rooms. The empty space in the middle had a shelving unit for their clothes. They put their things away, Em and Dev changed and they walked back out towards the pool.
“Let’s get some tunes on!” Said Em
“Yes!” Riss said clapping her hands together. “The system has bluetooth so we can play the music from our phones.”
“Let’s make a playlist each.” Said Kayla.
”Great! That sounds good.” Dev said as she took out her phone and began scanning through her music. The other girls did the same.
“About five songs each, I think would be enough for now.” Riss said.
“How are you doing?” Em asked quietly as they sat on the couches.
“I’m ok for now” Holly replied.
Riss put her music selection on to play first.
“Awesome!” they said as Justin Timberlake sang about ‘bringing sexy back.’
“The guys are pulling up, Riss” Dev said as she received a text from Ben, because Alex was driving.
Riss went to the door to greet them. As Riss was out, the girls sat around on the couches talking, when Emily told a joke, making them all burst out laughing.
“Look who’s here!” Riss said in a sing-song voice. They all turned round to see the guys. Holly stopped laughing but she was still smiling from the joke, and she saw Alex looking at her and smiling.
“Hi guys!” shouted Dev and jumped up to show the guys where to put their stuff. Em looked between Holly and Alex as he walked past and chuckled to herself.
“What’s funny?” asked Holly, pink faced as she turned to her sister.
“Oh…Nothing.” Em said with a shrugged expression and a shake of her head.
“Whose is this music?” Kyle asked as they guys came out of the changing area.
“Mine, why?” Riss asked with her hands on her hips.
“Nothing” he said, backing up with his hands up in surrender.
“I don’t think he likes it, but he’s too shit scared to say.” Laughed Ryan.
Riss raised an eyebrow at Kyle.
“No I’m not!” He glared at Ryan. “It’s just…uh…”
“uh…what?” Riss said.
“Poppy” Kyle said and backed off.
“I think it’s good and so do the girls.” She said and raised her chin. “Don’t you girls?”
“Yes!” they all shouted back.
“So there” Riss said, making them laugh.
“Whatever you say.” Said Kyle and then ran off as Riss took a swipe at him.
“I bet yours isn’t any better!” she shouted to him. Kyle just laughed.
“Pizza will be here in about an hour, and the drinks are at the bar. There’s other stuff there too.” Said Kayla as she pointed to the fridges. Holly looked to Alex and swallowed hard. He had on blue swim shorts and his long legs with muscular thighs and well shaped calves had her jaw dropping.
He was wearing a white v-neck T-shirt that caressed his sculpted torso to perfection. The colour of his skin looking deliciously edible. It was unfair how sexy he was. He should be illegal.
Holly had been sitting in the corner part of the couch and had been peaking at Alex as he stood Between Ben and Ryan, when his eyes turned to her. Holly thought she saw his cheeks turning pink, but quickly dismissed it.
“Let’s play a game!” Riss said excitedly.
“What about pool volley ball?” Dev asked.
“Cool” agreed Ryan. “Boys against girls. You have the advantage; five girls to four guys, but we’ll still beat you. Hands down.”
Holly looked nervously to Emily. They expected her to get into the pool, and her stomach rolled at the thought.
“We’ll need a ref” Em said, quickly before anybody could say anything. Holly, you should ref.”
“No fair!” Said Ben “You’re older, you should ref.
“No, I think Holly should Ref” Alex said as he looked at her.
She didn’t know why he’d agreed with Em, but she could have kissed him for doing so. Well just kiss him for anything really. Just for the sheer pleasure of it.
Kissing Alex… Now there’s a thought…
Em elbowed Holly, bringing her out of her Alex fog and saw that he was trying to hold back a smile.
Great. Just fucking great
He’d seen her gawking at him and wanted to laugh.
“Four on four then.” Said Kyle.
Riss and Kyle went to get the ball and set up the net. Holly noticed Ryan watching them, well Riss, to
be exact. Em motioned to Holly that she had seen him and they smiled at each other.
Holly stood, and the boys all removed their shirts ready to get into the water and Holly’s mouth popped open at the sight of Alex’s naked torso.
Oh my fucking hell! She screamed internally.
Alex’s body was out of this world! Perfectly proportioned all over. Square pecs, chiseled abs, round shoulders and biceps and a v-line that had heat coursing through every part of her body.
Her heart started pounding, her body was on fire and it travelled right down to her ‘centre’. She had to grasp onto the side of the couch for support.
“Steady now” Em whispered into her ear, breaking her lustful gaze. Holly’s face burned as Em chuckled.
“What’s funny?” asked Ben, but Holly could see that he had a good idea of why Em was laughing.
“Oh, my little sister is amusing me.” She said. “Carry on.” Em added whilst motioning with her hand in front of her, for Ben to continue what he was doing.
“How are you doing?” Dev asked as she walked over to Holly, with a huge grin, her eyebrows raised.
“As well as can be expected, given the circumstances.” Holly said, risking a glance at Alex’s fabulous physique.
“And the view” Em snickered. Dev giggled before looking over to Ben with a small sigh.
“I know the feeling.” She whispered.
“If I was seven years younger…” Em said.
“What was that?” asked Ryan. Em spoke more loudly.
“I said if I were seven years younger…” she paused “…Then I’d seriously have to go looking for an older guy; ‘cos you lot are babies.”
“No we’re not.” Said Kyle
“Nuff said” Em smirked.
