Perfect *UNDER CONSTRUCTION*

Chapter Eight: Dare to Live

Brianna sat on a towel, all stretched out. She had taken off her over shirt and was just in her shorts and bathing suit now . She wore a blue bikini top. I couldn't help but notice the scratches on her arm and leg. It was hard not to at this point. She looked at the sky, a flock of birds passing over head.

"Are you okay?" I asked, putting my hand on her shoulder. I crouched down to be eye level with her.

"I'm fine," She said, looking at the water again. "I'm just not very used to swimming."

"Oh," I looked at Austin and Ariel, in the shallow part of the pond, having a splash war with my brother. Rob and Frankie were playing a game where you held each other under water until the other gave in. I couldn't help but smile at their stupidity.

"You can swim. Enjoy your party. I'll watch." Brianna bent her legs, wrapping her arms around them, and set her chin on her knees.

"No, you come and swim, too. It's safe and their isn't anything to worry about."

"She shook her head. "But-"

"No buts," I cut her off. "If you don't jump in off this dock, I will get Rob up here and we'll throw you in. Shorts and all."

She smiled. "My brothr used to threaten me like that. And then he went insane." She sighed.

I tugged off my shirt and kicked off my sandals. "You asked for this, Brianna. Remember that." I stood up and Brianna watched me warily. "Hey, Rob!" I called. He stopped trying to drown Frankie and looked at me. "Come up here!"

"Alex, don't you dare."

"Last chance to just jump in," I said smiling.

"I'm serious. I'll hate you forever."

"That's a chance I'm willing to take for fun." I said. Rob jumped onto the dock.

"Yeah?"

"Grab her legs. We're throwing her in." I grabbed her arms and she started fighting me, but I was stronger.

We picked her up.

"Okay, Rob. On three."

"NO, Alex, don't!" Brianna yelled, struggling some more.

"Will you jump in if I put you down?"

"Maybe. Now put me down!" She fought more. Rob almost dropped her.

"One," We started swining her.

"ALEX!" She started laughing.

"Two," Everyone was watching. Even the splash war had been put on hold.

"Please don't!" Brianna was laughing really hard now.

"Three," We let her go, and saw her fly into the water. I jumped in, too. Surfaced to see Brianna right there. She coughed.

"You are so mean!"

"So do you hate me forever now?" I laughed.

She tackled me, taking us both under. When we got back up, she started laughing.

We swam over to the splash fight, joining in.

After a while of swimming, it was lunch time. Hamburgers and hot dogs.

Andrew started laughing, causing everybody to look up from their food and be distracted from conversation.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

He shook his head, pointing at Brianna.

"What about me?" She asked. She had been talking to Ariel about something. Getting along as though they had known eachother forever.

He shook his head again and stopped laughing.

Ariel whispered something in her ear. Brianna shook her head. "No,"

"Can we go in the golf cart?" Austin asked.

"Yeah! Can we?" Rob asked, looking at me. Cameron looked over from his food. He had gotten there who knew when. But not long ago.

"It only holds five. There are eight of us."

"Leave Andrew behind. Rob drives, Frankie gets shot gun, Cameron in the middle. You and me in the back, Alex." Austin smiled.

"And what about us?" Ariel demanded.

"You can sit on my lap. Brianna can sit on Alex's." His smile widened.

"Sounds great." Frankie said. Everyone got up but me.

"Come on, Alex." Austin said.

"No. I don't think that's very safe."

"Are you chickening on US now, Alex?" Brianna smirked. She grabbed my wrist and yanked me up.

"No I just-"

"Oh, shut up." Brianna cut in. "We are here to have FUN, not be SAFE persay." She smiled again. I couldn't say no. I just loved her smile.

We sat on the golfcart, Brianna sitting on my lap, holding onto the bar behind me, Ariel on Austin's lap, her arms wrapped around his neck.

"You all good?" I asked. Brianna nodded, and Rob took off. I wrapped my arm around her waist to keep her from falling. Austin looked over at me and laughed. Ariel glanced over and smiled at Brianna.

"Kiss!" Frankie shouted, turning to look at us.