Splinters: Part One

Part One | 40

Becky awkwardly glanced between us. "Sorry. I didn't know he had a girlfriend."

Collie looked her up and down. "Clearly."

"It's okay," I told the girls. I pulled Collie down the steps, desperately wanting to leave the situation. "C'mon, Col."

It took her a second, but she complied and followed me down back to the sand.

"God, I hate girls like that."

"They didn't know," I said, hoping to cheer her up. I knew those girls weren't the only things bothering her. She was anxious about Bella, as much as she didn't want to admit it.

"You're right," she said. I instantly felt myself relax, but I tensed by her next sentence. "You should've told them."

I jerked my head in her direction. "I never got the chance to talk."

"Sure."

Now I was getting annoyed. "Stop it, Collie."

"You want me to stop it?!" she questioned, as if that were completely irrational.

"Yeah! C'mon, I know you're worried about seeing Bella, but you don't gotta take it out on me."

I was honestly surprised that I had stood up to her. It was only when I got really worked up would I actually voice my thoughts. I felt bad, afterwards though. Every time.

Collie closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm jealous."

I gave her a flat look. "No kidding."

She rolled her eyes and nudged me playfully. I slung an arm around her shoulders. "Collie, you've got plenty of guys that would fight me to be with you."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is. And I see it every day at school. I used to have to sit with one of the extreme ones everyday at lunch."

She lowered her eyes in what looked like shame.

"If I can handle it, you can handle being calm when a few girls want attention from me."

"Yeah but you shouldn't give it to them."

I was a little offended at what she said, but kept it to myself. I raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever seen me talk to a girl the way I talk to you?"

"We-, no, but that doesn't mean you don't do it when I'm not around."

I laughed and kissed her cheek. "I don't."

She sighed. "I know. You're Brayden. You're purer than me."

I rolled my eyes. "You act like I'm an angel."

She smiled, and boy, was I glad that smile came because now I know she's not too mad.

"C'mon. Let's go back before your parents freak out."

I grasped her hand again as we made our way back to Net's party. When we made it, most of her friends were there, running around and laughing. And not only were they having a good time, but Ursa's best friend certainly looked like she was happy to be here, too. I knew Collie saw her as well by the sudden tension going through her body.

Bella's bikini was flattering on her. I never really looked at Bella, not even at my birthday party. I never cared to, either, but it was a little hard when she was standing almost right in front of me. Her long, dark hair fell passed her shoulders and back and she wore sunglasses, smiling at Ursa who was also now wearing her bathing suit. I was glad I was the only teenage boy here because they'd definitely be looking at Ursa's chest. If I'm not comfortable with how mature she's getting, I can only imagine Greg.