strings attached ; firstprince

chapter two

"Alex, you're the best. Seriously," Pez says in a hushed whisper. Alex doesn't know what he's gotten himself into and he fears he may already be regretting it.

—

Summer is coming on strong and it's undoubtedly perfect swimming weather. June, Nora and Alex decide they want to go to the local swimming hole and Pez makes sure to invite Henry. June begins the set-up by laying down a picnic blanket on the sand, and Nora and Alex set up the gazebo above her.

"So, what are you going to do about this Henry thing?" Nora asks while she's pegging down one of the legs of the gazebo.

"I don't even know, we didn't exactly get along last time we were alone together," Alex mumbles, pegging down a different leg.

"Maybe apologise?" June offers, already lying down comfortably on the picnic blanket.

Alex scoffs. "For what?"

"Just be the bigger person, say you overreacted or something," Nora suggests, finally finished with setting up the gazebo.

"This is torture," Alex moans.

"You didn't have to agree," June says, slightly sitting up to look at him.

"Yeah, well, I couldn't say no to Pez's puppy eyes," Alex says as he sits down beside June. "I mean, you saw them!"

"Aw, you finally warmed up to Pezzy," June cooes, pinching Alex's cheek.

"Shut up," Alex mumbles.

"You know what we could do?" Nora starts. June and Alex look up at her expectantly. "We can play a classic game of beach soccer and put you and Henry in a team!"

"There's five of us," Alex points out.

"I'll be the judge," June grins, proud of herself.

"Fine, but only because I know we'll beat you and Pez."

"Whatever makes this easier for you," Nora puts on a big fake smile. Alex twists his back to look around them.

"Can these guys hurry up," Alex says as he stands up. He pulls his shirt over his head and now stands in only his grey swim trunks.

"Woah, wait till Henry gets here," Nora teases. June laughs outwardly.

"You two are going to make this hell," Alex sighs exasperatedly.

"Hey guys!" Pez calls out. Alex turns around to see Pez and Henry strolling over to them across the sand. Henry is wearing a casual white undone button-up shirt and blue swim shorts. Alex has to stop himself from staring at his bare chest which is more toned than he expected.

"What took you guys so long?" Alex is the first to ask. Pez rolls his eyes.

"Henry took a lot of convincing," Pez explains tiredly. "Told him his pasty skin needs some sun."

"I'm not that pasty," Henry retorts. All four of them laugh.

"You better strip down and soak in that sun then, cream cheese," Alex smirks, his eyes flickering up and down him. Henry's cheeks instantaneously turn a light pink.

"Um," Henry begins to say.

"Let's get in that water, it's calling to me right now," Nora says, waving her hand to her face. "I am sweating."

"Say less," Pez quickly strips off his shirt and throws it, along with his bag on the picnic blanket. Nora and June begin to strip down to their bathing suits as well.

"Hey," Alex says coyly. Henry looks up and his eyes lock with Alex's, his expression unreadable. "You getting in?"

Henry clears his throat. "Um, yeah."