All I ever wanted

26. Pool party

"The red one is sexy and fierce, while the pink is cute and innocent. So, what are you going for?" She asks, wearing her clothes over her bikini.

"Definitely Sexy and fierce, " I nod my head and place the red one into my bag.

After my terrible calculus test results, I realized I need to focus more on my studies to achieve my dream of attending NYU. Well, I did put my all into the rest of my tests but still ended up with lots of Bs and only one A in literature. Not a surprise there.

I bid goodbye to my Dad before walking out of the house with Fawn. We get into her car, and it takes us almost forty minutes to get to Lily's house.

The first thing I notice as we turned the corner to Lily's street is the loud disco music blasting from her house, not caring about the neighbor's eardrums.

Fawn and I walk into the house through the back door. The party is in full swing by the time we get there. There are some students at a corner, competing to see who could chug the most alcohol.

I place my bag next to a chair and sit on the chair. I wasn't planning on getting into the water during this freezing hour.

A loud screech comes from the other end of the pool, grabbing my attention. Thinking someone was drowning, I spring from my seat and sprint towards the person.

Most people stop their activities and turn their attention towards the person screaming in the water.

Amy flaps her hand hysterically and cries, but she wasn't drowning. Her pitch-black hair was sticking to her now red face, which was blotchy from her tears. "Help, my bracelet is missing!"

"Can you guys help me look for it? I had it with me just a few moments ago, " She sniffs, her lower lips shaking as she cries.

I scoff, feeling a bit annoyed. If you heard the way she screamed, you'd honestly think someone was dying.

"People are dying, Kim, " Zyair says in a monotone voice, his arms resting on his knees as he sat and watched Amy.

"It's not like my missing bracelet is going to help save them, " She shoots back, her eyes blazing fire.

Umm..okay. That's a very cool thing to say.

"You can check the filters. All the dirt gather there, " Aaron snorts and leans back on his chair.

Some people chuckle, and Amy flaps her hand angrily, feeling embarrassed and annoyed. Looking at her search for her bracelet alone while the guys made fun of her made me feel for her.

From her reaction, I could tell the bracelet was very important to her. If I lost a valuable bracelet, I'd be pretty upset too. But, I'd show it by sulking and frowning in silence rather than screaming and crying. I guess people do handle grief differently.

She catches my eye and pouts, pleadingly. "Please, Dove. Can you help me?" She turns to Ashley at the other edge. "Ashley? Zoe?"

I groan. Fuck the Ted talk about women helping each other that I listened to this morning. I take off my white dress and dive into the waters smoothly.

The water is a bit chilly, but I soon get accustomed to it. I hear a few splashes after I jump in and look up to see other girls dive into the water too.

I submerge myself into the blue water and look past the asses and feet, in search of Amy's bracelet. After a few seconds of zero oxygen, I bring my head up to breathe.

A pair of dark blue eyes stare back at me in amusement, crouching at the edge of the pool. "Cute, " Gray comments.

I use my one hand to wipe the water from my face while the other rests on the edge of the slab. "Help us?" I nod with a gesture towards the pool, ignoring the fact that he just called me cute.

A small smirk plays at the edge of his lips, and he shakes his head in a cute manner. "You all look good with your 'we are each other's knights in shining armor.' He comments, gesturing towards the pool of girls in the water.

I roll my eyes and submerge myself in the water again. I struggle to keep my eyes open due to the chlorine sting, my legs flapping as I swim around the edge. Due to my desperate need for oxygen, I come up from the water with a gasp.

Gray is standing in front of me again, smiling as he stares down at me. I realize I probably look like a wet fish, spluttering for air in an unflattering way.

"Why are you here again?" I roll my eyes.

"Magnetic attraction?" He raises a questioning brow.

I chuckle lowly and make a mental note to swim to the center of the pool. "Found it, " Fawn beams, holding up a bracelet.

Amy flaps towards her and grabs the bracelet hastily. We watch as she inspects it and throws her hand up like it's a medal. "It's the one, " She grins and gives Fawn a huge hug.

I turn back to Gray, and he stretches his hands out for me to hold. I wanted to swat his hand away, but instead, I grab it and pull him into the water.

I grin as he lands with a splash. I get out of the pool but stop when I heard spluttering behind me. I turn and see Gray pretending to be drowning.

I run a hand through my wet hair and stare at him, a bored expression on my face. Did he think I was going to fall for that?

"Fuck-Cr-Cramp, " He stutters, striving to stay afloat with his arms.

My eyes widen when the realization kicks in. I use my last strength and try to help Gray, but his heavy bodyweight kept dragging me down.

I had used most of my energy while searching for Amy's bracelet and was too weak to carry Gray. Everyone else seems engrossed in their fun, and no one notices us.

The pool was way too deep to stand, and I had to get Gray to the other side. Panic and fear overcome my body as I struggle to hold him up by the waist.

He was dying, and my strength wasn't enough to save him. I already blame myself for ruining my father's youth because he had to take care of a child that wasn't even his.

Now I pushed Gray, and if he dies, it will all be my fault. I search the crowd for a familiar face, my eyes now blurry with tears. I see Zyair but didn't even have the strength to scream for help. "Help, " I whisper, feeling the tears beginning to stream down my face.

By now, Gray was no longer kicking and screaming for air. I refused to look at his face, afraid of what I might see.

"Don't you guys thinking we've had enough drama for one day?" Zyair raises a disgusted eyebrow.

What?

I turn to stare at Gray, and a smirking jerk stares back at me. Was he fucking kidding me?

"Why did you do that? I really- I re-, " I begin to choke on my tears, annoyed he would play with me like that.

I really thought he was dying.

Gray brows furrow in concern, and he holds my face up with his palms. "Hey, Hey. I'm sorry."

My lower lips jut out angrily, and I bite my lips to stop myself from crying more. "I didn't mean to scare you like that?" Gray apologizes, his face was now a mask of hurt and regret.

I wrap my hands around the curve of his neck and kiss him softly. "Don't ever scare me like that, " I murmur against his lips.

He nods his head and tightens his grip around my waist before deepening our kiss. My eye catches something before I close it, but I flip it off and let myself melt in Gray's embrace.

His arms roam up and down my back, tracing my spine with his fingertips, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us, as he bit on my lower lips teasingly. I could hear the increased pace of his heartbeat.

When we pull away for air, my suspicions are confirmed.

His gaze directed towards me had a look of hurt and betrayal. His vein pulses in his neck as his lips curled upwards. At that moment, I realize I've hurt him, and for a split second, I regret it.

"Luca."

••••••••••

QOTD- What food have you never eaten but would really like to try?

>>Mine is Tofu and Enoki mushroom. And yes, I do watch too many mukbang videos.