A/N: Sorry about the cliffhanger last time, it just had to be done ;) Thank you all so much for still reading this, I'm really glad (and flattered!) that you're enjoying it! I hope you continue to like it, and please do let me know what you think, I love to hear your thoughts! Have a brilliant weekend :) love Maddie xoxo
They were on the roof. Morgie was gazing out across the Spanish town, high enough so that they could see the sun kissing the surface of the sea on the horizon. Before them was an enormous hot tub, partially sunk into the ground, with rose petals scattered artistically across the surface, flickering tea light candles around the edge.
She turned to look at Oscar, her mouth ajar. ‘How did you know about this?’ she asked in disbelief.
Oscar looked overjoyed at her reaction. He grinned bashfully. ‘I heard some of the rich people talking about it,’ he admitted. ‘This is only meant for the people in the premium, deluxe sort of rooms, but I managed to convince the lady in charge that we deserved a go in it.’
Morgie flung her arms around his waist. ‘It looks perfect,’ she said into his chest, and heard him chuckle.
‘Glad you like it. Now, into your bikini please.’
Morgie looked up at him. ‘It was all a trick to get me partially naked, wasn’t it?’ she said, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
Oscar held up his hands in a gesture of submission. ‘Looks like you know me too well, Skelton,’ he said, and kissed the tip of her nose.
Laughing, she pulled off her shorts and top, revealing her bikini underneath, and, as Oscar stripped too, she headed straight for the gently bubbling water, lowering herself in and sighing in bliss.
‘This is heavenly,’ she told him, as he approached, all toned chest and arms, and as he got in too, sitting right next to her, the jets turned on and bubbled around them.
‘Oh my god.’ He sighed, lying back and grinning rather smugly at her. ‘Best date ever?’
‘The best of them all,’ she replied, nudging him. ‘Don’t let it swell your ego, though, mister.’
He tilted his head and surveyed her. ‘Hun, the fact that you’re my girlfriend is kind of permanently swelling my ego,’ he said.
She laughed. ‘What, because I’m so amazing?’
‘Something like that.’
She wrinkled her nose at him. ‘Well, for what it’s worth, you’re not so bad yourself.’
He smiled at her, and for a moment, got a little lost in her eyes looking back at him. The feel of her leg brushing against him underwater had been enough to send his thoughts skittering off into the abyss of lustiness, but, at the same time, he was utterly struck by just how beautiful and perfect she was. She was smiling like a freaking angel or something, but the cheeky glint in her eye was ever present as always, and he couldn’t help but want to stay here in this hot tub forever with her. Grow old, or something. Anything, as long as he was with her.
It was peaceful up there. Morgie could faintly hear the low chatter of voices below them, probably coming from the town or from the pool, and she could almost hear the rush of the waves too, over the gentle whoosh of the bubbling water. Oscar adjusted his position beside her, and she heard a corresponding ripple as the water shifted too.
Rose petals drifted past, swirling around the jets of water. One got stuck to Oscar’s arm, and, chuckling, Morgie peeled it off for him, sticking it on his nose instead.
He raised his eyebrows at her. ‘Thanks for that.’
‘You’re welcome, Rudolph,’ she said cheekily, cuddling into his side. She couldn’t think of anyone else she’d rather spend an afternoon in a hot tub with, and felt a little rush of affection go through her.
They made slight conversation, as Morgie pointed out what you could see from up on the roof, but, uncharacteristically, the conversation soon grew more serious.
‘So, what’s going to happen with us when we go back to England?’ Oscar asked.
Morgie turned to meet his gaze, startled at the sudden question. ‘Er, I hadn’t really thought about it,’ she murmured. ‘England seems a world away from here.’
He smiled. ‘I know. But this has to end sometime.’
‘God, how depressing,’ Morgie said, looking out across the beautiful scenery. ‘I just want to relocate.’
‘Mm.’ Oscar couldn’t help but agree. Out here, nothing seemed to matter; it felt like the world was designed for relaxing and romance. Everything seemed to be going at a slower, more leisurely pace; there was none of the hustle and the bustle and hurry he was so used to. But the reality of their lives would soon hit; they would soon be back in England, getting on with their day to day living. He didn’t want the magic of their relationship to somehow get lost on the flight home.
‘We can make it work, though,’ she said, turning to look back at him. ‘You’re what… an hour and a half train ride away?’
‘More or less,’ Oscar said. ‘When we’re both at uni, it’ll only be an hour.’
Morgie pulled a face. ‘Well, I’ll just have to weigh up whether I can put up with that to come and see you,’ she told him, a devilish sparkle in her eye.
Oscar raised his eyebrows. ‘Perhaps I should move universities, go to Scotland or something, just to get away from you?’ he asked.
She stuck out her bottom lip at him. ‘Would you not miss me, Oscs?’
He wrinkled his nose. ‘Touch and go, really.’
The cheeky, mischievous glint in her eyes was still there as she cuddled herself into him a little, fitting into his body, gaging his reaction. ‘No?’
His body automatically responded to hers, without even processing it, and she found herself straddling his lap, arms around his shoulders. She shifted a little, and felt more than heard his breathing hitch. ‘Not at all,’ he said, a little breathlessly.
She couldn’t keep a straight face, and giggled. He gave in, and, lips grazing across her own, he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her in to him. Their bodies merged under the water, Morgie like a second skin. Oscar felt goose bumps prickle across his entire body, despite the warm water as her tongue darted through his lips, her fingertips woven into the hair at the back of his head.
‘God, Morgie,’ he murmured, before he found himself kissing all the way down her neck, unable to function fully, the sensation was so all consuming. His hands traced the outline of her body, as if he was committing it to memory. Pfft. As if he needed to. She was imprinted into his mind; he knew her as well as he knew the back of his own hand. Probably better.
He moved back to her lips, attempting to convey just how strongly he felt for her through the kiss, and felt her smile against his mouth.
He pulled away. ‘Okay, I’ll admit it, I’d miss you like hell.’
Morgie blinked, momentarily having forgotten what they were talking about. ‘Oh,’ she said, and Oscar noted rather proudly that her eyes were only just coming back into focus. ‘Okay.’
He laughed. ‘I’m obviously doing my job well if that’s all you have to say,’ he said softly, gently kissing the spot just below her ear, his tongue flickering out.
She wrinkled her nose at him. ‘Oh hush.’
Gladly, Oscar did, instead putting his lips to another use.
*
It was another beautiful day, with the sun sparkling off of the surface of the water, rays of light dappled through the oasis of blue beneath her feet. The warm air caressed her skin, the slightest breeze ruffling the hairs which had escaped from her tight braid. It was paradise. And Laurel just wanted to go home.
She was huddled up, knees to her chest, chin resting on them. Try as she might, she just couldn’t get Morgie and Oscar out of her mind. Every part of her hurt at the thought of them together. Every part of her resented Morgie, wanting to be in her place. Despite knowing that Morgie deserved Oscar, that Oscar made her happy, Laurel’s jealous side just couldn’t let her have him. She wanted to do something drastic, something to make Oscar notice her, but there was no point. He liked Morgie more than anything, probably was already half in love with her, and she was just here, alone. As ever.
She closed her eyes, trying to clear the thoughts from her mind, but instead her brain filled with images; Morgie, eyes bright, talking about Oscar like a giddy school girl discussing her first crush. Oscar, eyes lighting up whenever Morgie came into view. The two of them, arms entwined around each other, kissing like they were in a film, both stunningly beautiful, both carried away on their chemistry and mutual attraction, and what was she? Laurel, who’d never had a boyfriend. Laurel who wouldn’t have known how to make out.
She wondered if she’d ever find someone who cared about her in that way that Oscar so clearly cared about Morgie. Somehow she doubted it.
She’d kind of been counting on university to provide her with the chance to find true love, or at least someone she could date. She wanted so desperately to experience something, some sort of romantic relationship, it didn’t matter if it didn’t last. But there had been nothing. No one had taken any notice of her. She wasn’t eye catching and beautiful, no one bothered to attempt to get to know her. But then what had she been expecting? She had been born a wall flower, she wasn’t stunning, or even eye catching, she was just plain. She melted into the shadows like she was invisible.
She rubbed her forehead, opening her eyes and squinting into the sun. She was still alone. April was still a little hung over from the night before, and was most likely trying to avoid Ezra, and she hadn’t seen the boys at all this mornig. Strange. Will usually ate breakfast at the same time that she did, but she hadn’t seen him.
She lay back on her sun lounger, letting the warm rays caress her carefully sun creamed skin, and attempted to forget about it all.
Someone tapped her on the arm. Opening her eyes again, she looked up at April, who was smiling at her excitedly, sunglasses on, her hair in perfect curls around her shoulders. ‘Alright?’ she asked. ‘Will and I are off to the beach, we’re going to meet Morgie and Oscar there. Fancy coming along?’
Laurel twisted her lips. Meeting a post date Morgie and Oscar didn’t really tickle her fancy, so to speak, but she couldn’t avoid them forever. She nodded, getting up from her sun lounger. ‘Okay. Just coming.’
When they reached the beach, Morgie and Oscar were already there, giggling in the surf, splashing each other and just generally looking like the most stunning couple ever, on a beach photo shoot or something, but Laurel determinedly turned her gaze from them, and instead focused on sitting down on the sand, arranging her things around her.
It had taken quite some determination for Morgie and Oscar to get out of the hot tub when their allotted time was up. Both of them were extremely reluctant to leave the bubbly warmth, where they’d been merrily whiling away the time, their fingertips getting wrinkled from prolonged submersion. However, it had to be done, and so they had made their way down to the beach, both still carried away with the joy of being together, and the adrenaline of a few steamy make outs.
A few was perhaps an exaggeration. The romantical nature of the hot tub had made their hormones quite difficult to control.
But now, their linked hands swinging in the sunshine, it all felt very affectionate and happy. Oscar couldn’t take his eyes off of her, all smiles and gorgeousness. He couldn’t stop grinning himself.
Eventually, they realized the others had arrived, and wandered back, Morgie immediately seized by April to find out exactly what had happened, while Will persuaded Oscar into a game of beach volleyball, Ezra still being at the hotel, recovering from the previous night.
As Morgie detailed her date to Laurel and April, April squealed accordingly. Laurel, however, seemed to be struggling to find words.
‘Look, Laurel, what’s wrong?’ Morgie asked, after a while. ‘I know something’s up.’
Laurel did some sort of half shrug that was the least convincing reply ever.
Morgie frowned. ‘Just tell me? Have I done something wrong?’
Laurel looked stricken. ‘No. No, honestly. Don’t worry.’
‘But we are worrying,’ April put in, touching Laurel lightly on the arm. ‘You’re not yourself.’
Laurel, struck by the concern in both April and Morgie’s eyes, took a deep breath. ‘I didn’t want to tell you guys,’ she said, looking at her toes.
‘Tell us what?’ Morgie probed.
Laurel bit her lip, looking up at the two expectant faces in front of her. ‘I… oh god. The thing is… well, Morgie, I… I’ve had a crush on Oscar for months and months now, and I, er, I … I can’t get over it.’
Morgie’s heart skipped about a hundred beats all in one go. Her jaw dropped open, without her noticing it, and her eyes widened. ‘You… you what?!’ she choked.
Laurel buried her face in her hands. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘I just… it kills me seeing you with him. I should just get over it.’
Morgie looked shell shocked. She glanced at April desperately, as if pleading for advice. April too, looked rather surprised.
Will I have to give him up? Morgie thought, her stomach twisting at the very thought.
‘Oh god.’ April pulled Laurel into a one armed hug.
‘Laurel, I had no idea,’ Morgie said, still choked up. ‘I… I er, I don’t know what to say.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Laurel said. ‘I… I wouldn’t want you to feel bad. You two are obviously meant to be. I… I don’t want you to break up, or anything.’
Morgie relaxed a little. She’d been scared Laurel might demand them to break up. Still, she still felt absolutely dreadful, a feeling of guilt washing over her. She’d had no idea Laurel had felt like this; this was a complete revelation.
April leant back from hugging Laurel. ‘Er, if you don’t mind me asking, why do you like him so much?’
Laurel frowned. ‘I er, I don’t know,’ she said. ‘He’s perfect, I suppose, he’s gorgeous and… funny and kind, and…’ She looked at April. ‘Why? Do you think we’re incompatible, or something?’
‘Laurel, you just aren’t suited to Oscar,’ April said kindly. ‘Think about it. You hate those innuendo things he does, don’t you?’
‘I thought maybe I could change him,’ Laurel said, quietly.
‘It makes him who he is!’ Morgie put in, indignantly. ‘Without the silly jokes, Oscar wouldn’t be… well, Oscar.’
‘But…’ Laurel shrugged, looking tearful.
‘The jokes are pretty harmless,’ Morgie said gently. ‘You can’t ask a person to change dramatically for you.’
April sighed inwardly. Though she meant well, Morgie’s bluntness often wasn’t the best remedy for sensitive situations. She reached over, patting Laurel on the back. ‘Look,’ she said. ‘There’s no need to worry. You’re a gorgeous girl, and there are so many boys out there who would chop off limbs to date you.’
Laurel sniffed, shaking her head, but she smiled a little. ‘I doubt it,’ she said cynically.
‘Don’t be a muppet,’ Morgie told her. ‘You’ll be the first of us to get married, I’ll bet money on it.’
‘Marriage?’ inquired Will, wandering over. ‘Who’s getting married?’
‘Laurel,’ Morgie said. At Will’s look of surprise, she giggled. ‘Not now, silly. We were just saying she’s clearly going to be the first to get married.’
Will smiled. ‘Oh, definitely.’
April nudged Laurel. ‘See?’ she said. ‘We’re right.’
Morgie tilted her head to survey Will. ‘Mm. And wouldn’t Laurel look gorgeous in a white dress, coming down an aisle, Will?’ she commented, rather slyly.
Will looked at the girl in question a little wistfully. ‘Of course,’ he said lightly, but Morgie wasn’t fooled for a second, raising her eyebrows meaningfully at April, who shook her head slightly. Now really wasn’t the time to go matchmaking.
Laurel reached out suddenly, touching Will lightly on the arm. ‘Thanks, Will,’ she said, with a smile.
Will felt his heart stutter. He tried to smile easily, as if it didn’t bother him, but he rather doubted it would have worked.
The afternoon wore into the evening. They bought some fish and chips from the little beach hut which led on to the beach, and Laurel wandered across the shore, picking up pebbles, smooth in her palm, and feeling a little better about herself. Now that she’d told her friends how she felt, it felt as if a ginormous weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and, as she walked along, meditatively, pensively, perhaps, she couldn’t help but feel happier. Yes, her heart still hurt to think of Oscar not liking her back, yes, she still felt insane levels of attraction for the boy in question, but, unbelievably, telling her friends had really helped.
Morgie, Oscar, Will, and a late arriving Ezra, who seemed to have just about gotten over his hangover, were now engaged in a game of volleyball, April glamorously reclining on her towel, reading a glossy magazine.
Laurel walked on for quite a way before she turned to come back. The beach was long, and grew more stony as it went, so she found more and more pretty pebbles and shells. She filled up her pockets, like she used to do when she was a child, and, for a few moments, felt content to be alone.
April was trying to concentrate on her magazine. It was interesting, sure, there were several articles which she was fascinated by, but it was Ezra that was the problem.
To be more specific, a topless, toned Ezra, leaping into the air and cheering whenever he scored a point. Which was quite often, as Morgie and Oscar were a rather hopeless team.
He was perfectly sculpted, and, in the sun’s rays, on the beach, he looked as if he belonged there. However, whenever she saw him, April’s mind couldn’t help but run over what had happened before; the kiss, the fact that he’d then gone off and slept with some random girl. She imagined some girl running her hands all over his chest, and shuddered. It didn’t seem right.
April closed her eyes briefly. Ezra had been her first, and this had made the whole thing so much harder to let go. It felt wrong, to let someone like that slip away from her, when he’d shared something with her that was meant to be so life changing and important, but she’d gotten to the point where she couldn’t deal with it anymore. She had to let him go, despite the fact that he had been the first, the one who had been there with her through that monumental milestone in her life. He’d been caring and sweet at that point, and it had felt so right. But only a month or so later, it had all gone downhill. Did she regret it? Maybe.
Why she cared was beyond her. It had been a purely physical action, and, thinking about it, hadn’t had an enormous impact on her life… it had just meant that she’d become so much more emotionally involved with him.
She opened her eyes. Ezra was cheering and high fiving Will, clearing having won the game. Morgie and Oscar were now spelling out their names in the sand with their toes, Morgie writing ‘smells’ under her boyfriend’s name. April grinned, seeing how happy they were, and glanced to see Laurel making her way over, looking happier. She wasn’t going to lie, she’d been completely shocked to hear her friend’s admission, and wasn’t quite sure what to say. As a friend, Laurel couldn’t expect Morgie to break up with her boyfriend when she’d had no idea, but April felt for Morgie too. The joy of her new relationship must have been significantly dampened by Laurel’s announcement. She was in a difficult position.
As April watched, Morgie looked over to Laurel, head tilted, as if asking her a silent question. Slightly wanly, Laurel smiled, as if giving her assent that it was okay, that everything would be fine, almost as if she was giving her permission to go on, to be as happy as she wanted to be.
Morgie seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and beamed. April saw Oscar grin at her smile, and smiled herself. That boy was smitten. It kind of reminded her of the beginnings of her relationship with Ezra; everything had been rosy and joyous. And look at them now. Unable to meet each other’s eyes.
She desperately hoped that that wouldn’t be the case for Oscar and Morgie. No. Somehow, she couldn’t see it. Those two were just made for each other, moulded to fit together. She suddenly noticed Ezra’s gaze resting on her, and averted her eyes quickly. She wasn’t sure what, but it felt like something was just bound to happen at some point. She needed closure, and it looked like he did too. She just wasn’t sure she was going to ever get it.