"Wake up Mary!" my mom pounded on the door. I squinted at the clock that read 8:14 and rolled over with a groan. There was no way I was getting up this early on a Saturday or my name isn't Mary. I buried my head into the pillow and blocked out the excessive knocking until I fell into a restless slumber that only lasted half an hour. Finally, giving up on sleep I got up and unlocked the door to find my mother gone. I walked through the rest of the apartment to find it empty.

"She must have went out," I said to myself before walking into the kitchen for a cup of apple juice. Grabbing a cup I poured me some juice from the fridge and found a note stuck on the bottle. I tore it off and read it.

Mary,

Went out with Mrs. Knight. Be back later. Enjoy your apple juice!:)

Love Mom.

I rolled my eyes and smile. That woman knows me so well, I thought tossing the note in the trash, and gulped down my delicious beverage. Putting the cup in the sink I went back in my room to get dress for the pool so I could be there before it got too crowded. I slid into a two piece and some shorts with a top over it then went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and sweep my hair into a ponytail. I grabbed everything I would need, slipped on a pair of flip flops and walked out the apartment locking the door behind me. I took the elevator and passed by Mr. Bitters in the lobby who eyed me like I was insane for even considering being up this early but I only told him good morning and continued to my destination. I picked the perfect pool chair to set my stuff down and stripped down to my bathing suit and covered myself in sunscreen.

I dove into the deep end of the pool headfirst. I submerged and my teeth chattered from the cold water but I just continued swimming to warm up faster. After awhile I started floating on my back and thought.

James was going to text me sometime today to meet up with him so I could meet his friends. Just the thought of him made me smile and I wondered back to last night. I had to admit it was fun and singing with him was pretty amazing. It was magical how perfectly are voices harmonized together. I could actually get use to being- I stopped horrified was I actually about to say what I think. I cannot like it here at the Palm Woods. And I refuse to let some good lucking, sweet guy change my mind no matter how much I like him. It won't happen because soon my mom will get sick of this place and its bye bye Palm Woods.

Then why was I even bothering with making friends? Why torture myself like this? I took a deep breath and dove underwater again drowning out all the questions and when I came back up I did some laps around the pool. I use to want to swim competitively but all the moving made it impossible so I just forgot about it because I knew that would be best. I always loved the water ever since I was a little girl and my dad took me to swimming lessons. I was so eager to learn that one time I had threw off my floaties and jumped into the water. I didn't drown because luckily it was the kiddy pool so I survived with scrapped knees from hitting the cement bottom. I hadn't even notice until my dad had made me sit still so he could put a band aid on my booboo. He had kissed both of my knees then scooped me into his arms. I remember being upset because he told me I couldn't swim that day because I hurt myself and the cuts would sting from the chlorine. I threw a temper tantrum that he easily resolved with ice cream. My dad use to spoil me rotten and I missed that. I got tired soon and finally got out. My fingers were wrinkly and my hair stuck to my face and neck. I yanked my ponytail out then twisted the water out of my hair. I stretched out on my towel that was thrown over the chair and closed my eyes.

I didn't know I fell asleep until I woke up to someone poking my cheek.

"Mom stop it," I groaned slapping her hand away but when I heard deep laughter that didn't sound like my mom at all I sat up. I was looking into the smiling face of James.

"Hi Mary," he said.

"Why were you poking my face?"

"That was definitely Carlos," He replied and I followed his eyes to see the Latino I had bumped into yesterday. He smiled and waved at me energetically.

"He's been poking you for the last five minutes," another voice said and I turned to face a guy with dark blonde hair, piercing green eyes, and a warm smile.

"You're Kendall right?"

"That's my name don't wear it out."

"Next time you decide to ditch dinner give a girl a heads up. I was stuck with Casanova over here," I teased referring to James who smiled.

"I'm sorry about that but-"

"You don't have to explain yourself to me. Besides I was just teasing I had a great time with James," Hearing his name in the conversation again he pushed me over and sat next to me.

"I'm glad you said that because I was wondering if-"

"Hold that thought," I interrupted him before looking around, "Isn't one of you missing?"

"Logan," Carlos quickly answered, "He just ate so he's waiting an hour before he even comes close to the pool."

"Wow he sounds really," I paused not able to find the word I was looking for, "Cautious?"

"Well that's Logan. Trust me without him we would probably be in jail by now," Kendall informed matter-of-factly.

"He's smart too," Carlos added. I smiled I was getting to know the boys better than I thought I would.

"So let me get this straight Logan is the brains, Carlos you're the fun guy, James you're the pretty boy and Kendall is-" when I looked at him I was at a lost. I looked into his face which was not bad at all and wondered.

"Huh I can't think of anything for you yet but you seem kind of like the logical one."

"Logical?"

"Yea, you know like the guy with all the plans and you keep everyone calm. That's what I think but I'm not sure I might be wrong." He smirked, "Only time will tell right?" Mysterious too, eh? I liked.

"Yea time will tell," then I turned to James and played with a strand of his hair, "You're right. I like your friends."

"Told ya." He said swatting my hand away from his hair. I grinned and stood up dragging him up with me. I had a plan and I really wanted to test it out.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing I just wanted to get a better look at your face," I said lying through my teeth.

"Let me show you my better side," he faced forward. I bit my lip from laughing.

"Perfect! But can you back up for me some?" I said turning his back towards the pool. He stepped back.

"A little more," I prompted he did and I made a gesture telling him to keep backing up. He did and his foot landed on air and he fell into the pool. Me, Carlos, and Kendall broke into hysterics when he came back up sputtering.

"That was so uncool," he yelled and I almost fell over from laughing.

"Dude she totally got you," Carlos said high fiving me. Kendall also stood up and high fived me. I bowed mockingly before grabbing Kendall's hand and pulling him. He was taken by surprise and we both stumbled into the pool. I broke through the surface laughing. Kendall came up smiling evilly.

"You shouldn't have done that." I shrieked and swam away only to bump into James who also had a look of revenge on his face.

"Carlos, help!" I screamed as the two blondes stalked towards me. I vaguely heard Carlos yell, 'Helmet boy to the rescue you!' then a huge splash. He swam over and stood in front me his helmet was surprisingly strapped securely on his head.

"You'll have to get through me first!" he said bravely. James and Kendall exchanged looks before shrugging their shoulders.

"Get him!" they said in unison and attacked Carlos who tried to fight back but was clearly no match for them and they had tossed him into the water.

"It's your turn Mary," James remarked as Kendall just watched I tried to swim away but he had already grabbed my foot and pulled me back. His hands gripped my waist and I knew he was getting ready to throw me under.

"You don't have to do this," I said dramatically.

"Oh yes I do!" he replied with a smile, "You might want to hold your breath."

"I'm not going down without a fight," I whispered and licked him. I felt his hold on my waist loosen from shock and I pulled away swimming to the other end of the pool as fast as I could. I got out and looked back to see all the guys snickering as James tried to figure out what just happen and whether he should be disgusted or not. I snickered and went back to my pool chair.

"I think your drooling," I yelled at James. His hands shot up to his mouth quick and I doubled over laughing again. I watched from my seat as they got out the pool. Kendall was the first to get out and was making his way over along with Carlos who was smiling.

"Did you just lick him so he wouldn't dunk you?" Kendall asked very unsure of what he just saw.

"No I licked him because he looked yummy," I joked.

"WHAT WAS THAT?" James practically yelled from where he stood in front of my chair.

"I have no clue what you're talking about?"

"But you just said that you lic-," Carlos began and from the corner of my eyes I saw Kendall elbow him.

"So you don't know about licking your tongue all over my face?"

"My tongue was not all over your face!" I defended.

"Aha so you admitted it. You did lick me!"

"Did not!"

"Did to!"

"Did not!"

"Did to!"

"Did not!"

"Did to!"

"Fine I did! Happy?"

"Very!" I huffed and crossed my arms.

"I hope you get infested with cooties," I said childishly and the guys broke into hysterics.

(A/N) - I realized that I suck a dialogue... guess I'll have to work on that. Anyways hope you enjoyed! And do me a huge favor by clicking that review button and telling me what you think, wiil ya?