zammie alert!

Chapter Ten: What Went Down In Atlantis

Cammie

We are bored.

We've been to the beach twice. The cinema twice. The amusement park twice and we've worked at the café for a few days. We've done almost everything that you can do here, so we're bored.

We're all sitting in the living room. Bex is watching a crappy reality show, Macey is painting her nails, Grant is in the garden playing Basketball on his own while Zach and I play snap.

Ever since the party Zach and I have actually become quite close. He carried me all the way home and kept his pinkie promise for us to be friends. And I'm happy he did. For the rest of that week I didn't talk to Bex, Grant or Macey. I was too upset about Brad. I mean the boy could have forced me into doing stuff I didn't want to, if it wasn't for Zach… I don't even want to think about it.

I feel a little bad about that fact that I kind of had fun ignoring my best friend's and older brother. It meant I got to hang out with Zach more. Plus, they didn't even notice I was ignoring them until Zach brought it up. They spent the first few days apologising loads and waiting on me hand and foot. I liked that part. Until Bex ruined it by hog tying me to a chair and demanding to know what was up.

Needless to say, it ended in a lot of hugging, even some crying and cream for my ankles and wrists. Where on earth did she learn to do that?

"I'm bored!" shouts Macey, causing some birds to fly out the tree in the backyard. Grant dunks his basket in the hoop and then joins us in the living room closing the back door.

"What are we supposed to do about that?" he asks sitting down next to Bex.

"Duh! Un-bored me." she answers screwing the lid back on the nail varnish and standing up with her hands placed firmly on her hips. She looks a little like her dad. Standing with authority and purpose. And that purpose is to have fun, something we're not doing.

"Firstly, I don't think 'un-bored' is a word," comments Zach while Macey scowls. "And secondly, we've been to every single tourist attraction here. Even the freakin' zoo!"

Everyone agrees which makes Macey moan again. "Then let's go to my house." she says straight faced making us instantly quieten down.

Macey has a house in Virginia? No, actually the correct question is: what state does she not own a house in?

"What's the difference between your house and Cammie's?" questions Bex.

"Nothing, I just want a change of scenery. No offence guys." she adds like an afterthought though there wasn't any offence taken. I know I don't come here often but that's only for days not weeks and I'm starting to go a little stir crazy.

"Alright then… Snap!" I slap my hand down on the matching card and smile victoriously at Zach. "As I was saying before I beat Zach, let's go to Macey's."

~r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r.t.h.a.t.s.u.m.m.e.r~

Where Macey lives isn't a house. Nope, it's a mansion. It looks a little like a show room and I'm surprised that Macey is allowed to drink anything coloured in here with the speck-less white carpets and deep red walls.

We didn't exactly gape when we came inside; more wondered how someone could live in such a perfect house. Pictures took over almost all of the walls. They're either pictures of Macey, from infancy to now. Family photos with them all looking their best. Or pictures with her dad shaking hands with important people.

Who knew he'd been to the White House? I certainly didn't and Macey didn't bring it up. Modesty is one of the things Macey did best.

"Let's go to my room," we follow Macey to the back of the house and while we thought we would be going to her bedroom she actually takes us so what looks like a teenagers dream. Flat screen television, games consoles, make-up desks and even popcorn and candy floss makers.

"This is amazing!" squeals Bex who runs to the popcorn machine, turns it on and watches as the machine makes her favourite snack.

The boys don't even bother commenting they've already turned the TV and Play Station 3 and are playing a game. Did Grant know that Macey had a console or was he just being optimistic?

I guess I was the only one not making myself comfortable. I still felt bad about leaving my mom although she said she would enjoy some sister time with Aunt Abby. Macey relaxes on the sofa and pats a space for me. I dump my bags at the door along with the others and join her. We talk for a while, normal girl things. Pads verses tampons. One Direction verses the Beatles (Beatles for the win personally). And cute boys.

We'd named our top ten (not including Zach or Grant even though I definitely know where I would place Zach) when I get a text from Liz.

[7:45pm]: long time no c Cammie! I miss u, wat r u doing? wanna hang?

The girls read my text along with me and then Macey gasps. "Oh my gosh, I have just had a brilliant idea! Cam, text back Liz and tell her to come here. The games have just begun."

~r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r.t.h.a.t.s.u.m.m.e.r~

Ten minutes later Liz and Jonas arrived along with sleepwear. We hugged, chatted for a bit before Macey gathered us around her telling us that the fun hadn't even started yet.

"Oh but come on!" moans Zach, Macey unplugged the television and PS3 just as they were winning. "I was totally beating that last scored! Oh and who is Jason?"

Macey smirks and continues although Bex and I share a passing glance. Who is Jason? "We're going to have a little old school sleepover fun!"

"Really Macey?" says Bex. "Truth or Dare is so elementary. You know, back when we actually told the truth. You may as well call it Lie or Dare."

"Shut-up, who said we were playing that anyway?" Macey answers impatiently. Bex does shut-up and pretends to slit her throat with her finger making me chuckle.

"What are we playing?" asks Jonas fixing his glasses and taking his girlfriend's hand.

"Let's see who still has their puppy fat." Macey smirks and walks out the door. We look at each other before quickly following her around the house and out the back.

Now I know what she means. Puppy fat. Skinny dipping.

The boys look pretty happy while Liz and I look at the pool like it's filled with toxic acid, not water. Bex winks at me before joining Macey who stands in front of us looking triumphant.

"Who is going first?"

"I'll do it!" shouts Grant stepping forward. "Which one of you lovely ladies is going to join me?" he asks Macey and Bex.

Macey shrugs. "Whatever, plus he's better than Goode over there." they both go into the house and then come back out with towels wrapped around them. The rules were simple, a little like seven minutes in heaven except not in a closet and no kissing (well, only if you didn't want to). Okay, seven minutes in Atlantis sounds like a good name.

~r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r.t.h.a.t.s.u.m.m.e.r~

Liz, Jonas and Bex have come out the pool. Liz looks very red faced, so does Jonas while Bex looks annoyed.

"Is someone mad because I got to get naked with a God?" teases Macey who is currently sitting on my brother's lap even though there are plenty of other seats available. A part of me is very annoyed that she is doing that because A) Its mean to Bex and B) I'm starting to wonder what happened in the pool. But the other part – the good part – is telling me that they're only friends. I mean Grant sees her and Bex like sisters and Macey has waaay higher standards. No offence bro.

"Looks like it's time," says Zach looking into the pool. At first I don't have a clue about what he's on about and then I realise. We have to skinny dip together. Oh man.

I cover myself tightly with the towel and ignore the smirking and winking faces coming from my friends. On the bright side Macey is no longer on Grant's lap.

I turn around as Zach whips the towel from his waist and jumps into the pool. I wait until he resurfaces and then I tell him to look away. I slip the towel off and slip into the pool setting the seven minute timer on my way in.

"You in yet? Can I open my eyes?" he opens them anyway and we're plunged into silence. And maybe some awkwardness. I know I said Zach and I were friends but what if I was having secret feelings for said friend and I was now put into a situation where I could possibly see him naked.

"Brick," I blurt out and then I actually say the whole sentence. "Do you think Grant was offended by Macey when she told him his body shape was a brick?"

Zach thinks for a moment, manipulating the waves with his hands making them push me towards him. Lucky idiot, I have to crouch, hiding my chest while his whole 8 pack is on show.

"Probably not. Coach is always calling him that 'The Brick'. He really is impossible to tackle against." He pauses, watching me in the moon light. His green eyes really do shine. "What about you? What do you reckon you are?"

I look anywhere except at him. "I don't know. I know I'm not a brick despite what some people say."

He waves his hands again, pulling me closer. "Who said stuff? Who Cammie, because they're wrong. You're perfect."

I shake my head. Shake away the memories. "It doesn't matter, it's over now. Trust me."

I realise how close we are. Zach is only a few inches away from me and he's bent over so his forehead can reach mine. His hot breath mixes with mine leaving me breathless. His fingers delicately trace my hips and down my sides. He whispers words like 'perfect' and 'beautiful' and I want to believe him.

"Not too skinny, not too big. Perfect."

"Average," I say back.

"I love average."

His lips are soft, moist and warm my cold skin. First it's just a kiss but as he pulls away I pull him back by holding into his neck. I'm not even aware of the fact that I'm pressed up against him full height. I only care about him. The way he teases me with his tongue. His delicate hands tracing my back.

And how he steals time.

Beep, the timer goes but we just kiss longer. Harder. Hotter. Beep! It goes again but louder, a warning that soon our friends will come out and see us making-out. There will be questions, shouting and possibly tears.

I break away and dump my torso back down in the water. "Quick before they wonder what's taking us so long." I swim back to the edge and hoist myself up, my back facing Zach. I actually don't care that he's probably looking at me.

I'm in love with my best friend's brother.

~r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r.t.h.a.t.s.u.m.m.e.r~

I look around and squint at the bright television screen playing the main menu for The Hunger Games. Liz and I are sharing one sofa while Macey and Bex share the other. The boys occupy the floor making it hard to tip-toe out the room. I accidently kick Jonas and thank God when he mumbles something and then turns away from me.

When we came back after being in the pool they surprisingly didn't ask many questions. Just normal stuff like, wasn't the water cold? Did you guys talk? Was it awkward? All we answered with was a shrug of our shoulders.

I can still feel his hands on my back. I shiver.

Finally I find my way to the kitchen and make myself and drink and sandwich. I sit on the counter like at home and hum softly to myself before dumping everything in the sink and hearing a noise behind me.

"Hello?" I whisper until the person comes out the shadows. "Zach."

"Are you going to make me a sandwich or not?" he asks chuckling which hopefully means he was joking. He walks around the island in the middle and stands in front of me. Putting himself between my thighs.

"How long?" I ask and he shrugs.

"Forever, so it seems. I thought that playing all those tricks and pranks would make you notice me but it made you hate me. I didn't mean to ruin your party. I just didn't want you going out with Jimmy…" that's enough explanation for me so I press my lips on his and he immediately responds by holding my waist and deepening the kiss. I sigh in ecstasy but our moment is short lived. The lights are turned on and everyone is standing at the doorway either with smirks or smiles on their faces.

"What exactly went down in Atlantis?"

~r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r.t.h.a.t.s.u.m.m.e.r~

not a fan but whatevs, its for you guys :)