For Pottergirl1
"Baby, come swimming with me!"
"I'm okay," I called, twisting a lock of strawberry blonde hair around my finger.
"Please? The water's only a little cold and I'd be only too happy to keep you warm," Cody pleaded.
"Maybe next time," I crossed my legs. Conversation closed. I tugged my milky pink cover-up around myself and looked around. All of his friends were there, some swimming, some dancing, and some partying, all in bathing suits. Well, it was a pool party, right?
Everyone looked amazing. Every single one of the girls wore bikinis in light pastel colors and patterns. They were paying no attention to their curves, exposed to the world. The guys were shirtless, toned and tan and flirting with all the girls. In short, everybody gleamed confidence. They looked like models in a summer catalog.
"Alright, what's the deal?" Cody asked, lifting himself out of the pool. He walked over and sat at the edge of the chaise lounge chair I was in.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, fluttering my lashes and widening my already innocent looking brown eyes.
"Why don't you want to come into the pool?"
I didn't answer, just smiled at him like I hadn't heard his question.
"Why won't you swim?" He pressed. "You love swimming."
"I'm just not in the mood today," I said, pulling my cover-up around me again."
"Well, why not?" He sort of whined. "I've had this planned forever."
"Sorry," I said, pouting at him. I pulled the beach dress even tighter.
"Seriously, what's wrong?" His eyes drifted down to my hands clutching the silky fabric of the cover-up. "Is there something the matter with your dress thingy?"
"It's called a cover-up," I avoided his question.
He frowned.
"I thought cover-up was something that girls used to hide their zits," he said, confusedly.
"Technically it's both," I explained. "And cover-up can also be called concealer. Not to be confused with foundation, which just sits on your skin and smooth's it over. But there is a type of makeup that's both. Got it?"
"You lost me at technically," he grinned.
I started laughing, and my dress breezed open almost exposing my lime green bikini. I gasped, mid laugh, and yanked it close.
Okay, maybe I was acting a bit over the top. It was just that I was wearing a bikini, for the first time, and I was a little self conscious. I had to pick it out and buy it myself, so nobody was around to tell me if it looked alright. I regretted having chosen a vibrant lime green one with fabric that caught the light and sparkled (causing attention) and straps that tied around my neck. Honestly, what was I thinking?
"Baby, what's up with you? You aren't acting like yourself." He put his arms around me and tilted my face towards his.
I sighed. He knew me too well.
"Are you upset about something?" He nuzzled into my neck with his lips and cuddled me close to his bare chest. My dress started to slip again and I pulled it close hurriedly.
"Do you not want to take this thing off?" He pulled back and pinched the shoulder of my top.
"Not really," I admitted
"Why not?" he questioned. "Did you, like, rip your swimsuit or something?"
"No," I shook my head.
"Then why?" He was still adorably patient with me, even though I knew he was confused and was desperately trying to figure me out.
"No reason," I said, trying to lie.
He gave me a look.
"Okay, fine," I groaned. "I hate this swimsuit. I just bought it and really shouldn't have worn it. It shows way too much skin, the color's all wrong, and everyone else looks fantastic."
"Ah," Cody nodded, as if he understood completely. "I'm sure you look beautiful. Don't worry."
"You're supposed to say that," I argued. "You're my boyfriend."
He rolled his eyes, and smiled a little.
"It's not in the guidebook," he joked. "But you look good in everything you wear, and I bet you look great."
"I don't," I said. "You haven't seen this thing."
"Then take it off and show me," he suggested. "Darling, you don't need to be shy. These are all my friends, and they are very nice."
I shook my head stubbornly.
"C'mon," he pressed, securing his arms around my waist protectively. "Please?"
"Why?" I sighed, curling into him. I traced my fingertips up and down his stomach, noticing faintly how toned he had gotten. My stomach was not as perfect as his. I wasn't fat, but I was a little curvy around the hips and I was afraid the color of the bathing suit would bring attention to the fact that my belly was soft, not toned. Still flat, but definitely not as hard as it should be.
And the top? What if I looked to flat? My boobs weren't my best trait. They were okay, but bikini worthy? I wasn't so sure.
"Because," he explained. "I don't like to know that you're not feeling good about yourself. Especially when there's something I can help with. I like to be a part of everything you do, and it sort of feels like you're keeping something from me by not letting me in on this. Silly, I know, but that's how it feels."
I looked up and saw his beautiful aqua gray eyes staring at me sincerely.
"Okay," I sighed, at last.
"No way! Really?" He jumped up and began to undo the top strap of my cover-up.
"Cody,"" I hissed, holding his hands immobile on my heart. "Not here. Let's…go to the changing rooms or something."
"Whatever works for you," he brought m hand waist level, and continued to hold it until we were past the pool, out the door and down the hallway that led to the changing rooms. I opened a random door, and pushed him into it, looked around and went in after him. I didn't need any of his friends to think we were going in to "do something."
The cold tile floors burned my bare feet and I was met by a blast gust of air conditioned air. In the corner was a chair hanging from the ceiling, suspended four feet off the ground. It was velvet and looked invitingly warm, big enough to comfortably seat two people. So did the heaping pile of fluffy towel in the basket next to it.
The worst part of the room was the mirrors. Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors everywhere. The walls were lined with three-way mirrors and they were angled so that the only part of the room where you wouldn't see yourself would be in the chair, making it even more inviting.
"Okay," Cody shut and locked the door, and then turned to me expectantly. I closed my eyes, and quickly pulled of the cover-up and allowed him to take it.
…Silence…
Oh. My. God.
How bad did I look? Worse than I thought?
"I told you," I said, opening my eyes and reaching for the cover-up. "I told you I looked awful. Just give that back and we can pretend this never happened.
He shook his head, holding it away from me. His eyes scanned up and down my body and a smile spread across his face. He continued to stare.
"Cody, give it!"
"Cassie," he breathed. "You look…"
"I know, freaky and weird and gross and-"
I was cut off by his mouth on mine for no more than a second. Not really a kiss, but he succeeded in shutting me up.
"Beautiful," he murmured, stroking the side of my face. "Just beautiful."
"Yeah right," I rolled my eyes still reaching.
"Angel, listen to me." He took me by the waist and gently led me to the chair where he sat first and then pulled me onto his lip. He wrapped his arms around me, and I noticed his Australia accustomed body shook. He kissed my jawbone over and over again, warming me up.
"Seeing you like this is unreal. And not just because you look pretty. Because you trust me enough to see you in a bikini when no one else can. I can't explain to you how much it means to me that you love me this much."
I smiled. He knew just what to say.
"You really think I look good?"
"You look great," he half laughed. "I love the color." He ran his thumb along the outer edge of my top.
I put my arms around his neck, surprised at how cool his skin was contrasted against mine. Usually he was warm and I was cold. It was a perk to having him around. He collected me in his arms and smiled down at me
"You're very cold," I said, unsure of what to do next. Sometimes I got a little hesitant around him. He was just so beautiful with that golden hair and sparkling eyes. Beautiful inside and out. How did I get so lucky?
"And you're very pretty."
I giggled, and tilted my chin up. He got the message and kissed me softly. Our lips met and parted again and again for several minutes.
"I mean it," he whispered. "You're beautiful."
And, for the first time, I believed it.
I hoped you guys liked it! And Alexis Simpson 143: I wouldn't mind at all! Actually it would be pretty cool. I've never had an story dedicated to me! Go for it!