Chapter 21: Confusing Attractions

Adam immediately turned on the hose, aiming the water at Jason. Jason instantly stiffened and recoiled as he felt the cold water hit his back. I let out a laugh as I ran out of the way, standing four feet away from Jason.

"You guys!" Jason yelled as he tried to run away but Adam just moved the hose, successfully spraying Jason wherever Jason tried to retreat. I let out another laugh at the goofy grin Adam had on his face as he continued to spray water at his friend.

"That's for getting me wet Jason!" Adam yelled, referring to Jason's successful attempt of throwing water balloons at him.

Before I knew it, Jason ran over to me where Adam kept following him with the hose. I let out a surprised noise as cold water greeted me.

"Adam! Not me!"

"Sorry but Jason's with you!" Adam yelled back as he referred to Jason trying to get behind me—as if I were a shield.

"Ah! Jason! Stop!" I laughed as Adam's hose sprayed me. I tried to run away and lose Jason but all Jason would do was to follow me, getting me wet also.

"Jason! Stop following me!" I yelled betwen laughs as I ran across Adam's lawn, getting wet once and then from Adam when Jason was close by me.

"No way! If I'm getting wet, you're getting wet too!" Jason yelled from very close behind me.

I couldn't take it anymore as my stomach suddenly hurt from too much laughing and I collapsed down onto the grass as I tried to catch my breath. Suddenly a full stream of water sprayed on my stomach as I heard Adam's laugh. I propped myself up on my elbows to see Adam spraying me with that same goofy grin.

I sent him a glare as he moved the direction of the hose towards nearby bushes. He yelled back, "Sorry Jackie but you just made yourself an easy target laying there in the open."

I let out a laugh as I collapsed back onto the grass, staring up at the blue summer sky. I turned my head over to see Jason a few yards away from me as he leaned forward with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.

"You're soaked," I laughed as I observed Jason's brown hair and his bare chest, water droplets running down. He straightened up and walked over to me. I stared up at him as he towered over me.

"Look who's talking," he stated as he looked down at me. I sat up and noticed that my tank top was drenched, sticking to my skin and my bikini top showing through. My jean shorts were fully darkened and soaked. Not to mention my hair was drenched.

"All because you threw me in the pool," I retorted as I got up and faced him. Jason didn't care to answer when Adam yelled to get our attention.

"Alright, I'm going to get you guys some towels," he informed us as he stepped into the house. I frowned, jealous of his dryness compared to Jason and me.

"You guys are lucky I didn't have my phone in my pocket or else it'd be ruined," Jason spoke up from beside me. I looked over at him and smiled.

"Yes, lucky. But where's my phone?" I asked, suddenly remembering he took it from my pocket before throwing me in the pool.

"On the table over there with mine," he nodded over to the table the stereo was set.

"Oh," I cared to say as I walked off the lawn and over to the concrete to one of the pool deck chairs. I slipped off my jean shorts and my tank top laying it on top so it could dry as I stood in my black bikini.

"Look at my clothes now," I pointed to it as I stared up at Jason accusingly. He just put on an innocent smile as he shrugged. I glared at him.

"Oh, don't be like that," he teased as he approached me with a grin on his face. I wanted to wipe it off that adorable face of his.

I stared at him and informed him, "Not like you have anything to complain about with your dry shirt over there." I motioned my hand to the chair he placed his shirt over when we were filling water balloons.

"I'm sorry Jacks!" he apologized with a teasing smile. I continued to stare blankly at him, testing myself on how long I could go without letting a smile threaten to form on my face.

Jason sighed exasperatedly knowing it'd make me crack but I managed to keep a straight face though my eye twitched. I just looked down and fiddled with the string of my bikini that was located on either side of my hips.

"I'm sorry," Jason said again jokingly. "Will you ever forgive me?"

And with that he unexpectantly wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulling me into a bear hug. I couldn't help but let out a little laugh that sounded more as a giggle. I couldn't contain it anymore. That little spark that ran through me when his strong arms wrapped around me made me crack. What with his wet body pressed against mine in what was suppose to be a friendly hug though my mind was reveling in the comfort in his arms.

I let out huff of breath—trying to dispel the butterflies that made its appearance—as I pulled my face from Jason's chest to look up at him. He kept his arms around me as he huffed, mimicking me.

"Oh, don't try to disguise it," he started. I immediately creased my eyebrows, my heart beat fast. He doesn't know I like him right?!

"I know you like hugging me too," Jason finished with a grin on his face. I rolled my eyes as I mentally sighed a relief that he didn't know I started to like him…again.

"Yeah, whatever," I retorted with a laugh as I stepped out of his grasp, needing my space between him. I needed some air. Suddenly I was aware of the music that was playing from the radio and I groaned at the song.

"This song again?" I exclaimed as I Gotta Feeling blasted from the stereo.

"I thought you liked this song," Jason stated, a bit confused.

I looked over at him and confirmed, "Yes I do but they always repeat the same songs over and over again on the radio."

"Yeah, I guess," Jason agreed with me as he approached me from behind.

"What time is it? Isn't the party starting now or something?" I asked as I turned my head to look back at him. Jason shrugged his shoulders as he positioned himself in front of me.

He reached his hand to my hair and I instantly gave him a weird look. What was he doing? I couldn't ignore the heart beat in my chest increase.

"I love how you have beach hair," he stated casually as he pulled a piece of grass from my hair, dropping it towards his feet. I let out a stifled laugh as I looked up at him slightly amused and self-conscious. I could feel my cheeks start to blush at the realization of the flirting—something that was casually and mutual between us before my feelings started to go haywire. But not now; this time the flirting was taking a toll on me.

Jason turned his eyes away from my hair and into my eyes. I couldn't look away from his intent gaze as I noticed the spark in his brown irises.

"Everyone loves my hair," I stated with a bit too much cockiness as I tried to joke my way out of this nerve-racking moment for me. I felt water droplets fall from the ends of my hair onto my shoulders. I couldn't help notice the few inches he was standing from me.

Jason let out a laugh and stated, "I admitted I liked your hair. I'm still waiting for your confession that you like my abs."

I can't do this.

"Oh, please," I scoffed as I walked away from him, distancing myself away from the attraction that was getting stronger by the second the more we flirted. Jason probably thought we were just flirting—having mutual fun like before—but what he didn't know was that his 'harmless' flirting was definitely doing something to my heart and feelings for him.

I can't do it. I can't flirt with him like before, knowing it actually means something to me now.

I was walking over to the stereo when Adam came out of the backdoor with a pile of towels in his hands.

"Here you go," Adam said as he held out the towel pile in his hands.

"Thanks," I said as I took the one on top, wiping the water droplets off my body. "Mine if I use the restroom inside?" I asked Adam when he placed the rest of the pile of towels on the table next to the stereo.

"No go ahead. Down the hall and make a left at the end. When you come back do you think you could bring out the salsa and chips?"

"Yeah sure," I called back over my shoulder as I stepped into the air conditioned house, greeted by the kitchen towards my left and family room towards my right. I turned around, glancing out the window to see Jason drying himself off with a towel of his own.

~*~

I popped a tortilla chip into my mouth as I stood in the middle of Adam's kitchen. After I went into the restroom, I came out into the kitchen to find the salsa dip and tortilla chips Adam wanted me to bring out.

Out of habit, I started munching on the chips though I wasn't hungry. Whenever I go to a little get together or whatever I always find myself near the food. Chewing on one last chip, I grabbed the bowl of chips and the salsa container.

I turned around and let out a surprised squeak as I found myself staring up at Cam. I quickly glanced over him to see that he was in a shirt and board shorts. I couldn't help but see some wet spots on his shirt and his damp hair.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," Cam apologized though he had an amused look on his face.

"Oh, it's fine. I didn't know you were here that's all," I reassured him as my heart pace slowed down.

"Yeah, I just came in because apparently Adam and Jason are having a water fight and I don't want to find myself in the middle of that battle," he explained with a laugh as he tore his gaze away from me and towards the window looking into the backyard.

I brought over the bowl of chips and salsa over to the kitchen table, sitting myself at a chair as I looked out the window.

I let out an amused laugh at the sight of Adam having Jason in a headlock, spraying him with the hose. Just when I was about to tear my look away from their scene, I saw Jason escape Adam's hold.

Jason yelled something though I couldn't hear it because I was inside the house. Before I knew it, Jason had a water gun in his hand as he sprayed Adam.

My attention was torn away from the two guys in their battle when I felt Cam's presence beside me as he took a seat in the chair next to me.

"I see they got you," I stated as I pointedly looked up at Cam's hair. I couldn't deny that he wasn't attractive. He really was, especially knowing he played so many sports. He was athletic and that's something I've always been attractive to in a guy.

"Yeah, thank God I retreated inside here," he laughed as he cast a look towards me.

"Well, I was going to go outside but I'd rather not be a victim again," I laughed, looking up into his eyes. His eyebrows creased.

"Before you were here, Adam started spraying Jason and me. And I can't forget the fact that Jason tossed me into Adam's pool," I explained. I absentmindedly grabbed a chip from the bowl, nibbling on it.

I didn't notice the silence between us as my thoughts drifted towards Jason until Cam finally broke the silence, "Wow. Too bad I missed that."

I looked up at him abruptly, forgetting he was even there. I stared at him, reveling in the fact that I didn't feel any feelings for him. I wanted to be friends with him but…that was all. I didn't want or expect anything more than that. If I was telling myself that a few days before, I would have never believed that. But…I was being honest with myself. I only saw Cam as friend.

"What? Seeing me get tossed into the pool?" I asked with an amused smile on my face.

Cam nodded with a guilty smile.

I didn't know what made me do it but I asked, "So, I've heard you've been talking to Lucia."

Cam looked shocked at my randomness but he quickly recovered when he confirmed, "Yeah. Just the other day."

"That's cool. I didn't know you guys were friends," I stated, looking innocent though I knew—absolutely knew—they didn't weren't friends until Lucia started chatting him up online.

"Well, we just met actually," Cam informed me. I don't know what made me do what I did next. I never knew it was possible of me to be so blunt.

"So, you like Lucia?" I asked, looking Cam dead in the eye. I didn't know what made me do it or even why. Why did I care? I don't like him like that.

I mentally let out a frustrated sigh, thinking about how complicated I was.

"Oh, um…" Cam looked shocked at my blunt question. He looked away from me for a second until meeting my eyes again. "No. I just met Lucia."

"Oh," I said a bit quietly as I turned my face away from Cam and towards the backyard scene of Jason and Adam.

What was wrong with me? First I get these feelings for Jason and I can't ignore the attraction I had felt towards him just a few minutes ago when we were in Adam's backyard. I also thought I analyzed my feelings and confirmed I only liked Cam as a friend. But here I am, feeling….odd that I want to know who Cam likes. If I was being honest with myself, if Cam confirmed he did like Lucia….I'd feel a weird pang in my chest; from either disappointment or jealousy. And those feelings totally contradict my statement that I only like Cam as a friend.

Before I knew it, I found myself asking Cam about his jet skiis--trying to ignore my confusing feelings.

"Do you always go out to the lake?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah, sometimes my family goes out to the lake and that's when we get to go jet skiing, wave boarding. It's really fun," Cam explained.

"That sounds so fun," I gushed. "I've always seen people go wave boarding and I've always wanted to try."

"Yeah, it is fun," Cam nodded with a smile on his face. I noticed how his eyes got a faraway look, remembering the last time he went wave boarding. Which I learned was two weeks ago.

"My parents love going out to the lake. They're very outdoorsy," Cam said with a smile and I couldn't help but smile back. I just loved how I could practically feel Cam's energy whenever I was around him. He was always so positive.

I found myself eating a chip as Cam and I sat in a comfortable silence.

"You're going to eat that whole bowl by yourself," Cam burst out laughing. I looked up at him with an amused smile on my face. I looked down at the bowl to see that I've eaten a very good handful of chips.

"I'm sorry," I laughed with a shrug. "Here, put these far away from me." I pushed the bowl towards him so it was out of my reach.

"I better grab the salsa away from you before you start eating that," Cam joked as he leaned forward the grab the container by me.

I frowned at him and said, "Oh please. I won't be eating salsa by itself. Besides that'd be so spicy. I can't handle spicy food."

"You don't like spicy food?" Cam asked, looking at me after he placed the container of salsa away from me.

"No, I love spicy food. It's just that when I do eat something spicy I'd better make sure I have some water with me or something," I laughed.

"You can't even handle salsa?" Cam asked dubiously.

"Not this kind. This kind is…" I peered at the container label, "Extremely Spicy Salsa. And that practically spells out how spicy that is."

Cam let out a laugh and I joined with him.

"There you guys are," Jason's voice interrupted our laughing. I looked up startled to see Jason stepping into the kitchen in his board shorts, his hair slighting disheveled probably from his previous water fight with Adam.

I couldn't help but feel something escape from me. I glanced towards Cam and noticed how just a moment ago…I had this attraction towards him but now…now I don't. I didn't even notice I had an attraction towards Cam as I talked with him until Jason came in.

"Done having a water fight with Adam?" Cam asked as he looked up at Jason, unfazed to see him standing there. I also looked up at Jason and suddenly felt an attraction for him; not Cam. Oh my gosh! What's wrong with me? What's going on with my hormones?

"Yeah, like years ago," Jason answered sarcastically. "Everybody's here already."

"Really?" I asked stupidly as I turned my face to look out the back window. He was right. I spotted my friends talking to the guys whom I identified as Dillion—Pateel's crush, Anthony—Lucia's current flirt guy, and Adam.

"Well, I better bring these out," Cam said as he grabbed the bowl of chips and salsa as he pushed back from his chair. Cam looked down at me and joked, "Before Jackie here eats it all."

I let out a light laugh, not fully humored by his joke—though I'm positive I would have been if it weren't for the complicated attractions I kept feeling for him then for Jason. I watched as Cam slipped out the back door, leaving Jason and I in the kitchen.

I looked up at him to see him staring down at me as he leaned his shoulder against the kitchen doorway. I suddenly felt self conscious and I quickly glanced down, realizing I was in my bikini the whole time.

I bit my lip as I tried to slow my racing heart beat. What's going on with me? First I'm attracted to Cam but once Jason's in my presence, all I could think about is my attraction for Jason--forgetting about Cam.

I willed myself to look up at Jason and just as anticipated, I felt the attraction I had for him. I stared right back into Jason's eyes as he stared at me. It was so silent I thought Jason could hear my heart pounding in my chest. It was so silent I was able to hear Hannah's laugh from outside.

And just the thought of Hannah reminded me of her slight attraction towards Jason…Well, she never did she had a crush on him. Just that she thought he was cute. So I shouldn't feel guilty for feeling this certain way towards Jason, right?

"So…." Jason trailed off. I couldn't help but see that he felt slightly uncomfortable, something new for Jason.

"Yeah?" I asked a bit confused, disguising the anxiety bubbling up inside me. Jason sighed as he came over to me and took the seat Cam had just occupied. He leaned his forearms on the kitchen table and looked up at me.

"So, I heard Lucia and Rhea talking outside," Jason started as he looked directly into my brown eyes. I quirked my eyebrow. What was he getting at? What were they talking about? I started to frantically think of what they could have been possibly talking about and whether it was about me. Maybe they were talking about Hannah and her attraction towards him….

"They said something about Cam," he stated, observing my face of any emotions. I kept a blank face, not exactly where he was going with this. All thoughts of Cam were far from my mind considering how close Jason was sitting next to me—though he sat the same distance away from me as Cam did a few minutes ago.

"Yeah, and?" I prodded after Jason didn't seem to make the effort to continue. He averted his eyes away from me and towards his hands.

"And they said something about you liking him?" he stated more of as a question, as if he didn't believe what they were saying was true.

I was glad Jason wasn't looking me in the face because I made an astonished and a 'what-the-heck' look on my face. I was just so surprised why Jason was bringing this up; we never talk about this stuff to one another. We didn't even talk about Lauren, Jason's ex-girlfriend, when they were going out.

I was also surprised that when those words escaped Jason's mouth I felt the urge to deny the whole thing about liking Cam and it didn't feel as if I were lying to myself. Huh.

"Jason?" I asked a bit quietly as I peered down to see his face.

"Yeah?" he asked a bit distracted by his thoughts as he looked up at me. I noticed how his eyebrows were creased in a sort of concentration.

"Um…why did you bring this up?" I found myself saying, afraid of what his answer may be. "We…usually don't talk about this stuff," I explained the obvious as I looked away from Jason at the awkwardness. We've never crossed this certain line in our friendship, talking about our crushes or whatever. I'm obviously curious.

"I don't know," Jason answered with a bit of stress in his voice. "I just--," he tried to explain but ended up with a lame sigh, "I don't know."

I couldn't look at Jason at the moment, confused about the whole thing. I looked outside the back window, taking in Adam's guests and my friends as they talked and laughed.

"Just, when I heard them talking about you and something about you liking Cam I just…," Jason was trying to explain his thoughts but paused, trying to gather his own thoughts.

"There you are Jackie," Pateel burst into the kitchen in her tank top and shorts, startling Jason and me.

"Hey Pateel," I greeted her back not as enthusiastically. I glanced over at Jason to see him staring up at Pateel. I really wanted to know what was going on in Jason's head.

"What are you guys doing in here?" Pateel asked, looking around Adam's kitchen.

"Huh? Nothing, just talking," I answered nonchalantly as I got up from my chair. "Let's go outside," I suggested hastily as I walked over to her, hopefully disguising my mixed up thoughts and feelings. What was Jason going at?

Pateel opened the backdoor and before I followed her out I cast a look back at Jason. He was still sitting in the chair with his eyes on me.

"You coming?" I asked as I tried to act like nothing happened just moments before Pateel came in.

"Yeah, I'm coming," Jason answered back as he stood up from his chair and over to me. I shot him a quick confused look before heading off to follow after Pateel.

Author's Note:

Well, what do you guys think??

I hope you're not too confused about Jackie's emotions and thoughts. If you are, just tell me what's confusing you and I'll answer you guys back.

All thanks for the reviews! It totally motivates me to continue this story.

And currently I'm writing up the next chapters and I hope you guys will like it.

REVIEW!