Sebastian was physically trying to fight his blush again. But Rei started swimming towards him, on the shallow side of the pool. She looked like a water sprite, or a mermaid with those glowing eyes, pale skin and dark hair. She reached him, put her arms on the side of the pool and tilted her head to the side, as if to say "what's up?"
"Sorry," he blurted out. I didn't think anyone was coming down here this late, and I needed a smoke. He made to leave when he felt cool water splash his pants. Whirling around, she was readying to splash him again, eyes mischievous.
"Hey!" he protested as she fulfilled that promise, officially soaking the bottom parts of his pants and shoes. "You're impossible."
"You're dramatic."
"I'm not the one swimming in an empty pool at night."
"No but you're smoking at one."
He shook his head, smiling once more and made to remove his shoes and socks. She watched as he rolled up the soaking pant legs and walked over to the edge, tentatively dipping his feet in the water.
He took another drag of his cigarette, looking up at the sky.
"I hate how you can't see the stars here."
"Uhm, sorry to burst your bubble, but if you want to move here, that's something you have to get used to." She sounded sassy, but he heard bitterness in her words.
"I always wanted to come to one of these cheap motels you know? I'd never hear the end of it, but all the cool kids in school would throw parties here. Long ragers, tons of drugs, super grimy and…fun." She sighed wistfully, thinking back to her own very guarded high school experience.
"Drugs and ragers aren't that fun."
She looked at him, still staring up at the sky. "You sound like you have experience."
He smirked at her. "It's cuz I was one of the cool kids."
"Yeah right, you nerd. I've sat in on your Solarian Chronicles campaigns."
He let out a soft laugh, but he was caught wondering more and more.
"Did you ever try to sneak out?" he asked.
"Can't sneak out when you have a bodyguard." At his sharp turn towards her face, she knew she accidentally omitted a truth about herself to him. She kept doing that! Before he could question again, she slipped under the water.
He waited a few seconds, but she still didn't come up. "Rei?" he said aloud, more to himself. What was she doing under there? More seconds passed and Sebastian found himself slightly panicked. He tore off his sweatshirt and jumped in, opening his eyes he saw a burred vision of Rei, legs crossed under water, eyes shut, obviously trying to hold her breath longer. He swam over, tugged at her hand and she opened her eyes. He pointed up and began to swim, still holding her hand.
"What the hell Rei?" he exclaimed when they surfaced.
"Wow the sweatshirt finally came off." Was her response. Yoba, she drove him crazy!
It was then that Sebastian realized how close they were, bare skin and in the fucking pool for crying out loud. He couldn't handle it; he dropped her hand and made for the ladder.
"Wait, Sebastian! I didn't mean to scare you!" she called out, but he was already stalking out of the pool area, clearly upset.
Rei floated on her back, and let out a long sigh.