"Come on Delphine, I'll bring you home," he said, placing his hand on my shoulder. I just swallowed the last sip of orange juice, but apparently, Simon can't wait to leave the cozy restaurant. He reached inside the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out his wallet before he stood up, walking over to the counter to pay for our lunch.

"He's so into you Del," Lizzie whispered, squeezing my hand as she gave me a wink. "What do you think Justin?"

He didn't respond, his eyes are glued to his phone since the moment we ordered lunch. Lizzie poked his side, demanding his attention.

"Eh," he said, looking up from the device. "What?"

"Simon is into Delphine, don't you think?"

"I eh… yeah, I suppose."

My date came back a minute later and grabbed my hand, pulling me up to my feet before he curled his arm around my waist.

"Thanks guys, see ya later," he said to our friends, turning around almost immediately after the words left his mouth. I can tell he wants to leave this place as quickly as possible and I hope it's not because of me.

"Simon," I whispered as he guided me towards his car. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, fine. I just can't stand Justin, he is such a douche. I wasn't looking forward to this date if I'm being honest with you, not because of you of course. You're amazing."

"Really?" I blushed, feeling special as he opened the passenger side door of his car for me.

"Yes."

We have known each other for two weeks, but I already feel safe around him and I'm happier when I'm spending time with him. Simon started the engine and drove off the parking lot as he opened the glovebox and pulled out a cigarette pack.

"Want one?"

"Ehm," I hesitated. I've only smoked once and I didn't necessarily enjoy it, but I want Simon to like me. "Okay."

He handed me a cigarette and lit up his own before he gave me the lighter. I inhaled deeply, suppressing a cough as the smoke invaded my lungs.

"You've been spending quite some time with Cosima lately, haven't you?" he asked, touching my knee with his right hand, his left hand resting on the steering wheel with a burning cigarette between his fingers. He looks extremely hot like this, but Mon Dieu, I hope he's not going to interrogate me about Cosima's behavior at school. I'm getting a bit tired of people asking me questions. I'm not good at brushing people off, but I don't want to tell them about Cosima's issues either… and I don't like to admit it, but I still want to make new friends.

"Oui, you know her?"

"Not really. I mean, I don't know her personally, but I met Cosima in sixth grade, so I know who she is."

"Oh."

It was silent for a while, a thousand questions swarming through my head. Has Cosima always been like this? Did Simon bully her when they were younger? Did Cosima…

"We were in the same class for only a month though," he said, ending my thoughts. "She was so different back then, very expressive and talkative. Always the centre of attention and extremely intelligent."

I could feel my heart skip a beat as I tried to picture the version of Cosima that Simon just described. Impossible.

"We're talking about Cosima Niehaus, right?" I chuckled, raising my eyebrows at him. A charming smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, making me grin like an idiot.

"We are," he nodded stroking my bare thigh as he kept his eyes focused on the road.

"What happened after that first month?"

"Cosima kind of disappeared into thin air. They didn't tell us much, only that she was sick. She came back after eight months or so… completely changed. She didn't speak anymore and refused to play with other kids. She was constantly reading books during class and that's when the kids began to bully her."

"Did you bully her?" I asked, my tone stern and angry.

"No, I didn't, but I didn't do anything to stop it either," he shrugged, opening the window to throw the filter of his cigarette on the road. I quickly copied his move, thinking that my father would not approve of this.

I could only nod, knowing how difficult it is to stand up for someone who is being bullied, you don't want to become the target yourself. Merde…

"I feel guilty about it sometimes Delphine, the bullying became worse when Cosima started high school. I should have helped her, but she has you now. I'm sure she feels very lucky to have you as her friend."

Tears were stinging my eyes and I swallowed thickly. I don't want to hear this, I can't bear the thought of Cosima being bullied.

"Do you know why she changed that much?" I asked quickly, trying to change the subject of our conversation.

"No, I have no clue. I think she lost the ability to speak because of the disease she suffered from, but I don't really know."

"Yeah, you could be right," I lied, lacing my fingers through his, stopping the movements of his hand on my leg.

"Anyway, Cosima was held back in sixth grade, because she missed a lot."

"Really?"

"Yes, she's turning eighteen this spring I believe. She should be a senior now too."

"Yeah, you're right," I realized. I never thought of that.

Simon pulled his car up my driveway and turned off the engine before he shifted in his seat.

"Enough about her though," he smiled, bringing my hand to his lips, kissing my palm. "You're much more interesting and I had fun today."

"Me too Simon. Thank you for this date."

He shot me another charming smile and leaned in slowly, brushing his hand over my right arm, causing a pleasant tingle inside my chest. My mouth released a shaky breath and I closed my eyes before his lips touched mine. It was a hesitant kiss, our lips barely touching, testing the waters. I cupped his face in my hands and pressed my mouth harder against his, offering him some reassurance. My consent was all he needed, he swiped his tongue over my bottom lip while his confidence grew stronger. I slowly opened my mouth for him and welcomed him inside with a soft stroke of my tongue against his. I can tell that he has certainly done this before, he kisses me with passion and manages to stir a fire within me, making me melt into his touch. We explored each other's mouths, hands roaming over arms and shoulders, until I had to break the kiss in order to breathe.

"Wow," I whispered a little out of breath. "You're good at that."

"You too Delphine," he chuckled, kissing the corner of my mouth. "I'll see you Monday allright?"

"Oui," I nodded, thanking him one last time before I left the vehicle and entered the house, walking on cloud nine.

He is lying beside me, clad only in his boxers in which his manhood is straining painfully against the fabric. It looks a bit funny, a strong man on my bed, a muscular chest with a bit of hair, lying on my pink sheets and his head resting on my frilly pillow. His tongue is exploring my mouth, sliding it over my teeth and against my own tongue, making me moan softly. It doesn't take long before he pulls down the straps of my white bra, sliding them over my shoulders as he began to kiss the swell of my breasts.

"Simon," I moaned, gliding my fingers through his blonde locks. He responded immediately and reached behind my back, tilting his head up to lock his emerald green eyes on mine, waiting for permission. I nodded nervously and took my bottom lip between my teeth. My lover gave me a sweet smile and unclasped my bra in one swift movement, making me wonder if he had done this before, but I didn't dare to ask him. I don't want to know.

He rolled his body on top of mine, pressing his weight into me as his hand began to touch my breasts. He squeezed them softly, pressing them together before he tested the weight into his palms.

"Fuck," he cursed under his breath, kissing my left nipple. "You're fucking beautiful."

I moaned in response, rolling my hips against his, and moaned a little louder when I felt his twitching erection through my soaked underwear. I instinctively curled my thumbs around the edges of his boxers, sliding the fabric down his legs. He hastily kicked it off his ankles and took off my panties as well, pushing his thigh between my legs. We moaned in unison, panting into each other's mouths before he pushed himself up on his hands, staring into my lust clouded eyes. My hands roamed over his chest, over his back and hips while my brain began to fantasize about what his penis would feel like. Warm? Soft? Hard? Throbbing and pulsing? I closed my eyes and placed a trembling hand on his inner thigh. The soft flesh I found there surprised me a bit, but that didn't stop me from slowly dragging my fingers upwards, mentally preparing both of us for the next intimate step. I was ready to cup his testicles in my palm, squeeze them experimentally, but I let out a soft gasp when my fingertips were suddenly coated in wetness. I squeezed my eyelids together, my brows furrowed in confusion as I slid my fingers through an abundant wetness, a slick sex that was oddly feminine. An exposed pulsating clit against my palm, swollen outer labia throbbing against my fingers and slippery open inner lips teasing my fingertips. A guttural groan escaped my mouth and my breath hitched in my throat when a pair of small delicate hands touched my breasts, stroking the warm skin and sensitive nipples.

My eyes flew open and I let out another gasp when brown chocolate orbs peered directly into mine. She's completely naked, lying on top of me, her warm and soft female body pressed against me. It feels perfect, so absolutely perfect and I instinctively rolled us over, trapping her beneath me.

"Delphine," she whispered, closing her eyes as I tentatively pushed my fingers into her body. "God, yes…"

I touched her like I always touch myself, curling my fingers and thrusting in long slow strokes, moving my hand faster and faster, until she is writhing and trembling with nothing but pure pleasure.

"Delphine, please, faster" she shamelessly begged, spreading her legs wider, opening her sex a little more. My hand picked up its pace, the muscles in my arm burning with fatigue, until her inner walls began to clench around my fingers, her orgasm washing over her. I didn't want it to be over and kept going, until she grabbed my wrist, pulling me out of my haze.

"Stop," she panted, touching my sweaty face with her other hand. I gave her a wide grin and pressed my lips against hers before I whispered sweet words into her ear.

"You're amazing Cosima."

I slowly regained consciousness and the sound of chirping birds filled my ears as I tried to control my ragged breathing. Apparently, I somehow kicked off the sheets during the night, but I'm not cold at all. My body feels hot and relaxed. I rolled myself onto my back, and that's when I realized that my right hand was inside my panties, drenched in arousal, my intimate flesh still swollen and sensitive.

Merde.

I bolted upright and gasped for breath as my heart began to beat furiously, thrumming inside my ribcage. Did I just…? Because of Cosima? Oh my God. No, no, no… it can't be. My brain is just messing with me and projecting Cosima's sexuality onto me. This doesn't mean anything.

I leaned back into my pillow, relaxing my muscles as I glanced at the screen of my phone. I've received three messages and I groaned in annoyance when I began to read the first one.

From: Lizzie

OMG how was your night Delphine? Did Simon inivite you over to his house? Justin totally did, best sex ever. X

I rolled my eyes, shook my head and decided to ignore her.

From: Simon
Goodmorning beautiful! I hope you slept well. I dreamed about you, enjoy your Sunday.

I let out a soft snort and smiled broadly. I seriously hope Cosima did not invade his dream as well. Speaking of Cosima… she's the third person who texted me this morning.

From: Cosima

Hi Delphine! My mom insist on dropping us off at the waterpark :S we're gonna pick you up at 1 pm okay?

I quickly texted her back and left the bed, craving a shower to wash away the dirty feeling lingering in my heart.

"Hi Delphine," Sally greeted me happily as I took place in the backseat of her car. "Are you excited to see the waterpark?"

"Oui," I nodded, fastening my seatbelt. "Super excited."

"Good!"

I'm sitting behind her and I can see Cosima in the passenger seat, she gave me a quick smile and focused her eyes on her hands in her lap. She's nervous, but I don't know why. I have this eerie feeling that she doesn't want to go to the waterpark, that she is doing it for me and I feel quite bad now, for asking her again after she almost fainted in my bedroom.

"Cosima told me you went on a date with Simon yesterday. Did you have fun?"

"Yes," I whispered, a light blush covering my cheeks. "He's a nice guy."

"That's good. Always pick a nice guy Delphine, the one who treats you like a princess."

"I'll try Sally."

"I can't wait for the day Cosima brings home a nice boy. I think it's gonna give Gene a heart attack and he'll give that boy a hard time for dating his precious little girl, but honestly … I can't wait."

"Hmm," I hummed. Merde, this is awkward. I don't feel comfortable lying to such a nice woman like Sally, but I can't possibly be the one who tells her about her daughter's interest in girls. I glanced at Cosima, who was picking at the threads on the hole in her jeans, her eyes fixed on her fingers.

"But I guess I'll have to wait a few more years," she chuckled, curling her fingers around the back of Cosima's neck, squeezing it affectionately. "She's nowhere near ready for that stuff yet."

"Hmm? What are you talking about?" Cosima asked, raising her eyebrows at her mother.

"Boys."

"Oh," she shrugged, focusing her eyes on her fingers again.

"See?" Sally winked at me through the rearview mirror. "She's gonna have her first boyfriend at the age of thirty."

"Well, she shouldn't push herself into things she isn't ready for."

"You're absolutely right Delphine, no girl should."

It's strange and I don't feel comfortable talking about Cosima when she's in the car with us, unable to hear our conversation. It feels as if I'm talking about her behind her back.

"I'm glad you wanna give my daughter a chance Delphine," Sally whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. "I'm so happy that she has someone to talk to . I mean, she's very close with Scott, they have a lot in common, but Cosima is in the middle of puberty now and Gene and I think she needs a female friend in this vulnerable stage of her life, to talk about girl stuff she can't discuss with Scott and doesn't want to discuss with her mother."

"Am I Cosima's first female friend?" I wondered and I immediately regretted it. I should've asked Cosima that question.

"Cosima had a few friends in elementary, but that all changed when she started sixth grade. She didn't have any friends for a few years, until she met Scott at her science club when she was fifteen."

"O…okay."

"Cosima is a little nervous about visiting the waterpark Delphine. I want you to know that. If anything happens, just call me," she said, offering me her business card. I managed to suppress an awkward giggle when I read the card. Dr. Sally Niehaus, sexologist. Mon Dieu, I hope my father and Jane will not find it.

Sally parked her car in front of the waterpark and tapped Cosima's shoulder to get her attention. She started signing to her daughter, her hands moving through the air without speaking. Cosima signed back, but rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag when her mother answered her.

"Have fun Delphine," Sally said, waving at me before Cosima and I left the car.

"Are you okay?" I asked, touching my friend's arm.

"Yeah, but my mom is so goddamn worried about me sometimes."

"She really loves you Cosima."

"I know," she sighed, shaking her head and I knew not to push further.

I slid my green bikini bottoms over my thighs and grabbed my pink towel out of my bag before I left the changing stall, putting my stuff in a locker.

"Cosima," I whispered, knocking on her stall door. "Are you ready?"

No answer… and I instantly felt stupid. I really need to stop doing that, she can't hear me. It took Cosima another five minutes to open her stall door and I sucked in a breath as my eyes roamed over her body. She is thinner than I expected, I can see a few of her ribs and there is no fat on her hips yet. Her burgundy colored bikini looks great on her, but her breasts aren't as big as they were in my dream.

"Delphine," she whispered, blushing furiously. "Can you check the clasp of my top?"

She turned around, brushing her dreads over her shoulder to expose her back to my eyes. A smile formed on my face as I noticed the tiny moles between her shoulder blades and the dimples on her lower back.

"Is it closed?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure? Please make sure it's fastened."

"It's closed Cosima," I affirmed again, glancing at her butt.

"No Delphine, please tug on it or something."

She sounds like she's on the edge of a panic attack, so I quickly reached out and took the clasp between my fingers, tugging on it.

"It's closed, don't worry."

"Thank you," she whispered, following me to one of the slides.

"Oh my God," she laughed, rubbing the water out of her eyes before she placed her hands on my shoulders. "That was scary as hell."

She looks different without makeup and glasses, much younger. I snaked my arm around her waist, pulling her flush against me and I smiled broadly at the feeling of her hips, belly and chest against mine.

"Come here," I said, pushing the strap of her bikini top back in place. "That was a wild one. I could have lost my bikini bottoms. Mon Dieu."

"Glad you didn't Delphine. I'm hungry, let's go." She turned around in my embrace and I reluctantly let her go before I followed her out of the pool.

"Delphine," she smiled, crawling onto her lounge chair as she opened a bag of crisps. "Those tube slides are fucking great too."

"Hmm," I hummed my agreement, wrapping the towel around my body before I sat down at the edge of Cosima's lounge chair, filling my mouth with crisps. Cosima was tense and nervous in the first half an hour, but loosened up quickly. She's even speaking to me in a normal volume, not whispering like she does at school, and she's signing in public while she speaks, making my heart flutter with affection. She's definitely having a good time and so am I.

"Cosima," I said, focusing my eyes on my toes. "Maybe we should come here again, I really like it here."

She didn't respond and I tilted my head up to look at her face. Cosima wasn't looking at me, but she's staring at a blonde girl standing next to a whirlpool. A girl in a turquoise bikini, long blonde hair and pink flip-flops on her feet.

"Cosima," I tried again, but still no response.

"Hey," I said, raising my voice as I gave her shoulder a little shake.

"Ehm, sorry… what?"

"Are you okay?"

A furious flush colored her cheeks and she scooted closer, her lips brushing over my ear.

"That girl has a cute butt," she whispered, touching my wrist.

"Cosima! I…I don't know. I am not like you," I responded, my voice sounded more accusing than I intended and a feeling of relief washed over me when I realized she couldn't make out my tone. A cute butt? I did not see that coming… at all. I didn't even know she payed attention to other girls' curves. I hope she doesn't say this because I'm dating Simon at the moment… I know how desperately she wants to fit in with her peers, but she shouldn't say these things if she's not even interested in them yet.

"No Delphine," she said, rolling her eyes. "I know you're not like me."