Chapter 3

After Belly and Steven got to the beach house, we all changed into our swimsuits. We always swam on the first day.

Me, Steven, and Jere walked outside to the pool. Belly was still upstairs. We sat down on the lounge chairs.

Steve nudged me and said, "So how's it going with you and your girlfriend, man?"

I sighed. He was referring to Aubrey, who recently dumped me, saying I changed. We had been going out since the beginning of the school year. I was immediately drawn to her. She had very tan skin year round due to her Indian background. She had dark brown eyes and dark hair. I had a lot in common with her. We liked a lot of the same books and music. Unlike, a lot of other girls at school, she had substance.

Aubrey was one of the only long-term girlfriends I had. We went to concerts together, went to prom together, and I lost my virginity to her. I thought I was in love with her for a while, but things changed when my mom got sick again and I just couldn't focus on anything else but my mom. I became angry and depressed and I guess Aubrey noticed my change in attitude and decided to end things herself. I don't blame her.

I looked up at Steven and said, "We broke up."

Steve said, "Oh, sorry man."

I said, "It's alright it was gonna happen eventually."

Jere said, "Hey least you got laid a few times before it ended!"

"Shut up," I said, punching him in the shoulder.

"Nice job, man. So how was it?"

Luckily I didn't have to answer that question cause Belly walked out of the house just then. She was wearing a bikini. I had never seen her in a bikini before.

Jere came attention to her right away and jumped out of his chair.

"Ladies and Gentlemen-men-men," he began, bowing like he was a ringmaster at the circus. "I do believe it is time… for our first belly flop of the summer."

Me and Steve stood up then and began circling her. She slowly started backing up. Steven said, "You can't fight tradition." I just grinned.

Belly said, "I'm too old for this," as she continued walking backward. The Steve and Jere each grabbed her wrists. She said, "Come on, guys," as she tried to squirm out of their grasp.

"Ready?" Jere said, as he lifted her right arm. Steven grabbed her right arm and I grabbed her feet. We started swinging her back and forth, laughing like crazy.

"I hate you guys," Belly yelled, which only made us laugh louder.

"One," Jere started.

"Two," Steven said.

"And three," I finished. Then we launched her into the pool. We started laughing again as soon as she hit the water. I expected her to be mad at us.

But, when she came up to the surface she had a smile on her face. "You guys are ten-year-olds," she said.

"For life," Steven said while grinning.

Then Belly looked at me and said, "I think you twisted my ankle, Conrad."

I walked over to the side of the pool and said, "I think you'll live."

"At least help me out," she demanded.

I leaned down and gave her my hand, knowing what she was about to do. "Thanks," she said joyously. The grabbed onto my arm and pulled me into the pool. Then she died laughing and Steve and Jeremiah joined in on the laughter.

I came to the surface and started swimming towards her. She dodged me and said, "Can't catch me, too slow!"

I kept trying to catch her, and every time I got close to her, she would swim away and say, "Marco!" I heard Jere and Steve yell, "Polo", as they walked back into the house.

She started laughing, which slowed her down. I caught her foot. She said, "Let go," while still laughing.

I shook my head. "I thought I was too slow," I said.

Then there was this moment, when we both quit laughing and just stared at each other as I still held her foot. I suddenly had an urge to kiss her, which confused me.

She was the one break the silence, "Let go," she said.

I pulled on her foot, bringing her closer to me. I had no idea what I was planning on doing. She said, "Conrad, let go of me." I could hear in her voice that she was nervous.

I finally let go of her. Then I dunked her underwater.

Why was I having these thoughts about her?

Author's note- Thanks for reading my story. I appreciate it. Sorry, it took so long for me to update, I got busy with school. But I will try to write more over winter break. The more reviews I get, the more I will update.

Thanks.