"It's hot," I complained, sitting up from the towel he'd thoughtfully provided. He also just happened to have a bathing suit for me. Strangely enough it was quite a bit skimpier than I'd usually wear and I couldn't help but think if this wasn't all an elaborate ploy to 'accidentally' pull my top off in the water.
"Let's go in the water," Ben offered.
"I don't wanna," I answered, screwing up my face and pushing back my bangs for the hundredth time.
"Why not?" Ben asked, smiling mischievously at me.
"You know why not," I muttered in response.
"Is it, by any chance," he paused for dramatic suspense, "because of the seaweed."
"Yes, you major pain in the butt, it is because of the seaweed. Seaweed is disgusting.
"You're such a freak," he laughed, getting up from his chair.
"Oh lord," I said, putting my arms up in a feeble attempt to defend myself from his advancements, "Don't you come near me Benny, I'll tell your mother."
"I'll risk it," he answered, throwing my over his should and running for the water. This was the second time in as many weeks this had happened to me, but this time I wasn't too upset with my attacker.
When Ben finally cleared all the seaweed, he threw me into the water, but this time when I came up I felt more like kissing than hitting. I guess unwelcomed tosses into the water are more enjoyable when it's your boyfriend doing the tossing, and not your best friend with a major crush on you. As we made out in the water and I realized it was much more enjoyable, I started to seriously question my decision to go to the first dance of the year with Andrew. The first dance of the school year was kinda like a kiss on New Year's Eve; it determined who you'd be with for the rest of the year.
I wasn't sure what to do, so I had talked to my mom about it, and whether it was because she didn't fully trust Ben or because she had a feeling that I didn't fully trust him, she had advised me to stick it out with Andrew. She said it would give Jack a chance to get used to the idea of the two of us and I'd be able to get more insight into Ben based on who he went with. Plus, she thought it was only right for me to follow through on my date with Andrew. Jesus, this was complicated.
"Ben?" I said, as he kissed my neck.
"What's up?" he asked, still focused on the task at hand.
"Benny, look at me," I said, squirming out of his arms, "I'm being serious."
"Oh, the seaweed queen is being serious," he said, smirking, but maintaining eye contact.
"Who are you thinking of taking to the dance?" I asked.
"The only girl I'm ever thinking of is you, Kay," he said, for once being serious.
"Don't be like that," I said, pouting, "This is for the best. Come on, no girls have asked you? Ben 'The Hottie' Hunter is without prospects? I'm shocked."
"Don't rub it in, kid," he said, nipping my neck.
"If you give me a hickey my mother'll kill me and my father'll kill you," I said, nudging him off me and laughing.
"I can't help it babe, you're just so sexy. I can't control myself," he said, laughing and moving to nibble on my ear instead.
"Benjamin!" I exclaimed. I was so uncomfortable with him saying stuff like that, "I'm not sexy, you loser."
"Uh, yes, yes you are. Which is why I can't fathom taking another girl to the dance. I'm just going to skip it," he said.
"No! You can't skip it! I'd feel too bad," I said, whining a little.
"Don't pull that with me," he said, "I'm not Jack, you don't have total control over me yet."
"Oh no? Not yet? I have to work on that," I said, kissing him and dropping the subject- for now at least.