Chapter 13
(Avi's POV)
"Kirstie, it's not your fault," I say as I put my arm around her to console her.
She looks at me and says, "Yes, it is. Jeremy came looking for me; I should have gone out there."
"Em was just trying to protect you. None of us had any idea that we would hurt her," I say.
I look up and see Emma walking over to Kirstie and me. I smile as she comes closer.
(Emma's POV)
I walk over to Kirstie and say, "Don't get upset, I'm sorry that I didn't show you my back. I just didn't want you to get upset."
Kirstie looks at me with a frown and says, "I'm so sorry, Em."
"It's fine, really, I'm okay," I say.
"You need to ice that," Kirstie says.
"Will it make you feel better? I will go do it now," I say.
She nods and I head towards the house. Olivia asks if I need any help and I shake my head, "I'm okay, thanks Olivia. You should stay and enjoy the sun and beach." I smile and walk back to the house.
I go inside and go to change into some shorts and a tank top. I put the tank top over my bikini top. I walk back out to the kitchen and look for the large Ziploc bags. I finally find them and fill one up with ice cubes. I try and sit in one of the kitchen chairs and balance the icepack between the chair and my back. It keeps falling, ugh.
(Scott's POV)
I tell the group that I'm going in for a little bit. I head to the house and walk in and see Emma at the table trying to hold an icepack with her back. I shake my head and smile. I walk up to her and say, "How's that working for you?"
She lets the icepack drop and picks it up and places it in front of her on the table, "Not so well. I don't think I need to ice my back that bad, anyway."
I look at her and say, "Come here." I grab the icepack and reach out my hand towards her. I walk her to my room and go to my bed and turn and say, "Lay down."
(Emma's POV)
Okay, now, of course, in my mind, I'm freaking out because my crush, Scott, just told me to lie down on his bed. I am snapped back to the reality of the situation because all he wants to do is ice my back.
"Scott, I don't have to ice my back," I say.
"Em, just lay down, please," Scott says.
I sigh and lie down on my stomach and place my head onto his pillow with my hands underneath the pillow. I instantly smell his cologne in the pillow and am glad I lay down. Scott sits beside me and slowly moves my hair away from my back. He lifts my shirt up (thank God, I still have my bikini top on.) to where he can see the bruise. I feel his fingertip slowly go over the bruise and he placed a small towel on the bruise and then props the ice pack on my back. I look out at the window and watch him move to a chair beside his windows. He smiles and says, "There, just sit there for a little bit."
I smile and say, "Okay, thanks. I was having a hard time."
"I noticed that," Scott says.
"So, how long do I have to sit here with this ice?" I ask.
"About twenty or thirty minutes, I guess," he says.
"I can't believe that I only have a few more days here," I say.
(Scott's POV)
That's right; Emma is leaving at the end of the week. I haven't even told her how I feel yet. I can't really tell her now; it's not the right time. I look at her and we sit there staring at each other. I look into her beautiful eyes. I finally say, "I wish you were staying longer."
"I do too," she says.
"Why don't you, you could always go back to your camp later on this summer," I say hopeful.
"I don't know, I don't want to intrude on y'all's vacation, this is your time," Emma says.
"You wouldn't be intruding, you would be welcomed to stay," I say with a smile.
"What about Olivia?" Emma says with a smirk.
"She can go back home," I say back teasing.
"I thought that you two were getting closer for some reason," Emma says.
"Why would you think that?" I ask.
"Earlier today, at the pier, it just looked like y'all were getting really close, that's all," Emma says.
"No, she had attached herself to me and was grilling me on all of the questions. Mitch saved me. I was looking for you, actually," I say.
"How's your back," I ask.
"Cold," Emma says.
I get up and put a blanket over her legs and lower back, but not covering the ice. I ask, "Is that better?"
"Yea, thanks." Emma says.
I move to sit beside her and I start to rub her head slightly. I do this for about twenty minutes or so, just enjoying the closeness of Emma. I look out towards the window and look at the ocean. I look back at Emma and see that she's asleep. I smile and she looks so peaceful. I slowly get up and move the ice. I look at her back and slowly pull her shirt back down and pull the blanket over her. I lean down and kiss her cheek and leave my room. I slowly close the door and head out into the living room.
At the Beach…
(Kirstie's POV)
I look over at Avi and say, "We should all do something fun tonight, go out and have a good time."
"Yes, that would be great, Kristie. We should do that." Avi says.
I wrap my arms around Avi's waist and say, "Have I ever told you how lucky I am to have you in my life?"
"No," Avi says.
"But, I'm the lucky one, I have you," Avi says with a small kiss.
"You are too good to me," I say.
"You deserve the best," Avi says.
(Olivia's POV)
I am having a blast at the beach with Mitch, Kirstie, Kevin, and Avi. However, Scott and Emma are both gone. I go sit for a bit in the sun and look for my phone. I accidently knock over Emma's bag and pick it back up and see a small notebook in it. It wouldn't hurt to have just a quick little look. A little peek. I look over at Avi and Kirstie and they are in their own little world and barely notice me. Kevin is still in the ocean trying to surf the waves. I look at Mitch and he is coming over to sit out in the sun. He sits and puts his earbuds in and closes his eyes. I look quickly and read as much as my eyes will allow. I get to the last page and am floored by what I read. Emma actually likes Scott, like really likes him. That's completely crazy. Why does she think she has a chance with him? I'll have to make a move on Scott before she does. I see Mitch rise up and look over at me and I smile my biggest grin. "Hi Mitch," I say.
Mitch looks at me and says, "Hi Olivia, what are you reading?"
"Nothing, nothing at all," I say as I throw the notebook into Emma's bag. I stand up and grab Emma's bag, my bag, and look over at Mitch, Kirstie, and Avi and say, "I'm going to go in now."
"Okay, we'll come in soon," Avi says.
I walk quickly to the house and try not to look back behind me. I'm just hoping that Mitch didn't see me read the journal.
(Mitch's POV)
I look over at Kirstie, "Hey Kirstie, I think that we are about to have world war three on our hands."
Kirstie looks at me and says, "What happened now?"
"I just caught Olivia reading that notebook Emma had in her lap earlier today," I say.
"You think that it was the same one, you think that she would actually do that?" Avi asks.
"Yes, I recognized it from earlier. We better head back," I say.
(Scott's POV)
I'm sitting in the living room looking at my phone enjoying a little peace and quiet.
I hear the sliding glass door and see Olivia. I sigh a little to myself. She smiles and continues onto the guest bedroom. She comes right back out and says, "Where is Emma?"
"She's in my room, why?" I ask.
"She's in your room, really?" Olivia asks.
"Why?" she adds with such a shocked tone.
"She fell asleep, I was helping her with her back," I say.
"Well, I'll just go check on her," Olivia says.
"Just let her sleep," I say trying to avoid anyone waking Emma up.
"Okay, I guess," Olivia says and then practically sits right on top of me, almost. She sits right next to me to where we are literally touching. I look around the room at the six other locations she could have sat instead. I scoot over a bit to get some space. Olivia starts to rub my arm and smiles at me. I look at her and say, "Olivia, what are you doing?"
She looks at me and smiles and says, "Anything you want me to do."
I think to myself, seriously. I smile and say, "Okay."
I just blow it off and maybe she'll get the hint. I get up and Olivia stands too. I tell her, "I'm going to go get ready for tonight. Avi just texted and we are all heading out. I'll see you later, okay."
Olivia winks at me and says, "You bet I will."
I walk away and wonder if those lines ever work for Olivia. She is trying way too hard. I slowly open up my door knowing Emma was probably still napping. I walk over and sit on the other side of Emma on the bed. I touch her cheek and whisper, "Emma."
Emma stirs a little bit.
I lean in and whisper, "Emma."
She opens her eyes and we are inches away from each other. I pull back.
She sits up and says, "Sorry, I must have fallen asleep."
"How's your back feeling?" I ask.
"Better, actually," Emma says sitting up and stretching some. She looks at me and asks, "How long was I asleep?"
"I look at my phone and say, "Almost an hour."
"Wow," she says. She rubs her eyes and says, "That was brave of you to wake me up."
"Why do you say that?" I ask.
"I'm not the happiest person when someone wakes me up, just ask Kirstie." Emma says with a laugh.
"Oh, good to know," I say.
"I have to say, Scott, your bed is so comfortable," Emma says.
"I know, right," I say.
"So, why is it that you woke me up?" Emma asks.
"Oh, sorry, I was going to tell you that we are all going out tonight. We are going out to dinner and then to a karaoke bar." I say.
"Cool. That should be fun. Guess I should go get ready," Emma says standing up.
"Okay, yea, I was going to get ready too," I say standing up as well.
She walks over to me and wraps her arms around my waist and lays her head on my chest. I wrap my arms around her. She says, "Thanks Scott, for your help today with my back. That was really sweet of you."
"It was nothing," I say.
She leans up and kisses me on the cheek and walks out of the room. This girl is driving me crazy. Why can't I just tell her?