Across the Maps

Chapter 21

The rest of the week is absolutely horrible. Cole is still acting weird and Jeremy hasn't been sitting by me in lunch, which I already predicted but didn't want to come true.

Finally it's Saturday and I getting ready to go to Jeremy's house. I change into black jeans, black combat boots, and a short white top with bold black lettering that has the numbers 32 on it.

I put my hair in a messy bun, not really caring if it looks bad. After putting my phone in my purse and slinging it over my shoulder, I pile into Dad's silver convertible and we head to Jeremy's house.

It takes about twenty five minutes to get there. It would have taken less, but Dad turns on the wrong road so we have to turn around. But finally, we get there.

His house is a medium sized two story light brick house with large windows and a huge circular driveway with a horse statue in the center. Medium sized flower beds are scattered everywhere with different kinds of blooming flowers.

I get out of the car, grab my purse, and tell my dad goodbye. I stride up the concrete steps to the front door.

After ringing the doorbell, I hear shuffling inside and Jeremy opens the door.

His hair is disheveled and he wears jeans with rips in the knees, a gray shirt with a v-neck, and an oversized black jacket with a bronze colored zipper.

"Hey," he speaks, his voice friendly and light.

"Hi," I smile.

"Come in," he ushers as he opens the door wider so I can get in.

The flooring is a dark brown hardwood and the walls are white as the clouds. Light brown bookshelves that go to the ceiling line the walls.

He grabs my arm and steers me through the wide hallways, which are lined with family photos and portraits, upstairs and into his room.

It's a lot smaller than mine but again so is his whole house. The walls are a creamy tan and the floor is carpeted. A bed rests in the corner, the sheets and comforter rumpled and messed up.

A large television on a wooden black stand is in the other corner that faces the bed. A large dark brown dresser with silver handles sits by his small desk.

"So whatcha want to do?" he asks.

"What do you usually do?" I question and he purses his lips, thinking.

"We could go swimming," he suggests, shrugging his shoulders.

"In this weather?" I arch my eyebrows.

"Come on," he rolls his eyes playfully. "It's not that cold."

"That cold?" I say. "That cold. It sixty five degrees."

"That's not cold," he comments. "You just don't like cool weather.

"True," I say. "But anyways, I don't even have a swim suit."

"You can borrow my sisters. You look about her size," he exclaims, gazing at me.

"Ugh, fine," I give in and he smiles.

"Good. I'll be right back. Stay here." I nod and he strides out of his room, down the hallway, and to another room.

Shortly he returns with a light blue bikini. I glare at it and he laughs. "It's the only one that she would let you borrow. Sorry."

"It's fine," I shrug. "Where's the bathroom?"

"Down the hall and to the right," he instructs and I nod, treading out of his room and down the hallway.

The bathroom is small with a silvery metal sink and a large bathtub with a light blue and green shower curtain. The wallpaper is a dark chocolatey brown.

I quickly change into the swim suit and look into the mirror. It fits perfectly and I actually kind of like it. After looking into the mirror, I open the door and head back to his room to find him already changed into navy blue swim trunks.

"Good, it fits," he states, staring at me with his large eyes.

"Yeah," my voice comes out small.

"Come on, let's go," he exclaims and I follow him to the backyard and to their pool.

It's a pretty large pool that goes down to about seven feet. The lining is brick and the steps are semi steep.

Jeremy takes off his shirt and I can't help but stare. His skin is a slight tan and his muscles show. He smiles at me and then turns and dives into the deep end of the pool.

The water splashes on me and I shiver slightly. When Jeremy resurfaces, he shakes out his hair.

"Are you going to get in?" he asks, smiling.

"Um...yeah," I slowly step to the edge and jump in, the cool clear water engulfing my body.

Shivering, I come up to the surface and rub my arms together, hoping to get warm.

"It's so c...co...cold," I shiver and he laughs.

"You'll get use to it. Just wait for a minute."

Jeremy's right. After a little while I get use to the cool water and slowly I start to enjoy it. As I glare down at the bottom of the pool, I feel water on me and I snap my head up to find Jeremy splashing me with water.

"Hey," I say, throwing my hand through the water, splashing him back.

"Hey," he retorts, a fake hurtful emotion crossing his face.

"You started it," I giggle, splashing him again.

Soon we are running through the water, splashing each other like maniacs. By the time we are finished, I am laughing so hard that I double over from pain.

"I'm so glad we're friends," Jeremy exclaims.

"Me too," I reply, wiping some water out of my eyes.

After hanging out at the pool a little while, we change and head back to his room and just hang out.

"And so then he was like-" Jeremy speaks about random stuff but is cut off by my phone ringing.

"Wait a sec," I exclaim, pulling out my phone and answering it.

It's Dad. "I'm here. Time to go."

"Okay," I speak into my phone and then hang up. "My Dad's here." I tell Jeremy and he nods.

I shove my phone into my purse and then Jeremy and I walk downstairs to the front door.

I start to pull it open, but Jeremy stops me. "I had a really good time," he smiles.

"So did I. We should do it again."

"Yes definitely." He replies. "And Wimberly."

"Yeah," I exclaim, curious of what he's going to say next.

"I like you a lot." What?

With that he crashes his lips onto mine, his arms snaking around my waist.