Little Too Much

Chapter 28 - Wink Don't Blink

Even with all those deep thoughts about Shawn's and my relationship, or absence of such, racing through my mind, I blew him a kiss. It was game now. Every time people mention something more intimate happening between Shawn and i it either turns into a game or a joke. Why did it have to be this way. It's not a game to me. It's not a joke, but i have to play along anyway.

Loving - no, not being allowed to love - sucks.

Shawn's POV:

I have no way of knowing, possibly ever, what thoughts were going through Athalia's mind. All i knew is that i wished i could have been the one suggesting to marry the cook, not the food. I wished iI wished it was easier to tell her how i felt. She was so precious i feel like i'd mess it up. Plus, why would she really accept me as a boyfriend anyway. She wanted me as a friend, no more, that was clear. 

She blew me a kiss and i winked back. Why not continue the game. Only, i don't think love is a game. She's never been a game to play to me. 

Loving - no, not being allowed to love - sucks.

Athalia's POV: 

I was glad to go to the get together on Friday with Sam and O2L and Julie and everyone. It was a going to be a blast; i knew it from the moment we first showed up. It was 8:31. We'd taken the safe bet with coming "fashionably late" to avoid showing up when no one was there. 

Yes, i was wearing a swim suit, and yes, i had promised to go swimming, but the sight of the water and the paralyzing thought of showing my scars was horrifying. Some of the scars were only at most 5 days old. They were still red. What would people say? And, worse, what would they think?

I'm pretty sure Julie read my thoughts, or my green face, and lead me by the arm to Sam. She greeted him with a hug and i did so too, but in a total blur. I let my body mimic what Julie's had a moment ago, suddenly so terrific i couldn't even remember how to hug. 

"Are you okay?" Sam bobbed his head down to try and see my face. 

"Uh, what? Yeah, i'm, uh, great," Wow, Athalia that was very convincing! But i could see my skin under my cover up, white as snow except for those red lines peeping through. Thank God it was mostly dark.

"Not you're not," he took a second glance at my thighs, whose cuts were steadily more obvious with the paleness of my skin. He didn't know, but i was thinking he was guess right now. Since we were standing right next to the pool, i stripped my cover up as if it were a race and jumped into the water, careful not to get my head and face wet. 

I wore an all black two piece tankini. It was cute and covered most of my scars. On my wrists i wore a multitude of friendship bracelets like Ricky Dillon does sometimes. 

We were in the pool until we turned to prunes. I guess we lost track of time playing splashing games and laughing and flirting and whatever else is teen behavior. I just went with the flow. It started getting really chilly. Bella cuddled up to Cameron and they tried to keep each other warm. Finally, Cameron demanded Bella to get out before she froze. Sam put his arm around me and i grabbed Julie's hand. We all climbed the steps together and Sam tossed us towels. I was quick to wrap it around me to cover my thighs. I don't think anyone who didn't already know saw but Sam...and he said nothing.

Sam took us inside, even though we weren't really supposed to be in there, to warm up a little. We all changed out of our swim suits and climbed into warmer clothes. I was still the only one in pants, well, leggings rather, and a long sleeved shirt. When we finally wandered back outside, they had a nice fire going and people were pigging out on smores. Bella and Julie scurried off to make their own and i sat next to Sam, saving a seat for Julie on the other side of me.