The Lonely Girl

Chapter 42: swimming friends

Derek p.o.v

Rose stayed close to my side while she was visiting me. First, I decided to keep Max and Nathan calm by giving the little troublemaker his ice cream. Rose wasn't interested in it, only wanting to sit next to me. 

I didn't complain of course. 

When the ice cream was eaten Max had a sugar rush and wanted to do something active. It was a warm and pleasant day, so I opted that everybody could try and find some swimsuits they could wear and have a nice dip in the pool, which wasn't used often. 

Again Rose wasn't interested. 

Max, on the other hand, was jumping up and down with joy and went with Nathan upstairs in search of his swimsuit. 

I had gotten some suncream and walked with Rose outside to the lounge beds next to the pool. I patted for her to come and sit next to me on the lounge bed, which she gladly did. "We can't have you getting a sunburn, now can we?" 

The girl shook her head as I carefully rubbed the cream over her small face. When I was done I gave her some as well and instructed her to rub it on her arms, hands, and legs as well. 

Without hesitation, Rose did it right away. I was proud of her. I knew that little Rose wouldn't have liked it as she disliked the sticky feeling of the cream in the beginning. 

When the little lady was done I rubbed suncream all over my face as well, which caused some giggles to escape from Rose. 

"What? What are you all giggly about?" I hummed and looked dumbfounded at her. 

"I think you put on a little too much," she now fully laughed. 

"Why?" 

Just when I asked Nathan stood beside me and was now full-on laughing as well. "Dude, I think you should go easy on the suncream!" 

"Your-your whole face is white!" Rose tried to say between her laughter. 

"Oh... and what if I do this?" I smeared more of the suncream I had on my hand on my face, which caused everybody to laugh only louder. 

Max had joined us too, who had now a fire red shorts on. I think I bought it for him about a year ago, so if he ever wanted to swim, he could.

"And this?" Rubbing more and more cream on my face. 

Rose couldn't stop laughing and I tried to keep her happy and laughing for as long as I could. I didn't want this moment to stop, to come to an end, because right then it felt like Rose never left and was still living with me. As if Olivia never came into our lives, ruining them with her toxic behavior. 

When the laughter died down and Max was ready to jump into the water, I made my way down to the kitchen to clean up the mess I made.

I didn't mind the mess, it made Rose laugh and that was reason enough to go through such an inconvenience.

As I entered I heard the pitter patter of feet behind me, it was Rose.

"Hey there, care to help?" I asked half jokingly.

She nodded her head. I was ready to decline the offer but kept my mouth closed. I wouldn't mind some alone time.

As Rose handed me some tissues I asked, "Do you want to go for a swim as well?"

"I can't swim, remember?" She said softly.

"I know, but I have some friends that might help you and, of course if you want, I can teach you."

The small girl was thinking, a deep frown settling on her forehead.

"I don't know..."

"Why is that?" I carefully asked.