"You mind if I sit here?" A boy around my age (obviously) asks. "No, make yourself comfortable," I smile up at him, patting the spot next to me.
He chuckles lightly and slips off his shoes then sits down and dips his feet into the water, same as me.
"Pretty crazy in there, huh?" I try making conversation. "Yeah, I needed some fresh air. Same as you I guess," he grins. "Yeah, it's been a long day," I sigh. "I feel ya." He laughs, lightly shaking his head.
"Oh, I guess I should've asked this first but what's your name?" I ask him, wondering why I've never seen him before. "Oh! I'm Jack. People usually just call me by my last name, Gilinsky." He says, sticking out his hand for me to shake. "What's your name?" He adds.
"I'm Niomi, but people just call me Niomi," I joke, making him laugh. "How come I've never seen you around before?" I ask him.
"I don't go to the same school as you, which I'm sure you already knew. I'm a friend of Jess's. I know her from this summer camp we went to," he explains.
"Ohh, well it's really nice to meet you," I smile. "Same to you," he smiles back.
We sit in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, just making small waves in the pools with our feet.
"So Niomi, what are you going to college to study?" Jack asks, my cheeks immediately flushing out of embarrassment.
"Oh... I'm not.... I'm not going to college," I admit sheepishly. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have assumed. You just seem really smart. Not that I'm saying you're dumb. Ugh, I'm just going to shut up now," he says, this time he's the one flushed.
"Jack! It's fine," I laugh at how cute his rambling was. "I just chose not to go, just not really in my interest." I explain. "Ohhh," he says, sounding a little relieved. "Are you going to any colleges?" I ask him.
"Nah, couldn't afford it and I'm wasn't smart enough to earn any scholarships," he sighs. "I mean, I'm not heartbroken about it but it would've been nice to be able to experience the college life." He adds.
"Yeah, I get what you mean. I hope that you'll be able to experience it one day when you have the money to afford it." I say.
"Yeah, so do I. My mom feels terrible that she couldn't help me out. She has always wanted me to be really successful. I guess I can do that without college though." He tells me.
"Totally! College doesn't necessarily make or break a career. What do you want to go into?" I ask him.
"I really enjoy music, so possibly music production or singing," he says with a smile.
"Oh wow! That's awesome! I wish I knew how to sing but unfortunately I sound like something inhumane when I try." I laugh, not even exaggerating.
"Oh cmon! You can't be that bad," he laughs along with me.
"Oh, don't underestimate that statement. It's a scary thing," I warn.
"I still don't believe you but okayyy," he says still laughing a little.
We stop laughing right when we hear someone stumble up the stairs to the pool deck.
"HEYYY GWUYYYS!" Jess exclaims loudly, much louder than needed.
"Hey Jess," I greet, laughing at how drunk she is. There's obviously more types of alcohol than just beer at this party.
"What's up Jess?" Jack says while getting up to give her a hug. "Haven't seen you all night!" He adds.
"I'm great Mr. Sexyyyyy," she slurs.
Oh god. *insert facepalm*
She starts to dance around once she finishes hugging Jack. I realize that her running and dancing around a pool in her state might not be the best idea.
"Hey Jess, I think I heard someone calling your name from inside," I lie to her, knowing that she won't listen to me telling her that what she was currently doing was unsafe.
"I didn't..." Jack starts but I lightly elbow him in the stomach so he's catch on that I was lying.
"Go on Jess! They're calling you again!" I encourage her.
"Ok, I guess the party needs to be saved. See you sexys later," she winks.
"And that, Gilinsky, is why I don't usually drink," I laugh.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Jack and I have been in the same spot for almost two hours now. Sometimes we'd be talking, and others we'd just sit in a comfortable silence.
His company was really nice. It never felt like forced conversations, everything came easy when talking to him.
And in case you're wondering. No, I'm not "developing feelings for someone I just met but feel like I've known for years." I just enjoy talking to him, and I'm glad that I'm his friend now.
"Well, it's getting kinda late and I'm exhausted," I say while standing up. "Awe, don't be a party pooper," he jokes, also standing up.
"I would go try to find Jess and tell her goodbye but that's close to pointless seeing as there's at least 150 people here," I chuckle. "But if you see her could you tell her I said bye?" I ask him.
"Yeah, no problem," he says.
"Thank you. It was really nice meeting you," I tell him as I start walking to the front yard. "Same to you." He smiles.
I make my way to the street curb where my car was parked. I'm about to get inside when I see Jack jogging up to me.
"Hey," he says out of breath. "I forgot to ask you for your number." He says sounding a little embarrassed. "Oh! I totally forgot too," I exclaim.
"Here, you can put your number in," I say handing him my phone. He hands me his so I could put my number into it. "Ok, here you go," he says as we switch our phones back.
"Have a good night," I say while getting into my car. "You have an even better night," he grins, making me laugh lightly while waving to him as I leave.
•••••••••••••••••••••
Sorry this chapter ending is trash omg. Hopefully they'll get better lmao
