Detour

55: Bikini Body

I sighed for the 6th times now. The cold air brush my face as I stare at the water. My feet's in the water and it feels cold. I feel cold, yet I just want to drown myself. The people are enjoying the night yet here I am, being a loner in a robe, somewhere in the dark side of the pool.

I took a shot of my vodka and let it burn in my throat. When all of my body feels cold enough to be numb, atleast I felt fire in my throat. Cheers.

Nothing really happened that much, the food was delicious and all, the stars are shining bright above, but yes, stupid that I am, I'm still feeling heavy, even when the night feels like it's about to end.

Astrid appeared behind me and I almost jumped. "Jess, why is it taking you so long? Aren't you hungry?" She must have seen Iona beforehand because she doesn't seemed surprised at all. "Iona." She wasn't surprised seeing Iona at the party tonight but she was surprised why her brother is hugging Iona back. "Cole."

Who is Iona? Who is she?

This question repeated in my head like crazy, so much I want to ask her myself.

Iona's perfect white teeth shows how happy she really is. It was Cole who took her arm away from him and put a distance between them.

She doesn't mind at all. Her eyes are filled with amazement. It's glowing, she's glowing inside and out just by looking at him.

A shiver ran down my spine and I have to look away. I don't think I can simply bear this sight.

I want to go.

But at the same time, I want to act like I'm strong, like I don't really care, like I'm mature enough to talk to her and ask her what's on my mind. But how can I? Who am I? I'm just someone Cole currently knew. Someone Cole currently put a label with.

My eyes turned to my hand when I felt something warm enveloped it. It was Cole.

He has a stoic expression on his face when he looked at her. "Iona, I'd like you to meet Jess." He turned at me and his gaze soften as he raise my hand to his lips. "This is Jess, my girlfriend."

And just like that, Cole managed to create a pool in my heart.

Horror wasn't in her eyes, but something tells me she's a type of girl who owns a strong facade. "Girlfriend?" She chirped, with a hint of humor and disappointment, I don't know which of it.

Nanna smiled. "Oh, I forgot to tell you dear." Astrid is also emotionless to speak and just stared at her beside Nanna. "Jess is also Astrid's childhood bestfriend, isn't it wonderful?"

She didn't even flinch one bit and smiled at us. "Oh, my bad, I didn't know Cole is already taken." There was something behind that smile of hers. Or I'm just thinking so much. "I apologize."

In my eyes, she's starting to resemble a psychopath, I'm afraid.

I smiled back at her and can't help but to squeeze Cole's hand. Until her eyes flew there too.

"Aren't you gonna introduce me to her, Cole?" She insisted. "Or does Jess already know about me? Have you told her?"

My heartbeat starts its race once again as my hands felt cold, and my throat run dry. I look up at Cole and found his face with no expressions at all.

Cole look back at me, a little hesitant, while Iona's staring at us confidently. "Jess, Iona is..." 

The tension is building up.

"She's a childhood friend of mine."

My lips slightly parted. Oh, is it that hard to say?