Testing The Waters

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Can I borrow a towel?" Claire asks, coming out of my bathroom.

It's the first time I've seen her since that day at the movie theatre. In all honestly, I've been avoiding her.

Claire is one of the shrewdest people I know, which is why as soon as Alex walked away with Anna in that theatre lobby, I could see the wheels spinning in that pretty, blond head of hers. I know she'd love nothing more than to cut me open and dissect every freaking thought, feeling, and moment I've had with Alex.

Since I've left the hospital, she's been calling and texting me nonstop.

"What was it like almost dying? " "Were you afraid?" "Was Alex afraid?" "What was he like after?" "Is it weird that Alex was the one who saved you?"

Blah, blah, blah. Alex, Alex, Alex!

When she reached out again yesterday, I knew I couldn't put her off for much longer, so I asked her to come with me to the Richard's 4th of July party.

I eye Claire in her bubble gum pink sundress. "Towels are in the closet," I say, pointing to my bathroom.

"Don't forget to pack your EpiPen!" she says over her shoulder.

"Yes, Mother Claire Bear," I grumble, using the nickname I used to call her when we were kids.

"How are things between you and Alex?" she asks, coming out of the bathroom, towel in hand.

I swear she could be the next Diane Sawyer.

Even if I did tell her what transpired between Alex and me in that bathroom, I'm not sure how she would handle it. As my best friend, she resents Alex for the way he treated me.

How can I possibly make her understand something that I don't even fully understand myself? I decide to go with a part truth.

"Things are... different," I say to her.

Her head tilts. "Different?"

I nod. "Yeah, he's been... nice."

She raises a brow. "Nice?"

I nod again, slamming the door on the mental image I have of just how "nice" Alex has been to me.

"Huh," is all she says, but there's a skeptical point to her brow that tells me she's thinking way more than she's saying.

Fine by me.

When we arrive at the Richard's house, I take a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.

Claire gives me a questioning glance. "You okay?"

Nope. I am definitely not okay.

I definitely do not want to face Alex again, and I definitely don't want to be here right now. But it really doesn't matter what I want. Anna wants me here, so here I am.

I give Claire a nod just as the door opens.

"Hi Babbie!" Mrs. Richards says, pulling me in. "Are you feeling better?" she asks, concern lining her features when she pulls away.

I smile. "Much better." I glance over at Claire. "This is Claire, my best friend."

She smiles over at Claire, offering her a hand. "Hi, I'm Clara."

Claire takes her hand, smiling as she shakes it. "Nice to meet you."

"Well, come on in. Everyone is out back," she says, leading us though the house out to the backyard. "There's plenty of food." She eyes my shorts and tank top. "Did you bring your swimsuit?"

I nod and hold up my bag.

"Oh good," she says. "There's a bathroom in the pool house if you want to change there."