ephemeral [ Conrad Fisher ]

40

THE  boat rocked gently on the water, a serene contrast to the turmoil brewing within me. I took another swig of my drink, trying to numb the feelings bubbling up in my chest.

"No Lennox, really, the sexual tension between the two of you was palpable," Nicole gushed as she sprawled across the plush lounger on her parents' boat. "Like seriously."

I scrunch my nose, trying to brush off her comment. "There wasn't sexual tension, we were just playing volleyball," I chided softly, taking a seat close to her with my drink in hand.

"Oh, c'mon Lennox, you can't be that clueless." Nicole watched me for a moment, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Unless you are?"

Gigi perked up, her eyes alight with teasing. "Lennox, are you a virgin?" she asked softly, a playful tone in her voice.

I squinted at the two girls, shaking my head and refusing to give in to their taunts. "I'm not talking about this," I muttered, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

Marisa shook her head softly, changing the subject as she nodded towards the dock. "That's Belly and Taylor, yeah?" she asked, her tone neutral.

Dara rolls her eyes "I don't know why you invited them."

"I was hoping they wouldn't show up so Shayla could come." Nicole mumbles under mumbled something under her breath before forcing a bright smile and waving them over. "Hey, come on board!" she called out, her tone too cheerful to be genuine.

As Nicole beckons Belly and Taylor onto the boat, my heart sinks. I had been dreading their arrival, knowing it would only add tension to an already uncomfortable situation. But as they step aboard, their smirks and glares only confirm my fears. Belly's gaze locks with mine, a challenging glint in her eyes, while Taylor's expression remains unreadable, her lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval. I resist the urge to roll my eyes, refusing to let them see how much their presence affects me.

As they settle in among the group, the atmosphere grows tense, the air thick with unspoken animosity. I take a long sip of my drink, the alcohol burning down my throat, momentarily numbing the anxiety that courses through me.

Nicole nudged me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, how about a game of 'Never Have I Ever'? Loosen everyone up a bit," she suggested, her smile widening as she noticed my near-empty glass.

I nodded, too tipsy to refuse, though the thought of engaging with Belly and Taylor made my stomach churn. I tried to push the negative feelings aside, focusing instead on the laughter around me as we settled on the seats around the small table. Nicole drapes a soft blanket across our legs as she gives me an encouraging smile.

"I'll go first." Marisa offers as she passes around the pitcher for everyone to refill their cups "Take a drink if you've ever used a stuffed animal to... you know." giggle erupt around the table and I can't help when my own laugh escapes my lips

"Really Marisa?" I grin at her shaking my head softly

Taylor takes a drink shrugging softly, "His name was Harry Beary Styles. Like..."

"You had a name for yours? What?" Gigi laughs hard, shaking her head at the younger girl "God."

Dara shakes her head "Okay, okay." She grins "Take a drink if you've ever had sеx." The girls giggle, honing in on me as my nose scrunches, I don't even lift my cup and from the corner of my eye, I see Belly shift but not lift her cup "If you've ever been to third?" Dara offers, her eyes trained on Belly and I before she settles "if you've ever gone to second."

I nod a little, taking a sip from my cup, my eyes lingering on Belly's hands for a moment before looking up at the group "Take a drink if you've ever thrown a fit because someone doesn't like you the way you think they should."