Superheroes & Sweethearts

3

"Do you work out?" Alya asks me in a questioning tone.

"Huh?" Her question takes me by surprise. "No, why?" 

She motions to my bikini-covered figure as I place my hands on my hips. I suddenly wish I hadn't agreed to come to the pool with her today. "You're like... really fit." She gives me a questioning look.

I shrug, "Must be all the sewing." I obviously lie.

"Girl." She deadpans. "Maybe you just have good genetics." She sighs and then follows me into the water. 

"That's probably it." I nod and then dip down to my shoulders in the warm water.

Alya's eyes flick behind me, and then she grins. Immediately I feel my heart drop at the sight of her mischievous smile. "You'll never guess who's here. Hmm, his name starts with 'A', blond hair, boy of your dreams." She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

Oh god. I whip around, seeing Adrien dive into the pool, his instructor staring at the stop watch as he effortlessly swims from one side to the other. He pushes out of the water, his wet hair falling into his eyes as he wipes the water from his face.

"Perhaps we should go say hi!" Alya jumps up, and I tackle her in response.

"Do not!" I shout, and then both of us go under the water. We shove and splash at each other in a play fight for a few moments, laughing.

"Fine, fine, I won't say anything to ADRIEN!" She shouts. I gape at her in horror and turn to look over my shoulder as Alya waves at Adrien. He's just pulled himself out of the pool, still dripping wet, soaked hair pushed back out of his face. He smiles and waves back, eyes flicking to me.

I turn right back around.

"I hate you." I glare at her.

"You love me." She grins, "Oh look who's coming over here." She shakes my shoulders. 

I splash water at her as she laughs.

"You guys mind if I hang out for a while?" Adrien's smooth voice runs over me as he sits at the edge of the pool, legs dangling into the water. God, his muscles.

"Nope! Not at all!" Alya says with too much enthusiasm. "That okay with you Mari?" Her smile is wide, far too happy to be torturing me. 

I only nod.

Broad shoulders, smooth muscles, chiseled abs, lightly tanned skin, slicked back hair, bright green eyes. I'm swooning. I think I'm also drooling. Adrien's eyes flick to me, and he smiles. I can't return it, my face is so warm. So I look away, and with all the adrenaline, simply from being near him, I decide to swim some laps. It helps, not being too near to him, and also giving me a distraction. Once my muscles are tired and I can't do much more, I return to where Alya and Adrien are talking. Alya once again gives me an all too excited smile.

"Mari, I didn't know you we're so active." Adrien compliments me.

It takes a moment for his words to sink in, and even then, I don't understand. "Huh?" Is what my brain decides on.

He grins, "Have you thought about joining the swim team? You did pretty well with the laps."

"Oh!" My voice is tight "No, I don't think that's the best idea. I'd probably drown on the first day."

His eyes are kind as he looks down at me and chuckles, "Well, I have swim practice every Saturday and Wednesday if you ever want to join me." He offers a hand down to me. "Might be nice to have a friend to keep me company." He smiles.

Friend.

After a moment, I take his hand, my face nearly on fire as his skin touches mine. Then, he easily pulls me out of the pool and onto the ledge beside him. Jeez, how strong is he? I release his hand first, and I can't stay seated for long.

"I'm gonna grab a water, you guys want anything?" I ask and stand, adjusting my bikini.

"Ooh can you get me one of those frozen lemonades?" Alya chirps up. 

I nod. "Adrien?" His eyes flick up to my face, and his cheeks are a light pink. 

"Oh um, just a water if it's not much trouble." I nod and quickly turn away. Was he.. was he staring at me? He was blushing. Definitely blushing, right?

I get the two chilled waters from the nearby stand, and the frozen lemonade for Alya, my mind reeling at what Adrien was possibly blushing at.

"Thanks girl." She says as she eagerly takes it from my hand. I hand the water bottle to Adrien, his fingers brushing mine. 

My breath hitches, but I can't focus on the contact for long as he speaks, "I'll pay you back." 

"No need." I say tightly.

"I will." He takes a few long gulps of his water, his throat working as I stare at his adams apple. "I'll pay you back tomorrow at school, I don't have cash on me right now." He closes the bottle and sets it down between him and Alya.

"You don't need to-" 

"I want to." He cuts me off and sends me a look that makes me shut my mouth.