A/n: inspired by the pool scene from the summer I turned pretty :)
Night swims were always enjoyable. To dip your legs in first, for the bitter water to creep up your skin ever so slowly until you submerge your whole body. Goosebumps covered your skin, reminding you that you could feel something. Once your shoulders were in the water, it suddenly wasn't as cold. It was weightless. And it carried you as you floated on your back, staring up at the stars as if they were staring back at you.
Night swims were for the days that were too much. After going to a bonfire with all the boys, tonight was one of those nights. Maybe it was just the people, or the amount of alcohol you consumed, or perhaps, as you deep down knew, it was about the fact you had to watch Cole and Erin the whole night. She was the newest hookup of Coles. Not quite girlfriend, but she was certainly under the belief it would happen one day.
It was torture. She was nice and kind and she only wanted the best for Cole exactly as you were. A part of you was seething with guilt that you still hated her a little bit. She had stolen everything you wanted to be. But, by now, it had become a feeling you were all too familiar with. Every few months, a new girl. Before her, there was Sophia who was lucky to make it to girlfriend status, which not many ever had done.
Wrapped up with these thoughts, you just wanted a moment away from the chaos. Like you could pretend that, for a second, it didn't bother you. That what Cole did and who he did, didn't actually bother you. When your eyelids lifted, you almost thought you were hallucinating. The very person who had captured your thoughts was looking down at you.
At first, you didn't move. Because, at first, you weren't completely sure if he was real. Then you jumped back to reality and that pit in your stomach returned. You adjusted, going to stand rather than float. Still, you turned to find Cole who had his legs dangled in the water, letting his gaze wander over you, every corner of your skin as if you didn't notice what he was doing.
"It's late." So you assumed anyway. You hadn't even checked the time when you came in, but the bonfire had dragged on for a while, or maybe it only felt that way because you were forced to watch Erin flirt with Cole the whole night. "What are you doing out?" You finally added.
Cole answered by retrieving a cigarette from his jacket pocket, a new hobby he had taken up this Summer. "Been a long night." You were glad he felt the same.
"Katherine is already mad at you, you think that's gonna help?" You had one brow raised at him.
But it didn't seem to do anything, "I don't need a reminder." There was a snap in his tone that you had tried to ignore. "And anyway, she's fast asleep." His eyes dwindled at that, going to focus on the abyss in the distance.
You swam closer to him, forcing the boy to move his gaze back to yourself. "What's with the smoking anyway?" You'd noticed it since you first arrived. He would wander off and come back ten minutes later smelling of either smoke or some illegal substance. "Just last year, you hated it, saying real athletes shouldn't harm their bodies in such stupid ways."
He was quiet, seeming to think back of that memorie, until he shrugged it off. "Things change." He excused.
Without being able to stop yourself, words started spilling out, "I thought you wouldn't." He was Cole. He wasn't meant to change, especially not like this.
Your eyes lingered on his, watching as his pupils dilated and his expression molded into one you couldn't read. "You're upset with me?" He finally asked as you took a few steps back.
"Like you said, things changed." You reiterated. "You changed. You're more distanced from everything, quiet. You don't have that playfulness you did last year-"
He cut in with a scoff, "Playfulness? Really?" You could feel your heart sinking. "You mean because I don't play your and Alex's and Jackie's childish games?"
You knew there was no point in arguing with him. "It doesn't matter." You shook your head. And this time, you turned your back to him, swimming to the other end of the pool when you weren't forced to stare at Cole Walter.
Only a few minutes had passed when you heard the shuffling of movement. At first, you thought Cole was getting up to leave, but the sounds continued until a soft splash came from the other side of the pool. That noise prompted you to turn. Cole was already looking at you, shirtless and getting used to the temperature. Then, once he was close enough, he flicked his hand passed the water, letting it splash in your face.
"Cole, what the hell!" You snapped, squirming at the feeling of bitter water hitting your skin.
"What?" He questioned as if he was innocent. "You told me to be more playful."
He shrugged it off as if it were nothing, gaining closer and closer until you only had to whisper in reply. "I'm not in the mood." Your tone was flat.
But Cole hadn't let that stop him. He splashed you once more. "Cole!" You snapped again.
"Oh come on, you not gonna fight back?" Your head shook and he took another step towards you before there was barely any distance left between the two of you. Before you could stop him, his hands took a grip around your waist. Within a moment, you were swirling around at Cole's will, and as much as you hated it, laughter was trickling from your lips. "That's not the Y/n I know!"
You started hitting his side, letting out a "Cole, put me down!" Only just heard through the giggles to two of you shared.
Soon enough, he slowed and your body entered the water again. But Cole's touch didn't leave you. His hands lingered around your bare waist and you swore you could get drunk just off his touch. He was so close. Yet, there was a distance between the two of you still. There felt more distance now than before you had arrived at Silver Falls. You just sat wishing the boy would break that distance.
"I'm sorry I've not been around as much as you had expected. Or that I haven't joined in on any of your games or even watched a movie with you." His eyes clung to your own. "But, trust me, I'm trying."
This time, your hand reached out, brushing his cheek as he fell into it. "That's all we need to know." You assured him. "I'm here for you Cole, you know that?"
He nodded, "I know." And before you could reply, he closed that distance. His lips leaned into your own and you were caught in his trap.
It was sweet but short-lived as you pulled away, too shocked to deepen the kiss any further. Cole's eyes were frightened and yours were curious. "Why did you do that?" You asked, without moving away from his touch.
He thought on it for a second before answering, "I think I've been meaning to for a while now." Them words had only made you lean into another kiss. One of which you were sure now wouldn't be your last.
