YOU, ME, & SHE • |KTH AU| •

three

It seems having sex in the open air for all to see is not an uncommon occurrence at pool parties around here.

Everyone else just continues swimming and sunbathing and sipping their cocktails, not really that bothered. Bread-cheeked, I turn my back on the odd sight and idly make for the opposite side of pool, dodging a splashing water balloon on my way.

The scene surrounding me could be straight out of some summery, 2010s pop music video: Colorful balloons bob in the air, shimmering confetti covers the ground and a DJ spins catchy tunes. The pool area is packed with lively guests in bikinis and swim trunks, dancing and twirling cups in their hands. High-spirited laughter fills the air.

I deeply inhale the intermingling scents of chlorine and suntan lotion, trying to ignore the tightening feeling in my chest. Who cares if my life sucks? Some people are so totally enjoying theirs. When I got here, I was forced to yell over the music for everybody to acknowledge me. Then the hostess, my customer, finally ambled over with a wide grin. She had me place the pizza on a table close by and then slurred at me to "just go on and join in on the fun or something" while she went to get her purse.

And I've been hanging around for more than ten minutes, trying my best not to be in anyone's way, but she's still nowhere in sight.

The abrupt sound of overexcited giggles from behind me interrupts my weary roaming. I turn around and look ahead to find two girls in stylish bikinis hopping about on the porch, looking through the doorway at somebody or maybe somebodies I can't spot from here. With wide grins, the girls motion for whoever they are to come out.

"Come on, don't be shy..." The one in the cow print bikini coos.

The other in a pink one says, "Like, you can't just stand there all day."

They continue to coax, but whoever is on other side is reluctant to come out for some reason. Frustrated, the pair exchange a wordless look for a few seconds, and then after a mutual nod they disappear inside. They emerge soon after, dragging a third girl along with them.

She's got fawn-like visuals, with her sleek chestnut hair and doe eyes, and the super cute black bikini she's got on looks gorgeous on her lithe form. And yet she's like a deer in the headlights as she looks around, face redder than a tomato. Her friends succeed in dragging her off the porch before she stubbornly plants her feet on the ground, slouching in their grips.

"I can't do this, this was a bad idea." She mumbles, lowering her head.

Cow print clucks her tongue. "Iseul, for the millionth time: You. Look. Stunning. There's nothing to be so flustered about, now, come on!"

The Iseul chick makes a face but allows herself to be pulled towards some deck chairs and group of girls on ahead. With nothing better to do, I move to hide myself behind this cabana near the group to continue eavesdropping on their conversations. The other girls express surprised admiration at Iseul's atypical swimwear. One of Iseul's friends, whom I pick out to be the one in the pink bikini, boasts loudly about how she came up with the idea.

"Like, why not, she's got, like, a rocking bod, and she should, like, totally show it off. You know, like, try and rebel against that tyrannical brother of hers."

"Oh my gosh, that guy might be hot as hell, but he is such a bore," Cow print's breezy voice breaks in. "For years, he nixed her from taking driving lessons. She only just recently, finally got her license but he rarely lets her go behind the wheel!"

Amidst the cries of horror and disbelief, Iseul only gives a quiet sigh. "Come on, you guys. My brother's not as awful as you're making him to be. He's just overprotective."