The Crowded Room

10. Situationships.

I perch on the shiny slate stairs in front of the courtyard as I wait for Pierre to finish dressing into his beach attire. Chris leisurely sits next to me sporting a bright blue shorts and black shirt. His face seems to have regained its colour back and his hair is combed back neatly.

He looks a lot better than he did this morning.

Both Italian gentlemen are parked on the grass absorbing the midday sun heat along with Khaya-the bounty beach dog. Waterfalls by Ten Fe play through Pierre’s speaker from my phone and everyone listens intently as if they’re stoned-even myself. It feels like a lazy Saturday afternoon-exactly as it is.

‘’So, you play volleyball?’’

I ponder over his question for a moment. It does indeed surprise me that I have never really bothered to play volleyball before, sure, I’ve participated in plenty of different beach sports, but never once can I think back on a day that I participated in a friendly volleyball match.

‘’I’m afraid not, I’ve never played before, but weird fact; my Dad was a great Volleyball player in high school.’’

He raises his eyebrows in surprise.

‘’Yeah, me too.’’

‘’Really?’’

‘’No, I’m just fucking with you.’’

I side-eye him with an annoyed smile.

Sarcastic much.

Pierre comes running from his bedroom energetically. Khaya jumps up from her spot in the sun and excitedly jumps up to greet him. He wears a navy floral short and top to match with a black bucket hat and a pair of ridiculously big yellow sunglasses. His smile is bright and vibrant and pointing directly at me. I stand up with a smile and gush at him with his ridiculous outfit and combusting confidence. He walks closer to me.

‘’You ready?’’

I look down at my outfit which is still winterly the same as this morning, my eyes linger at my feet which carry the weight of my laced-up boots. I frown.

‘’As I’ll ever be.’’

He sees my frustration and only smiles lifting his hand underneath my chin so that I may look him in the eyes. His green orbs are as intense as ever protruding assuredly and lovingness.

‘’Next time.’’

There’s something about the way he says it that causes a shiver to run down my spine. I give him a single nod with a sheepish grin that I just can’t get rid of. I’m sure all who have eyes can see my pink tainted cheeks from our interaction, and normally I would-but I just don’t care. I shamelessly crave more of him, each and every time. It’s like I can’t get enough, and I don’t understand what the cause of this feeling could be.

‘’C’mon guys let’s head out.’’

Khaya is loyally right next to Pierre’s side; she trots next to him without distraction, her ears flop joyfully up and down and her tail wags excitedly. Pierre sprints with her out the gate, leash in his hand and onto the street, matching her energy effortlessly.
I sometimes wonder if he could have been a golden retriever in his past life.

Deciding that I’m in no rush to reach a destination, I settle for strolling at my own pace. Pierre and Khaya are far out ahead chasing one another in the grassy park close to the sidewalk. The rest of the group is scattered a few paces forward and I walk at the back, Chris once again places himself next to me at the back of the pack, I don’t mind it, instead, I decide to initiate conversation.