She's little

chapter 50

Reluctantly, I withdrew my thumb from my mouth and tucked my hands under my thighs, hiding any evidence of my temporary regression. The familiar mask of nonchalance settled back into place, and I slipped back into the conversation with relative ease, as if our moment of vulnerability had never happened.

The chatter and laughter of our friends filled the air once again, and I did my best to join in, masking my inner turmoil behind smiling gazes and easy banter. I could feel James's watchful eye on me from time to time, a constant reminder that he hadn't forgotten our brief moment of intimacy.

As the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the campsite, we all got up and prepared for another day of adventure. Today's activity was a trip to the lake, a short hike away, and everyone was buzzing with excitement.

I shooed James out of the tent, closing the flaps and sealing myself off from prying eyes. I rummaged through my bag, pulling out a comfortable outfit for the day's activities. My gaze lingered on the jumper that I had "borrowed" from James, its oversized warmth and familiar scent providing a certain level of comfort.

The fresh morning air greeted me as I stepped out of the tent, the grass damp with dew and the sunshine filtering through the trees. Our friends were already gathered, buzzing with excitement and energy, their voices animated as they discussed a trip to the lake.

James glanced my way as I emerged from the tent, my figure hidden beneath the oversized jumper. A knowing smile played across his lips, understanding passing silently between us. The stolen jumper was not something I planned on returning anytime soon.

We followed the short path down to the lake, the excitement within the group growing with every step we took. The trail was lined with towering trees, their branches providing a natural canopy that filtered the sunlight, casting playful shadows on the ground below.

I couldn't contain my excitement any longer. With a burst of energy, I took off running alongside Lizzie, racing towards the end of the dock. The two of us laughed and playfully pushed each other, leaving the others to follow at a less enthusiastic pace.

My excitement quickly dimmed as I caught sight of Lizzie taking off her shoes, preparing to dive into the lake. Suddenly, I was struck with a harsh reminder of my own limitations. I couldn't join her in water-; my inability to swim holding me back

My gaze shifted to Jenna, who stood beside me, observing her swimming and laughing in the lake. Her eyes met mine, a sympathetic understanding passing between us. She realised my deepest shame - that I couldn't swim.

I stood awkwardly on the edge of the dock, surrounded by friends. They started peeling off the layers of clothes, revealing their swimsuits beneath, their excitement evident in their carefree laughter.

As the rest of my friends shed their outer layers, I reluctantly followed suit, carefully removing my clothes to reveal a bikini that would stay dry.

Despite the warm sun on my skin, I felt a pang of discomfort, my secret insecurity bubbling beneath the surface.

I was so focused on masking my discomfort that I didn't notice Jenna's absence at first.
It wasn't until I caught sight of her talking to James, their expressions grave, that I realised something was amiss. My heart raced as I saw them glancing in my direction, and a sense of dread washed over me.

james practically ran over to me.
"you can't swim?" he asked confused.

I tried to sound confident as I responded to James, but my voice wavered slightly.

"Yes, of course I can swim," I lied, my heart rate quickening and I tried to maintain my composure, hoping he wouldn't see through my deception.

"its fine, anna, i'll help you." he said, admitting to seeing through my lie

I hesitated for a moment, my pride warring with my fear. But the genuine concern in his eyes won out, and I caved.

"Okay," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "I could use some help."

I gulped, butterflies fluttering in my stomach, as James led me towards the edge of the dock and gestured for me to sit down. My heart pounded as I cautiously perched on the edge, my legs dangling in the cool water. The fear within me grew stronger with each passing moment.

James slid into the water then stood in front of me, his head level with my lap. The surface of the water rippled gently around him, and he looked up at me with a reassuring smile.

"You're doing great." he said, his voice calm and steady. "slide off the dock and into the water. I'll catch you, I promise."

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and With a shaky exhale, I slid off the dock and into the water.

James' hands were like a lifeline, snatching me up before my waist could fully submerge into the water. His grip was firm and his movements were quick, his strength apparent as he held me securely in his arms.

As he held me in his arms, his hand gentle at the back of my neck, I became hyper-aware of the closeness between us. The water ripples gently around us, and I could feel the warmth of his breath against my face. It was as if time had slowed down, the world around us fading away as his lips hovered just above mine.

His gaze bore into mine, searching, and I found myself unable to look away. I felt exposed under his intense stare, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was as if he could see right through me, understanding me in a way no one else ever had.

oh just fucking kiss me already