Burned Intentions

Ameliorate

I walk into the party and I find my cousin, she's always there. It's like she knows my fear of interactions with humans so everywhere I am, she is. Lucky for me. I walk in by the pool it's literally green and these girls are busy swimming in it. Stupid girls I swear girls would do just about anything for the attention of men. It's quite stupid.

Jacintha what are you doing here? I ask.

She smiles at me and winks.

Checking that people don't steal the guy I have a crush on. She whispers nodding her head in the direction of Akeem. Why do you always have to call me by my full name? Not everyone knows it.

I smile at her and shrug my shoulders. I walk through the party and deeper into the garden, that's when I see Jesse sitting by the rocks near the stream.

What are you doing here? I walk up to him.

I'm just thinking about things. My dad is forcing me to go in a specific way, like he wants to dictate my life. He keeps telling about how much of a failier I am. Every time he sees me its like I'm just shit he picked up on the side of the road. I don't even know anymore. He pushes his hands through his hair.

He looks at me and smiles.

But it's fine. I'm fine. He says.

He sounds like he is trying to convince himself more than me. I'm actually so amazed he even opened up to me. He is so closed off sometimes.

Jesse!!! We look back to see his dad. Come you need to study! He shouts.

Jesse sighs, he tries to give me a smile, but it doesn't touch his eyes and walks away. It's so sad that someone's dad would treat them that way.
I stand up and go back to the pool. I hear water splashing and I cringe thinking about the amount of dirt in that water.
Walk back to find Jaci's livid.

Skylie! She walks over to me and looks relieved. I need you to get into the water. Akeem just went in and I'm scared some of these girls will take him from me. Please, you know I wouldn't ask if it weren't important. I would but I literally cannot swim.

No, I'm definitely not getting into the water. It's disgusting. Just tell him you like him and get it over and done with!

She shakes her head and pouts.
I walk up to where Akeem is swimming.

Dude get out of the water it's filthy. Like seriously, you'll need two hours of showering to clean yourself. He chuckles and get out.

Wassup? He asks grabbing the towel and drying himself.

How do you feel about Jaci? I ask. I can literally feel her stare into my back.

Well she's great, I like her. But I wouldn't tell her, she seems like the hardcore, tell a person off type of person.

Everyone thinks that. I laugh, but she's not. Funny enough she likes you too.

His face literally lights up.
Jaci runs up behind me.

Whatever she told you, she's lying. She blurts out.

So you don't like me? Because I know I like you. He smirks.

I roll my eyes at him. Jaci flushes red. That's my cue.