Never Good Enough (Marcel/Harry Styles Fanfic)

Chapter 8 - Truth

JASMINE

I still remember that summer, when I was hanging at the neighbourhood pool with Sarah.

We were eating popsicles that tasted much too artificial, and left a nasty lingering taste on your tongue. But it didn't matter, because I had other things on my mind.

I was trying to impress this cute guy that was sitting on the opposite side of us, but to no success.

Twirling my hair, faking a girly giggle, anything just for him to glance in my direction.

At that time, it didn't seem so pathetic, because he was really good looking. He was tanned, and had cropped brown hair. A winner in my books.

After a couple more attempts, I gave up. He didn't notice me at all.

Sarah tried to comfort me, by saying he had something in his eye, so he couldn't see me well.

I took her lame attempt to cheer me up to heart, but after a couple minutes of self pity, I definitely knew he didn't have something blocking his view.

Cecilia Dan walked in with her two-piece nude coloured bikini, and everyone's neck and eyes craned to see her. She was the ultimate eye candy for everyone, and she knew it too.

My heart fell, as I saw her strut towards my boy crush. He looked up and grinned at her, immediately captivated by her beauty, and swimsuit. For the rest of the time I was there, all they did was play footsies by the pool. Not once did he attempt to look up, where I would've been.

Since that moment, I swore to wear a two piece bikini to the pool, instead of my flabby one piece, that was actually from my swim meet.

After tons of restless begging and pleading to my mother, she finally agreed to let me buy a two piece bikini. Usually she was against showing so much skin in public, but she could tell I had set my foot down on this issue. There was no way she could convince me out of it.

Plus I might've added that it was kind of required for something at swim practice, and I knew I could get away with that, since she never drops me off.

I was flustered with excitement, as we entered the pool, no more stupid far distance crushes for me! I felt far more confident then I've ever felt before, this aqua two piece will capture his stare, Im sure.

Keep in mind, I was completely unexperienced in boys, and didn't know back then how their minds actually worked, thankfully I found out sooner or later.

Once I entered, all eyes trained on me, just like they did with Cecilia. What I failed to noticed last time, was that the looks were anything but admiration. It's like they were undressing me with their eyes, or if it was possible, groping me with their steady glances.

Cecilia must've gloried under that kind of attention, but I knew that was not what I was hoping for. I was only hoping for someone I liked to look at me finally, not to be scrutinized under stranger's eyes, that had no business to stare at me for so long.

I felt so uncomfortable, I ran all the way home, just to change back into my one piece.

That was exactly how I felt at that precise moment, when I had turned around to grab my bag off the floor, only to have Marcel staring at me, mouth agape.

I almost didn't know how to react for a second, but quickly jumped into action, remembering my self respect.

I screamed so loud, even those annoying opera singers would've been jealous of me. Thankfully I did, otherwise he would've kept on staring at me.

All of that happened last night, but I could still remember every speck of detail, the memory running in my head like an unstoppable film. It's probably gonna be scarred there for a long time.