Summer

Chapter 4

Alanis' POV:

Left. Left. Drop. Across. Damn it. Why can't I get this dance right? It's my audition for Grivaldi. I have my letter and a only 3 months to get this right. I need it to be perfect. As I'm marking my steps I hear my phone get a text. It's from Zoe! I can come over...wow. Why do I have butterflies in my stomach? I shake my head to clear the thought and run to my closet to grab my bathing suit. It's a pink bikini. It's a bit skimpy, I hope it's not weird if I wear it. I put it on and slip on a pair of shorts and a light coverup over it. I riffle through the mess of my floor to find my bag, my house key, my phone, and a towel. I yell upstairs;

" Mom I'm going to a friends house! "

" Have fun! I'll call you. "

I slip on a pair of flip flops and hop on my bike. I pull out my phone and start to play 'The Illest' by Far East Movement. It's kind of annoying but it gets me so pumped! As I'm peddling fast I see the neighborhood sign. Suncrest Village, I like it. I ride up to her door and the butterflies are back. I awkwardly walk up and knock on the door. A lady opens it. Probably in her late 60s. For a moment I wonder if I'm at the wrong house.

" Hi, is this Zoe's house? " I say holding my hands behind my back. The old woman's face immediately lights up. She yells something upstairs in another language and another lady walks up. This one has A LOT of resemblance to Zoe. She gives me a warm smile and welcomes me in.

" Zoe told us she had a friend coming, welcome welcome! Have a seat! Can I get you some water? "

I smile and accept the drink, that bike ride was fun but it's very hot outside.

" So what's your name? I think Zoe said it but I didn't quite catch it. " Says the younger woman who I'm assuming is her mother.

" Alanis. Like Morrisette. Is Zoe coming down or should I go up? "

" You can head up. Zoe's door is the decorated one, it's hard to miss. " She says as she gives me another smile. I quickly finish the water and head up. I see her door and the butterflies flood my body. I know I'm blushing, I can feel it. I inch up to the door and knock.

" IM CHANGING GIVE ME A SECOND MOM "
I can't help but laugh, She sounds like a cranky child. I try to reply between small giggles.

" It's Alanis. Tell me when I can come in. L

" OH MY GOD! "

Zoe whips open the door and pulls me in her room. She's wearing a pair of tattered jean shorts and a multicolored bikini top. Her blue hair is pulled into a bun and her makeup is all washed off.

" I didn't think you lived so close, I was still getting ready. " She looks down at herself and realizes she's in her bikini top. Her face burns red as she hurries to slip on a tank top.

" S-sorry. You wanna swim now? "

I nod and we head downstairs. The old woman bolts over to us, grinning ear to ear.

" Now you two, don't be rushing out so soon. Zoe, please, formally introduce this lovely lady! "
I give a small smile and look at Zoe. She sighs heavily and sarcastically puts her arms out towards me.

" Ladies and gentlemen, ALANIS! " She turns her head to look at me with a cheesy smile. Again, I can't keep in my laughter.

" Grandma we were just about to go swim outside. We're both old enough to take care of ourselves. " Zoe says, placing a hand on her grandmothers shoulder. After shaking hands with her mom and grandma we finally make our way outside. I slap on some sunscreen and begin to take off my over clothes. I look over to Zoe who is doing the same. She has an amazing body. It's like she's a model. I can't take my eyes off her and she catches me staring.

" Like what you see? " She says jokingly as she spins around once, laughing. I look down and blush with a small laugh. After we both finish getting out of our cover ups we hop in. a the water is cool and refreshing. I just lay on my back a moment and enjoy it. Suddenly I feel water spray all over me! Zoe was splashing me.

" Hey! " I shout out, splashing her back.

" Hey yourself! " She replies with a cute smirk.

I find myself staring at her again, she looks so gorgeous even without makeup and her hair soaking wet. How does she do it?

" Earth to Alanis, you okay? " Zoe says, tilting her head slightly. I shake myself out of my hypnotized state and nod.

" Of course. But you might not be! " I say as I rush over and jump onto her, pulling us both into the water. We come back to the surface laughing in unison. She looks up and me and lays a hand on my waist. Suddenly it feels as though my body is filled with millions of butterflies trying desperately to escape. I can physically feel myself blushing intensely. Zoe catches what she's doing and pulls a hand away. She sheepishly apologizes but the thing is... I didn't want her to stop.