Summer

Chapter 5

Zoe's POV:

I pull my hand away and shyly apologize. We barely know each other, I shouldn't be touching her and whatnot. Alanis looks away for a brief moment before turning back and tilting her head slightly to the side.

" So.. I know we just got out of school, but do you have any college plans? "

" Grivaldi.. Art major. "

" No way! I'm going to Grivaldi for dance! I mean, hopefully, I'm going for dance. I have to audition. " She pushes a few strands of wet hair from her face as she says this. The burning sun dances on her like a spotlight, she looks amazing. I hop up on the pool ledge and move to stand.

" I'm gonna grab something. " I say. Alanis nods and goes back to floating on the iwater. I rush to my side yard where we keep our pool supplies and search through what we have. I don't have the slightest idea what I was coming back here for, I just need to be with my thoughts for a moment. It's clear to me now that I definitely have a crush on her.. Can you even develop feelings that fast?

I dig out a raft shaped like an alligator, I didn't have even the slightest reason to be grabbing it, I just knew I couldn't go back empty handed.

" I uh.. thought this was funny. Want to use it? " I hold out the raft in front of me as I walk back to the pool.

" Totally, does it have a name by chance? " she asks with a soft laugh, analyzing the raft. I toss it into the pool and shake my head. " You can name it if you want.. " I laugh in response. Alanis mimes stroking a beard, deep in thought. " Is it a girl or a boy alligator? " I shrug and step down into the pool. Alanis shrugs mockingly and climbs onto the raft. She poses dramatically on its back and smiles at me. " What if we name it Zoe? "