Just One Day

Chapter Eight: Selfie

Chapter Eight: Selfie

After our somewhat fun sand war, excluding the sand in my eye part, Lucas, Gabe, and I return to our towels while Alex fetches his own from off his bike.

I settle down onto my faded dark blue towel as Alex comes back, his own gray towel draped loosely across his shoulders. To my left, Lucas lays down on his stomach beside me, using his arms as pillows. His face is turned in my direction but his eyes are closed and a ghost of a smile rests on his lips.

On the other side of Lucas, Gabriel is sitting relaxed, his legs stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles, and leaning back on his elbows. His eyes are also closed with his face tilted up towards the sky, the sun tanning his already almost sun burned face.

Alexander comes to a stop next to me and I smile up at him, squinting one eye from the sun. He flashes me a quick smile in return before shaking out his towel and placing it down beside me. Facing me, Alex lays down on his side, leaning on one elbow. I rise from my position on my towel and sit criss-cross in front of him.

I glance at Alex, suddenly feeling shy for some reason. His shaggy brown hair falls across his forehead and his eyes are downcast while he plays with a loose thread on his towel. I can't help but think he's really cute. I wonder what's going on in his head. What does he think of me? Or of Lucas and Gabe? Is he having fun? Does he like us?

Does he like... Me?

I quickly shake the last thought out of my head.

Don't be silly, you guys just met today! Chill.

Alex's gaze flicks up to meet mine and I blush before diverting my eyes to the sand that my hands were unconsciously playing with. I hear some rustling behind me and the sound of Lucas' voice as he starts up a conversation with Gabriel about some video game they like to play together on Xbox.

I look back up at Alex only to find his light blue eyes already locked onto mine, he looks slightly nervous and I can't figure out why.

Don't just sit there, say something!

"So, what's-"

"Can I-"

Alex and I both start talking at the same time and I blush again. I seem to be doing a lot of that around him lately. He laughs nervously and a small smile spreads onto my face at the sound.

Alex gestures for me to continue. "You go first."

I rapidly shake my head, "No, you! Please, I insist." I look at him with what I hope are big eyes and he smiles before nodding.

"Alright." He pauses and looks off towards the lake before flicking his gaze back to me. The nervousness in his eyes that I noticed before has returned.

"Can I..." he glances away again before taking a deep breath and looking back at me. I nod, encouraging him to go on, and he does. Confidence floods over his features and he boldly looks me in the eyes.

"Can I have your phone number?"

I stare at him with wide eyes for a second. He wants my number? Wow. Not very many people text me so I usually don't have my phone on me. Like right now it's currently sitting on my pillow in the tent at our campsite.