Right Now

4.

Emily

I lean back on the grass with the flannel and the bathing suit still on, I hadn't bothered to change, I wasn't in the water.

They stayed all afternoon and we had fun. The sky is dark now and I listen to the silence and to Douglas's breathing as he lays across my bare stomach. My eyes wander the sky and I try to count the stars but, of course, my eyes kept getting lost.

My mother works a nightshift at her job every so often, so before she left, she got my grandma into bed and I have all this time to myself. 

"Hi." I hear and I jump, turning my head to the side and I can see Calum in the yellowed streetlight shining in my backyard. He is leaning on the fence and he is looking at me with curious eyes. I sit up and Douglas wags his tail, running to the fence.

"Hi." I say as I pull the ends of the shirt to cover me. I felt slightly uncomfortable being so exposed to him

"Um, can I come over there?" He asks and I nod slowly. He jumps the wooden fence with ease and lands gracefully. As he walks, he swings his arms lightly and his black shorts hang low on his hips, his chest bare. I find myself thinking he is attractive, which he most certainly is, but the wrong attitude can make or break you.

My dog runs back over to me and sits excitedly. Calum walks over and plants himself beside me. "I like your dog." He says and Douglas crawls in his lap and licks Calum's face, despite his size.

"He likes you, too." I say and smile.

"How old is he?" He asks as Douglas defiles his face with his tongue. He drags his eyes over to mine and I notice how nice they are, this nice warm chocolate color.

"Five years old." I say. "Had him since he was a puppy."

"You're getting old." He says to him in a sweet voice. He looks over at me and then away quickly, not lingering quick enough for me to be able to trace any kind of expression. "How do you know Luke and Michael?" He asks me, changing the subject.

"We are somewhat friends. They are in my classes. Pretty cool, nice enough." I say and shrug.

"Yeah, they like you. Defended you like it was their duty." He says and chuckles softly.

"Friends usually do that." I say.

"I guess. I gotta go." He quickly stands. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow, I don't know." He runs over and hops the fence again and bolting into his house. I huff and fall back, confused by his mood swings.

Later on, back in my room, I toss out a big T-shirt on my bed and I walk around, getting the things I'll need for a shower. As soon as I have them, I go to bathroom and turn on the water. 

I quickly run back to my bed and grab my phone and I just happen to glance up out the window and I see into what I am assuming is his room.

His bed is set up neatly with a blue patterned bedspread. He has posters above his bed, just like mine and a guitar, I think, against his bed. I smile at the sight. He seems so cool, I don't understand why he doesn't like me. I frown sadly at the thought. I'd love to get along with him if he'd let me. I can see his door open and he walks in and aggressively tosses a skateboard on his bed. He sits on the edge and puts his head in his hands.

He suddenly sits up and looks over just as I pull the cord and shut the blind, not only am I in nothing but my underwear, I didn't want to be caught staring. I walk to the bathroom and get in the shower.

My phone rings as I leave the bathroom and I take my time walking back to the bathroom to get it. "Yeah?" I say as I adjust the towel around my body.