Basketcase

Only One

Chapter Five

Arching my neck back, the door continued to open to the shaggy haired boy glazing upward to meet my stare.

"R-ryan?" he stuttered, his eyes beginning to shift in multiple directions. Liam?

I blinked in his direction, inching my site downwards to my bathing suit top, still unsuccessfully tied. Mmm... Releasing my clasp of chlorine bathed material and pulling the strap tighter in my left hand. I glanced towards Liam whom was slightly paled and open jawed, shifting from the bathing suit and then away again. I turned my back to him, "Could you help out?" I insisted, the strips brushed at my middle back cause it to curve in.

I nodded my head down, "Uhh... sure," he croaked, clearing his throat. His fingers slipped grasping the two straps, then easily fastened them in a single knot around my neck. "Is this... okay?" he asked, the fabric snaking tightly but comfortably around my neck. His hands shook mildly, but lighten in control as he finished and released the fabric.

Nodding my head up stead, I stretched my neck attempting to eye his work; feeling the bow figure with my fingers; fidgeting with the loops; tightening and loosening the lost straps. "Can you double knot it? Like a shoe tie?," I asked letting my arms rest at my shoulders.

"Yeah-got it!" His hands circled my neck area and after a few moments left.

Looking Inge the mirror, I turned - the loose strips seemed to shorten "Thanks," I smiled, pick the shirt from the floor.

Rising up, his eyes stared, meeting mine with his brows furrowed strictly. "Ryan," his voice responded firm.

"Yeah?" I answered, tucking my arms through the sleeves.

He sucked in a deep breath, sighing slightly. "You're a girl?

"Yeah." I replied ducking into the head hole, briefly closing my eyes.

"What?" he blurted, "But- you're- you're a girl! That- I can't- Where- What?" he blabbered.

Opening my eyes, I found him staring again. "I don't know how to respond to that..." I said, flattening the shirt over my stomach.

"Alright, I'm gonna go talk to the others." He went on, turning his back.

My eyes widened, stepping into is walk and grabbed his wrist before he left the room. He stopped glancing towards my hand. "You can't."

His glare stead on my eyes, "Why can't I?" he questioned.

I lined my lips and parted them slightly, then released his wrist. His opposite hand moved to where I'd been holding him. "Sorry," I said, shift my stare. "Well, to be honest, I don't really know. I mean you all thought so, so it doesn't really matter. All I know is that I'm not suppose to bring attention to the particular fact," I explained sorting the knowledge as I spoke, "And by telling five hormonal teenaged boys, I do believe will do the complete opposite."

He nodded quietly. I shared a slight smile within the silenced pause before he spoke. "Smart move," he complimented, stretching his tensed hands from an unconscious pose of thought. I nodded in agreement to my own actions.

"Okay," he sighed, continuing his swing with his right arm, "I get it."

I watched as he finished his stretch, waiting. "Get what?" I asked dryly, looking up again.

He shifted his shoulder left and right, a defined cracking responding and a delighted sight of relief sponed upon his body language. "I mean, I'll hush up," he explained.