Basketcase

"Arse"

Chapter Six

My stare never left his mischievously twitched lips. A blank and plain expression; lined lips; in response. "Arse," I scoffed, I blinked within the pause, "Arse." The smile remained in my pondering fruitless wonderment. "You have a nice 'arse' too," I concluded dryly, turning and facing the hot miniature pool of a mouse head spaded water.

My own mischievous grin plastered upon my face as I realized the crystal opportunity given; a pool of water before me. I snuck a turn back; his amused expression unpleasurable to admire. The idea sunk in deep as I ceased, approaching the edge. A disturbing smile fit at the bottom of the tub belonging to a certain branded mouse supposedly known and loved. It's smile almost mimicked my own, to the thought, but fortunately not for long.

Edging my heals on the ledge, I waited patiently as the boy tailed up from behind, silently but noticed. I shifted my weight, onwards to my legs, lifting my weight into the air and gasping for a quick fill of air before the water slurred around. Absorbing into my hair, soaking my T-shirt, and everything beneath. My toes, in an instant, tipped at the tiles and resurfacing within the second I'd began.

I shagged out my hair, whipping it in several directions; cracking my neck in the process. I gripped the tender spot; carefully; leaning my tensed stare to the pair of deeper toned size nine male feet, raked with a usual amount, of noticeably black, of toe hair.

His glaze very definable, filled with hatred and annoyance. My smile crept casually, rolling off into the water, flushing beneath the surface. Hesitantly removing my eye lids, the unshielded chemically toxic waters burned through.

I beamed back out of the water; shaking the dripping liquids; and gasping consciously for oxygen. My eyes sprung open, eyeing the mildly tanned boy gazing down into the water. "You coming?" I asked, watching as his head lifted, staring at me.

"Ryan, do you know what ‘arse’ means?” he asked bluntly, awaiting an answer. What a brilliant question.

“Of course,” I replied dryly, hinting sarcasm in my tone and plainly annoyed expression. Yes I know what 'arse' mean. Just as I can understand everything else that comes out of your mouth.

Another splash came under, my arms acting as a shield as they crossed over my face. My body reacted unconsciously backing away, slipping on the sloped inner dip, dunking face first into the water. Water seeped in through the hole in my mouth, the air being forced out as the water became swallowed. My feet hit the tiled pit bottom, pushing from the ground, lifting my body to the surface within seconds. My lips grasped as they became reunited with clear oxygen, rushing through my lungs but forcing out an uncontrollable cough; choking on the air itself.

“You al’right?” he gasped, swooshing through the warm water and hitting my upper back lightly.

“Y-yeah,” I coughed, brushing his arm off with a simple jerk, “all-right,” I choked out, cutting myself from speech and clenching my stomach. I stepped back, eye a leaned sloping chair half a meter away and pushed through the water towards it. Allowing myself to fall into the chair, the water gently settled my body to relax in the boiling water. I rested my head on the stoned edge of the tub, closing my eyes to steady my breathing.

Silence settled over, besides the bubbling filters and beating jets. Wishes stirred in the water, an unruly and unpleasant presence sensed and neared. I huffed out a breath, opening my eyes to an empty tub. They wandered through and through, a bubbling sheet crossing the surface with the hidden waters sacredly concealed beneath. My eyelids blinded to the sprits of water pricking my eyes. The emptiness seemed unsettling but easily countered by my own vanilla expression.

"Boo," an expected voice sung casually, nipping my restrained uneasiness and pushing my body's reaction, allowing things to slip.

"Shit!" I cursed, my head shaking rapidly in panicked fear, jumping my feet into the seat and tightening my eyes. I released my captured vision, a mild chuckle of plain amusement filling my ears fit with a familiar and usual chuckle. I sighed lightly, my eyes suddenly widening to thought, Did I just swear? "Oh crap," I gasped nervously, instantly choking my voice with my hands, "S-sorry!" I murmured cautiously and pleadingly through my cupped mouth.