a little collection

33

After class, I chase after Melanie in the crowded halls, and tap her arm to get her attention.

"Hey, Mel!" I say, and she turns around, stepping aside of the flow of kids.

"Oh, hi, Christian, what's up?" She asks, flashing a smile.

"Knowing myself, I'm probably gonna need some help with that homework, can I stop by after school to work with you?" I ask, shoving my hands in my pockets.

"Sure, how does three work for you?" She responds.

"Any time works, it's not like I live far." I chuckle, and she giggles.

"Okay, I'll be out back by the pool when you come over." She walks back into the crowds, slowly diminishing as more kids go to class.

***
After school, I go into Melanie's backyard, where she sits at a poolside table, her own textbook sitting in front of her.

When she senses that I'm near, she looks up, and a small smile pokes at her lips.

"Hey, have a seat." I sit across from her, and take out my book, peering over her to see the page number.

As we work, I glance up, and I suddenly get an idea, mainly because I'm bored.

"Mel." She looks up with raised eyebrows.

"Take off your sweater, the one on your shoulders?" I request, and she crinkles her brow.

"Are you trying to hook up with me?" She chuckles.

"No! No, just take it off." I insist, and she reluctantly does it, a confused expression on her face. Thankfully she's not wearing shoes so I don't have to worry about that.

"Okay, now stand up, and take your phone out of your pocket." She does so, and I nod my head in approval.

"What the hell are you up to, Christian?" She asks, placing her hands on her hips.

I smile evilly, and fear crosses her face as she realises why I'm doing this.

"No, no no no." She repeats, backing away. I stand from my chair, and she runs across her backyard, as I chase her. We're both laughing, and I finally grab her by the waist, lifting her up.

"Christian! Put me down or I will murder you in your sleep! I know where you live-" Her shrieks are replaced by a yelp as I throw her into the pool.

"Christian!" Mel bubbles, and I question her thrashing.

"I can't-" She sinks. "Swim!"

"Why do you have a pool if you can't swim?!" I yell, throwing my shirt off.

I quickly throw off my shoes and jump into the pool, grabbing her thrashing body.

Her yells for help are replaced with laughter as I start her back to the edge of the pool.

"W-what?" I sputter, water going into my mouth.

"I can swim perfectly well, dumbass!" I splash her in retaliation, and she grimaces at her sopping shirt.

"Ugh, this feels so gross." Before I can turn, she's taking off her sweater, exposing her strapless black bra. I'm in shock at how gorgeous her body is.

"Stop staring!" Mel laughs, splashing me.

"Well, you literally just stripped in front of me, how am I supposed to let that slip my mind?" I yell.

She begins to swim away, floating on her back, as the evening sun casts a golden glow on her body.

"Christian, I don't know what the hell it is about you, but ever since you moved in back in third grade, my life has been changed." She says.

I follow after her, a little confused. "Changed?"

"Yeah. I mean, you always have parties, and yet you never make too much noise because you're afraid of disturbing everyone. You have always picked on me, but always shown some form of care. In a way, you're the best and worst thing to happen to this neighbourhood and me." She admits, closing her eyes.

"Huh. I didn't know I had that effect on you."

"You do. I can't tell whether it's a good or bad one, but you do have one on me."

"Are you sinking?" Her whole body is below the water, and her head only remains on top. She doesn't answer.

I place my hands on her back to keep her steady, and her eyes fly open, and a new sound escapes her as she convulses in my hands.

"Don't touch me there, I'm ticklish!" She shrieks, giggling.

I beginning to tickle her, and she shrieks, swimming as fast as she can from me. She presses herself up against the pool wall, and I tickle her sides. Her smile is so pretty, and I laugh at her snorts.

"Christian, stop I can't breathe!" She looks up at me, and she widens her eyes. I crinkle my brow, and I realise how close to her I actually am.

"Oh, sorry, I..." I start to turn, and she grabs my arm.

I look towards her, and suddenly her lips are on mine, her hand on my cheek.

I've kissed many girls in my day, but hers is very, very different. She kisses me as if my lips were feathers, and she had to be careful to not let them loose. Her kiss is giving me a warm feeling, even in the cool air, even as I stand in a cold pool. I wrap my arms around her waist, and she presses closer to me as she sinks into the kiss more.

When she breaks away, she whispers, "I think it's a good effect."