Partnered Up

Chapter 3

(Gavin's P.O.V.)

We all get on the bus and start talking about Michael.

Dude! That was fucking badass!" Geoff says, after I explain the entire thing.

"Oh, and thanks for sticking up for me Michael." I manage before my face heats up.

"I'm tired of him treating people like shit. You did nothing wrong and he hurt you. I'm done with him." Wow Michael REALLY hates him.

"Oh, and before I forget, do you guys wanna come over? Gav's coming over for a project anyway." All of them make up lame excuses and wink at me. I glare at them, but they don't take me seriously due to my blush. The bus stops, and Michael stands up.

"C'mon, this is my stop." I tell the guys I'll talk later, but all they do are make kissy faces at me. I follow Michael of the bus, and towards his house. It's literally fifty feet from the bus stop.

"Well, welcome to the Jones residence!" Michael opens the door and kicks off his shoes. I do the same, and follow him up the stairs.

"And this, is my room." Michael's room is green, grey, and black. He has two book shelves piled with books, magazines, and video games. He has a TV and Xbox on his tallest dresser. He has a desk sitting alone in a corner, with supplies sprawled across it.

"Let's get started." He drops his bag on the floor and grabs his text book.

----

"Michael, it's bloody hot." I say, feeling the sweat on my forehead.

"Yeah, the A/C can be a bitch and not work." He thinks for a moment, as I fan my face.

"Wanna go swimming? We have a huge pool outback."

"I don't have a suit..."

"That's fine, go in your boxers. That what I'm gonna do." Well. I guess that's what's gonna happen.

"Okay..." I follow him outside, and onto the deck. His pool is huge! Michael takes of his shorts, and shirt leaving him in his boxers. Yup. He definitely works out. Without even thinking about it, Michael cannon-balls into the pool, splashing me.

"Ah, that's SO much better." Michael says, happily. He gestures for me to come in, but I back away.

"That water is FREEZING. God no." Apparently, Michael took that as a challenge. He whips as much water towards me as possible, soaking my clothes. Great. I peel off my now water covered shirt and take off my shorts. He smirks, and I think checks me out. Well then, should I jump in? Before I can even make up my mind, Michael grabs a hold of my arm and pulls me in.

"AH, Michael!" Is all I can yell before I hit the water and go under. I jump up, sputtering and coughing as Michael gets a laughing fit.

"Oh my god! You should've seen your face! You were like, 'Ah!' and I was like, 'VICTORY!' Then the look you made when you broke the surface! Damnit, I wish I had a picture." I pout at him but he retorts with a mocking version of my expression.

"Quit whining. Wanna have a race?" I nod and meet him at one end of the pool.

"Ready? Set? GO!"

----

"Dude, that was top!" I say, pulling myself out of the pool.

"You got that right Gav! Anyway, what time is it?" I shrug and grab my phone.

"It's, eight forty-five! My mom's gonna kill me!" I run around grabbing all my stuff, but before I go back in to grab my bag Michael grips my arm.

"Why don't you call her and see if she'll let you stay?" GAVIN. SAY. YES.

"Um, o-okay. I'll go call her now." I walk over to the pool and dial her number.

"Hello?"

"Mum, can I stay over Michael's house? We were doing a project and lost track of time an-"

"Yes, of course you can sweetie. And I'm sure you were doing a 'project'."

"Mum!"

"Is he cute?" I feel my cheeks heat up at this question.

"Um, yeah... But he'd never go for a guy like me..."

"Well, I'll talk to you tomorrow and you can tell me everything!"

"Mum!"

"Okay Gavvy, I love you."

"Love you too, mum." I hang up and pray that Michael didn't hear any of that conversation.

"So, what'd she say?" Michael seems awful excited to have someone he just started to hang around with come over, go swimming with, and now sleepover. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, its jus-

"Gavin?"

"Oh, yeah. She said it was fine." He holds out his fist, I slowly bring mine to his, but when they collide, Michael makes an explosion-ish, maybe dynamite type noise and pulls back.

"Niiiiice." He says with a smile.

"Dude, I just got an idea! What if we were 'Team Nice Dynamite'?" I blurt out, desperate to get the thought out there.

"That is, GENIUS!" Michael shouts, and opens the door back into his house.