Choices

Chapter 1

Sweat slowly slid down my back but I was enjoying the heat. I was quite relaxed. I lounged on my pool chair, legs extended and book in hand. The ear buds in my ears kept my music private, for only my enjoyment, unless they could figure out the songs from the beat my foot was tapping and my head was nodding. My dark sunglasses made it difficult for anyone to know exactly where I was looking. Why can't life always be like this?

I casually glanced over at the person next to me. Her bronzed skin glistening with a mixture of sweat and SPF. A paperback book in her hand rested carelessly next to her athletic, toned thigh, her thumb tucked between the pages to save her place. Her head supported by a rolled-up towel , eyes covered by large movie star glasses and long dark hair twisted up in a messy bun, and her perfectly manicured feet, toes decorated in teal blue with white polka-dots, both moved in time to the beat of some music I couldn't hear.

I reached over and nudged her shoulder, getting her attention.

"It's hot!" She nodded her agreement without looking in my direction. "Let's get in."

We rose from our chairs and quickly realized the beating sun had warmed the decking below our feet to an uncomfortable temperature. Hastily we walked to the edge of the pool and sat, plunging our feet into the cool, refreshing water. Then, twisting in a synchronous fashion, we submerged our entire bodies, cooling ourselves from the midday heat.

"How long do you want to stay? Do you have plans tonight?" she inquired curiously while she looked around the pool, not really looking at me.

"Umm, a few more hours," I replied hesitantly, then excitedly, "And, YES!"

Her head snapped in my direction. "Oh really? Do tell! Who are you going out with? Do I know him? Is he cute?" Her questions came rapid fire in my direction. I wasn't sure I wanted to tell her all the details yet. This was a first date from a random meeting, but I was excited to tell someone.

"It's someone new. You don't know him. I met him at the library, well I guess I bumped into him really."

"WHAT? When did this happen? Why haven't I heard about this before?"

"I don't know. I don't want to get too excited about it. I like him, he's really cute! I didn't want to have to explain anything to anyone if it didn't work out..."

"Whatever! What are you going to wear? Where are you going? What are you doing?"

"I don't know yet. We've been talking for a few weeks... This is our first date. He wanted his plan to be a secret. His name is Emery.