Billie White

Chapter Twenty One

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

“We’re going swimming, and you can’t get out of it.”

“In the lake though, right?” I said and pressed the phone to my ear. I twirled a strand of blonde hair round my finger, and heard Roman sigh down the phone.

“Billie-”

“I prefer it. We get more privacy there.”

“Are you sure it’s just that?” I bit my lower lip, and sighed internally. I had to sort this out, before he found out I was still lying.

“Yes, it’s just that.”

“Okay,” he said and his voice immediately cheered up. “I’ll be round your house, in five.” I dropped my phone onto my bed, and slipped my feet into my flip flops. Casually, I dumped my phone, keys and purse into my satchel, and started to pack some swimming things. I packed a large baggy white shirt with my bathing suit, and packet in a towel and underwear all in my satchel.

By the time Roman came - which wasn’t in “five,” more like “thirty” -, my satchel was bulging. “Mom, I’m leaving!” I yelled, and she replied with a cheerful goodbye. I rushed to the front door, and saw Roman standing in plain baggy white shirt, and long black shorts. He had a blue rucksack slung over one shoulder, and I sucked in my cheeks as he eyed my bulging satchel. “It’s called being efficient.” Roman rolled his eyes at me, and took hold of my hand. 

“Come on, my bike awaits,” he said smirking, and I smiled at the thought of it.

Hopping off of the porch, I squinted my eyes in the sunlight, and followed Roman down the path and onto the sidewalk. His bike was parked on the curb, the metal curves of the bike, reflecting in the sunlight. Shiny and new. “You want any help?” he asked, and gestured towards the leather seat.

“Nope,” I smiled, and Roman shrugged. He lifted up the seat, and pulled out a large helmet. I pulled back my hair, and Roman handed me the helmet whilst putting the seat back down. I placed it firmly on my head, and climbed on the bike myself, whilst Roman shook his head at me. I didn’t bother asking him what was up, so instead I helped him get onto the bike.

Roman kicked the brake, turned on the engine and then sped down the road. His rucksack was uncomfortable, as it dug into my chest. But, I sucked it up and wrapped my arms round Roman’s waist. Pulling myself in, I rest my legs on his own whilst he sped round a corner. Startling a couple of elderly people, and causing a mother and her young son to jump. “Roman, slow down!” I yelled through the helmet, but he either didn’t hear me or ignored me. 

We sped through the clean streets of Debenen, and entered the narrow country roads. Like before, the trees shaded us, and I gripped onto Roman as he sped faster down the road. I squeezed my eyes tight, only feeling the rush of the wind ripple through my dress, and beat rapidly against my bare legs. My toes clenched, as I feared one of my flip flops would come off. But they didn’t.

Roman and I arrived at the lake in no time, and he wheeled his bike through the brambles and brush, and we emerged through the thorns and Roman parked his bike on the bank. “Exclusive swimming,” Roman chuckled as we skid down the bank, and sat down hard in the roots of the tree. “I’m changing now Billie, you can look if you want to though.”

“I’d rather not,” I said jokily, then stumbled up the bank and hid. Dumping my fabulous satchel on the ground, I stripped down fast into my underwear. “Are you nearly done, Roman?” I called.

“Almost, you?”

“Hardly,” I said back, and he replied with a mischievous laugh. I waited anxiously for him to jump out, and humiliate me in my lack of clothing. But he never did, so after ten minutes of wasted waiting, I skillfully pulled on my bathing suit, then pulled the baggy shirt over it. Shoving my underwear into my satchel, I closed it, slipped on my flip flops and stumbled down the bank.