Off Limits

chapter three

It was starting to get darker faster and I was getting cold. My teeth were chattering and I told Amy that I would get the fire going. She nodded but continued playing the game. I swam to the stairs and got out of the pool. I went to the pool house and grabbed a few logs of wood. I felt the weight of the logs in my arms lessen and Andrew's voice as he helped me bring eight logs of wood to the fire pit. I uttered a thanks and we silently began building the fire. I tore up the empty coke boxes that Blake goes through like no tomorrow. And set the other cardboard around the logs so they would hopefully catch fire.

"So, um" Andrew began and I looked over his way, curious as to what he was going to say. "You're pretty good at making fires" he pointed out. "Yea, my dad and I would go on camping trips and he taught me how" I replied looking at him.

"Never thought Blake would be the type to go camping" he laughed slightly at his comment. "He isn't" I said trying to get the cardboard to light. "It was something only my dad and I did" I finished when he looked like he wasn't quiet catching on to what I was saying.

"So, I guess camping with the guys won't happen" he muttered to himself. I turned my head to the side "what do you mean" I questioned him.

"We were going to go on a two-day camping trip before school started, but if all the guys don't want to do that, then we can't do it" he said with a slight sad expression on his face.

"Why don't you do it here?" I suggested and he looked at me. "I mean, those of you who want the camping scene can set up on that side and those who don't want to sleep in a tent can sleep in one of the houses" I offered. It seemed as though he didn't want to be at his house. Blake had mentioned that his home life wasn't the best.

Andrew looked up at me and smiled. "I'll propose the idea to the boys and I'll let you know. Thanks Maya." he said as his mood began to spike for the better. "No worries, Drew" I said sincerely.

He and I sat on the ground watching the fire dance around the logs of wood until I felt a blanket drop onto my shoulders. I looked up, and Blake had noticed I was shivering.

"Maya why don't you go get changed you're shivering so loudly I can barely hear anyone" he said, slightly complaining.

"Alright," I said standing up and turned to Drew "keep the fire alive." I said smiling at him. "Will do" he replied before turning back to the fire.

I walked into the house and put my cup that was once filled with water, into the dishwasher. I couldn't stop shivering as I walked into the living room to put the blanket back in its spot. I walked up the stairs and to my room but I heard voices that sounded like Blake and Justin.

"Dude if you like her, why don't you just ask her out. It's simple." I smiled at that. I knew they were talking about Amy and I knew she would say yes if he asked her.

I slowly shut my door and changed into a pair of leggings and a maroon long sleeve. I opened my door and both Blake and Justin looked at me. I just smiled ear to ear and ran past them after I shut my door. A dead giveaway that I knew what they were talking about. "Did she hear me" Justin said with worry in his voice.

'Yes, Justin. I did.' I thought to myself.

"If she did it could help you. Considering it is her best friend you like" I heard Blake state. "Would you shut up" Justin yelled at him and glared. Blake just shrugged it off and followed me to the fire.

When I got back everyone had changed and gotten out the chairs. They were placed around the fire. Drew came up to me with a look I couldn't quite read.

"What's up Drew" I asked hesitantly. "Liam is tampering with your fire and I decided not to get in his way. He's a determined little bugger" drew said with a sheepish smile.

"Great" I whispered as I followed Drew to the fire. "Liam what are you doing" questioning him as he was on all fours and had a log in his hand. "Trying to make it bigger" he stated like it was obvious.

"You're going to make the thing fall down if you do that" I said crossing my arms "let me do it" I told him and grabbed the wood out of his hands so he wouldn't get a chance to object. "Hey" he objected anyways.

I squatted down and began to tee-pee the already blocked frame fire and began to continue changing from block to tee-pee until I was satisfied with how large the fire was. I then put more wood on for height. I stood back up looking at the fire with satisfaction. "You were giving us all quite a show this time" Liam whispered in my ear. I glared at him before I turned around to see all the guys quickly turn around acting as if they weren't looking at me.

I looked at Amy who was talking to Justin. Those two were oblivious to what was going on at the moment and for that I was kind of grateful. But then I looked beside me at Blake as he was glaring at all his friends.

I could feel the embarrassment rise to my cheeks and I turned to Blake and grabbed the blanket off of his shoulder. "It's alright" I said to Blake making him look at me "I'll just wrap this around me and it won't happen again" I spoke very sure of my statement.

"Yea because there won't be a next time" Liam said sarcastically. I spun around and hit him in the shoulder and looked into his green eyes. That had flakes of gold in them. He smirked at my action. Wait what 'flakes of gold' did I just notice that, questioning myself I looked off to the side and went to sit on the only empty chair by the fire.

Aims and Justin were in a whole world of their own. Justin was roasting marshmallows for Aims and she was in charge of the chocolate and graham crackers.

Despite her being in charge the guys were taking the crackers away from her and eating them as is. 'Gross' I thought.

Everyone seemed to be immersed in their own conversations, except for me. I was the odd one out, I was the on looker. Just observing what was going on around me and to be honest I liked it that way. Well for the most part.

I wrapped the blanket further around me trying to hide myself within the chair.

I thought I was doing an excellent job. So excellent, in fact, that Liam sat on top of me. Pinning me between the back of the chair and himself.

"Th... Liam! I'm sitting here" I yelled at him. "Oh, didn't notice you there" he said with his award-winning smirk that was beginning to piss me off.

"Liam just get off" shoving him as hard as I could. "No can do, Maya"

"You're going to squish me" I warned "Liam I'll punch you in the balls! Get off" I said, annoyed and agitated.

"Wow aren't you the feisty little thing" he egged me on.

"Dude, get off of her" Blake chimed in slightly scowling at his best friend. After all my years of knowing Liam, there was only one area he respected. And that was my brothers rule, that I was off limits to his playboy ways. As far as I knew, that rule extended to all of his close friends. Sure, Liam would mock me and torment me but he never went further than that, especially if Blake caught on to him being mean to me.

It was nice that Blake made the effort to stand up for me, it certainly made my life easier. But I knew the three B's would use that as ammo to make fun of me as they always did. I shivered at that thought, having to see them again as school began. I stood up and looked at Aims. She seemed a bit reluctant and I felt a bit bad about that but she then said something to Justin.

"Take the chair" I said pointed at Liam. Amy stood up with me and we went inside. Shutting the door behind us Amy went to get blankets and pillows and set them up by the tv. "What kind of movie do you want to watch? Action, romcom, or comedy?" I asked. "C'mon Maya, romcom all the way" she answered back. 'Alright, romcom it is' I thought as I put the movie into the DVD player.

We snuggled up in our spots and watched the movie. I don't recall finishing watching the movie, as I dozed off into a deep sleep, before the movie ended.