Best Friends? Or Something More? (S.M.)

Chapter 10

Alli's P.O.V.

I quickly walk down the hall to Mahogany's room. I feel terrible; she shouldn't have to deal with the stress of the boys alone. My brunette locks bounce in time with my walking, tickling the back of my neck. I take a deep breath as I reach Mahogany's door. She opens up after I knock twice.

"Hey," she says somberly. I follow her further into her room.

"Hey. What's the matter?"

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"You're obviously not."

She sighs, rubbing a hand over her bare face. "Okay, okay. If I'm being honest, it's a bit hard noticing the way the guys like you. I've always just been like everyone's sister. I'm absolutely fine with that though! I love the boys like family, but it's just different. I mean, you have every guy here liking you, and I'm just all alone. I'm not saying that I'm into the guys, it's just that... I don't know."

"Look Mahogany, you can't be sad. Literally you are perfection, and everyone adores you. You said it yourself: the boys are like family. So I understand that it sucks. But please don't be sad." One of Mahogany's hands tangles itself in reddish-brown locks.

"Thanks. I don't know what's gotten into me. I'm sure it's those boys driving me crazy." We both laugh until I find something that might help.

"Let's do something that I'm sure everyone does in middle school." I chuckle. She smiles as I bring the apple over to her.

"Here. Take this and twist the stem while saying the alphabet. Whatever letter it stops on will be the name of your soulmate." I giggle at the end of my sentence.

She takes the apple with a toothy grin. "You're literally the biggest kid I have ever met, you know that?"

"Yes, I do." She twists the stem until it finally pops off.

"J." She says out loud.

"See, now you have hope. Now you can believe," I giggle after drawing out the last syllable like a toddler.

With a quick check of my phone, I'm notified that the boys decided to spend some time by the pool. I'm happy. It seems like everyone needs a breather—just some space to have fun.

"Lox, we're going to the pool. You wanna come?"

"Sure. I'll meet you down there."

I nod and leave the room smiling. It's about time Mahogany had some hope.

When I get down to the pool, I notice all the guys are already there. I take a look around and I have no words. Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe the feeling of seeing everyone like this.

I know I'm dating Shawn, but I may be surrounded by the hottest guys I've ever seen. As I take off my tank top and shorts, I feel all eyes on me. When I look up, I notice all the guys staring at me. I instantly cross my arms over my stomach, self conscious.

"Hey, eyes up!" Shawn jokingly yells. That seems to snap everyone out of their daze, immediately laughing and pushing each other around like they would normally.

I sit along the edge of the pool, deep in thought. I keep flickering between Gilinsky and Mahogany. Gilinsky keeps crossing my mind because Johnson basically told me that Gilinsky was into me. I've never handled situations like that well. Maybe because it doesn't happen very often.

I'm worried about Mahogany because she said she was jealous of me. I don't understand. She's absolutely perfect. If anything, I envy her.

But I eventually let my thoughts turn to how amazing my life is. I mean, I'm surrounded by amazing people, and touring the country. I have an awesome boyfriend, and most girls would kill to be in my spot. I can't believe I ever wanted to give up.

Yes. I had thoughts. I was deeply depressed in middle school. I kept wanting to cut that much deeper or just give up, but I could never bring myself to it. Life is a beautiful thing. If I gave up then, I would've never been able to see how my life was gonna turn out. And it turned out pretty damn well. I'm so lucky and grateful for everything.

I'm quickly brought back to reality by someone pushing me into the pool. When I resurface, I see Shawn smirking over me.

"Really, Mendes?"

"Yup. I guess you can say I made you wet." Everyone thinks Shawn is so innocent and sweet, and he plays it off well, but he has the same sense of humor as a twelve year old boy. He's ridiculous. I roll my eyes in reply. He jumps into the pool with me, creating a big splash in the clear water in the process. I glare at him while wringing out my hair.

"I'm sorry. Don't be mad." He tries to hug me but I splash him in reply. "Oh that's it. You're gonna get it!" I giggle and try to swim away from him, but he's too fast. He catches me in an instant.

Next thing I know, I'm pulled underwater and Shawn kisses me. The two of us resurface quickly, when the breathless feeling turns more serious. I know how stupid we must look: the two of us, with stupid smiles on our faces, just looking at each other happily.

It isn't until I get splashed do I get pulled back into reality. I can hear Nash's snickers from across the pool.

"Cut it out, lovebirds," Cameron hollers.

*******************************************

✨Edited✨

A/N: Hey guys! If you are going through some rough patches in life, PLEASE stay safe. It's not worth it. I promise you things will get better, no matter how hard they are. Even if you are broken, and it seems like nothing can put you back together, try to stay strong. And when you think no one in life loves you or cares about you, you have to remember I DO! So please, try and stay strong. For me. Anways I love you guys so much! Thanks for reading!

-SBP