Comfort

Attention

(1032 words)

  We got situated and Grian handed me some sunscreen out of his bag.  It was the spray kind, so much better than the regular.  The smell of sunscreen took over as we thoroughly applied it.  I was naturally quite tan, but I could still burn, especially when I'm used to the weather in the UK.  Grian on the other hand, was quite pale and so I see him roasting here.

"Do you want me to get your back..." I heard Grian mumble beside me.

  I laughed at him blushing, I could just spray it on myself and be fine, but where is the fun in that?

"Yeah, thanks." I said smirking.

He glared at me and shook his head, "You can do it yourself." He said getting up.

"Hey, don't be like that!  You offered!" I said getting up after him.

  He turned to face me, "Fine, hand me the sunscreen." He wanted to be annoyed, but his faint smile shown through.

  I handed him the bottle and turned, waiting expectantly for the cold mist.  He sprayed it lazily across my back, but still managed to lather my skin fairly well.  I waited for his hands, but was left with nothing.

"There, done." He said throwing the bottle on one of our chairs.

  I turned to face him, despite not even touching me, his face was obviously flush.  I wanted to be disappointed, but I just laughed at his adorable reaction.  He scoffed and avoided my gaze, yet his smile told a different story...

"Wanna jump in?" I asked, gesturing to the pool.

"What are we? Thirteen?" He chuckled, "I'm going to get in, not jump in." His said holding his pride up high, crossing his arms.

  I must be feeling impulsive lately because I even surprised myself.  Before he could turn around, I grabbed him around his waist and lifted him up onto my shoulders.

"Mumbo—!" Grian gasped, "Put me down!" He yelled.

  The few people around us, gave us all of their attention.  Some glared, disturbed from their peace, I didn't mind.  I just laughed as I ran for the pool.

"I hate you!" Grian laughed as I leaped into the pool.

  I let go of Grian on impact.  The water was soon completely around us, but it wasn't cold, far from it.  Grian's hands grabbed onto my shoulders once we were submerged underwater.  I lifted us up to surface, my laughed filled the air, and I wiped my eyes from the water.  He laughed with me after coughing a bit.  His hands still rested there on my shoulders, keeping our bodies close.

  This felt right, like this where I was supposed to be.  I didn't want to separate, and I don't think he did either.  It felt like I could stay with him for an eternity and everything would be alright.

I moved my hands to his waist, holding us together, "You were right, about me being impulsive." I said intently.

His eyes gleamed as they stared at mine.  I looked down at his lips and started to lean in.  Before I could make contact, Grian quickly pushed me away with his hands.  Shocked and hurt, I immediately let go and backed away.

  He made his way to the ladder to get out of the pool, trying to avoid my gaze.  Why was he so hesitant?  That moment was perfect, and yet he has rejected me again.  Did he not like me back?  I got out after him, following like him like a lost puppy.

"Don't follow after me." He said coldly, walking away.

  I did something that surprised myself, I actually stopped.  It hurt, to think that his feelings I thought he had for me, were all made up.  It was also hard to believe, but not because I was cocky; because I legitimately thought he was into me.  He continued to walk, onto the bridge that lead to the hot tub.  I stared at him as he walked. 

  He stopped for a second, and turned his head, glancing at me.  His face wore a frown, he was so obviously melancholy.  He notice my gaze and looked back down towards the ground, quickly continuing down his path.

  My worst fears have come to life, he didn't like me back.

  I felt like a complete idiot, being so confident in his emotions.  I stood in disdain as the pool water dripped onto the hot concrete.  Should I even try to be his friend, or would that only make this new pain worse?  A single tear fell amongst the pool water, but nobody could tell.  I wiped my eyes and made my way back to sit on our loungers.

  I almost leapt into the lounger, and quickly turned and laid on my back.  There was a palm tree protecting my eyes from the sun as I stared up at the sky.  If this place is paradise, then what went wrong?  How the hell did I even end up here?  Heartbroken and alone while surrounded by lives of those who already found their happiness.  I wanted to scream with the environment so contradicting.

  I looked to the side and grabbed my towel which was inconveniently stuck, wrapped around Grian's towel.  Once I got a hold of it, I hid under my towel, lazily covering my head with the soft cotton.  I just did my best to get my mind on anything else.  Anything other than Grian.

"Oliver!" I swore I heard Grian shout my name, but I was unsure by the use of my real name.

I peered out from under my towel, lifting it with one hand.  He was sprinting towards me, a new look on his face, one I've never seen before.  I stood up in shock, terrified for what was to happen next.  He lifted all his weight into the air, and I caught him with open arms.  I spun us around to compensate for his speed he threw onto me. A smile plastered my face as his arms and legs wrapped around me, and his head rested on my shoulder.  All of his weight, emotions, and body was mine.  Once again, we seemed to catch everyone's attention.