Worth the Ache

Chapter 5

It was late in the evening and I was at the pool with my older brother and all of his friends, which included Alex. I was sitting on the side and Alex jumped out to sit with me. His trunks nearly falling down, leaving about an inch of his underwear showing. He wasn't wearing a shirt either, and goddamn. He had lickable abs and happy trail, that was leaving me very happy. 

"Why do guys wear underwear under their swim suits?" I asked. "So things don't float around." He said almost jokingly. "Jesus, I should not have asked." I said laughing. He bumped his shoulder into mine in a cute humorous way.

"So Dave is your brother then?" He asked me, and sadly the answer was yes. "Oh, yeah can't you tell? We look just the same." I said joking. "That's not even funny. You look nothing alike." I didn't know quite how to take that, but okay.

"Do you have any siblings?" I asked him. I already knew the answer of course. "Yeah, I have an older sister, shes not actually my sister but I consider her one. Then I have a younger sister that's 12." He answered. 

"I have a younger sister too, her name's Lee." I said. "My sisters name is Skye." He said, not breaking eye contact the whole conversation.

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On the walk home he was standing on his long board riding along slowly. "Want a boost?" I asked him. "Yes!" He yelled back. I kicked the bottom of the board with every intention to make him go faster, but instead he flew back and landed on me. 

He jumped up quickly and offered me his hand. "I am so sorry!" I said frantically, I can't believe I just did that! "It's okay." He laughed still offering me his hand which I took gratefully. After I was standing, he was still smiling at me and continued to walk me home.

Once I was inside I immediately texted him "I am so sorry!" I feel so incredibly bad about that. "It's okay, I think I just need a hug." Oh my god, I would love to give him a hug, but he can't know that. 

"I'm sure Brandon would love to give you one." Brandon was my neighbor and was one of the guys there that saw me push him off. "What if I don't want a hug from Brandon?" He said. 
"Then who do you want a hug from?" I questioned. "You." was his reply.

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We met up at the park to play night games but no one offered to hug first, almost like it was an old joke now forgotten. 

None of the guys really felt like playing night games, we all sat at the patch and I laid down, my head right next to Alex's thigh. God I would do anything just to be laying my head in his lap, or even sitting there.

The night slowly went on, and why the boys stayed at the patch Alex and I moved to a part of the park that had no trees. Then we laid there side by side and watched the stars.

"I'm sorry about Shaylee, I'll kick her ass if you want?" I offered joking of course, but I almost still meant it. I hate anyone that has ever hurt this beautiful guy next to me. 

"You don't need to do that, I've moved on." He said lightly, maybe I could be the one he moved on with. "How did she cheat on you?" I asked, hoping not to cross any lines.

"I took her to the movies, and about half way through she got up and sat by a guy from our school that was sitting a few rows in front of us. I had not idea what to do, so I just sat there  and watched her." He took a deep breath and continued, "she was all over him, grabbing his arm and leg. I got so pissed so I texted her and asked her what the hell she was doing. When she got the text she whispered something in his ear and then they both stood up and walked out." His voice got a little deeper as his story went on. 

"Oh my god, what a bitch!" I said. "What did you do after that?" I asked. 

"She texted me back after she left the theater and said "Sorry I had to leave, something came up." And then I left the theater and we never talked about it again." His voice lightened up again when he came to the end.

"I am so sorry." I told him with every ounce of sympathy I could muster. But lets be honest, I am so glad she left him.

"It's okay May, I'm glad we never worked out." He told me, he was looking at me now, so I turned my head too and we were just inches apart. My breath hitched in my throat, and he lifted himself up on his arm and moved closer, just barely hovering over me.

Oh god, am I ready for this? No, no, no. I want to so bad, but I've never kissed anyone before, what if I do it wrong? I had to do something quick. When I looked over his shoulder I saw a shooting star across the black sky. 

"Look a shooting star!" I said and he moved back to his back and looked up where I was pointing. I was relieved but also extremely disappointed. I looked back to where I had seen the shooting star and made my wish; 'Alex and I would one day be together.'

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When I got home that night I checked my phone and had one text from Alex. 

"Wow no hug? Are you trying to kill me?"

Deep breaths May, deep breaths.