Ripples in the Pool
LunagaleMaster
“Danny, stop pacing. You’re going to make a hole in the floor.” Danny was snapped out of his pacing. He turned to Jazz who looked about thirty seconds away from throwing her book at him. Her fingers drummed against the side of the book, one of her eyes actually twitching in irritation.
Maybe he shouldn’t have been pacing in the living room, but he was twitchy damn it.
He huffed and let his arms flop dramatically on top of the couch. “They’re late,” He bemoaned.
“People can be late.” Faux patience laced her voice.
“Sam isn’t!”
“And Tucker?”
“...Okay, but-”
Jazz slammed her book, making a move to stand up. “Danny,” Oh shit, she had on her mom voice. Danny already straightened his back and crossed his arms over his chest before he even realized what he was doing. It seemed like she was going to go on lecture mode, but she stopped. She stared at him a moment, and after her eyes danced up and down his face, she let out a soft sigh and settled back down in her seat.
“Just, you’re over thinking this,” Jazz finally managed, “Sam had to pick up Tucker and you know how he’s always late for everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if they knock on that door in the next few minutes, bickering like they always do.”
Danny picked at the end of binder. It fit snuggly against his skin. It felt different from his usual binders, having been made water-proof for days at the pool. Like today. Where his friends were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago to go to the water park.
This would be the first time he went to a waterpark like this. Just in a binder and swim trunks. He knew he shouldn’t be nervous. It wasn’t like his friends really cared, but that small ‘what if’ always danced in the back of his head. It was stupid. He knew it was. But anxiety made you think stupid things that weren’t true, and it sucked.
Danny let out an irritated sigh, glaring at the ground. Where were Sam and Tucker? They could make him stop thinking stupid thoughts.
“Hello? Earth to Danny? You’re not an astronaut yet, little brother, so don’t space out on me.”
Shaking his head, he tried to clear his stupid thoughts. He was about to respond, but then he realized-
-Jazz had punned.
Danny eyed her, eyes a bit wide, growing wider at her smug look. She tried to look concerned, eyes attempting to look serious and mouth trying to stay stern. But he knew her better than that. Danny knew that little mischievous glimmer in her eyes, and as much as she as trying to, she couldn’t hide the slight twitching of her lips.
A smile curled on his face without permission, and he couldn’t help but laugh. “What if I need a little space?” He responded, moving towards her.
Her shrug was nonchalant but her eyes were challenging. “Then we’ll planet ‘round that.”
A laugh bubbled out of his throat. It was stupid but he loved it all the same. “Planet ‘round that.” He repeated with a snort. Danny flopped on the couch next to Jazz. “I’ve got to use that one.”
