The Rejection (NEW VERSION)

09 | Just A Game

Weezer — Island in the Sun

nine

I paddled over to the ledge to grab my drink from Victor. My stomach was swarming with butterflies being so close to Jason, though he was leaning against the sliding glass door. I saw him sip his new beer from the corner of my eye. I gracefully took my drink, mumbling a "thank you", and then violently coughing after one sip. Thalia whistled out.

"Christ, babe," she blew out, probably from the burn of the rum. "You do realize it's only supposed to have a shot and then the rest club soda, right? Not half of the bottle?"

Victor shrugged. "Just drink it down some and then fill it back up with club soda. I don't know how to make these girly drinks. Anyway, we're gonna get in our trunks," he said, not waiting for a reply before running inside, Jason following slowly behind.

Thalia pushed herself and her inner tube to the stairs to climb out, dripping water all over the concrete around her. She held her hand out to me. "Give me your drink," she whispered. "I'll make us new ones. We don't need to be unconscious before the party tonight."

I giggled in agreement. My vision was like a slight video game lag. "A water would actually be better for me," I admitted, huffing to settle my nervous stomach. I didn't need anymore alcohol, not with him around. What if I said or did something dumb? "I don't drink much normally."

Thalia gave me an astonished, mouth-dropping expression. Then a wicked grin replaced it. "I'll cooperate tonight," she said evilly, "but next time, you better prepare yourself." With a maniacal laugh, she waltzed into her wide open kitchen, no care for the water she got everywhere. I shook my head; I would have a fit if someone dropped water all over my floor, but Thalia and I had always been polar opposites. She was more wild, careless and I was more like my mother with rules and limitations. But maybe it wouldn't hurt to loosen up once in a while, or maybe that was the rum speaking to me. I wondered how she expected me to prepare myself for her obvious high level of drinking when I couldn't even keep up with her poolside drinking?

I was leaning against my arms on the yellow pool noodle, roasting underneath the sun and drowning into a thoughtless daze, when two huge splashes soaked my hair. I jumped a smidge, startled, but laughed as Victor and Jason broke the surface.

"My cannonball was totally bigger than yours," Victor gloated.

For the first time ever, I heard Jason's deep, hypnotic laugh. It was the hottest and most beautiful thing I had ever listened to. I need to stop, I told myself. "Whatever, man," Jason chuckled, swimming in the deep end on the other side of the pool than me thankfully. "It's just 'cause you're fatter. I'm all muscle, baby."

Dirty thoughts were savagely tearing my brain apart. The alcohol consumption didn't help, but I was slowly pushing them away.

"Hope! We need an outside opinion!"

I finally took my first look at the men. Victor was barely staying above the water, looking smug. Jason was leaning his back against the edge, his arms gripping it from behind. His skin was dotted with water, his arm muscles nearly bursting through his skin, and his jet black hair completely soaked and slicked back. My grey eyes finally reached his blue ones that were piercing my soul. I instantly had to look away, afraid that I might lose control of myself and send him my thoughts. I chuckled to bring myself back to earth. "Sorry, Vic. I wasn't looking."

"Oh, my god! Let's play chicken!" Thalia screamed excitedly as she came back outside, holding two glasses of water. She skipped over to the stairs where I was and handed me a glass. I took a few generous gulps and set it on the new concrete next to the steps. "We never have a fourth for chicken!"