Swimming Ducks

Part 3: The Bus Stop.

Taryn's POV:
November in the UK is freezing.
I stood with Alice, waiting for the bus, typing on my phone. I wanted to listen to the solo I recorded on the trumpet earlier, but I hated Alice hearing me play. The only person who heard me play was Ash, and if they told anyone, I'd tell people they sang with me. That's shut them right up.
I pulled my coat tighter around me, looking over at Alice. She had her gorgeous hair in a perfectly slicked-back ponytail that I could never get with my hair. I had mine in cornrows anyway, which I got done yesterday. I checked them quickly in my phone camera.
Still in tact, still looking awesome.
Alice reached over to tap my hand, her skin even paler against my dark complexion. I clenched my fists tightly, feeling my nails dig into my skin, to try to stop the strange fluttery feeling in the pit of my stomach. I turned my face to Alice and smiled.
"Are you going?" she asked, smiling back a little. I clearly looked confused.
Shit. I zoned out.
Probably realising what the look on my face meant, she continued, "To Ash's house? On Friday?".
Right, the sleepover. With Ash.
"Ummm, yeah, I should be." I checked the date on my phone, trying to be surreptitious. It was Wednesday.
I felt a gently nudge on my shoulder, and heard Alice giggle.
God, her giggle is so cute.
Snap out of it, focus.
I half-heartedly nudged her back, trying to my muster a giggle whilst my mind was going Alice Alice Alice then she can tell she can tell she call tell!!!
"What's wrong?" Alice asked, her voice now a little concerned. I tried not to look at her in the eyes. Those hazel eyes...
Focus Taryn.
Right. Answer her question. "Nothing!" I replied, smiling at her. I hope that didn't look fake. "Guess I just didn't sleep very well." But now I was looking in her eyes, and the edges of her lips were slightly curled up in a smile, and she had that adorable freckle on the side of her nose...
TARYN!
Oh god. Now I was smiling like a giddy idiot, and Alice could tell. She seemed a little puzzled, but her phone buzzed before she could say anything.
"Dan's here!" she exclaimed, smiling at her phone. Right. Her boyfriend. "Bye!" she practically squealed, wrapping her arm around me to give me a quick squeeze before running away. I smiled after her, trying to suppress the weird glow that felt like it was shining in the pit of my stomach.
Fucking hell Taryn. There's something wrong with you.
I plugged in my headphones and listened to the trumpet solo from earlier.
It was pretty good.

Alice's POV:
"You alright?".
Dan smiled at me as I swung my bag into the back of his car, climbing into the passenger seat. "Yeah," I shrugged, smiling back at him.

Taryn was acting weird.
She's probably mad at you.

Zone in Alice. You're with your boyfriend.

I watched my school roll away behind me as I placed a tentative hand on his.
There was something I was about to tell him.
God, I hoped this wouldn't ruin us.