Ocean Blue | gxg ✓

chapter twenty-two

alyssa

I think Elliot wants to kiss me.

There are some things you can just tell—and this? This is most definitely one of those things. The way she hovers close to me, the way her smile seems permanent, the way her gaze locks on mine whenever I look over, then flits away immediately after. After last night, I'm realising I wouldn't be opposed to it. Kissing her. Kissing Elliot.

Max was good at some things. Kissing wasn't their strong suit, though. I'm pretty sure I'm good at it? Before Max, I used to flit around between people pretty quickly—the general consensus was overwhelmingly positive.

I want to know what Elliot's lips feel like. And that terrifies me.

I hate that there are so many excuses for us to be close to each other. Last night definitely changed something—we're taking all these excuses. Like, I purposefully try to reach for a box of Lay's chips that are too high for me by just a smidgen, and Elliot comes up behind them and grabs them for me, and we both linger there, like we're waiting for something.

She always leaves first.

It's fine. Kinda. It's just weird, because I feel like Elliot wants to kiss me, and I definitely want to kiss her, but it's not happening, and I wish I could figure out why. I mean, I'm not exactly great at flirting or being obvious, but I am trying my best here.

And then, of course, I have to fall. On my face.

It was probably my fault. Well, Dad's fault. He thought two-dollar flip-flops sounded like a fantastic idea. Like, deal of the ages. I feel the instant where the strap snaps, and the instant where it flops out and folds on the ground beneath my foot, and the instant where I begin to keel forward.

My knees hit the ground first, then my hands. Pain stripes up my limbs, and I hear myself let out a sharp cry.

Elliot crouches in front of me. "Hey, hey, are you okay?"

She helps me up, awkwardly shifting her hands beneath my arms and guiding me to my chair. I'm not crying, I don't think, so that's good. Just, fuck, my wrists hurt. And my knees. I try and waggle my hands back and forth. They don't go as far as usual, but I don't think I sprained or pulled anything. Definite bonus, I guess.

"You good?" Elliot asks, and I nod. And, then, suddenly, I start giggling. Uncontrollably.

"I—" I can't catch my breath, can't stop laughing enough to speak. "I—oh my gosh, I—whyyy?"

Elliot laughs too, but not as embarrassingly hard as I am. "You're concerning me. Seriously, are you okay?"

"I'm-I'm good," I manage. "I can't believe I wiped out in front of you like that. Just, ugh, so embarrassing."

"I mean, so long as you're okay, Imma admit—it was weirdly sorta cute."

"Oh." I massage my knees, which are actually a little sore. "Um, thank you?"

She bites her lip, runs a hand through her hair. "That sounded kinda mean. Uh, you fall gracefully. Super nice. You fall—you fall good."

"Wow, thank you."

"Yeah, you don't see a girl fall like that every dynasty."

And just like that, it's easier. The tension between us seems to dissipate and suddenly, it's like last night, but better. With, admittedly, more touching. I can't stop myself from frequently shoving her shoulder as I laugh, and her foot keeps tapping mine, her knee repeatedly brushing my own.

Elliot takes a bathroom break at one point, and I find myself texting Dad if I could have a friend over. I'm surprised he answers so quickly, but the answer is yes. Okay. Cool. Cool. You can play this cool, Alyssa. Probably.