My Better Half

Chapter 12- Fall From Grace

Maria Third Person POV

Maria was still loudly sipping down her drink, trying to pretend she didn't hear that compliment that Jack just gave her. Even though she knew that the goofball was just casually praising her swimsuit, she still couldn't help but blush even brighter.

After Jack's opinion to try out some slides, she finally looked at him again, and replied hesitantly: "Uhh... slides? Well, umm... I am not that good of a swimmer, and I don't want to get a sunburn or anything so..."

But as she spoke, she could see Jack pouting a little at the declination. He looked like a sad little puppy, she could almost see his ears go down as she spoke. Maria couldn't say no to that face, now could she? Well, she had no other choice, so she just accepted

"Okay... actually, you know what? I don't think I need to worry that much about my skin. Let's try all the slides! It will be fun!"

Maria felt relieved and happy to see Jack's face lighting up. But right now, she didn't have time to think about that... the real problem was she thoughtlessly committed to ride all the slides with Jack, even though she was scared as hell from heights.

Half an hour later

Maria and Jack still hadn't caught up with the love birds, but right now they were at the top of one of the biggest slides in the waterpark. Maria could feel herself getting dizzy at the very idea of sliding down this huge, monstrous slide. But she didn't want to disappoint the enthusiastic Jack in front of her by being a party pooper.

When it was their turn to go down the slide, Maria prayed to the gods to let everything go smoothly and for this ride to end soon. But apparently, the gods weren't on her side today, because as Jack was about to go down the slide so Maria could go after, her feet slipped and she fell onto Jack's back.

Now they were both sliding down the huge slide... together... The bump from before had increased the momentum of the ride and Maria was hugging Jack tight in terror.

As Maria was busy screaming her lungs out as they both slid down, she didn't even notice how tightly she was hugging Jack and the fact that, right now, only a small piece of swimsuit was separating their bare skin from each other.

Jack Third Person POV

Jack was... kind of confused right now. He had only just gone down the slide, and suddenly, something had crashed into him and started screeching. It took a good amount of willpower for Jack to not start struggling to try and find out what was going on. Luckily, it was an open slide and not a flume ride, otherwise he would have most definitely broken his neck. The impact of the crash made his mind go blank for a few seconds, but he soon came to his senses. He realised.... Wait, this was Maria!

A few moments later though, she managed to get her grip by hugging onto him tight, much tighter than when they were on the motorcycle. She was still screaming though, but at least they were stable and not at risk of falling to their deaths anymore. Phew. With that realisation, Jack could focus on enjoying the ride down, even with Maria still yelling in his ear and clinging onto him for dear life.

Speaking of which, Jack suddenly realised just how close they were. He was only wearing trunks, and she was in a bikini, so there was a lot of skin-to-skin contact. Pretty much all of her was pressing onto his bare back, with only the essential bits covered with a little fabric.

Now, Jack was no prude and normally he wouldn't care at all or think anything of it, but his face was feeling a little warm. He decided to chalk it up to getting sunburnt (partially for his own dignity), and mentally reminded himself to apply another layer of sun cream once he got the chance. Soon enough, they reached the bottom of the slide, and Maria still had him in a death grip.

He awkwardly cleared his throat and got up, disentangling himself from Maria. They didn't want to be crashed into by the rest of the people riding the slide. She quickly and quietly stepped away from the bottom of the ride too, clearly embarrassed. Well, no wonder. Who the hell even trips and falls down a slide? There's lifeguards at the top telling the next person when they can go, how did she even manage to get that close in the first place? She was lucky she didn't break something on the way down. Not to mention that horrendously loud shrieking the whole way down. It was actually kind of funny now that Jack thought about it.

Jack, laughing: "Woah there, clumsy, you gave me quite the fright, how'd you manage to take such a huge tumble? And all that screaming to top it off? My back almost broke under the weight of you!"

Seeing Maria's face after his last comment, Jack quickly realised she wasn't as big a fan of those type of jokes as his other friends were. Saying she looked put off was... an understatement. She turned and marched away without a word. Crap, he hadn't meant anything by it, but now Jack would have to chase after her again.

Okay, he didn't have to chase after her, but he felt bad and well, he quite wanted to chase after her.

Maria Third Person POV

Honestly, this time round, Maria didn't actually want Jack to chase after her. She was too embarrassed and humiliated to confront Jack any time soon. First with the staring incident, and now this?! How much can a girl handle in one day? Maria just wanted a peaceful and quiet weekend... even though she was happy to come to the water park at first, after all this, she really wanted nothing more than just to home and curl up in her bed and stay like that forever. Childish, but she really didn't want to talk right now.

After a few minutes of asking the lifeguards if they had seen a blonde girl and a red-head anywhere, she finally found Rachel and Josh. The lovebirds were chatting and drinking a cocktail, when their privacy was suddenly invaded by a black haired, angry little Maria.

Rachel, noticing Maria stomping up to them, stood up putting her drink aside, asking worriedly: "What's wrong Maria? You look upset-"

Maria, with a fake smile: "Oh no, it's nothing, I am just not feeling to well. I remembered I had something important to do today, so I will be going home. But don't worry about me you guys, I am fine. I just want you to tell Jack that I'm off..."

Saying this Maria started walking away to the changing room to get dressed. Maria wasn't mad at Jack, she had gotten somewhat used to his teasing, she was really embarrassed at herself... her stupid incompetent self, who couldn't even slide down a simple water slide without looking like a little kid, holding on to Jack for dear life. She promised herself she would never need a man in her life to protect her and that she is an independent woman. So, what's wrong with her now? Why was she feeling all these... feelings when she was around Jack? Why was her heart racing faster? Why was she getting butterflies in her stomach? Or why was she longing for more... more than what she had- but more of what?? She couldn't think anymore right now, she just wanted to go back home, to Mr. Ginger and to her mum's photo.

As Maria stormed away from the stunned couple, who were still trying to figure out what was going on. Rachel spoke up to Josh.

Rachel: "Josh... something is wrong with Maria; she is putting on a fake smile. I am sorry, but we will have to end our date here today, I will go after Maria and you-"

Before Rachel could finish her sentence, she noticed Jack from afar. He was running towards them. Rachel figured something had happened between the two.

Rachel, to Josh: "Hey babe, I think Maria is upset with Jack or something, you ask him what's up, in the meantime I will go after Maria to her flat. And tell him not to worry or visit Maria before I give you guys the news that everything is okay, I will see things through for now."

Saying this, Rachel left the boys and went after Maria.