My heart sank as I turned and looked at her in disgust.
“Oh, shut up Alyssa. No, it’s not,” my sister interjected as she saw the rage in my eyes.
“Well, it kind of is.” Nate smirked. That ugly, smartass smirk little sisters should stay away from.
“Hold it there, leotard,” I yelled, reaching for the stereo, my eyes darting toward Nate. A cloud of resentment and rage forced itself through my lungs. “Who are you to call swimming gay?”
“Well, look at the tiny swimsuits.” He laughed, looking at Alyssa as she also giggled. Ashley sat there looking down, knowing what was about to come.
“Yeah, so. We wear Speedos. But it’s a non-contact sport. We swim in separate lanes. What are you, a wrestler? You’re literally wearing a skintight outfit with a cup covering your crotch. You’re on the floor with your legs and arms wrapped around another guy. Swimming. Gay? I beg to differ.”
How dare they call me gay. I mean I know I am, but it isn’t that obvious. Is it?
“Étienne’s got a point.” Ashley laughed, looking in my direction as Frankie rolled upright and climbed over her to get to me.
He could tell I was upset. And as Frankie nudged my arm, I remembered that I’d forgotten something.
5
BUTTERFLIES
Shit. What if Thad responded and now thinks I’m ignoring him?My phone wasn’t in my pocket. I disconnected my iPod from the stereo and ran to my room.
Thad’s text was waiting for me.Haha. That’s okay. What are you up to?
What am I up to?Should I text him back right now and say I’m free? Or should I lie and say I’m busy so I can postpone meeting him?My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
Not much, I typed.Just hanging out with my dog at home.
I reluctantly clicked send and set my phone and iPod on the bed to change into something cooler since it was supposed to be an eighty-five-degree day. I hated the heat and having to wear less clothing. I wouldn’t say I had a bad body, but being uncovered never felt right—again, the exception being swimming. A perfect outfit for me would be a pair of dark fitted jeans, a dark gray polo buttoned to the top, and a long-knit cardigan. I fit perfectly in the month of October, the best time of the year.
After changing, I threw on my shoes and ran to the bathroom to check on my hair.Ugh, this humidity.I grabbed my hair wax to try to push my stubborn hair to the side, but it did what it wanted to do. Just before I could wash the gunk off my hands, my phone started ringing.
“Argh. I’m coming,” I yelled across the hall to my room, as if the person calling my phone could hear me.
I rinsed my hands off and ran to grab my phone. My heart sank into the pits of my stomach. It was Thad. Thad was calling me. Why would he be calling? Why not text?
I lifted the phone to my ear, trying not to get it wet. “Uhh, hi?”
“Hey, what’s up?” His soft voice cracked.
“Umm, not much. What are you up to?” I stuttered.
“Driving around. Want to hang out? Maybe go to a café?”
Go to a café? Who is this guy?I pulled my phone back and looked at the screen in confusion. “Uh, sure. What time?” I could feel my throat shaking as I responded.
“How about now?” he responded before adding, “I’m already driving.”
“Uh, yeah. Okay. Just give me a few minutes to put some clothes on.” Freaking word vomit.What is wrong with you, Étienne? You’re already dressed, you idiot.
There I was, about to die of embarrassment after declaring to him that I hadn’t any clothes on. You’re probably dying of secondhand embarrassment. Aren’t you?
“Here, let me text you my address,” I said before he could respond to my mishap.
“It’s okay. I remember where you live.”
You remember where I live?