Another Summer | C.F

Chapter ten

"Oh, you ruined the whole moment," said Steven, pulling me away.

"Hey, do you guys want to go to the pool while Laurel and I do something in town? When we get back, we could all watch a movie."

"Sure," everyone replied.

Before my mom got up from her seat to follow Susannah, I saw her approaching me. She hugged me with more force than necessary.

"Addi, I'm so proud of you, and I'm so happy to see the woman you've become. I'm going to miss you so much next year, but I know you will be happy doing what you love."

"Mom, thanks for always being there for me, for being not only my mom but also my friend. I love you so much." A tear rolled down my cheek.

"I love you too, honey," she pulled me away and wiped my tears. "Go and have fun. Today is your day, ok?" I nodded and smiled at her.

She walked away following Susannah, and I went upstairs to change into my bathing suit. The four of us played in the pool for hours. We played volleyball, Jere and Steven vs Belly and me. We were all laughing and having fun when I heard the door open. I turned to look and saw Conrad approaching the pool.

"Happy birthday, Adds," he said, keeping eye contact with me until the ball hit me in the face. Even though it was a plastic ball, it kind of hurt.

"Ouch," I said while raising my hand to touch where it hit me.

"I'm sorry, Adds," Steven said.

"Do you want some ice?" Conrad asked me.

"No, I'm fine."

"Adds, I'm sorry," Belly came and hugged me from behind.

"Why are you apologizing? You didn't even hit me."

"I don't know, I'm just so used to apologizing."

"Well, you didn't do anything wrong. And you, son of a bitch, you just hit me with that damn ball."

"You just called mom a bitch," Steven said.

"Oh, you know what I meant. And sorry, Mom, for calling you a bitch," I said, even though she couldn't hear me.

"I'm sorry, Adds. Come here," he took my hand to give me a hug.

"You have hugged me two times today. Shayla is changing you. Now she's my favorite person in the world. She has done a miracle. Ladies and gentlemen, you just witnessed a miracle."

"Oh, shut up," Steven told me while throwing water at me. That's when the water battle started. I don't know how it happened, but first, we were talking, and some seconds later, we were all throwing water at each other. Even Conrad got involved, and he was playing too. I love how even when we get older, we still play like little kids.

I felt someone's arms around me from behind, and a deep voice whispered in my ear. "I know I should stay away from you, but I can't. These past few days have been horrible."

I didn't respond but didn't move away from him either. I just stood between his arms while everyone else was playing. When they ended the game, it was the moment when I finally moved away from him. That was like a shot of reality. I'm divided in two. There's the mind that always tells me to stay away from him, but my heart just beats faster whenever he's near, and my body moves to be closer to him. I had an internal fight when he came around, and at this point, I have no idea who's going to win.

"Guys we are back, get out of there and let's watch a movie" Susannah's voice came from the house, her voice help me get away from my thoughts.

"I'm gonna get change see you guys later," I tell them while I get out of the pool. Belly stayed a little longer in the pool with Jere, and Steven and Conrad also get out to get change.