on the map//spencer 'spider' white

10

"He hasn't made a move. Okay, we kissed, and it was hot. Except it should have been more and it wasn't," Darren tells us.

"Maybe he just wants to take things slow," Amerie offers. "Is that so weird?"

"Ew. Yes," Darren tells her. "Oh, my God. Only serial killers take things slow, Amerie. Grow up."

"You grow up," Amerie counters.

"Both of you grow up," Quinni says.

"Sorry. It's just... I'm like... I'm like really hоrny all of the time," Darren states.

"Same, babe," Amerie says.

"Have you tried talking to him?" I ask.

"You could ask him on a date!" Quinni offers.

"No, no. I just got a cold shiver up my spine," Darren says.

"Alternatively, you could just pull him into a classroom and force him to have sеx with you," Amerie offers.

"Yes, that option," Darren says.

"Not that option," Quinni tells them. "Oh, my God!" Quinni dives to pick up a piece of rubbish. "Back off, Jenny. Got it."

Spider somehow convinced me to hang out with him and Ant at Dusty's. So far, it's just been them playing video games and talking about things I wish I would wipe from my memory.

"Hey Ri," Ant says.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"Spider tell you about his Tiger King sex dream?" Ant asks.

I shake my head. "No. I'm pretty sure I should be thankful for not hearing about it."

Dusty laughs. "Spider said the flaps were like human flaps. With stripes on it."

I look at Spider so confused. "What the fuck?"

"It's not as bad as the dream Dusty had about Justin Trudeau," Spider argues.

"No. No stop," I tell them. "I do not need to hear about anymore weird sex dreams."

"You could always tell us about one of yours," Spider offers.

I shake my head. "Not happening."

Suddenly the door to Dusty's room opens. Harper walks in. "Hey."

Dusty stands up. "Harper."

"You forgot," Harper says.

"I'm sorry," Dusty tells her. "Slipped my mind."

"I'll go," Harper offers.

"No. Stay," Dusty tells her. "Please stay."

"Feels weird," Harper explains.

"It's fine," Dusty insists. "Stay. Do you want a beer?"

Harper looks at me unsure as she sits on the bed. I can't do it. I can't sit here and pretend everything is fine.

"I'm gonna head out," I tell them.

"What? Why?" Dusty asks.

"I have to pick up Mason," I lie.

"I'll go with you," Spider offers.

I shake my head. "No stay."

Spider stands up anyways. "See you guys later."

Spider grabs my hand as we walk out of Dusty's room. He walks me over to my house and we stand on the porch.

"You don't have to pick Mason up do you?" Spider asks.

I shake my head. "I couldn't stay in that room with Harper."

"Why don't we go to the beach," Spider offers.

I look at him curiously. "It's half nine."

"So?" Spider asks.

I laugh lightly. "You don't have your swimmers."

"Don't need 'em," Spider tells me.

"Then I guess let's go," I say.

Spider and I are the only ones on the beach. I stick my toes in the surf. The water is warm.

"What are you waiting for?" Spider asks.

I turn around and see Spider taking his shirt off.

He smiles. "Don't get shy on me now, babe."

I don't look away from Spider as I take my top off. Spider laughs and suddenly it's like we can't get our clothes off fast enough. In a minute we're in the water. I laugh as I splash Spider. He smiles as he grabs a hold of me. I rest my forehead on Spider's.

"Do you think Dusty and Ant are suspicious?" I ask.

"Of what?" Spider questions.

"Of you and I," I tell him.

Spider shrugs. "Who cares?"

I nod. "Can we get chips and milkshakes after this?"

Spider laughs. "Anything you want."

I smile as I lean in and kiss him.