You Saved Me Once Book 1 novel Chapter 29

“A double date?” I stand at her locker.

It was now the end of the week, school was over for seniors. Ro-chelle wanted to double date with Jeff and me.

I still wasn’t okay with them, together. It was awkward, it was bad for me. I don’t know why Rochelle couldn’t see that.

Probably because I acted like it was okay. I’d say things, do things to show I didn’t care. It was better than telling her the truth.

“Sure. I don’t care.” I lie.

The week gave me time to heal from the party, but I still wasn’t ful-ly okay with what went down.

I know Jeff wasn’t, we haven’t talked since then. Rochelle doesn’t know this.

~~~~

The double date was originally supposed to be a movie date, and dinner. Plans changed. More specifically, Rochelle wanted every-thing at her house.

Rochelle’s place was “the house”. It was big, spacious had a pool, jacuzzi in the back. There were rooms beyond rooms, which were great for parties, it’s perfect.

Personally, I think Rochelle likes to play house. She likes to create a world, where she’s in charge. Where she’s comfortable, safe. It’s her gi-ant dollhouse.

Yet, when the music stops, when the crowd leaves. It’s a mute, grey, and lonely dollhouse.

Rochelle parents are never home, ever. They make an appear-ance in the town no more than 24 times a year. She’s been alone for a while.

It’s been this way since she could legally be left alone. Before that, they’d hire babysitters, or she’d stay over our house.

Leaving someone so young all alone in a big mansion. I’m glad she has someone. Before she had me, now, it’s Hayes. I feel bad for envying Hayes.

“I still hate this idea, Rochelle.” I tell her. I’m tying up my hair.

We were getting ready in her room. Jeff and Hayes were on their way.

Well, Hayes was for sure coming. I texted Jeff the same day this date was orchestrated. I sent him a message, he never responded.

“It’ll be fun I promise, just drink a lot.” Rochelle says.

“So, did you bring yours?” She asks.

“Bring what?” I ask.

“Your swimsuit.” She says.

“I think I’m going to cancel.” I say to her.

“Fine, you can borrow one of mine.” She smirks. Seconds later she tosses a bathing suit at my head.

“You left it here.” She says.

I throw it back at her.

“Seriously Alex? It’s too late to cancel.” Rochelle says.

We go downstairs. The doorbell keeps ringing. I take a deep breath. Rochelle opens the door.

Hayes enters. Then Jeff.

~~~~~

Once Hayes and Jeff come inside, everything starts. Rochelle passes around the drinks and starts up the radio. Everyone was drinking, laughing, having fun. It was a nice scene, if you were in the moment.

For me, I turned down the drinks, even though I could use them tonight. I wasn’t ready for drinks yet.

Jeff makes his way over to me. It’s silence between the both of us for a while.

“Thanks for not standing me up.” I smile. Jeff moves his hair from his face.

“About last week.” He says.

There’s this awkward silence between him, and I again. Rochelle lightens the mood.

She takes me by the hand and pulls me to the pool.

When I go to take off my shirt it gets caught. Jeff helps. His hands touch my bare skin. They give me chills.

“You were going to war with that shirt. I thought I’d help.” He smiles at me.

My hair tie had fallen out, and my hair hangs over my face.

“Thanks. I had it though.” I mumble, Hayes heard me.

“Come on Little Richards.” Hayes laughs.

“Shut up Hayes!” Rochelle laughs, and pushes him in the pool. Sec-onds later, Rochelle jumps in.

I look at Jeff, he keeps stepping closer to me. I step in. He smiles at me, he won’t stop.

“Stop.” I say.

He grabs my hand, and I push him in. This is the first time tonight, that I smiled.

I wanted someone to just tell me to stop being so uncomfortable, but no one did. All of us were on this weird double date, and I’m forced to jump out of my comfort zone.

I stick a toe in, the water is warm.

I’m now sitting at the edge of the pool. I slide in.

I hold my breath for a while. Longer than a while, but it’s quiet and I can’t think. I’m holding my breath for too long.

“Alex!” Hayes pulls me above water.

“Ouch!” I grab at my arm Hayes pulled.

“What the fuck Little Richards.” He laughs, but he’s scared. I now feel bad for scaring Hayes.

I catch my breath, before swimming away from him.

“I’m a life guard. I can do whatever I want.” I whisper. He smiles.

“No Little Richards calling today, got it?” I say, making sure to splash him in the face.

I guess this was us apologizing to each other. I’m feeling better now.

I bump into Jeff.

“Sorry about the whole silent awkwardness.” I tell him.

“I’m not.” He says.

I submerge my entire face underwater for a moment. When I come back up, he’s still looking at me.

“See who holds their breath the longest?” I ask.

We both go under.

It feels like we are under water, for forever. I open my eyes under-water to watch Jeff. He was so focused with his eyes closed. Seconds later he floats back up to the surface.

“How?!” His laugh makes me warm. It makes me smile.

“Stay calm, focus on something, anything.” I say.

Before we go under again, I grab his hands and interlace them with mine.

Once we are under, I open my eyes, and watch Jeff again. I see his bubbles float to the surface.

Suddenly, Jeff opens his eyes.

I don’t swim to the surface, I move into him.

30 SECONDS

We stare at each other, he makes a funny face.

50 SECONDS

It’s weird how when you jump out of your comfort zone, the more comfortable you feel with yourself. So much that I go to kiss Jeff on the cheek.

60 SECONDS

He smiles at me, but we don’t stop. Jeff swims closer, he swims so close to me that our bodies collide with the unrealistic tides.

He kisses me on the lips.

I swim to the surface, touching my buzzing lips.

HE KISSED ME