Page 13 of Fireworks

Chapter Five

*****

Katie

Avoiding Nate was impossible. If he wasn’t at my house, he was at the pool. I could always feel his eyes on me. It was like he was waiting for me to screw up again. Although I could have spent my summer at any of my friends’ houses, I wanted to soak up as much sun as I could before I filled my days with my nose in a book.

Collin wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing my neck just below my ear. My head tilted back to expose more of my neck as I enjoyed the sweet sensation of his lips on my skin.

“So, my parents won’t be home tonight if you want to come over.”

Collins' words were brief as he continued his quick pecks around my jawline until he finally landed on my lips. He was probably the only guy I knew who wouldn’t pressure someone into anything they weren’t ready for. Yet he let me know, although he had no expectations besides having fun, he wouldn’t mind if things went further. We spent most of our alone time in steamy make-out sessions but ended before anything else happened.

Not that I didn’t want to do more. Going to college a virgin wasn’t exactly ideal for either of us, but I also didn’t want to have sex just for the sake of having it. I wanted it to mean something and be memorable. Most of my friends had lost their virginity on prom night, so they had the cliché story of a mediocre experience.

“I’m pretty sure I could tell my parents I’m staying at Maddie’s for the night.”

I smiled back, leaning in to kiss him again. His eyes widening as he hadn’t expected me to agree so quickly.

“Awesome.”

Collin walked back over to the snack shack to get us some burgers and fries as I slipped into the pool, leaning against the edge next to Maddie.

“So, if anyone asks, I’m staying over at your place tonight.”

Practically giving herself whiplash, she turned toward me, lowering her sunglasses to look me dead in the eye.

“Let me guess, his parents aren’t home? You little slut, I got you.”

The smirk that was on her face as she pushed her sunglasses back up her nose made me second guess my decision. Just because I said I was going over there didn’t mean I had to do anything with him. Hell, I wasn’t even sure why I had said yes. His damn lips on my neck made me do stupid things.

Butterflies started cramping up my stomach as I realized tonight might be the last night I could say I was a virgin. Leaning my head back, I closed my eyes, taking in the heat of the sun and the cool of the surrounding pool, hoping it would calm my nerves.

“You okay? You don’t look so good.”

Opening my eyes, Nate was kneeling next to my head. He granted me a whopping five minutes of serenity before he was bothering me.

“Your presence has that effect on me.”

I stood up, hoisting myself out of the edge of the pool. I was feeling a little off, but I wasn’t about to admit that to him.

“Here, drink some water.”

Why did he have to always bother me so much? I guess this was payback for all those years of bothering him and my brother.

Karma is a bitch.

“Is there no one else at this pool that could use your attention right now? I’m fine Nate.”

My head didn’t feel right as I took a step out of the pool, and everything went black.

*****

I sat up, my head pounding, as my eyes attempted to adjust to the artificial lights above me. Instantly, I fell back down, the pressure building steadily.

“Don’t get up.”

I could hear a deep voice muffled next to me, but couldn’t make out who it belonged to.