BIKINI STRINGS
1462 Words
✿MOANA✿
I was sprawled across my bed, phone in hand, staring at the group chat that had been blowing up for the last twenty minutes.
Lalissa: Girl I’m still recovering from last night
Octavia: DETAILS NOW
Lalissa: some random dude from the science department or whatever l don’t remember, but I remember he was fine and with tattoos. Best. f**k. Of. My. Life.
Octavia: You b***h…
Lalissa: I’m not even joking. That dude knew EXACTLY what he was doing. I think I saw angels
Octavia: I wouldn’t give my puxxy to some strange dude
I typed: You’re ridiculous
Lalissa: You’re just jealous you didn’t get any
Octavia: For real though, when are you coming out with us again? We miss you babe
I replied to Octavia text: “Soon.” I really miss them too.
Lalissa: That’s what you always say since you started living with that dickhead
Me: don’t remind me please
Octavia: We’re going shopping Monday after school. You’re coming. No excuses.
Me: Fine
Lalissa: Good because you need new outfits anyway. That black dress last night was fire but we need MORE
Octavia: Facts
I smiled despite myself and kept chatting with them for another half hour before we all said goodbye.
I tossed my phone aside and stared at the ceiling. It was almost seven. Dinner would be soon.
When I came downstairs at seven-thirty, the dining room was already set. My mother was pulling a roasted chicken out of the oven while Richard set down a bowl of salad.
“Perfect timing,” Rosaline said, smiling. “Sit, sit.”
I slid into my seat. The chair opposite my mother. Dylan’s chair was empty.
They started serving food, and after a few minutes, I couldn’t help but notice the absence.
“Where’s Dylan?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
Richard glanced at his phone. “He texted earlier. Said he’s staying at Asher’s tonight.”
My stomach dropped, but I kept my face neutral. “Oh.”
I knew exactly where Dylan was. And it wasn’t at Asher’s house.
“Those boys play basketball so well,” Rosaline said, passing the salad. “I’m glad they’re such good friends.”
I said nothing. I took some chicken and forced myself to eat even though everything tasted like nothing in my mouth.
Dinner felt endless. My mum talked about wedding plans. I nodded when expected but barely heard a word.
Finally, after what felt like hours, my mother stood and started clearing plates.
“Richard and I are going to watch a movie in our room,” Rosaline said, kissing my forehead. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
“Night,” I said quietly.
They disappeared upstairs, and the house went silent.
I went to my room and tried to distract myself. I scrolled through my phone, attempted to read, and put on music. Nothing worked.
It was almost ten now. Two hours since dinner. Two hours of sitting in my room trying not to think about where Dylan was. Who he was with. What they were doing.
I threw my phone down and stood abruptly.
I needed to clear my head. I needed to do something.
My eyes went to the window overlooking the backyard. The pool lights glowed blue in the darkness.
I’d never used the pool since moving in.
Maybe it was time.
I changed into my swimsuit, a black bikini with a string top that tied at the neck and back. I grabbed a towel and headed downstairs, moving quietly through the dark house.
The backyard was cool and still. The pool water looked perfect, illuminated from below by soft lights.
I dropped my towel on a lounge chair and walked to the edge. I dipped my toes in. The water was warm.
I slid in slowly, letting the water rise up my body. It felt good. I dunked under completely, letting everything go quiet for a moment, then surfaced and started swimming.
Slow laps from one end to the other. The rhythm calmed my racing thoughts. My arms cut through the water, my legs kicked steadily, and for the first time all day my mind started to settle.
I swam for several minutes, lost in the movement.
When I reached the far end, I touched the wall and pushed off, swimming toward the opposite side.
I was halfway across when something shifted.
The rope at my back came loose.
My heart jumped. I reached back instinctively but…
Water moved at the far end.
I looked up just as Dylan surfaced, water streaming down his face and blonde hair slicked back.
He’d been underwater.
The entire time.
My eyes went wide. My hands flew up to hold my chest, keeping the bikini top from falling.
“Dylan!” My voice came out sharp.
He treaded water at the opposite end, watching me with those unreadable green eyes.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded.
“Swimming.” He strugged
“Your dad said you were at Asher’s.”
“I never said I was going to Asher’s. My dad assumed.”
He started swimming toward me with slow, deliberate strokes.
“Stay over there,” I said, backing up until my shoulders hit the pool wall.
He didn’t stop. He kept coming until he was right in front of me.
“Turn around,” he said quietly.
“What?”
“Turn around. I’ll tie it.”
“I can do it myself.”
“With what hands?”
I glared at him but he was right. I couldn’t let go.
Slowly, I turned my back to him.
I felt him move closer. Felt the water shift. Then his hands were on my bare back, gathering the loose rope.
His touch was warm and deliberate. He took his time tying the knot at the center of my back, his fingers trailing along my spine.
My breath caught.
He finished but his hands stayed on my lower back, thumbs pressing into my skin.
Neither of us moved.
“You’ve been ignoring me,” I said, my voice barely steady.
“You asked me to stay away,” he said near my ear.
“I didn’t say stay away in another girl’s arms.”
His hands stilled on my back. “Is that why Queens left the party?”
“None of your business.” I shot.
“You never cared what girl’s arms I was in before.”
“And I don’t care now.” I tried to pull away but his hands tightened on my waist, keeping me there.
“Let go,” I said.
“Why did you leave?”
“Because it was boring.”
“You’re lying.”
“f**k you, Dylan.”
“You want to,” he said quietly.
The words hung in the air between us.
I wrenched myself free and spun to face him, putting distance between us.
“You’re such an asshole,” I said.
“And you’re a hypocrite.”
“Excuse me?”
“You tell me to stay away. You say you hate me. But the second I’m with someone else, you run.”
“I didn’t run because of you.”
“Then why did you leave?”
“Because I wasn’t feeling the party”
“Bullshit.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” he moved closer. “You couldn’t stand watching me kiss her. Admit it.”
“I don’t have to admit anything.”
“You couldn’t stand it,” he continued, his voice rough. “You couldn’t stand seeing my hands on her. My mouth on hers. Knowing I was taking her upstairs…”
“Stop.” I glared at him.
“Why? Because it’s true?”
“Because it’s none of your business.”
“It is when you’re the reason I couldn’t go through with it.”
I froze. “What?”
His jaw clenched. “I didn’t f**k her, Moana. I couldn’t. Because all I could think about was you dancing with another guy… he was touching you and you didn’t care, then you standing there watching me leave with her. The look on your face.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “I don’t…”
“You want me to stay away?” His eyes burned into mine. “Fine. I’ll stay away. But stop acting like you don’t want this too.”
“I don’t.”
“Yes, you do.”
We stared at each other, the tension suffocating.
Before either of us could move, the sliding glass door opened.
Light spilled across the pool.
“What’s going on over there?” Richard’s voice came out loud.
We both froze.
- Writer
