Chapter Twenty One
1066 Words
♠ Oliver Stans ♠
“I'm sure she'll be alright,” Layla said again, gently patting my back.
“Yeah, she didn't drown and so everything will certainly be good,” Katie pitched in, her tone matching Layla's.
I managed a nod, knowing they wouldn't stop telling me that.
“You two should enjoy the dinner,” as I was sure I couldn't enjoy it anymore, “I'm going to take a walk.”
“You want me to tag along?” Layla asked.
“I just want to clear my head, so I think it'd only be right if I go alone,” rising to my feet, I left the table we'd been sitting on to a less crowded part.
The dinner was too crowded, I had to wonder what the family Thanksgiving was about.
This was more like a party.
Once out of the crowded part, I took a seat on a chair round an empty table, burying my head in my hand.
My thoughts ran through different directions.
How on earth did she end up slipping and entering a pool when she's very much aware of the fact she can't swim.
When we were younger, dad had taken us to swim school, but she was so bad at being taught, she told him she didn't want to go anymore (after the first day).
He wasn't happy with the decision, but he accepted it eitherway.
And now it had come to haunt her back.
I recalled how afraid I was as I searched for her in the crowd, praying and hoping with everything in me that she wasn't the person who was drowning.
When Austin jumped in, and came out with her, the fear that gripped me was unexplainable.
It felt like my entire world was going to end as I saw her looking as horrified as ever.
Thankfully she was alright, but then would she be alright?
I wasn't sure how her mental state was at the moment so all I could do was pray that the Lord helps her to be fully alright.
“What's such a pretty lady doing out here alone?” A masculine voice called from behind, startling me to raise my head from my hand to the figure.
He was tall with obviously beautiful black eyes that popped out his beauty.
He had straight black hair which fell over his forehead, giving him a hot guy picture.
The sweater he had on was not able to cover up his huge biceps and shoulders, giving him an athletic build.
I noticed the fact he looked a little familiar, but then where on earth would I meet with such a handsome face.
“Is the seat taken?” He gestured towards the chair beside mine.
“You're free to take it,” I dropped my hands on my laps, a small sigh escaping me.
“Is anything wrong?” There was a hint of slight interest in his tone. “You look stressed.”
“Well, I guess I don't expect to look alright when my sister literally almost drowned today,” maybe it was the interest in his tone, but I found myself actually telling him what was wrong.
“Your sister's the one who almost drowned?” Now there was surprise in his tone. “I thought she was—”
“It's really scary to imagine how she must've felt inside the water,” I cut him off, not sure if I was ready to listen to him talk about Kim being a writer.
“How's she now?” He asked, placing a hand on the table.
“She's better, I guess.” And I hoped she was better.
“I'm sure she'll be alright,” he said with a lot of certainty, I found myself finding hope in his words.
“Thanks,”
“Now, it's Thanksgiving,” he said, “you shouldn't be out here alone. Instead, you should be celebrating with the rest and eat till your belly's pleading with you to stop.”
I let out a chortle, “no thank you, I don't wanna have to sleep with a full stomach.”
“If not, then it ain't Thanksgiving,” he rose to his feet, gesturing for me to do the same, “lemme help you get your mind off your sister.”
I found myself chuckling and actually standing up also, “I don't think I want to get my mind off her.”
“Well, too bad because I'm not good at taking no for an answer,” he flashed me a smile I thought made him look handsome.
“Seriously?” I raised a brow at him, still smiling.
“Hmm, especially when it has to do with pretty girls,” he winked at me, and thank goodness I had left my hair to fall or else he'd have seen my blushing face.
Chuckling, I asked, “are you flirting with me?”
He leaned closer, so he could whisper, “no, I'm just stating the fact.”
Oh jeez, I was blushing again. And he was the only one to be blamed with how close he was.
“Come on now, let's go enjoy the party.” He still didn't pull apart, and he just had to lock gaze with me.
My heart raced three times faster, but no way did I plan on breaking the gaze, “I'm not sure if I can go around with someone I know nothing about.”
A side of his lips hitched upwards while he pulled back, “my name's Andrew,” then stretched a hand, “Justin Andrew.”
I accepted the handshake, “hi Andrew, I'm Oliver Stans.”
He let the handshake last for a moment too long. “You can call me Justin.”
“Nah, Andrew suits your personality more,” I found myself saying, not even sure why I did.
But then it was true. He looked like he could be a guy named Andrew.
“You're the first to say that,” his smile was genuine, like he really appreciated the fact I'd said Andrew suited him.
Weirdo.
“Come on, let's go have something to eat,” and with that, we both went back to the party, with me feeling way better.
I had almost forgotten about the fact Kim had drowned.
Almost.
- Writer
