The splash of the water Liam made hit my eyes. The chlorine burned my eyes, but it didn't stop me from glaring at him. Liam winked at me from a distance. It wasn't a romantic wink, more like I'm an asshole wink. I rolled my eyes, moving my body through the water. I pushed myself out of the pool, standing by the edge. I couldn't enjoy myself. Liam was poking fun, Louis was inside making food. Marie still hasn't come outside, but I have a feeling she's going to come out in a two-piece catching Louis's attention.

The opening of the sliding door caught my attention. Marie stepped out with a dash of sunscreen across her nose wearing a purple one piece--how does she make a one piece look so damn hot? I sulked as she waved hi to me. I forced a smile, giving a weak wave back. Marie, you're not a bad person. Not at all. But why do you have to flirt with Louis. I walked along the pool, being careful of the puddles Liam made. I can see from the corner of my eye that he was eyeing me. He's the lion, I'm the gazelle. I have to be aware of him at all times.

Louis stepped out the sliding door of his two-story house carrying a plate of sandwiches, "I have snacks!"

Liam climbed out the pool, "Wonderful! I'm starving." He pushed past me, stinging my shoulder. Fuck, he's strong. I can see him grin at me devilishly as his mouth chomped down on the end of the sandwich. I didn't notice Louis stepping in front of me, "Want one?" He offered. I grinned as if he were the only one with me, "Absolutely."

Louis's eyes gleamed as I took one, meeting it up to my lips. Louis stayed in front of me, locking eyes. His smile didn't leave, not that I wanted it to. I can feel myself blushing, and he easily spotted it. Louis teased, playfully nudging my arm, "Your face is turning red, you should put on sunscreen." He laughed before turning his back to me. Of course he saw it as a sunburn and not a romantic gesture. I hid myself behind my sandwich, nibbling at the corners. How does he make a sandwich taste so good?

I can hear Liam say, "I can't believe your mum is working at our school next week Louis. She's so uptight."

I can see by Louis's face he tried not to react. Louis shrugged, "She's not so bad." Louis loved his mum as far as I can tell. She's independent, verbal, and very strict...did I mention she expects so much from Louis? To get married by a woman, have kids, and have a successful career. She wanted the best for her son but...I can see it weighing him down. He never wants to be alone with his mom otherwise she's badger on about his choices. I remember coming over last week, being invited by Louis. Louis was in the kitchen while I want to fetch my book for our studies. While I was down the hall, his mum was lecturing about his performance in school. Once I stepped inside the room, she shut off.

So ya, he never wanted to be alone.

Marie said, "I think his mum is amazing."

Liam rolled his eyes, "Of course you'd say that, you like Louis," He muttered, "if it wasn't obvious enough."

Marie seemed at a loss for words, "W-what-"

Louis laughed, "Marie is my friend, nothing more."

That's relieving.

Louis teased, "Unless she somehow did manage to snatch my heart."

Suddenly, I'm not hungry anymore. I set my sandwich back down. I ignored the rest of their conversation, sitting on the edge of the pool. My feet dipped into the cool water, moving along in a circle. A figure sat next to me. I can hear Louis say, "Is that a new tat?"

I nodded, looking at my arm, "It is."

Louis smiled at it. I froze when his finger traced along it. I looked at him, his bright eyes staring at the movement of his fingers. I smiled weakly, admiring at the way his smile widened. Louis chuckled, "Honestly," He poked just above my shorts, "I like that one the most."

I laughed, "It's not even finished yet, it's just the outline."

"And it looks amazing so far." Louis chuckled, moving closer to me.

Was he flirting? No, of course not. It's friendly conversation between two best friends. I grinned, looking down at the water. Louis murmured, "Are you getting into the water?"

I shook my head, "Later."

"Or," Louis sneaked his arm around my shoulder, "you get in now," with a harsh tug, both our bodies broke into the water. I pulled my way up above the surface, tossing my hair out of my eyes. Louis broke the surface and laughed. I grinned, "You fucking sneak," I rushed at him, wrapping my arms around his waist and yanking back in the water. Louis managed to get out of my grip, standing on the shallow end with me. He coughed from the water but smiled, "We came to swim, not to sit on the edge," Louis laughed until he met eyes with Marie and Liam. He said to them, "Aren't you both getting in?"

Liam and Marie glanced at each other. Marie nodded, "Ya." She took the steps into the water, making her way toward Louis. She chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck. My spirit was shot down when Louis took her in. I wiped the water away from my eyes before making my way up the steps and out the water.

No matter how many times it broke my heart, I kept looking back. Louis was chuckling, letting Marie hold onto him. I sat on one of the chairs as Liam jumped into the water. I can't look away, no matter how much it hurt me. I scrunched up my nose. I can feel myself about to break down. I got up, and made my way into the deep end. After hesitation, I jumped in. The water surrounded my body as my weight lowered me further down. In here, I can't be hurt. I can forget about Louis. About Marie. About Liam...but there's one thing I can't forget. I'm gay. Like really gay. Ever since I hit puberty, I found myself looking at pornography, jerking myself to the images or videos of two men caressing each other's groins. My breath was shallow. I made my way up to the surface, taking in a deep breath. My feet kicked something. Once I wiped my eyes, Louis was swimming behind me with wide eyes. His fist punched my arm.

"Ow," I groaned. I swam my way to the edge, holding onto it with one hand. Louis did the same, "You curly haired cunt, I thought you were drowning." Louis said angrily. He said, "Don't stay under water for long."

I looked at him, "You were going to save me?"

Louis couldn't help but smile, "Of course idiot. You're my best-" He grinned, "We're close." He punched my arm again, "So don't do that shit again." He tossed himself into the water, swimming away.

He didn't call me his best friend...what does that mean?

. . .

After some time in the water, the sun was setting. I was already drying myself off with a towel, "I'm going to be late. My mum is going to kill me."

"Promises, promises," Liam grinned, making me look away.

Louis nudged at Liam as if to tell her to quiet. Louis looked at me, "You won't be late."

I laughed, "It's a 20 minute walk."

Louis patted Liam's back, "You won't be late because Liam is giving you a ride home."

Liam rose a brow, "I am?"

Louis nodded, "Yes."

Marie shrugged, "Whatever, I'm going home." She kissed Louis's cheek and rolled her eyes at Liam who watched her ass as she left. Marie lives down the street, lucky her.

Liam sighed, "Get your shit together Harold, I'm leaving in 5 minutes." Liam pushed his way past me toward the back gate which led to his car. I looked to Louis, "Really?"

Louis grinned, "You'll be fine." He said more sincerely, "Next time, it'll be just me and you."

I liked the sound of that.

I nodded, "Okay." I smiled. Louis said goodbye, leaving me to walk to Liam's car. I sat on the passenger seat. The 10 minute car ride was unsettling, weird. Liam didn't say much and when he did, he was yelling at another driver. Liam pulled up next to my house, "Is this it?"

I nodded, unbuckling my seatbelt.

Liam looked at me, "What? No thank you? That's fucking rude."

I froze, "T-thank you for the ride." I stepped out the car, shutting the door behind me. I can hear Liam lowering the window down, "Hey." He called. I turned to him. Liam grinned, "I wouldn't want to come either if my mom was a drunk." He didn't give me a chance to react, he sped down the street.

"Two-faced cunt." I muttered.

I strolled my way across my lawn. Everything looked pleasant on the outside and inside, but the people who lived here were dysfunctional. Once I stepped in, my younger brother dashed across me. He was screaming, "No bath! No bath!" Kid, taking a bath won't be half as bad when you're older. I spotted my mom chasing after him but gave up when she noticed me. She rose her voice, "Give your brother a damn bath."

Not wanting to give gasoline to the fire, I nodded. She slurred vile words as she slumped onto the couch. I managed to catch my brother, "Gotcha! Looks like this monster wins this time, eh?" I laughed, burying my face into his stomach. His laugh roared through the house as I carried him into the bathroom. I shut the door behind us as he stripped and got into the tub filled with water. I grinned as I grabbed the toy duck from the sink, "What's this?" I said playfully, "A giant duck? How insane! Aaaaahhh," I screamed as I splashed the duck against the surface of the water.

My younger brother laughed, watching me splash the duck along the water. He grabbed it, "Ducky!" His toddler voice squealed. I grabbed the bottle of soap, "The ducky's scared of soap! Quick, put it on your hair so he won't eat it!" He snatched the bottle and poured some on his hair. I laughed as I scrubbed it through his hair, "We have to make sure it's all over, okay?" I grabbed the plastic bowl by the tub and filled it, "It's going to rain! Cover your eyes!" I splashed the water on his hair, making a mess outside the tub. His laughter made me grin.

After getting him dried and changed, I carried him into bed. He was a fast sleeper. Thank goodness. I can hear my mom whisper violently toward me, "You made a damn mess in the bathroom!"

I muttered as I made my way out of the bedroom, shutting it behind me quietly. I said to her, "I'll clean it-"

"Hurry," She said angrily before making her way back into the living room.

I spent most of the night mopping up the bathroom. I didn't get into bed until 11pm. I make a better mom than my own.

Notes

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