Chapter 27: Pretty Fireflies

ADDY

I’m jolted awake by a shake.

“Wake up, bitch. You’ve been sleeping for hours!” Another shove sends me tumbling out of the cozy bed.

I glance around. It’s still dark.

“Kaylee, what the hell!” I complain. She clamps a hand over my mouth.

“Everyone else is sleeping.” She gestures to the sleeping bodies on the opposite bunk bed.

“I’m tired,” I mumble against her hand.

“Tired? You’ve been sleeping since we got back from the ceramics class. You’ve been tired all day,” she hisses, jabbing a finger at my nose.

“No, I haven’t,” I argue, kicking the blanket away.

“Really? You fell asleep on Asher on the train,” she raises a finger, “then had him carry you around the museum so you could sleep?”

She unfurls another finger. “And finally, you fell asleep as soon as we got back?”

She thrusts all three fingers in my face, and I groan.

“What do you want?”

“We’re meeting the boys outside. I’ve got your stuff, just get up.”

I flip her off before standing up to use the bathroom.

Once I’m done, Kaylee practically drags me out. Asher, Blake, Gabe, and Irin are waiting at the motel entrance, and I gape. “Irin?”

“Gabe invited her,” Kaylee explains.

I smile at him and he grins back.

We approach them and I wave at Irin, who waves back.

“Are we even allowed to do this?” I ask. Everyone shakes their heads no.

“I’m going back to sleep,” I announce, turning around.

“Asher!” Kaylee calls.

“I’ve got her. Go on, guys.” I spin around to protest, but he scoops me up and slings me over his shoulder before I can get a word out.

“Hey!” I pound on his back. Irin and Kaylee burst into laughter.

“I’m going to get you guys back for this. Where are we even going?” I squirm in Asher’s grip, and he sets me down, nudging me forward to make sure I don’t bolt.

“We’re going for a swim in the lake,” Gabe announces. I freeze.

~Oh, hell no!~

“Kaylee?”

I shoot her a glare as she drapes an arm around me.

“You don’t have to get in. I just wanted you to come with us.”

I relax, the tension draining from my body. I give her a grateful look, and she winks at me.

We sneak out.

After a while, I ask if we’re there yet. Blake points.

“Yep.”

“How’d you guys find this place?”

“We explored earlier. There’s even a spot for a bonfire.”

I check my watch. It’s already 11:46.

“Bet the water’s freezing.” Irin grins before peeling off her shirt. Gabe stares, and I smack him over the head. He gives me a sheepish look before stripping down to his swim trunks.

“Wait, did you all bring swimsuits?” I ask.

“No, we brought dry clothes to change into later.” I sit down on a rock, pulling out my phone as the others strip down to their underwear.

They sprint into the moonlit water, and I watch with envy. I wish I could swim too.

“Aren’t you coming?” My heart leaps into my throat, and I look up to see Asher’s bare chest right in front of me. I swallow hard.

~Holy…~

I quickly look away, shaking my head.

“I can’t swim, and I’m not really in the mood right now.”

~Lies.~

My body warms as he ruffles my hair before running off to join the others. They splash around in the water, their laughter echoing in my ears.

I watch them for a while before lying back on the rock. It’s cold against my back, but I don’t mind as I gaze up at the star-filled sky.

“You’re watching over me, aren’t you?” I whisper into the night. The wind rustles my hair as if in response, and I smile.

“Buttercup!” I lift my head just in time to see Asher jogging toward me. My mouth falls open at the sight, and I almost squeal when he runs a hand through his wet hair, pushing it away from his face.

~Why does he have to look so fucking edible?~

I gulp as he approaches, trying desperately to look away, but failing miserably.

“Why aren’t you out there with them?” I shrug toward the others.

“While you sit here alone? I know you want to join us.” He extends his hands for me to take.

“How?”

“I notice everything about you.” He shrugs.

I blush.

~He doesn’t, though…~

If he did, he’d know that I’m hopelessly and endlessly in love with him.

I give him a tight smile.

“I’m still not getting in the water with you.”

I shrug, my eyes following a water droplet as it rolls down his muscled chest and disappears into his trunks. I quickly look up again to see him watching me.

“You are.” He crosses his arms over his chest.

“Asher, I’m not getting in the water!” I say firmly, trying to stand up and run in the opposite direction. An arm wraps around my waist, and I shriek at the cold touch.

“Come on. It’s not that deep, Buttercup.”

I glare at him before taking his outstretched hand.

“I’m seconds away from killing you.”

“I’ll be with you the whole time. Don’t worry.”

The idea is tempting, and I finally nod.

His laughter echoes in my ears as he lets go of me, turning his back.

“What’s happening?” I question.

“Giving you some privacy to change.”

“Oh, right.” I nibble on my cheek.

~Did I remember to wear matching underwear today? Yes.~

~Did I shave? No.~

My eyes go wide.

~Oh no, oh no, oh no.~

“Actually, Asher, I think I’m good right here.” I settle back down on the rock.

“I don’t care why you’ve changed your mind again. If you’re not out of those clothes in two seconds, I’m going to help you.”

I pout.

“Guys, are you coming?” our friends call out to us, and Asher shouts back, “Just a sec!”

I plant my foot on his butt and give him a push. He stumbles forward but quickly regains his balance, unfazed.

“Three...two...”

“I didn’t shave my legs!” I blurt out, and he bursts into laughter.

“That’s your issue?”

“Yes!”

“No one cares, and no one’s going to see.”

I groan but yank off my shirt and slide out of my jeans, grudgingly. ~Damn his stubbornness.~

“Ready,” I announce. He takes my icy hand in his and pulls me toward the water.

Kaylee gives me a thumbs up, and I flip her off.

~Traitor.~

The water touches my toe, and I shriek at the chill.

“I’m not going to—” Asher wraps his arm around my waist and lifts me up like before, striding right into the frigid water.

“Cold, cold—so cold!” I whine, struggling to escape his grip, which only tightens in response.

Irin splashes water our way, and Asher splashes some back, my hand still nestled in his large, warm one. My body adjusts to the cold as I move around, laughing.

“Told you you’d enjoy it.”

Asher grins at me, releasing my hand after a while.

The warmth seems to drain away from me, and I frown for a moment before returning his smile, turning my attention back to Kaylee and Irin, who seem to be getting closer.

Asher, Blake, and Gabe are suddenly in their own world, tossing each other into the water and laughing like maniacs.

“How did he manage to ask you out?” I smirk at Irin, who retaliates by splashing me with water.

“Who went out with who? He told me you guys were coming, and I thought, why not?”

I smile as I catch her stealing glances at Gabe.

~Liar.~

Kaylee and I exchange grins before splashing each other again.

As I move around, enjoying the water, I don’t notice that it’s already up to my chin. An elbow bumps into me from behind, and I suddenly plunge into the icy water.

Fear grips me like a vice as I try to scream for help.

Images of that night flash through my mind, and I suddenly feel suffocated.

“Mama!” I try to scream as I see her figure drifting away from me into the depths. I reach out for her but it’s futile.

~No!~

~Please.~

~All I see is black and my eyes slowly close.~

~Don’t leave me.~

~Please.~

ASHER

“Addalynn!” I shout, diving into the water. I pull her up by her arm, tilting her head back. “Addy, can you hear me?” I tap her cheek.

Kaylee screams.

“Addalynn!” Gabe shakes her arm. “Shit! I’m so sorry. I didn’t see!”

“I think she swallowed water,” Blake mumbles, running a hand through his hair. I lift her into my arms, my mind in a state of panic.

~You’re okay. You’re okay. You’re okay,~ I repeat in my head as I hold her close, swimming toward the shore when she suddenly starts coughing up water.

My eyes widen and I tap her cheek again.

“Buttercup?”

She spits out more water, slinging an arm over my shoulder.

“What just happened?” she mumbles, looking up at me. “Everything went black.”

I laugh in relief, pressing her head into my chest.

“You scared the hell out of me!” I scold her, and she giggles in my arms.

“Thank God you’re okay!” Irin exclaims as Kaylee comes over to hug Addy awkwardly since she’s still in my arms.

“Are you really okay? I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you.”

Gabe places his hand on her arm, and she nods, still smiling. Blake gives her a worried look before pulling Kaylee, who still seems shaken, into his arms.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, Blake!” Addy throws him a smile before looking at them all.

“Where are you going? We’re not done yet!”

“I think we’ve had enough for today,” I say, to which she protests, looking up at me with a pout.

~So damn beautiful.~

“Please?”

I sigh.

“Only if you stay on my back.”

I give her a stern look, and she nods eagerly.

“Addy?” Kaylee gives her a worried look, which she dismisses.

“I’ll stick with Asher this time!” she declares, wriggling out of my arms.

“Let us know if you want to get out,” Blake instructs, and she nods again, before climbing onto my back.

They dive back into the water, just as she wraps her legs around my waist, pressing her curvy body against my back.

I gasp.

~Damn.~

~So incredibly soft.~

“Are you really sure about this?” I ask her again.

“Seriously, I’m fine, stop worrying.” She wraps her arms around me before nudging me toward the others.

I laugh.

~This girl is going to be the death of me.~

***

Half an hour later, we’re sitting around the bonfire that Blake and Gabe set up.

I’m standing there, towel wrapped around me, trying to pay attention to Gabe as he drones on about his school project. But my eyes keep drifting to Addy. She’s just emerged from behind a tree, now wearing an oversized black shirt that falls to her mid-thigh.

I can’t help but smirk.

Her hair is wrapped up in a towel, and she’s got this infectious smile on her face. She throws her head back, laughing at something Irin and Kaylee are saying.

“You’re totally smitten.” Blake’s chuckle pulls me back to reality, and I whip my head around to face my friends.

“No, I’m not!” I protest, rolling my eyes.

“Oh, really? So you wouldn’t mind if I asked her to be my—” Gabe doesn’t get to finish his sentence because I’ve just kicked him in the shin.

Hard.

“Shut up!” I snap, my gaze darting back to where Addy was. My brows furrow when I don’t see her, and I stand up.

~Where did she…~

“Boo!” I turn to find Addy grinning at me, and I can’t help but return her smile, a wave of relief washing over me now that she’s back in my sight.

“You could at least ~pretend~ to be scared.” She rolls her eyes.

“That shirt looks good on you.” I raise an eyebrow at her, and she twirls around to show me.

“Yeah? I stole it from you.”

“I don’t mind.”

It looks incredible on her.

~Everything~ looks incredible on her.

I catch my breath as she runs a hand through my hair. “Why is your hair still wet?” I just shrug.

“Give me your towel!” she orders, yanking it off me and placing it over my head. She starts to gently rub, and I close my eyes, leaning into her touch.

“You’ll catch a cold if you don’t dry your hair!” she chides.

“I won’t catch a cold now that you’re drying my hair for me.” I smirk up at her, ignoring the stares I know we’re getting from the others.

“Hmm,” she hums, continuing to dry my hair, completely unaware that everyone else has gone quiet.

“Fireflies?”

I look up to see Gabe waving his hands around.

“Oh my God!” Addy squeals, pulling her hands away from my head. I have to stop myself from pouting at the loss of her touch as I pull the towel off my head.

Sure enough, there are fireflies all around us. She gasps, completely captivated.

“They’re so pretty!” She reaches out to one, but it just flits around her. I can’t help but laugh, a warm, giddy feeling spreading through me.

I pull out my phone and sneak a picture of her. Looking at the photo, I can’t help but smile.

~She’s beautiful.~