SHOOT. I don’t know why I chose this outfit, but maybe because I was trying to impress Nathan as well. In fact, Mom bought this bikini specially just for this summer get away. I don’t want to waste her effort and money in buying this one but I also don’t want to let the people saw everything about my body. I have a great insecurities about that, just like any other normal teenager.
I’m wearing a two piece bikini... Topped by a fashionable white dress that I could instantly remove if ever that I wish to swim in the ocean.
“Natalia? Where are you, dear?”
I covered myself using my hands when Aunt Jessica suddenly entered into our room. And yes, we rented only one room for the three of us to save some budget.
“Oh, you’re changing... I’m sorry, dear.”
But she didn’t bother to look away, for maybe she realized that I’m now fully dress with my beach outfit. She removed my hands from hugging myself before she looked at me in awe from head to toe.
“Whoah! You’re really pretty! Your Mom and I wouldn’t have any regrets in choosing that bikini for you.”
“What?! You chose this with my Mom?” I asked, surprised.
“Of course... Now don’t be shy with me. I’ve known you since you were a baby. Nathan and you are always taking a bath together when you were a child, remember?”
I closed my eyes, before pinching the bridge of my nose. Why does she have to tell about that thing me? I mean, I was fully alert that those things happened because Nathan and I known each other even before we became a fetus... But, really? We are teenagers now, and saying that in front of our faces will cause an unbearable shame towards us.
“Hey, why are you smiling to yourself?” Aunt Jessica asked, afraid that I might be loosing my mind.
“Nothing... I just... You know. Nathan and I are teenagers now, Aunt Jessica. Please don’t make us remember all of those stuffs,” I stated, chuckling out of embarrassment.
“Okay, okay...” She laughed. “Though come on now, Nat. It’s a beach. You don’t have to be worried about being exposed. We are living on a liberated country...” she exclaimed before pulling me out of the room.
I was left with no choice but to come with her, before seeing Nathan taking a swim near the bay. Aunt Jessica pointed his direction to me before leaving us to get some drinks, I guess.
I sat on the sand, staring at Nathan. He’s not the same skinny boy I used to know before, just like what he’d said earlier. Though he’s still my bestfriend, the only that changed is his physical features.
Maybe he’s right. He worked so hard to achieve this new shape of him. As he splashed himself at the cold waves of sea water, I could observe how his body changed a lot. His shoulders are now broader, and his muscles are now bigger than before. He’s topless, so I’ve got a free pass to look at him as much as I want.
“Hey Nat!” he shouted, making me come back to my senses.
I wanted to slap myself for thinking those silly things earlier. I mean, how can I stare at my bestfriend that way? Nathan is sweet and nice. I shouldn’t have taking that moment on for granted.
“Drooling over me, huh?” Nathan asked, walking towards me.
He shook his head, making the water from his head to splash all over the place. I wiped my face before answering him.
“No, I’m not. You’re not even that cute.”
I stood up, and I saw how his face came into an awe while looking at my outfit. I instantly covered up myself, before looking away while blushing.
“You look... Hot.”
“Pervert,” I whispered.
“You need to cool down. Come, let’s take a swim together...” He pulled my hands towards the bay.
“Wait... I’m not in a mood for a swim, Nathan,” I refused.
He smiled mischievously before lifting me up from the ground. I was surprised, thinking how could he carry me with those thin arms of him. Then I remember, he already changed a lot. But I was more surprised to the fact that he’s running without brakes towards the huge waves at the bay.
“Nathan, stop! Put me down!”
“As you wish, then.”
When we reached the shallow side of the bay, he put me down, causing me to dropped at the cold water. I instantly stood up, only to feel the cold wind fanning into my skin.
“Nathan!” I groaned out of frustration.
“Ooops, sorry,” he chuckled.
“Damn! Now I’m all wet!” I complained.
“Natalia’s rule number ten on her manual... Never speak any foul words. I remember that. Now you broke your own rule...”
“Yeah, because I’m so annoyed at you!” I shouted.
Nathan just laughed at me, and out of annoyance, I instantly splashed a huge amount of water waves at his direction, and he got his revenge. We splashed each other with seawater before Nathan got into my direction, hugging me tightly before dropping himself underwater. I don’t know why he have to tag me along with him, but I feel safe in his arms. I know that he wouldn’t let me drown or something.
After we went up to catch some air, that’s when I only realized how close we are to each other right now. The tip of our nose are almost touching, and Nathan keep his intense stare at me.
“N-Nathan...” I stuttered, calling his name for apparently no reason.
“Yeah?” He moves closer, causing the tip of our nose to touch as well as our foreheads.
“Nothing...” Damn! I can’t look away from him even if I wanted to.
“Well... If you have nothing to say then I have... I really–”
“Well, well!”
We both turned our gaze to the owner of that familiar voice. There, I saw Freeda standing next to Tyler at the bay. Nathan brow’s furrowed, as I clenched my fist for wanting to punch her in the face. She interrupted our conversation! I don’t know why, but I really feel annoyed at that fact. I didn’t know that we are going to encounter the both of them here, in our supposed to be peaceful summer vacation.
“Look who’s here. Natalia and his bestfriend...” Freeda stated.
Nathan and I stood up, walking towards their direction to get back into our rooms or maybe go somewhere else where we wouldn’t see these two annoying people.
“Oh my God! Where are you going? We just wanted to catch up with you, guys. And by the way, Natalia without H, Tyler and I are dating again right now...”
Nathan grabbed my arms as I took another step towards her, badly wanted to stood up for myself.
“And so?” Freeda looked surprised at my answer, even Tyler who’s now smirking at us.
“I-I... Tyler decided to be with me again! Aren’t you mad about that?”
“Why would I?” I asked, raising one of my brows as I put my arms in front of my chest.
“You’re unbelievable! I thought you like him?!” she asked, annoyed at the fact that I wasn’t even affected by her nonsense statements.
“Freeda let’s go...” For the first time, I heard Tyler’s voice.
“No, Tyler! I know this girl is just pretending that she doesn’t like you anymore... But the truth is she’s still–”
“And who told you that? Tyler? In his dreams, I guess. You know what, Freeda, I don’t know why I wanted to be a part of your squad before... But now, I realized it wasn’t worth it...”
She gasped, and I pulled Nathan for us to walk away, not bothering to listen to their reactions. As we already reached a few meters away from them, Nathan chuckled, poking my cheeks playfully.
“What?” I asked, turning around to face him.
“You nailed it! I can’t believe you talk to Freeda like that.”
“Well I guess I’ve learned from my mistakes, Nat. And thank you... You’re one of those people who made me realized that.”
“Uhm, your welcome?” he stated, unsure.
I laughed, before wrapping my arms around his waist. After a few seconds, he returned the hug and that’s when I felt something weird again.
“What is this for?” he asked, chuckling.
“Nothing... I just wanted to give you a hug...”
Yeah, because maybe this is the last time that I’m going to hug him this tight. For the next school year, I’m not that sure about the certain things that is going to happen into our lives. Specially now that Becca is liking my bestfriend, I should savour each and every second that I’m still his favorite... Before everything ends.