My gaze ventured toward Alexander who stood with his friends, one of whom was a food technology student with a table of pasta. He smirked as his eyes flickered toward Ava and Eden who were laughing, bodies shifting closer together.
If I had known anyone else, I would have left. But I didn’t, so I played the role of an uncomfortable third wheel.
“Wow,” Ava breathed out once Eden returned to her family who were waiting by the food tables, “I didn’t know she liked art. She really knows her stuff.”
“Not just a dumb swimmer, then,” I mumbled.
An elbow to the ribs was Ava’s response.
No longer were we spending our lunch breaks organising social justice school events—Ava was very passionate about theenvironment and inequality—or painting in the art rooms. There were no more concerts to plan or theme parks to save up for. Instead, we shuffled onto poolside benches to watch the girls swim team train. Or, more accurately, watch Eden train.
I missed the quiet of the art block, the familiar scent of charcoal and wet paint. The splashes of water, the cheering, the music—it was overstimulating. Even when I brought my art book to draw, concentration evaded me.
“God, she’s so beautiful,” Ava would sigh dreamily.
Everything was all about Eden. It was exhausting. I wanted to discuss art, music, books—Ava wanted to discuss Eden, Eden, Eden.
“I heard she’s going to be at Jesse Somerton’s party this Saturday,” Ava said during one lunch break, her gaze locked on Eden as she climbed out of the pool, wet blonde strands slipping from her swimming cap.
I pulled a face. Jesse Somerton had been arrested twice for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and he wasn't even eighteen yet. He was always smoking in the bathrooms, setting off the alarms until we all had to evacuate to the sports field. Somehow, he evaded expulsion, which I suspected had something to do with his politician father.
“We should go,” Ava went on. “It will be our first real party! There will be drinks and music and heaps of people from school. Eden invited me. You should come!”
“To a party?” I repeated, alarmed.
Ava nudged me. “Why do you look so scared? It will be fun! And I need you there for support because…maybe I’ll finally build up the courage to ask Eden out.”
“But…you don’t even know if she…you know…” I waved my hand around in a vague gesture.
“Likes girls?” Ava supplied.
I nodded.
“We’ve been texting a lot,” she shrugged. “I’m not one hundred percent sure but I have to shoot my shot, right?”
“And what am I supposed to do while you’re flirting with Eden?” I asked, rolling my eyes.
Ava wriggled her eyebrows. “Maybe ask a girl out yourself. I heard Elysse has a crush on you.”
“Not interested.”
“Okay, it doesn’t have to beher,” Ava chuckled. “But I mean…don’t you want like…a girlfriend or something?”
“No. I’d rather just…hang out with you.”
Ava frowned, gaze lowering to her hands as she turned so her body faced away from me. “We’re friends, Augustus. Just friends.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
“And I’m gay,” she went on, “so I shouldn't have to explain to you that–”
“I don’t like you like that!” I cut her off.
Ava paused. “You…don’t?”
“No!” I said, shaking my head. “You’re myfriend, that’s all.”
An uncomfortable silence lingered between us.
