Jake sends a fulminating stare towards Riden.
“So sorry, Mads.” Riden tries, but Jake interrupts him with his hand.
“Don’t you think you’re over-”
He picks me up, bridal style, and I’m left speechless. I look behind at the boys, and they’re grinning and shaking their heads.
He’s determined, taking me to the towel, I assume, but he takes me to see thelifeguards.
“West, I swear it’s nothing, it doesn’t even hurt anymore-”
“If Riden broke your nose, I will throw hands.” He says, narrowing his eyes, and I just give up.
“What happened?” A girl a bit older than us hurries to us, and before I can utter a word, Jake starts rambling.
“She might have a broken nose or something, even though it’s not bleeding, it can have some sort of hidden damage we don’t see-”
“She’s fine.” The girl dismisses, looking at me closely. “If she had broken her nose, she wouldn’t be moving it right now, and it wouldprobablybe bleeding…”
“Sorry for wasting your time-”
“It’s her job, Brown.” He interrupts again. “Thanks for everything.” And then he takes me to the towels and lays me there, finding a spot right next to mine.
“Are you sure it doesn’t hurt?”
“Yes.”
I can’t even feel it anymore, to be honest. I see the guys coming closer, and then my conversation with Aaron in the pool emerges in my head.
“Since when do you wanna be a singer?” I ask while he takes out a freshly cut watermelon from his bag.
“Since ever, I guess. I don’t know, only playing guitar wasn’t enough for me.” He shrugs, stuffing his mouth with watermelon and passing me some.
“Why don’t you perform at the talent show? I mean, one of your songs.”
“How do you know that?”
“I-” By mistake, I give it away by looking at Aaron as he’s sitting in front of us, the rest of the boys forming a circle.
“Dude! You told her about my songs?” He smacks Aaron on the chest, and the latter smirks.
“What don’t tell me she hasn’t heard Golden Eyes?” He asks sarcastically, knowing damn well I haven’t.
Jake grabs his face like he’s faced his own personal rock bottom, and for the second time since I’ve known him, I watch him squirm. I think this is one of those few things he’s insecure about, like having to repeat the first grade, which he did.
“I think it’s cool.” I interject, and the boys all look at me like I came out with a wild statement.
“Look, personally, I’m just a little worried that someone who listens to DJ Khaled unironically aims to be a rockstar, but that’s just me.” Aaron puts his hands out, never a serious bone in his sarcastic body.
“That was aphase.” It really wasn’t. I still hear him playing him sometimes.
But why are they all being jerks? I do think that’s awesome. It’s like he’s closing up before my eyes, but boys are always so used to bullying each other that I bet they don’t even realize Jake is feeling like this.
“No, really, it takes some real self-discovery to know what you wanna do for the rest of your life so clearly.” I shut them up in no time, and they all drop the discussion.
I start eating my watermelon piece, while looking at each of them, while they just stare at me, slightly wide-eyed.
“Guys, I think he wants me to be hisgirlfriend.” Allison bursts in, sitting next to me in her towel.
