Page 12 of The Other Half

Some of the possible reasons I came up with were: a) he has a girlfriend, b) he didn’t enjoy our time together as much as I did, or c) I smell bad. Or even worse, maybe he figured out that my dad is one of the higher ups at the mill, and he decided that he hates me for it.

Somehow I built up the courage to talk to him again, even though I wanted to wait for him to do it. But it didn’t seem like that was ever going to happen.

My parents are staying at our beach house in Charleston for the weekend, they invited me to come along but I said no. It’s mid-September, which means it’s probably too cold to swim in the ocean by now anyway. And I appreciate the occasions when my house is quiet and peaceful.

I was a little bit shocked that he accepted my invitation. But I’m happy. He’s really the only person I’ve made any connection with at this school, and I could use a friend. I have zero expectations for anything more than friendship with him, so even if he does have a girlfriend that’s perfectly fine. I just don’t want to spend my entire weekend sitting in my house by myself.

I type out a text to him before stripping out of my school clothes to take a shower. So in case I did smell, I won’t this time, God willing. I quickly scrub myself with the fruitiest, floweriest body wash I have and then I step out and dry myself, checking my phone when I’m done.

Oliver: What do you wanna do tonight?

I hadn’t really considered what we’d do. I guess we could watch a movie. Or we could go for a swim.

Oakley: Do you like to swim? We have a pool :)

Oliver: Isn’t it a bit cold today for that? Lol

Oakley: It’s indoor and heated

Oliver: Okay, sure.

He doesn’t sound extremely enthused but hopefully it’ll be entertaining enough. I don’t know how he typically spends his Friday nights, but I assume they probably involve drinking or drugs. I saw the empty beer bottles and the glass pipe on his dresser. I know most kids our age enjoy that stuff, but it just scares me. The thought of not having full control of my body and mind doesn’t seem pleasant at all, so I’ve never wanted to try it. And my dad’s drinking problem hasn’t made me real keen on the stuff either.

* * *

A couple of hours later I hear my doorbell ring. I dash down the stairs, trying to conceal my excitement. I unlock the door and pull it open. “Come in,” I say with a too wide smile.

“Thanks,” he says as he enters my house, grinning back at me politely.

“Did you bring a swimsuit?” I ask as we walk towards the back end of my house.

“Yeah, I’m wearing it under my pants. I’m not much of a swimmer though, honestly. I can only doggy paddle really,” he admits with a husky laugh.

“Well, we can just get in the hot tub. I think it’s like 5 feet deep or something so I doubt you’ll be able to drown in there.”

He raises his eyebrows at me like I said something weird. I guess I didn’t consider the connotation that goes along with hanging out with a girl in a hot tub. “I mean, we don’t have to swim at all, really. We can do something else,” I sputter out awkwardly.

“No, the hot tub sounds nice,” he says, shrugging and nodding his head.

I lead him into our spa area. It’s a decent sized room containing the pool and the hot tub, along with a few lounge chairs and a gas fireplace. The whole room is surrounded with several floor to ceiling windows that let in the natural light and allow an unobstructed view of the mountains.

“Fuck. It’s like you live in a hotel.” He looks around at the room in disbelief, his eyes catching on the artificial waterfall that pours into the pool. I expected that after the last time he was here. I hope he doesn’t think I’m trying to rub my money in his face.

“Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I like hanging out in here.” I shrug nervously. “I’m gonna go change, but you’re welcome to go ahead and get in, you can change the temperature if it’s too hot or cold. I’ll be right back.”

Chapter 14

Oliver

Once again I’m mind-blown at the amount of money Oakley’s parents have. I don’t want to think about that, though. I just want to try and enjoy my night. It’s not like I had anything better to do than this at home. And I have to admit this place is pretty sweet. I unzip my pants and let them fall to the floor, and lift my shirt over my head.

I step into the hot tub and press the button that I assume will turn on the jets. I’m right, they come on and I feel the warm water begin to soothe my muscles almost instantly. I hardly ever go swimming, and I hang out in hot tubs even less often, but I have to admit this is nice. I still don’t understand why she invited me here, though.

I hear footsteps behind me and I turn around to see Oakley entering the “spa” as she called it. Somehow I didn’t consider the fact that she’d also be swimming, and therefore be half naked as well. Up until now I never had much of an idea of what her body would look like, she doesn’t wear the most form fitting clothes. I wasn’t prepared for this. Her tits are bigger than I expected, perfectly round and held up only by a tiny blue bikini top, and her legs are long and tan and muscular.

I always thought she was cute, but goddamn, she’s sexy, too.

I try to evade my stare away from her body as I feel myself almost instantly get stiff beneath my swim trunks. I hope that the bubbles on the surface of the water will hide my erection. I silently chastise myself for being a creep as she slowly slides herself into the water across from me.

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