Loving You Too Long

Haisley was startled, but she managed to suppress her scream every time the horror movie’s music effects caught her off guard. Yes, despite not being brave, Haisley still enjoyed watching horror films.

Because she was too focused on the character in the movie, she didn’t notice the ripples in the pool. Until the creepy character appeared on her phone screen at the same time Nathan emerged from the swimming pool. Inevitably, the scream she held in burst out.

Nathan, hearing it, immediately turned and saw Haisley looking at him with a shocked and frightened expression.

“FOR GOD’S SAKE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE? ARE YOU TRYING TO SCARE ME?!” he shouted loudly, gasping for breath, his fists clenched against his chest.

Nathan wiped his face, trying to get rid of the dripping water but didn’t take his eyes off the girl.

What was he doing? Obviously, he was swimming. And scaring the girl? He didn’t even think about it. He wasn’t even aware of her presence.

“I’m swimming, in case you didn’t know,” he replied nonchalantly.

“Are you out of your mind? How can you swim in pitch darkness like this? Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?” Despite his high and scolding tone, Nathan sensed genuine concern beneath his words. “Can’t you swim like a normal person?” he continued, his voice softer now.

“And when do normal people swim?” Nathan retorted teasingly. “And if you care so much, could you bring me a towel or maybe a bathrobe?”

Haisley stared at him sharply, but she couldn’t help but rise and head inside the house, searching for whatever Nathan had requested while he opted to continue swimming.

Haisley cursed herself; how could she not have noticed Nathan’s presence? And when exactly had he been there? Had he been there before Haisley came out? But then why hadn’t she seen him?

Haisley cursed herself again when she opened the storage door and found no bathrobe inside. In the end, she randomly picked up a towel without checking its size.

She walked back to the yard and approached the pool, trying her best to avoid the slippery areas. She didn’t like swimming pools, not just because she couldn’t swim, but for other terrifying reasons.

Haisley placed the towel Nathan had requested on the beach chair made of high-quality wood, padded with waterproof foam. Then she walked away.

“You still don’t like swimming pools, hmm?” The voice sounded so close to her ears. Even the warmth of his breath and his body heat radiated.

Haisley turned around and saw him towering in front of her. This was the first time in six years that Haisley stood so close to Nathan. Their distance was even too close, less than three feet apart.

“It’s none of your business!” she hissed sharply. She tried to dispel her nervousness at being too close to her crush. Her hands clenched tightly, attempting to refrain from touching the broad chest so close within her reach. Haisley even refused to look up. She didn’t want to gaze into his eyes and get lost in their beauty.

Haisley took a slow step back.

“Why isn’t it my business?” he asked with an inquisitive gaze. Haisley took another step back, and he advanced half a step.

“It’s really none of your business!” she replied sharply. “What I like and dislike is not your concern.” Haisley turned around, but in an instant, her arm was caught by Nathan’s large hand.

“It’s not my concern, Princess. But it doesn’t diminish my curiosity,” he replied casually. He released his grip on Haisley’s arm, and for some reason, Haisley felt a sense of loss. “You’ve just started college, and you don’t have many friends yet. Soon they’ll invite you to parties. Wild parties, some of which might include pool parties. If you still dislike swimming pools, how can you attend their invitations?”

“Are you always going to avoid and refuse your friends’ invitations? While if you keep avoiding parties like that, eventually, your friends will distance themselves from you because they find you boring,” Nathan taunted, making Haisley raise her head and look at him coldly.

“I can ‘always’ attend those parties without ‘approaching’ the pool,” she retorted arrogantly. “I can even flaunt a Tiffany bikini without having to dip myself in the pool and get it wet.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Nathan raised an eyebrow coldly. Hearing the words ‘flaunt a bikini’ suddenly peaked his anger.

“Of course, I also know that a pool party doesn’t always have to involve the pool. I can choose to sit in the farthest corner from the pool and engage in other activities like my friends do.” Haisley folded her arms in front of her chest, forgetting that she wasn’t wearing a bra, and that the oversized long-sleeved shirt she was wearing was so old it had become thin enough to see through.

Nathan tried to keep his eyes from straying to the tempting mounds peeking above the folds of Haisley’s arms and instead focused on her face. But even that didn’t dispel the tension building in his lower body. The tension he had tried to alleviate by swimming was now magnified several times. Especially seeing the angry red hue spreading across Haisley’s cheeks under the pool lights.

And those plump lips, despite uttering sharp words, were so enticing to be sucked on.

“If I may ask, what kind of activities are you referring to?” Nathan redirected his focus back to their conversation. He stood tall, folding his arms across his chest just like Haisley did.

“Typical activities that adults usually do,” she replied.

“Adults?” he questioned.

“Yes! Adults!” she snapped back harshly. Haisley glared at Nathan upon hearing the mocking chuckle from him.

“What do you think adults typically do?”

“Don’t pretend to be stupid, Nathan! And don’t think I’m stupid!”

“I don’t think you’re stupid, Princess. I just want to know, maybe your perception of ‘adult activities’ is different from mine.” Nathan approached again, while Haisley stepped back. For some reason, Nathan’s gaze seemed more intimidating than his usual cold stare. “So, Princess. Explain to me, what do ‘adults’ do?”