poolside convos
Nat groaned as the theme song from House of The Dragon played over and over. She reached over and tapped the ‘Stop’ button on Van’s Phone, it flashed 9:16AM. She had slept over at his house, dreading her own after last night’s spiral, she was still exhausted, sensitive, and a little high. She actively pushed back her thoughts creeping back up, not today. Van is curled up next to her, of course she’s up first. She took a few minutes to clear her head and pull herself together, no time for self-pity when she’s playing cupid.
Nat peeled herself off the boy’s bed to get ready, she’s thankful that their closets practically merged over the years, she pulled out her black bikini top (she must’ve left here), her red button-up (Van definitely ‘borrowed’ without asking), and his own black swim trunks.
Once ready, she ripped the blanket off him and smacked him awake, “come on, pretty boy, we got a pool party.”
Van groaned awake, eyes fluttering open in the sunlight, “So eager, and for what? Just so you can stare at Lottie from across the pool and pretend you’re not interested.” She could hear the smirk in his voice.
For a split second, she wanted to say fuck it—admit she’s only doing this for him. But another part was glad he had no idea what’s to come, hoping the shock would kill him or something. “yeah, yeah, we get it, I’m the one who’s hopeless with girls, not the virgin in front of me.”
That woke Van right up, a pointed finger at Nat and a scowl on his puffy face, “I’m not a virgin, or did you forget about me hooking with Mari at Jackie’s last party? or, or, my first time ever with Crystal of all people at summer camp?”
He noticed Nat’s amused smile, “Oh, fuck you, you could’ve just rolled me off the bed, now I’m all heated.”
Nat put her hands on his shoulders, “and there’s a fancy pool waiting to cool you down.” She spun him around and shoved him in the direction of his closet.
Van muttered and grumbled to himself as he looked through his closet. “Wear your blue top, it brings out your eyes.” Nat said with a smirk, he flipped her off behind his back. “I’m just trying to get you to look your best for Tai.”
He froze, eyes popping. “Tai’s coming?”
Nat’s grin split wide—gotcha. “Yeah dumbass, she’s Lottie’s best friend, why wouldn’t she come?”
Clad in said blue shirt, he gulped, “wait—Tai? Like, Tai, Tai? And you didn’t tell me?” His voice cracked, panic rising.
“Relax, pretty boy. You got this. If I told you sooner you woulda been practicing your pick-up lines and god forbid you pull one of those on Tai.” Nat patted his back.
Van’s eyes shone in excitement, “holy shit, this is it.” He ruffled Nat’s hair and hurried to the bathroom. “I love you, Natalie Scatorccio!” Nat shook her head, “you better.”
*******
By the time Shauna showed up, Nat was sitting Van’s porch, flicking her lighter open and shut. “Took you long enough.” She called as Shauna walked up, keys dangling from her fingers.
“Some of us actually sleep in,” Shauna shot back. She nodded toward Van, who was standing behind Nat, adjusting his swim trunks. “Squirrels in your pants?”
Van scoffed. “I don’t think you realize what’s at stake here.” He combed his fingers through his hair, sniffed the pits of his shirt for the 40th time.
Nat smirked, “didn’t you hear? It’s his wedding day!” She jumped down from the porch, followed Shauna to her car.
“You two are the worst possible duo to be getting emotional support from.” He huffed, trudging behind them.
Shauna unlocked her car. “Didn’t realize I was offering that to begin with.”
Her car smelled faintly of vanilla and old coffee.
Nat was slouched in the passenger seat, messing with the radio, while Van stretched out in the back, bouncing his knee like he was about to be sent into battle.
Van, groaned. “This is gonna go so bad.”
“Oh my god, shut up.” Nat muttered. “I shouldn’t have told you anything. You’ll be fine, just don’t say anything stupid.” Van was barely listening.
Shauna kept both hands on the wheel. “So, who’s this Jackie chick again?”
Nat shrugged, “Lottie’s friend slash neighbor. Rich. Queen bee type I guess.”
“Oh. You’ll adore her.” Van decided to share mid-crash out.
Shauna scoffed but didn’t say anything. She just tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
“Do I look okay? Like, Tai’s seen me before, obviously, but do I look better today?” Van checked himself out in the rearview mirror.
Nat didn’t even glance back. “You look the same.”
“That wasn’t what I was going for.” He squirmed.
Shauna rolled her eyes. “If you’re gonna throw up, at least do it outside the car. Leather seats and all.”
Van flopped back into the seat. “Wow, guys. The support in this car is truly overwhelming.”
Nat settled on a station and leaned back in her chair, reaching her hand back toward Van, for emotional support. He gripped with sweaty palms.
Shauna tapped her fingers on the wheel, eyes glancing toward Nat with a forced smirk.
“So, looking forward to seeing Lottie?”
Nat stiffened for a split second, shrugging. “Why would I be?”
Shauna hummed knowingly. “No reason. Just thinking about last night.”
Nat scoffed, “maybe you shouldn’t think too hard. Might hurt yourself.”
Van, oblivious, popped a piece of gum in his mouth. “Wait, what?”
Nat, “nothing.”
Shauna, “just a little late-night texting.”
Van, “with who?”
Nat, “no one.”
Shauna, “right, no one.”
Van, “it was Lottie, wasn’t it?”
Nat, “you guys suck.”
Shauna, “you make it too easy.”
Nat glared at her, shifting in her seat.
Shauna just smirked.
They arrived at the outside gate. A twelve-foot behemoth, standing over Shauna’s car. Nat hadn’t been here since sixth grade. She didn’t realize it at the time, but that birthday party would be the last time she’d ever set foot in the Matthews residence, until now. Not that Lottie stopped inviting her. Nat just ran with a different crowd, come seventh grade. The closest she’s gotten since, was on the other side of the lake, at Jackie’s house. That girl developed an affinity for parties once they hit high school.
Shauna lowered her window and pressed the button on the intercom. Nothing happened for a second, then the gate creaked open, and Shauna moved forward again.
“Holy shit…” Shauna muttered. Ahead was a huge drive way lined with pristine trees and trimmed hedges. As they slowly drove up it, The Matthews mansion loomed bigger and bigger. “Holy fucking shit.” She repeated.
The driveway wrapped around a fountain just before the house. Shauna parked to the side. High arches, big windows, bigger green, lush lawn. Shauna felt herself shrink in her driver’s seat. Her mom’s promotion was a big deal—life-changing, even. But it meant not relying on a scholarship when college came around, not a fucking castle. She tried to shake it off, but something about stepping into Lottie’s world made her feel like she was on the outside, looking in.
Lottie stepped out from the side of the house as the three exited the car. She was in an olive green two piece with a white, flowing, see-through cover up. Drink in hand, Sunglasses perched on top of her head.
Nat inhaled sharply looking up at her. She wasn’t ready, not emotionally, not mentally. She hasn’t even had time to prepare herself for seeing Lottie again after the text. Van was huffing in deep breaths and rolling his shoulders, muttering to himself, “you got this, I got this.. oh god, do I got this?”
“You guys are finally here!” Lottie said excitedly, pulling Shauna into a hug. Shauna reciprocated, “Your house is insane, Lottie.” She said looking around.
Lottie shrugged, “thanks, kinda excessive, I know. My mom has expensive taste.” Only then did she look over to Nat, a flirtatious smile playing on her lips. She looked like she was gonna say something but decided against it.
Shauna saw it, the way Lottie’s gaze lingered on Nat and the way Nat squirmed under it. She tried to push down whatever feelings were bubbling in her stomach. It’s nothing.
“We’re by the pool, this way.” She led them up the stairs and around the house. Nat hung back around Van, while Lottie and Shauna walked ahead, talking about god knows what. Partially to hype him up, partially to avoid having to own up to her text to Lottie.
They eventually get to the pool, it was massive. Stretching long and wide, the kind of deep end you’d drown in if you sucked at swimming. Fancy tile rimmed it, shiny and perfect—Lottie’s dad’s cash screaming loud. Lounge chairs framing it. A pool house squatted to the side, white stone matching the mansion, glass doors wide open, towels, snacks, couches, fireplace and a bougie bar which had any drink you’d dream of. Standing there, floral bikini on, pouring herself a drink, was Jackie Taylor. 5’4, it girl, co-captain of the soccer team, dating jock, Jeff Sadecki. Huge hazel eyes, soft, dirty-blonde hair and cheekbones to die for.
“Oh look, the Losers Club made it.” Jackie grinned, pulling in Nat and Van for a hug. “Is this California?” Honing in on Shauna.
Shauna crossed her arms, shoulders too tense. “it’s Shauna.” She already felt like an outsider, and now this girl was trying to put her under a microscope. Jackie was assessing her, already deciding what kind of person she was. Shauna hated that she cared.
Jackie’s smile didn’t waver. “Nice.” She looked her up and down. “You got that vibe.”
Shauna frowned, “what vibe?”
Jackie shrugged, taking a slow sip from her drink. “Like you miss overpriced oat milk and vegan food trucks.”
Nat bit back a laugh.
Shauna raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “And you have the vibe of a girl who will peak in high school.”
That earned her an impressed look from Nat and Van.
Jackie’s eyes widened, then she composed herself with a grin. “Oh, I like you.”
Shauna gave her a fake smile. “That makes one of us.” She turned around and plopped on a lounge chair.
Lottie, walking into the pool house, laughed under her breath. “Easy ladies, day just started.”
Jackie didn’t look offended at all. If anything, she looked like she was having fun. She slid onto the chair next to Shauna’s. Way too comfortable already. Shauna avoided looking at her, just looked off at the pool. Why am I here?
Nat bit her lip at the interaction, she looked over to Van expecting them to share one of their looks but Van was frozen. Which was rare.
Nat followed his gaze and—yep. Taissa Turner was sitting there, watching him.
She was laid back on one of the lounge chairs, sleek, black one-piece on. Looking effortlessly cool. A book in her lap she wasn’t really reading.
Nat gave her a nod, “Hey, Tai.”
Tai looked over with a smile, “hello, Nat. Been a minute.” Her eyes dash over to Van, who’s staring like a deer in headlights. “Something wrong, Palmer?” She asked, brow arched, voice smooth but edged with a challenge.
Van stammered, “n-no, not at all, hi.” His face as red as his hair.
Tai smirked. “Hi.”
Silence.
Nat nudged him, and under her breath, “dude, say something.”
Van snapped out of it, rubbing the back of his neck, “uh, cool… swimsuit.”
Tai leaned back. “Yeah?”
Van nodded, words tumbling out, “yeah, like… action movie badass—like you’d run some kinda underground casino, pet tiger and all.” He stepped closer.
Tai’s brow lifted, sliding her shades down, peering over them. “A tiger?” Tone dry, but amused.
Van leaned in, desperate. “Yeah, and the hero’s supposed to take you down but falls for you instead—total plot twist.”
Tai blinked, then laughed, sharp and real. “Weird as hell, Van. But points for creativity.” She tilted her head. “You practice that one?”
Van shook his head, “no, off the top of my head. You’re inspiring.” He rocked on his heels.
“Flattery’s a start,” Tai said, sliding her shades back up, but her smirk lingered. “Don't choke now.”
Van’s grin split his face in half, shoulders finally relaxing. He looked back at Nat who gave him two thumbs up. “Get it buddy.” She mouthed.
Lottie had been quietly observing, letting everyone settle.
Now, though, she finally turned to Nat.
She wasn’t prodding like Jackie.
Wasn’t teasing like Tai.
No, Lottie had an easy smile on, watching her. Casual, but careful.
Nat pretended not to notice.
Then Lottie took a step closer.
Nat finally looked over to see that Lottie had ditched her cover-up, she swallowed and gave a little smile. “Hey, Lot.” She couldn’t avoid her forever.
“Hey, you.” Lottie stood close enough for Nat to smell her lotion or something. Cocoa butter. It swirled in Nat’s head, she needed a seat. She nodded towards a lounge chair, a distance away from the rest. Lottie followed.
Shauna was barely listening to Jackie ramble about her boyfriend and their high school and their soccer team and everything Shauna couldn’t care less about.
When she noticed Nat and Lottie.
Walking close. Too close.
Her stomach twisted.
She looked away.
It didn’t mean anything. Lottie was just friendly like that, right?
“Van seems to be carrying his own.” Lottie nodded toward him. Her leg brushing Nat’s as she sat down.
Nat’s throat caught, looking over to the boy. First in the pool, he was splashing around in front of Tai, she had picked up her book again but kept sneaking looks his way. “Yeah, he’s a real charmer.” Nat smiled, looking back at Lottie.
Lottie turned to face her. “So, that’s taken care of.” Her hand wandered to Nat’s knee, drawing circles on it. Nat melted at her touch. When did she become such a pathetic mess? “Ready to swim?” Her head tilted, considering. “How can I make it worth your while?”
Nat’s stomach dropped—oh fuck, she went there. Lottie’d plucked her “worth my while” right out of that stupid, bold text, the one Nat regretted the second she threw her phone down. Her brain blanked, mouth opening before words caught up. “Uh, I, shit, you didn’t have to—” She laughed, high and shaky, hand flying to her neck, rubbing hard as heat surged up her face. Lottie threw the ball in her park.
Lottie’s grin twitched wider, eyes bright, like Nat’s fluster was a gift. “Didn’t have to what?” she asked, voice light, leaning in just a bit. Her hand stilling on Nat’s knee, then she tugged on the hem of Nat’s shorts, fingers hot on her thigh.
Nat’s pulse hammered. Lottie wasn’t backing off, but she wasn’t pushing either. Caught, she could dodge or dive. Then her smirk snapped back, small and unsteady. “I dunno, Lot,” she said, voice low, leaning in, “it’s really on you—you’re the one who said you’d pull me in. How are you gonna make it worth my while? Unless you’re just teasing me.” Her eyes locked on Lottie’s, flirty but flickering with nerves, insides boiling, gut twisting hot, what the fuck am I doing?, but she held it cool, daring Lottie to bite.
Lottie’s breath caught, grin faltering, then blooming with a flush creeping up her cheeks. “Just teasing?” she echoed, laugh soft but shaky, hand pressing Nat’s thigh a little firmer. “I don’t tease, Nat. Unless you ask nicely.” She stood, brushing Nat’s arm as she rose, stepping to the pool’s edge with a glance back, eyes washing over Nat.
Nat’s chest burned—fuck, she’d thrown it back, and Lottie had caught it. Her pulse raced, but she tried to roll with it, standing shakily, fingers fumbling with the buttons of her red top. She hesitated, then unbuttoned, slower than she meant, cheeks burning as she tossed it aside. “Guess we’ll find out,” she said, voice low, stepping up to Lottie, eyes darting to her hand. Lottie grabbed it first, tugging her close with a grin, voice dipping. “Let’s see if you can keep up.” They jumped in together, water crashing up, Lottie’s laugh spilling out as they surfaced.
Nat shook wet hair from her eyes, smiling despite the heat roaring inside, trying to play it cool. “This what you wanted?”
Lottie splashed her, grinning, cheeks still pink. “Getting there. You’re not drowning, are you?”
Shauna kept watching.
Lottie—close, confident, so at ease.
Nat—hesitant, but drawn in anyway.
She wasn’t sure what irritated her more.
Then Jackie spoke up.
“Aw, jealous?” She scrunched up her nose.
Shauna scoffed. “Of what?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that she looks at Lottie like she just found God?”
Shauna rolled her eyes. She stood up, dropping her shorts. “I’m getting in.”
Jackie grinned, sipping on her drink. “That’s the spirit, Cali.”
Shauna ignoring her, lowered herself into the pool. She turned around and floated on her back, half running away from Jackie.
Jackie looked over to Nat, “hey, Nat, got any weed?” She stood there, looking down at her. A hand on her hip and the other limp in the air.
Nat welcomed Jackie’s distraction, Lottie somehow looking gorgeous even drenched, also her newfound bravery lasted about two minutes in the water.
“Who the fuck do you think I am?” She scoffed, looking up at Jackie. “Of course I do.”
Nat pulled herself up and sat on the edge of the pool. Grabbed her pack and pulled out a joint. She looked over at Lottie, “is it okay with you?” She asked quietly.
Lottie nodded, “go for it.” She nodded toward Shauna, “I’ll keep her company.”
As Nat lit up, Jackie sat next to her. Their thighs flush against each other. Both looking at Shauna and Lottie, Shauna finally has her friendly act on.
“So, you try anything with Cali yet?” Jackie asked, snagging the joint.
Nat scoffed, “do you ever hear yourself talk?”
Jackie shrugged, “What? she’s cute. If I were gay I’d go for it.” She inhaled, ashing the joint into her now empty cup.
Nat looked over to her, eyes narrow. “And how would Jeff feel about you saying that?”
“Like he’d care..” Jackie mumbled, handing the joint back to Nat. “I dumped him again, he won’t stop asking me for sex like it’s the only thing that matters in our relationship.”
Nat nudged her with her shoulder. “I’m sorry, he’s an asshole.” Jackie always ran her mouth to anyone who’d listen. A true trauma-dumper.
“Whatever.. I’ll probably take him back soon.” She seemed to be thinking. “Hey, Nat.. I know this is a weird question but,”
Oh boy, here we go.
“How did you know you, you liked girls?” Jackie’s voice was tiny, she didn’t look at Nat. She focused on her legs.
Nat took a puff and handed the joint to Jackie.
“Uhm, I guess I’ve always known? My sister Alex told me I’d get home from kindergarten and gush about my teacher and how pretty she is. And how one day I came home bragging about how I kissed a girl at nap time. I forget who she said it was.” Nat smiled at that.
Jackie giggled, so Nat kept going. “I’ve been friends with Van my whole life, and we obsessed over Selena Gomez as Alex Russo. Umm, Megan Fox in Transformers was my sexual awakening. Cliche, I know, but damn, I was head-over-heels for her.”
Jackie was full on laughing now. Nat stole the joint from her, feeling comfortable now. She thought for a minute. “My first real crush was Lottie, I guess.” Jackie gasped next to her.
“What?!” Jackie’s eyebrows were shot up, comically. “For how long?”
Nat panicked, “No, no! Not now, no, like, in middle school. I don’t know. She’d always involve me with you guys in your sleepovers and stuff, she was the kindest, prettiest girl to me. God, why am I telling you this?” Nat groaned.
Jackie wrapped an arm around her. “Hey, I’m not gonna tell anyone, I swear it.” Nat raised a brow, Jackie wasn’t exactly known for keeping a secret. “Neither of us tell anyone about this conversation, I think that’s a fair trade.”
“Deal.” Nat nodded, taking a last puff before putting out the joint. “So, you think you.. you know?”
Jackie looked small again. “I don’t know, I don’t think I even really like Jeff. And sometimes, I look at girls and it just.. I don’t know, it makes sense.”
Nat cleared her throat, “Not to sound like an asshole, but… why didn’t you ask Tai about this? She’s been out since sophomore year.”
Jackie smiled, small and unsure. “I know, I just don’t think I’m ready to tell my friends yet, especially since I’m not fully ready to admit it to myself. Plus, Tai doesn’t have any weed to share with me.” She smirked, her confidence making a comeback.
Nat shook her head, “using me for my weed and my amazing listening skills. I should’ve known.”
“You’re not half bad, Scatorccio.” Jackie got up, stretching. “Thank you for talking to me.”
Nat nodded, oddly touched. She watched Jackie walk into the pool house.
She looked at the water, two sets of eyes looking back.
Lottie, soft.
Shauna, intense.
Nat gulped, “You guys want a drink?” She nodded to the bar, getting up.
“I’ll have a beer.” Shauna spoke up.
Van nodded, “grab me one too.”
Lottie swam over, “let me help you with that.” She pulled herself out of the pool. Nat looked away.
Shauna clenched her jaw.
Lottie followed Nat into the pool house, as Jackie stepped out, phone in hand. “Let’s liven up the place shall we?” She tapped her phone and Frank Ocean started playing from all around the pool.
Van immediately started singing along, loud. As Nat has, under her breath. Jackie finally joined them in the water. “Get in here, Tai! I’m so lonely.” She pouted. Tai rolled her eyes and finally slipped into the water, making Van help her step down into the pool. He nearly swallowed his tongue.
Lottie was mixing herself and Jackie a drink, Nat pulling beers from the fridge for her friends.
“You want me to mix you one?” Lottie asked as Nat rounded the bar.
Nat shook her head, “I don’t really like to drink.” She sat on a stool, waiting for Lottie to finish.
“Just smoke?” Lottie looked up with a teasing smile.
“Can’t hurt anyone with weed.” Nat said with a sad smile.
Lottie looked at her understandingly. “I’ll give Tai my drink if you share another joint with me.”
An offer. A smirk. No pity, no looking at her like a wounded animal. Just understanding.
Nat shook her head, “you don’t have to do that.” She looked down at her hands.
Lottie reached over the bar, her warm, steady hand finding Nat’s freezing one.
Nat’s throat felt tight.
She should pull away.
She didn’t.
Not immediately at least.
Instead she gave Lottie’s hand a tiny squeeze.
Lottie, softly, teasing, “guess I’ll take that as a yes to sharing a smoke.”
Nat exhaled, a small smile playing at her lips. “Or maybe I just wanted to see if your hands were as soft as they look.”
Lottie huffed out a quiet laugh.
Nat didn’t let go.
“And?”
Nat finally pulled her hand back, flexing her fingers.
“Unfairly soft, what do you moisturize with, angel tears?”
Lottie smirked, tipping her head to one side. “Guess you’ll just have to keep touching me to find out.”
Nat’s brain short-circuited.
She reached for the beers, eyes locked on the bar instead of Lottie.
She cleared her throat, “should get these to the guys..”
Lottie didn’t argue. Didn’t need to.
She just followed Nat back to the pool.
*******
Shauna was still watching.
Lottie and Nat sat on the edge of the pool, dangling their feet in. Passing a joint between them. Nat looked surprisingly comfortable with Lottie’s hand on her thigh.
Shauna took a long sip of her beer.
Then Jackie’s voice cut through.
“Still not jealous?”
Shauna exhaled sharply.
“Not even a little.”
Jackie’s smirk deepened, watching Shauna too closely, like she was figuring something out.
Shauna took another sip of her beer, keeping her expression flat. If she didn’t react, it wasn’t real.
“Bet I can beat you to the deep end.”
Jackie blinked, then lit up like a challenge was the greatest gift she’d ever received.
“Oh, you’re so on.”
They lined up along the edge, tension sparking.
Lottie whispered to Nat, “did we miss something?”
Nat giggled, high kicking in. “I think Jackie’s just trying to make Shauna mad enough to kill her.”
Lottie took a drag, “bold move.”
then—Shauna and Jackie pushed off the wall, racing toward the deep end.
Van floated nearby, close to Tai, who’d been watching the race with arms folded, head tilted.
“Didn’t think Shauna had a competitive streak.” She said.
Van shook his head, water dripping from his hair. “I don’t think she does. Jackie just… brings out the worst in people.” He grinned, looking up at her. “You’re not racing, though. Too cool, right?”
Tai smirked, gliding closer, her shoulder brushing his. “Don’t need to. I’d smoke em without trying.” Her tone light, but her eyes dared him.
Van swallowed, splashing a little to cover it. “Oh, yeah? Prove it. Bet you can’t dunk me.”
Tai’s brow arched, amused. “You’re asking for it, Palmer.” In less than a second, she lunged, shoving his head under before he could react. He flailed up, sputtering, grinning like an idiot.
“Told you,” she said, laughing, real and unguarded. She saw lazy circles around him, “you’re all talk.”
“That wasn’t fair!” Van splashed her, voice squeaking with glee. “You’re, like, ninja-level sneaky. I demand a rematch.”
Tai pretended to think about it, “hmm, only if you say ‘pretty please’ first.”
Van’s face reddened again, but didn’t hesitate. “Pretty please, Tai, kick my ass again.” He stood in the pool to bow low. Tai laughed, shaking her head.
“Deal.” She lunged again. He dodged this time—barely—grabbing her wrist, tugging her under with him. They surfaced, tangled and gasping, Tai’s smirk wider, Van’s eyes wilder.
“You’re dead,” she said, hand on his shoulder. “not bad, though. For a nerd.”
She left him there, beaming, his chest heaving, nearly sinking from the high.
Across the pool, Shauna was pulling ahead.
She was focused, arms slicing clean through the water.
But Jackie?
Jackie was a finisher.
She pushed forward at the last second, overtaking Shauna right before hitting the edge of the deep end. She surfaced, grinning wide.
“Damn, Cali. Almost had me.“
Shauna breathed hard, wiping water from her face.
She hated losing.
Hated even more that Jackie was enjoying this so much.
“Congrats. You can swim fast.”
Jackie laughed, pleased with herself.
“admit it, you had fun.”
Shauna rolled her eyes.
“I had a workout.”
Jackie tilted her head, studying her.
“You’re such a liar.”
Shauna turned, floating on her back, pretending to be done with the conversation.
Jackie should’ve just let her go. Should’ve turned around, climbed out the pool, and moved on.
But she didn’t.
She watched Shauna drift, dark hair fanning out in the water, lips slightly parted as she caught her breath. Her navy blue bikini hugging her just right.
And for some reason, Jackie’s stomach filled with butterflies.
She ignored it. Ducked underwater before she could think too hard about it.
Van looked around for Nat, shock still on his face, he swam towards her and Lottie.
“Did you see that??” He whisper-yelled. Then total composed in a regular voice, “Hi Lottie.”
Then he looked at Nat again with wide eyes. “Tai dunked me!”
“I know, dude!” Nat high-fived him. “Knew you had it.”
Lottie giggled next to her.
Van sighed, “this is the best day of my life.”
Tai called from her lounge chair, “don’t let it get to your head, Palmer.”
Van froze. Mouth agape.
Lottie and Nat giggling at him.
*******
The music hummed through the speakers, as the sun was starting to dip, casting long golden streaks across the water.
Nat exhaled deeply, leaning back on her palms, watching the others.
Van was still on cloud nine, barely holding it together as him and Tai talked in hushed voices.
Shauna and Jackie were still floating in the deep end, but the mood has shifted.
Shauna wasn’t seething with hatred, at least not as much.
Jackie wasn’t pushing as hard.
For the first time all day, they seemed to just existed.
Nat felt a tap against her foot, she turned to look at Lottie, still sat beside her, watching her with half-lidded eyes, legs kicking lazily beneath the water.
“We should do this again.”
Nat blinked. “What, another pool day?”
“Hmm, I was thinking just us.” Lottie nudged her with her shoulder.
Nat searched her eyes.
She knew how to brush off a joke.
And she knew how to flirt and keep it light when she wanted to.
But this?
This didn’t feel like a joke.
Lottie didn’t wait for an answer, just kept kicking her feet, eyes flicking back to the water.
Like it didn’t matter.
But it did.
Nat could feel that it did.
And for the first time, she actually let herself consider it.
Not just the fact that Lottie might be flirting with her.
Has been flirting with her all day.
But the fact that she liked being around her.
That even if it was nothing more than just Lottie being Lottie—she didn’t want to push her away.
Nat swallowed, trying to play it cool. “Yeah… yeah, okay.”
Lottie smiled to herself, satisfied.
In the deep end, the water felt cool, but Shauna was burning. She didn’t why she was still here, floating next to Jackie, letting the muffled chatter wash over her.
She glanced at Nat again. Her and Lottie were still talking, locked in their own world. Lottie leaned in just enough, Nat’s shoulder turned toward her. They weren’t touching, but the air between them felt charged.
Shauna’s jaw tightened. She sank under for a moment, then resurfaced. Jackie’s eyes on her, not teasing, just watching. Like she knew.
“Not jealous.” she murmured.
Jackie shook her head, voice small. “Didn’t say anything.”
*******
Shauna’s car rumbled through the dusk, the faint coffee scent mixing with chlorine as they head back home. Nat slouched in the passenger seat, hair ends sticking to her shoulder, an amused smile on her face as Van, sprawled in the back, basically vibrating with joy, talked their ears off. Shauna drove, hands tight on the wheel, jaw clenched, quietly simmering in irritation.
Van leaned forward, elbow jamming into their seats, “and when she dunked me? It was like being baptized by an angel. Like her hands actually on me! I’m a legend now, right? Tell me I’m a legend.”
Nat twisted to face him, grinning wide. “You’re a fucking legend, dude. And that look she gave you when you dunked her with you? You crushed it.”
Van’s face lit up, beaming. “You think? I made her laugh, real laugh! That’s gotta mean I’m in.”
"Hell yeah, you’re in,” Nat said punching his arm lightly. “She was into it. I’m proud of you, pretty boy.”
Shauna snorted, her tone flat and biting. “Proud? He flailed like a drowned rat. She was just humoring him."
Van groaned, but his smile held. “Nah, she said ‘not bad’ that’s Tai for ‘I’m obsessed’ trust me!”
“She’s hooked, man.” Nat said turning back to face the front. “you played it perfect, kept her laughing, didn’t choke. You’re golden.” Her mind wandering to Lottie’s ‘just us’.
Van sighed, dreamy, “I’m winning her over.” He leaned back, still buzzing.
Shauna’s eyes darted over, sharp and grumpy. “What about you? Lottie was all over you. You two looked cozy.”
Van’s head popped up, curious. “Wait, Lottie? What’d I miss?”
Nat shrugged, voice casual but a smile on her lips. “She said we should hang out again—just us. No big deal, think we’re… friends now? I don’t know.” Avoiding Shauna’s stare.
Van’s jaw dropped, “holy shit.”
At the same time,
Shauna scoffed, “friends?”
“Dude! She’s asking you out and you’re saying friends?” Van shook his head.
“She was practically in your lap, Nat. You’re delusional.” Shauna pulled into her driveway.
“Yeah, she was.. touchy. But, it’s Lottie right?” Nat was trying to work it out in her head. “I don’t know. I don’t wanna read into it too much and come out looking like an idiot. ‘Friends’ works.”
Shauna turned her car off, muttering, “you’re blind.” Her mind wandering back to Lottie stealing looks, her hand on Nat’s thigh, the leaning in, the whispering. “Friends my ass.”
Nat shook her head, stepping out of the car. “Whatever, maybe she’s into me, maybe not—did we forget the fact that I don’t date?” Nat was over it. Deflecting, shrugging it off.
Van smirked, “whatever you say, man.” He waved them off and walked toward his house. “Bye guys, I’m gonna hop in the shower and think about Tai until I sleep.”
Nat waved him off, she looked over to Shauna, he was leaning on her car, staring at her. “You’re really not gonna try anything with her?” She asked Nat, voice had less bite, more curious.
Nat shook her head, “Nah, probably not.” Nat gave her an apologetic smile, “sorry I left you with Jackie, by the way. I know she has a way of getting under people’s skin.”
Shauna cracked a smile for what seemed like the first time today, and shook her head. “Please. Forgot about her already.”
Nat smiled, “she’s not all bad. Actually kinda sweet.”
Shauna rolled her eyes, “god, is there any girl you’re not into?”
“Shut up,” Nat laughed, started walking home. “Goodnight, Shipman.”
Shauna watched her walk away, she watched her until she couldn’t see her anymore. She hated feeling like this, she wasn’t even interested in Nat until she found out she’s the equivalent to her in emotional unavailability, until Lottie put her hands on Nat like it was nothing.
But where Shauna was a yearner, Nat fooled around.
Where Shauna was closed off, Nat wore it like armor, letting Lottie in just close enough to blur the lines, then brushing it off.
Shauna envied it, Lottie’s casual touches, “just us” sliding off Nat like water.
Shauna couldn’t shrug it off. She’d sit there, picking it apart, feeling every glance Lottie threw Nat like a splinter under her skin.
Nat played it cool, flirted and deflected, while Shauna choked on the want she wouldn’t name, couldn’t name.
Nat didn’t date, sure, but she was dancing around it, letting Lottie pull her string without blinking.
Shauna didn’t dance, she built walls, then hated how they boxed her in. Hated how Lottie’s pull on Nat made her feel stuck, small, invisible.
Shauna wasn’t jealous of Nat, but of Lottie’s ability to wield a connection Shauna can’t.
It kick-started her defiance. Maybe she shouldn’t just sit there, stewing while Lottie wrapped Nat around her finger. Why should they have all the fun?