Tension's Like A Fire.

July 4th, 2005

The sun was hot on my skin, the chair under me was soft, yet felt like it'd collapse in a seconds time. The towel under my body had a cotton feeling, one that someone wants to stroke and fall sleep with. My hair was up in a knot, and I lay flat on my stomach. I wore a light pink bikini. It was too tight around my neck, so it irritated it. The sounds of pop music, children playing in the pool, and meat sizzling filled my ears.

"Here's the thing, we started out friends- it was cool bu-" Splash.

I think it's a human reflex to jump because of cold water hitting you. It's startling to say the least, and can cause extreme emotions. Like rage.

I flew up from my chair, gasping and letting out a scream. I clenched my fists, and I looked down at my pool, glaring at the 4 in there. 3 of them were my younger brothers. Joey was 8, Brett was 6, and Felix was 10. The fourth one...

"Alex, don't you think you're a little old to be playing with them? Shouldn't you be trying get a feel on girls? Not playing with 7 to 9 year olds?" I snapped, my blue eyes burning holes into his.

"Get a feel? I think you mean cope a feel, Quinn. Besides, these guys are cooler. Check out this water gun," he brought his hand out of the water, showing me an above-average water gun. He pointed it at me, his grin ear to ear.

I rolled my eyes. "What are you going to do? Squirt me with the water gun?"

His smile was dorky and cute. It was one of my favorite smiles. Usually it could make me laugh, and grin back at him. It was contagious to say the least.

"No," he said slowly, putting the gun down. I could see him inch forward in the water, Felix giggling manically behind him. I scooted back in my foldable chair, scared he'd hop out and throw me in there. And that's exactly what he did.

Alex hopped out of the pool the same time I flew up. He ran towards me, as I dashed around the pool with my little brothers splashing at me. Alex grabbed my arm.

"Alex, I'll fricking murder you!"

The cold water hit me like bullet. I rose up quickly, swatting the water and taking quick breaths. When I calmed down from my very dramatic reaction, I saw Alex on the side of the pool with a towel in his hand.

He leaned down, holding out a hand. "Dinner's done," he said smoothly.

~

The Gaskarth family moved here the day after my 7th birthday. Because of Alex and me being the same age, our two families decided to hang out together. They thought we'd be best friends for eternity, because what a coincidence that we were the same age! If someone asked me if I considered Alex my best friend, vice versa, I would only shrug. He was my family friend, and I would kind of consider him family. He had Jack, and I had Cate. We would always tease and poke fun at another, so it really never was awkward.

Our parents usually hinted at us becoming something more as we grew up. My mom would say something like, 'Alex definitely grew up and got cute, huh?' and I'd reply with: 'Ew, Alex?' Or his mom would see us sitting together, and smile and make a comment about how we'd look good with matching purple attire for prom.

I never really cared about it. I didn't want to feel it, and hear about the whole 'told you you'd fall for him and you'd date' thing. But somewhere, deep down in my stomach, grew a pit that'd be considered a crush for Alex as we grew older.

But I guess that was how it'd end up being.

~

I sat next to Alex at the dinner table, a towel wrapped around my wet body. I had finished my food, but everyone else still ate. Alex was playing around with the big chunk of meat. My brothers ate their food while fighting over which Rugrat was more likely to be in jail. My parents and Mr. and Mrs. Gaskarth were engaged in a conversation about Julie, the bitchiest woman on the block, and how she called the cops on a small Yorkie for barking.

"How come you're not eating?" I finally asked Alex in a low voice.

He leaned over to me, and whispered: "I'm going to Jack's party tonight, and I don't wanna throw this up,"

I nodded slowly pretending to understand.

Alex sighed, and glanced at the parents before back at me. "Want to go upstairs?"

"Sure," I said. We both got up, and excused ourselves. We climbed up the stairs, and walked into his room. Everything was where it normally was. His two guitars- one acoustic, one electric- in the corner, his TV on top of his stereo, and in front of that his queen sized bed.

I sat on his bed, feet dangling. He shut his door quietly, making a funny face.

"I have 3 hours to kill. Wanna watch Dawn of the Dead?" he asked, picking up a DVD case off his bedside table.

I gave a loose shrug, pulling my feet off the ground. "Can I borrow a t-shirt? I'll give it back to you tomorrow. I forgot clothes and your room's cold as hell," Translation: It's actually cold, but also I'm in a bikini, and you're a very straight guy.

He went into his drawer and tossed me a white t-shirt. I pulled it on as he put the DVD in DVD player I got him for Christmas. He shut the shades, and laid next to me. "You sure you're not scared?"

"I'm not scared of zombies, you dork."

"We'll have to see about that..."

Throughout the movie, Alex kept trying to scare me, but I only gave him a blank stare.

It was around the middle/end, and we lay side by side, closer than usual. I could feel his index finger on my pinky. I felt his hand twitch a little, and end up on mine. I looked at his hand, and moved mine with a deep breath. Quickly, he intertwined our fingers. Surely, they fit perfect. It felt kind of like a puzzle. When you put the last piece on, and it all just comes together. It was magnficent.

'Do you hear my heart beat?' I wanted to ask him.

"Quinn," he said quietly.

"Yeah?" I practically whispered back, turning my head slightly.

He only gave me a cheeky smile before letting his lips find mine. I was taken aback at first, but slowly eased into the kiss. My free hand touched his chest, and I felt a heavy heartbeat. At least I wasn't the only nervous one.

"Quinn," he pulled back.

"What?" I asked, staring at him. My cheeks were probably pink, but at least he couldn't see.

"I know we're about proving our parents wrong, but I kinda want to prove them right about something," Alex said. He took a second for me to respond. I didn't. "I want to prove them right 'bout us,"

"Alex, I'm embarassed for you," I chewed on my finger nail, turning away from him. I couldn't help but smile, and shake my head.

"What?" his voice came out shocked and hurt. I almost felt bad.

I turned back to him, and gave a small, breathy laugh. "That was the worst pick-up line ever,"

He stayed silent, eyes swimming in confusion.

"But I mean, I guess we could work something out and maybe date," I jested at him, smiling.

He smiled back, and kissed me.

July 4th, 2005 was the day I started to date Alex Gaskarth. Going upstairs with him, might have been the best choice of my life, but even the worst. I had zero idea what was to come.

Notes

im the mayor of cheesy town oh yeah

also hey im so sorry u all know im sucky at updating fics ugh lmao

this one will get better ok next chapter i promise i suck at starting hahah