Tension's Like A Fire.

The lights in the Gaskarth house were dimmed low enough so I couldn't see anything except the sofa that was pushed against the window. Alex had IMed me earlier that night to come over around 9:30, so here I was at 9:25 knocking on his door. I knew this was that surprise party Alex apparently planned, but I did promise him I would act surprised, so I would.

Alex opened the door wearing his best smile. "Happy birthday, Quinn. I know usually it's the guy that gets the birthday sex, but you know, I'm always willing."

"Thanks for the offer, I'll think long and hard about it," I said with an eye roll. I looked around, pretending to not know what was up. "Why are all the lights off?"

Right when I stepped into the house, twenty people jumped up yelling "Surprise!" at the top of their lungs. I stepped back, a little startled despite knowing they'd be here. Cate and Jack stood next to each other, smiling widely. Cate waved, before heading off into the kitchen where I figured the beer and alcohol would be.

"Oh, wow," I said, slowly. "You actually did it."

"Of course I did," Alex said, leaning over to the light switch. With a flick of his finger, the lights were all on. Someone must've put the stereo on too, because soon enough the sound of pop music filled my ears. Alex got close to my ear. "I couldn't really fit more people in the living room, but more people will be here soon. I have your present in my room. I'll give it to you later, okay?"

"You really didn't have to get me anything," I said quietly.

"Nonsense. Don't be that person. Of course I had to get you something," Alex furrowed his eyebrows.

"Yeah, you did," I chucked to myself. I felt a wave of warmth come over me, triggering me to take Alex's hand in mine. "Thank you, Alex."

He squeezed my hand. "It's nothing. Let's go get a drink,"

The rest of the night, Alex stuck by my side. The thought of him lying to me faded away, and I was left with nothing but bliss. I even considered having sex with him that night. Though we weren't virgins, I did hope the first time we slept together would be nice and meaningful. I knew Alex wanted to, but a part of me was still weary about this. But tonight, I had forgotten about all of that.

When most people had left, including Cate, (who had been very distant the whole party. I shrugged it off. Maybe she had a crush on Alex.) Jack, Alex, Rian, and I sat outside on the edge of the pool, feet hanging in the water. It was only the beginning of September, so it was still pretty warm out. The Gaskarth family didn't really close the pool until October.

"Can we go swimming?" Jack asked, a slur in his speech.

I knew I probably should've been drunk, but I didn't drink much. Tonight was a night I needed to remember. "Jack, you're wasted. You might drown."

"Maybe it's time to go home, Jack. It's late," Rian said, lifting his legs out of the pool. "Come on, buddy." He pulled Jack out by his armpits, while Jack whined.

"Bye guys," Rian said. Alex and I waved at him. Once we heard the front door shut, Alex jumped up.

"Thankfully we aren't wasted," He tugged off his shirt off, tossing it on the ground next to him.

"It's almost two in the morning, Lex. Isn't it late to go swimming?" I asked.

"It's never too late to go swimming," He unbuttoned his shorts. "Especially in the nude."

I buried my face in my hands, shaking my head. "I'm uncomfortable," I joked. I felt something land on my head as Alex cannonballed into the water. I looked up, grabbing the boxers off my head. "Calvin Klein? Alex, you're so spoiled."

"Get in, the water is fine!" Alex said as he rose up from the water, shaking his head.

"What if my parents see me naked in a pool with you? Where are yours, anyways?"

"They're sleeping, Quinn. Mine are out of town. Come on!" He said, lightly splashing me.

I groaned, standing up. Truthfully, I was uncomfortable with Alex watching me undress, so I turned my back to him as I took off my shirt and pants. I jumped into the pool, thinking it'd be easier to take the rest off in there.

The water was cold against my skin as usual. I shivered, glaring up at Alex. My eyes struggled to not look down at his junk, which was out and open. A fire burned in my stomach that fueled by nervousness and a weird form of lust. Alex and I really hadn't gotten far at all. The farthest I had let him get was him putting his hands down my pants while we were making out. We hadn't seen each other naked until now.

I unhooked my bra slowly, removing the straps from my shoulders. I tossed the bra on the concrete and quickly shimmied out of my underwear.

"Okay, we're both naked. Now what?" I asked, an arm around my chest.

Alex shrugged, and started to swim circles around me. For twenty minutes, we swam around, enjoying ourselves. My nerves vanished within five minutes despite being naked. I didn't feel vulnerable, even though a lot of people feel that way in the nude. I felt safe, and at home.

We did end up having sex that night, and I stayed over. The warmth I had felt from earlier never left my body once.

My present was a photo of Alex and I from when we were seven, on the beach in a picture frame.

~

The next morning I woke up to the sound of Alex's phone going off. His Green Day ringtone rang in my ears. His arm, which was once placed around my waist, slid away. The bed moved as his body left.

"Hello?" he whispered.

I shut my eyes, and listened to him.

"I can't right now. Quinn is over... She's sleeping. I can come over later. Three okay?... She doesn't and she won't... Okay. See you then." Alex hung the phone up, and crawled back to bed.

"Who was that?" I murmured sleepily.

"You're up?" Alex asked quickly.

I nodded slowly, not bothering to open my eyes. "Just woke up."

"It was Jack. Did my ringer wake you up?"

I nodded again.

Alex didn't respond.

Notes

guess who's back
back again
shady's back
tell ur friends!!!!

ayo i just saw all time low last night and it made me wanna continue this