C9 Chapter 9

*Tom's point of view*

I stood alone in the pool after she left. I'm not sure if I'm doing this right. I have dated some girls, and though it was fun while it lasted, I've never really felt very strongly about a particular girl before.

I like that she sees this as a challenge. But she thinks I'm teasing her and I can't tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

I was sincere at first. Surely, she must have felt that from my gentleness?

I guess I will have to be serious with her.

I just can't help but tease her and make her mad sometimes. She's a very temperamental girl. I love how she always finds a way to tease me back.

Smiling at the memory of how flustered she got with me, I began to swim like I originally intended to do but got sidetracked. Again. I had literally swum 5 strokes when a tornado of water burst right beside me.

Argh. Who the hell? Out of all places in the pool, why do they have to jump in right next to me?

Anyway, I didn't bother to stop. I continued swimming breaststroke. But the next kick out, a hand reached out to grab my leg and my swimming is halted.

Sputtering out of my rhythm, I tried pulling my leg back to stand but the hand was relentless. It wouldn't let go. So I was forced to stand on my left leg near whoever it was who was grabbing my ankle.

Sonofa! So annoying.

I resurfaced and saw that it was my 23-year-old cousin, Samantha Johnson, aka., Sammy. Why does this woman have to be here right now?

Right, I live with her and her boyfriend of 5 years since her house is closer to college so that makes her my roommate and guardian. But oh is she bossy and annoying.

Sammy and I are really close as we used to play together all the time when we were younger in addition to all the family trips we take every once in a while. We bonded a lot and she has become more of an older sister to me than a cousin.

I grinned when I saw her because of the next thing I'm about to do to her. I splashed her with a giant ball of water. Right in the face.

So the splash war began. At one point she managed to get water in my ears and she knows that I hate it when she does that. "Sammy! Stop! You know I hate it when you do that."

But she bursts out laughing anyway. Geez, she is one annoying woman. Just then in the corner of my eye, I saw a figure wrapped in a towel standing at the women's restroom entrance.

When I turned my head in her direction, she had turned to go and she looks upset. Like she's about to cry because her eyebrows are all scrunched up and her lips are turned down in a sad pout.

"Tommy, I see you've wasted no time getting busy", she teased me. "She's pretty by the way, what's her name?" "Did you get her number yet?" "OHMIGOSH! Is my little cousin blushing? Oooo, she must be one special girl, if you like her this much." "Ahhhh, young love!"

"Sammy. Sammy. STOP TALKING!"

Then I ignored her and continued swimming. Why is Char so upset? Did I do something wrong? Does this have anything to do with seeing me and my cousin together? Is she ok?

A little while later Sam swam alongside me in freestyle. And together we swam some laps until the hour is up.

***

(Later that day, in the evening)

I had pizza for dinner with my cousin and her boyfriend. Sam and her boyfriend, Sean Brady, were quietly having a conversation while I sat eating opposite them.

I didn't bother talking to them because whatever they were talking about seems to be taking up all of their attention. This was great because this means Sam would be momentarily distracted from asking, no, interrogating me about my life and currently, the most interesting topic for her is my girl from the pool.

Hmm. So not getting into that.

Once Sam starts on something she won't give up until she gets it done. Now, I wouldn't want her to meddle in my "love interests".

All she would do is turn everything I say against me, giving me unwanted advice and very inappropriate suggestions all the time.

Like say, for example, earlier she came into my room to ask me to take out the trash for the day. I was preparing for my classes tomorrow, doing some reading in advance and making small notes.

And this is what she said to me, "Tommy, look how hardworking you are! I admire your attitude in learning. Back then in college, we used to party all the time. In fact, you really are putting a lot of work into the first week in college. Are you having any problems? Is it because you get distracted by that girl in the pool? OMG! You should really study harder to get a good GPA. Then, she would definitely be impressed. Girls, like smart boys, Tommy. They like-" and bla bla bla.

See what I mean? She's a young 20 something year old but sometimes she can be a nagging 40 something year old like my mom.

Sigh. I am currently walking out to throw the trash bag.

I wonder what's Char doing right now? Is she still upset? Well, I think I should text her just in case.

I am her friend after all.