As I approached the front gate of the swim club my family belonged to, I noticed I had fallen completely behind and was about to be at the front window alone. Just as well. What Zac said really shook me up for some reason. Maybe once upon a time, before I knew Taylor, I might have thought of him in a romantic sense, but since we became such good friends, the fame and fantasy love faded away. Maybe Zac was joking with me, maybe not. Did Taylor really like me? Were we going to date and do more with our friendship? What if something went wrong? I’d not only lose a boyfriend, but an amazing friend as well. I wasn’t sure I could jeopardize that. I cleared my brain, added my name to the sign in sheet, and walked in the main walkway to see if I could find my friends. After winding my way through some families, lounge chairs, and kids running around, I found my group and their belongings in a far corner of the club. I took my book bag off and saved myself a chair, then sat down and started organizing myself before heading in the water.

“Hey lost girl! Get in the wa—“ Crista began yelling from the 6ft section before Zac swam up and dunked her under.

“Yeah slow poke, we lost you! Get in so I can dunk you next!” Zac warned. I smiled slightly as I set up my towel and kicked off my flip flops before I stood up to get down to my suit.

“Hey there. Man you fell behind. Are you going to jump in yet?” Ike asked as he walked over from the chair he reserved a few down from my own.

“Yeah I am, I’m sorry. Zac and I were talking and I guess he went to catch up with Crista and I wound up walking too slow. Guess I lost you guys, sorry Ike.” I rambled avoiding eye contact with him. Suddenly, I felt unsure of myself around them. They knew their brother liked me, and now I knew as well, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I was beginning to wish I hadn’t found out anything so I didn’t feel so horribly.

“Liz, are you alright?” Ike asked, concerned. Crap. He can see right through me apparently.

“Yeah, uh, I guess so” I stumbled.

“Do you need to talk?”

“Maybe yeah, but where’s Taylor?” I asked looking around first.

“That bottomless pit was starving and went to stock up at the snack bar” Ike replied as we got up and walked over to the shallow end and sat down sticking our feet in the water. I couldn’t help just looking down at my toes swirling around until Isaac interrupted my trance.

“So what’s eating you? Did Zac blab about Taylor’s crush on you?”

“So everyone knew but me huh? Does Crista know too?” I groaned, not looking up from the water. “How long has this been a thing with the three of you?”

“Awhile” he stated. I sighed heavily. “Liz, why is this a bad thing? You like him too. He visits you every chance he gets, and when he isn’t up here, you guys are on the phone, writing letters, or he’s talking non-stop to us about you. Not to be a possible jerk here, but do you know how many girls would kill to be in your position? Do you know how many fantasies you are living out and would get to live out in the future?” he asked.

“That doesn’t matter Isaac. What if something goes wrong? What if we mess it up and I lose one of my best friends? What would fans think of me? I like my normal life. It’s too much pressure!” I groaned again, loudly this time, finally bringing myself to look into his warm brown eyes.

“I doubt that would happen. You just proved my point. One, you don’t care who he is, and we’re all just regular guys to you. You treat us like human beings. Two, you know how passionate and driven Taylor is. Once he wants something, he practically kills himself trying to get it. Lastly, you’re only worried about losing him if you were ever together, so that tells me you won’t allow yourself to lose him, and once he has you, he won’t let you go either.”

“You make all of that really hard to argue. I just don’t know what to do, plus that means I could be ripped apart by fans if this EVER got out.”

“If you want to keep to yourself, he would do everything he could to keep you safe.” He finished.

For some reason, those few points Isaac made had me feeling a lot better about the whole situation, even though the sinking feeling in my stomach had yet to leave me alone. I let out a sigh and stood up, offering him my hand so he can get up as well, then I gave him a huge hug.

“Thank you. How did you get so good at these pep talks?”

“I’m the oldest of seven. I’ve had my practice, and I can tell you’re going to be like a sister to me. Plus Taylor talks about you so much, I feel like me and Zac know you almost as well as Taylor does.”

“Well thank you. I really appreciate it. Come on. It’s sweltering out here. Time to swim, and for the record, you are now my unofficial big brother, just so you know.” I replied as I grabbed his arm and lead him back to our chairs. As we walked, I decided to push him in as I wandered the last few steps to my chair alone to get back to getting my over clothes off. As I pulled my shirt over my head and thought over what Ike had said, Taylor headed my way without me noticing.

“Hey there, we lost you. I came all this way to hang out with you, but my brothers have been holding you captive” he rambled as he dug into a bag of chips.

“I can see how much you missed me. You walked down here with Crista and then had an affair with the pool snack bar” I joked as I turned to face him and stole a chip out of his bag, sealing my victory by chomping on the chip in front of his face. I started giggling as I turned back to my lounge chair where I laid my shirt, and began getting my shorts off so I could cool off already. They joined my shirt and I turned around to a silent Taylor, who was staring at me. I began feeling very insecure.

“Penny for your thoughts?” I asked, rather slowly as I crossed my arms over my chest to hide myself. I felt like I would regret asking that question.

“Well one, I did miss you. I noticed you were gone from everyone. I looked around for you and by time I found you, Isaac had stolen you from me. I’m not sure I like that, and other than that…uh, I don’t think I remember the last time I’ve seen you in a bathing suit. It’s been awhile…” he trailed off and blushed like crazy. I was instantly uncomfortable and sure I was blushing a fair amount too.

“Sorry about that…” I replied rather sheepishly, avoiding the deep blue intensity that were his eyes at all cost.

“Oh yeah? Don’t be. You’ve grown since last time I saw you. I’m impressed. I have a pretty good looking best friend” he glanced me over, checking me out head to toe. On reflex, I smacked him in the arm.

“When did you turn into such a hormone controlled male?? Stop it!” I moved away from the conversation and walked to the edge of the 6ft section where Isaac, Zac, and Crista were already having a blast. I glanced back to where Taylor stood by the chair. “Are you coming in or are you just going to melt out here by yourself?” I asked.

“Right behind you” He said as he dropped his snack next to my clothes, threw his shirt off, and ran past me jumping right in. Again, I was last. Last to know Taylor’s secret feelings for me, last to the swim club, and now, last one into the water. I sighed as I jumped in and swam off to join everyone else.

Chapter 5 | Guestbook

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