Grabbing a blanket from my bed, I pick up my Harry Potter book and curl up in the corner of the balcony, almost leaping out of my skin when Remi calls up to me.
“Whatcha doing?”
Slowly, I peek over the balcony. He has his swimming trunks on. He doesn’t usually swim when it’s this late. “Reading,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.
“You want to come swim with me?”
Yes, yes, yes.
My cheeks go warm with embarrassment, but I tell him the truth. “I don’t know how.”
“What?” he bellows, holding his arms out wide. I look around, worried he’ll disturb that beast of a brother of his and he’ll come to see what the noise is about.
“No one taught me how.” I frown.
“Come down.” He waves a hand before diving headfirst into the water. When he surfaces, I’m still standing in the same spot, looking down at him, biting my lip.
Should I go down there?
“Freya, come on. Don’t be boring.” He flicks his head back, running his hand through the wet strands of hair. The spot that used to be shorter than the rest has fully grown in now, the scar had faded silver with time. It resembles a comet up close. I don’t often get to be up close, but there’s been the odd time in passing, and it’s kinda cool looking.
Checking over my shoulder to my bedroom door, I debate if I should go down there. It’s stopped being locked ever since the first time Dominque forgot to, but I still don’t like to venture out after teatime. Father told me I should be in bed by eight p.m., and Noah’s a douchebag. He always seemed to be right where I’m going on days I explored the house.
“You don’t belong here.”
“Where are you going?”
“What are you doing?”
“Who do you think you are?”
I don’t know why he hates me so much, but he does, and it makes me feel horrible inside. Sometimes, I swear he looks at me like he wants to kill me.
Maybe he will.
“Where is everybody?” I call down to him, stepping from one foot to the other.
“Out. Noah has a competition, and Dad’s away on business. Won’t be home until next week.”
Grinning like a loon, I dump my blanket and book, and race down the stairs, going through the dining room double doors to the pool.
Remi’s laying on a lounger, his shorts dripping through, creating a puddle underneath.
“The princess has come down from her tower,” he drawls, waving his hand around like he’s bowing.
I stand here, out of place and awkward.
“Do you not have a swimsuit?” he asks, looking over my PJs covered in Care Bears.
“No,” I say, feeling dumb.
Movement and laughter from inside makes me jump, edging closer to Remi. Noah walks through the doors toward the side of the house, and he’s not alone. There are at least five other boys with him. Breathing becomes hard, and my head starts to hum.
The laughter stops when they lay eyes on me. Remi is on his feet in a heartbeat, running a hand through his hair.
“What the fuck is this?” Noah scolds.
“I thought you had a competition tonight,” Remi says, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.
“I did.” Noah jerks his head to one of the guys holding up a trophy. “What are you doing with her?” He says her like it’s a bad word, his lip twisting up.
“She’s a little young for you, Rem.” One of the guys chuckles, slapping another on the shoulder. “Are those Care Bear PJs?”
“Eat shit, Carter. I fucked your mom,” Remi says, and my cheeks heat. It crawls over my neck and down my chest.
Noah carries on walking until he’s so close, I can smell Dr. Pepper on his breath. “Why are you out of your room, jailbait?”
Tears prick my eyes.
“Leave her alone, Noah. She just wanted to swim.” Remi rolls his eyes, holding out his hands to the boy he called Carter. He throws a beer can at him from a box he’s holding. They’re too young to drink alcohol, but it doesn’t stop Remi from cracking it open and guzzling it down.
“Oh, I’m sorry for gate crashing your pool party in my own damn house. Here, let me help you out.” Noah smirks.
Air flees my lungs as he scoops me up. Before I realize it, I’m in his arms, then I’m falling. Oh God, he’s dropping me in the pool.
Warm water consumes me, rushing over my head as I go under. I flail, kicking my legs and moving my arms. Breaching the surface, I try to swallow some air, but water fills my lungs. It’s not as easy as Remi makes it seem. There’s shouting, but the voices are distorted by the water filling my ears. “I can’t swim,” I try to shout, but I’m sinking.
A splashing sound booms around me, then I’m being lifted. Cool air hits my face as I land on concrete at the side of the water. “Are you okay?” Remi looks down at me, concern pinching his brow.