"Wow!" Darren said "Wow!" He seemed unable to articulate any other word as he saw Mia.

"Hey, Darren!" said Mia.

"You look wow!"

Mia giggled and pushed her hair behind her ears. Ordinary girls would blush, but I had never seen Mia blush, she just pretends to.

Wade spoke with his eyes, "I told you so!". 

DJ started playing.

"Come on, let's dance," Wade asked. Yes, please! Remove Mia from Darren's vicinity.

I watched as Mia and Wade danced. They returned with giggles. Darren was at their side in a flash, asking Mia for a dance. Both disappeared among the dancing crowd.

Mia came back after a few minutes pulling Darren along.

"Pumpkin, come on, I can't enjoy it when you sit all by yourself."

I couldn't take my eyes off Darren's hand which was slung lazily over Mia's shoulder.

"This is my favourite song," Darren said and pulled Mia.

They both started dancing. Mia squealed as Darren lifted her off the ground and placed her on a bench. He climbed up and started dancing with her.

There were several whistles as Mia tossed her kimono cover-up. Mia and Darren were dancing so wildly a cheering crowd of onlookers surrounded them.

"Hey, Sam," called a voice, it was Lucas.

"Hey, Lucas," I said. Both of us stood silent, watching Mia and Darren.

"They sure do look lovely together. Did you hear Darren got admitted to both MIT and Stanford? Talk about figures," said Lucas.

"Come on, let's get something to drink," I said.

Wade was flirting with a senior near the pool. Mia and Darren joined us after a few minutes.

"God! I am parched," said Mia and gulped down the juice.

"So am I," said Darren

"What is Wade doing, flirting with a Senior?" asked Mia.

Pressing her finger to her lips, she edged near them and pushed Wade into the pool. Suddenly they were giggling and laughing as everyone started pushing each other into the pool.

Darren tried to push Mia into the lake. She squealed and started running. Darren lunged at Mia, but caught her bikini top instead, which came undone.

Mia squealed, covered herself with her hands, and ran straight to me.

Hugging Mia with one hand, I removed my shirt from behind with my other hand and pulled it onto Mia.

"Plum, it's alright. I have got you covered," I crooned. Her face was buried in my chest.

"I'm going to carry you inside." She nodded.

I lifted her in my arms and carried her inside, Mia nuzzled against my neck.

"Are you alright?" I asked again.

"No," came a muffled voice.

"Are you crying?"

"No,"

"Plum?"

"I'm just embarrassed. Did you..-"

"No, I didn't. And so didn't anybody."

"I should have listened to you and wore that crop top."

"It's alright, no one expected this to happen," I said and squeezed her gently

"Pumpkin," her eyes locked mine, but she didn't say anything, she looked intense.

"It's alright," I reassured her and put her down gently in her room. Mia came out wearing the crop top and shorts.

"Here's your shirt." She handed me my t-shirt.

"Let's go for a walk on the beach," I said.

We settled down on the beach. Mia rested her head on my shoulder. We sat in silence for some time.

"You smell good. I can't believe that I never knew it."

I chuckled, "Probably the pineapple juice."

Mia nuzzled in my neck and gave a long whiff. I stiffened. It was too much.

"It is kind of woody and.. somewhat manly," her husky voice trailed.

Time froze as I leaned down to look at her. My eyes refused to move off her lips. I leaned further towards her. She seemed to be similarly transfixed.

"Guys, pizza is here. Come over," shouted Wade.

Mia looked startled; she sat up straight and fumbled with her sandals.

Wade walked up to us and said, "Hey what are you both doing? Come on."

We settled on a bench across from each other. Wade brought over a box of pizza.

Darren walked to us. He looked embarrassed as he mumbled, "Mia, I am sorry."

"No worries. It was an accident," said Mia, looking uncomfortable.

"You have every right to be angry with me, I am sorry."

"I am not angry, please. Let's not talk about it."

"I am sorry," mumbled Darren again.

"Join us," Wade invited.

Darren sat near Mia, while Wade settled with me. Mia picked the olives from her pizza and placed them on mine.

"You don't like olives? I don't like them either," said Darren.

"I don't mind the olives, Sam just likes them too much," she replied.

Darren asked, "Do you have plans tomorrow?"

"Ya! I have an appointment at the beauty salon by noon."

"Monday?"

"Monday, she has practice for an audition with her theater club," I replied.

"Tuesday?"

"Tuesday is her audition," I said curtly. He was asking her out. Wade was right, I should have acted sooner. I need to stop this. This insanity! Before I could react, Mia asked, "Why?"

"He is asking you out, airhead," Wade said to Mia condescendingly.

Turning to Darren he added, "She is free tomorrow night, just take her out for dinner. Although I am not sure why you want to hang out with stupid git like her."

Darren flushed as he mumbled, "Is it alright to ask you out for dinner tomorrow?" He emphasized the words "ask you out".

Mia pretended to blush, tucking her hair behind her ears she said, "Sure."

Wade was smirking at me. I kicked Wade hard under the table.

"Shall I pick you up by 6 tomorrow?"

"Sure."

An awkward silence fell, Mia avoided looking at Darren and me. She looked at Wade, he smirked. She kicked him under the table but hit me instead, I groaned. Darren excused himself mumbling something about spotting a friend.

It was still awkward when thankfully Lucas came. "Hey, guys."

"Hey Lucas," Mia and I said in such unison that we laughed.