Emilia

When my mom isn't here to yell at me because my swing sucks, I love when it's just my tee and I vs. the world. Instead of repetitive criticism from her, my playlist is the soundtrack to my tee therapy session. 

I can't complain about life. School's out and I don't have to see Hunter for a while, but I wish the girls were here. The beach without them is like ice cream minus colorful sprinkles. The point is, I miss Eva's accent  that makes her words incomprehensible and Tori's quiet smile and obvious crush on our waitress. They're hours away spending time with their respective families.

As Taylor Swift's voice cuts off, I watch the ball I just hit enter my neighbor's yard. Their dog isn't there to retrieve it for me, so I place another ball from the Home Depot bucket on the tee. I plan on taking another one into the grassy yard, but Jude stops me. 

"Emilia!" He waves. Despite my strong grip on my bat, it slides out of my hands. Jude can catch me off guard by just standing there with that cute smile and hair that's borderline shaggy. Instead of the wife beaters he always wears, he has on a Lumineers hoodie and sweatpants. 

He brings me to his and gives me water while Abbey makes him uncomfortable. After she pisses him off enough, we retreat to his room.

Unlike most boys I know, Jude definitely spends his time making his room immaculate. A teal comforter has zero wrinkles and convinces me that he sleeps on the floor every night. Lucy is the only thing on the ground that I'm sure you can eat off of. 

"Welcome." Jude places his laptop on the dresser and sits on my bed. "Come on."

"I think I should take a shower at mine, and I'll be back."

"No ma'am." He says sternly, catching me off guard. "Shit, let me rephrase. You're welcome to use my bathroom."

What he's asking me causes the dumbfounded look on my face. "Are you sure? I don't have any clothes." He heads over to his drawer and gets a pair of sweatpants. I hesitantly accept them. He's being so generous and patient with me. I just have to keep in the back of my mind that I probably won't be able to squeeze my thigh into his clothes.

"You're the best." 

"Anything for my favorite student." 

His room is immaculate, but the bathroom makes it look like a mediocre motel. Shampoos, deodorants, body wash, and mouth wash are neatly arranged. I get naked and let lukewarm water wash the sweat away. The water Jude gave to me helped, but this shower makes me feel like myself again. 

When I'm done, I dry myself with a towel that's probably his and put my underclothes back on. His sweatpants call my name, but I can't respond. What if they cut off the circulation in my thick legs?

I give in and answer their call. They fit just fine, but I'd be lying if I said they were a pain in the ass to put on. They're tighter than leggings, showing every curve from my waist down. I start to wear my jersey from earlier, but its smell doesn't let that happen. 

The mirror's a bit foggy because of the water, but my reflection is visible. My hair can make fluffy dandelions jealous with how messy it is right now, so I put it in a quick ponytail and make my way back to the bedroom. 

I feel so vulnerable in a sports bra and tighter pants than I'm used to. "I'm back!" I flash Jude a smile.

Jude looks really hot right now. A white tee takes the place of his poor hoodie that's on the floor, highlighting his toned arms and slight gut. His cheeks heat up and he looks at me with admiration in his blue eyes. "I was quite lonely without you, Emilia." I join him on the bed, sitting on the opposite edge.

"How was your shower?" 

"I needed that." My head rests on a random pillow. "July came early. It's so damn hot."

"You think? I nearly passed out before even stepping outside!" A dimple forms in his cheek as a quiet giggle escapes his throat.

I join in on his laughter and realize the gap between us is a little narrower. How did I get here? Two weeks ago, I didn't think about him as the sweet and funny person he is. Jude is the moon that thinks he is nothing special, yet shines every day and knows how to make even the worst person smile. I wish I could spend more time talking with him daily. 

"So, what were you going to ask me earlier?" As much as I love Jude's younger sister, Abbey interrupted him as he was about to tell me something.

"Oh! How were finals?"

I contemplate my answer. When my report card came, I thought it was meant for someone smarter than me. Seeing that yours truly made A's with nothing lower than a 90 made me grateful to have Jude. "Straight A's. I'm sure you did better though."

"Shut up, Emi. I knew you were smart." The use of my nickname awakens the butterflies in my stomach. As he puts an arm around me, he adds, "Smart and cute. My favorite combination."

"Learned it from the best." I play along, resting my head on his warm shoulder. 

"Cute can't possibly do you justice when you're wearing my clothes." This boy is bursting at the seams with surprises. Most guys my age go too far with their so-called compliments, but Jude's words are memorable in the best way possible. 

I can't help myself. My heart is threatening to escape my chest all because of Jude. "You're a weirdo, big guy."

"I'm glad I could help you."

"I appreciate it." At some point, every good thing has to come to an end and our friendship isn't one I want to end. That's why I impulsively ask him, "Thank you so much. Do you want to...go to lunch tomorrow afternoon?" 

He raises an eyebrow at me. "Emi..." Shit, has he led me on this whole time?

"No pressure at all." I cut in. 

Jude hesitates, then rephrases. "It has nothing to do with you. I've...never been asked out before."

"Is that a yes, big guy?"

"Yes ma'am."

I miss Eva and Tori, but I hope my friendship with Jude deepens this summer. "Oh! One more thing."

Jude shoots me an unknowing look. "Should I be frightened, princess?" 

"Can you swim?"

"Haven't since middle school, but yeah." He sighs.

"We should go to the beach club for lunch and head to the pool or beach. It'll be fun." I suggest, already playing it out in my head. Telling him what to order and spending time at the beach is perfect. At this point, I don't care if it's me and my friends' thing.

Jude looks excited, but it's laced with uncertainty. "Yeah."

"I'm so excited!" I squeal. "We should hang out in the hot tub or pool after lunch!" 

He winces, raking a hand through his hair. "Abbey said those give you worms."

"I go there all the time with Eva and neither of us have caught anything." I reassure, laughing at his ludicrous claim. 

"Can't wait." You can tell Jude is imagining how tomorrow will unfold. He somehow always has this twinkle in his eye like sunlight's reflection off of the ocean. Behind the water is an ominous sea of thoughts, and I hope I get the privilege of knowing Jude.

Silence enters and thinks it deserves to be in the same room as us. We have nothing to talk about. I open my texts, letting the girls know about my plans. I don't expect them to share my enthusiasm. Instagram told me Eva went for a ride on her dad's boat while Tori's Snapchats show her tanning in Seaside.

ES: guess what?

I don't expect them to share my enthusiasm. Instagram told me Eva went for a ride on her dad's boat while Tori's Snapchats show her tanning in Seaside. Eva surprises me with a rapid notification.

EH: what's going on babe? 

"Please don't tell me you're texting your crazy friend about this." His thick, dark eyebrows come together.

"I know you have a problem with Eva, but I'll tell her everything. Hypothetically speaking, what if you're a serial killer and I mysteriously vanish?"

Jude concedes. "That won't be an issue, Emi."

Lucy wakes up and gets comfortable in his lap. The way he scratches her ears and strokes her makes me wish I was a light brown Pit Bull. 

"You must be Lucy." My nails glide across Lucy's back. To my surprise, she's as aggressive as a baby sea turtle. Lucy is a teddy bear like her owner. Unlike Jude, she's willing to admit it and gets tons of affection out of it. "Are you sure she's a Pit Bull?"

Jude nods. "She's sweet and cuddly now, but has energy for days." 

"You lucked out, big guy."

"I know." I shouldn't see a friendly dog as my competition, but she's all over him. 

Once again, an awkward silence fills the room and neither of us know how to stop it. We're suddenly aware of how close we've gotten as his hand is the only thing separating him and my fat leg.

"If I haven't spelled it out, you look cute in my sweatpants."

"I don't know." I say, unable to process what I'm wearing. Maybe they're finally cutting my circulation off and I'm going crazy in my final moments.

Out of the blue, he pats my thigh. "What happened to the old Emilia?" He teases.

No amount of tanning can erase the red in my face. I always thought this only happens in those erotic books Tori enjoys. 

"Thank you. You're so generous." I give in, trying not to turn into a puddle of hormones at the compliment.

"Don't mention it. You have curves to die for."

~

As I go through my closet, all of Jude's compliments come back to me. Let's be honest, my self worth isn't contingent upon what guys say to me.

Still, Tori and Eva eat up the details of what happened almost an hour ago. Tori encourages me to shoot my shot while Eva's having a field day that'll prove Jude's point about being crazy.

ES: he called me cute more times than i can count

TB: me and who tbh

EH: AHHH YESSSS

EH: my girl's pulling

ES: i guess you could say that

ES: don't get mad but we're hanging @ the club tomorrow 

The beach club is our group's favorite place. A good chunk of our memories took place at the gorgeous beaches. From learning how to waterski to long days of tanning to the occasional rude staff that come and go, it's undeniably our spot.  

EH: why would we be mad?

TB: what evhammy said.

EH: what are u wearing emi? 

ES: girl i was just tearing my closet apart

EH: skirt and swimsuit top.

If it wasn't for Eva, I'd still be ugly. My pictures from middle school feature my embarrassing makeup experiments I thought looked good. Instead of making fun of me, Eva helped me look more put together. I always trust her when it comes to my outfits, but I can't imagine my boobs hanging out of a bikini top before it's time to swim.

ES: i don't know about that

TB: sundress w/ bikini underneath? 

As if on cue, a royal blue sundress catches my eye. My mom brought it knowing I'd look pretty, but I haven't been able to wear it. I decide to take a chance on it and don't regret it one bit. 

The blue brings out my fresh summer tan. It is right above my knees with cutouts on the sides, an appropriate amount of cleavage showing on top. 

ES: sorry eva.