Love Aint Always Pretty

Koi No Yokan

- the sense one can have upon first meeting another person that the two of them are going to fall in love: refers to the knowledge that a future love is inevitable; Premonition Of Love Origin: Japanese

25

"Be careful when you're with him..."

"Be careful when you're with him..."

"Be careful when you're with him...."

Why?

Why would I be careful when I'm with him? Why should I be careful around Nick? What's with Nick that I need to be careful for? He seems nice sometimes, sweet and thoughtful though he's lacking of kindness, sympathy and sensitivity.

My professor complimented me about my research. He said he was impressed by my work and I even went well on my oral exam too. I answered great. I was so glad about the result. The book? It was already passed on time. I owe Nick big time for his huge help. Well, I went gift shopping all by myself cos it would be awkward having two frat guys with me. Following me around and I'm sure as hell Nick and Aries aren't that close. They won't help me anyways with picking up what to buy for Tracy so I decided to go alone.

But I found the perfect gift for her.

Tracy and I were already preparing for what to wear tomorrow. She even bought me a pair of bikini since she knows I don't own one. I kept it, in case Penny will do something ridiculous to me. She was hell excited, I could see it on her eyes. I don't really know the exact things Nick and the others prepared for her but I'm sure it's gonna be huge. Of course, it's Nick's little sister. They need to throw her a party. Im excited as well, I wonder how we're going to spend the weekend.

"Trace?" I called out to her while she was folding a dress.

"Yeah?"

I walked closer to her bed and sat down right across her. I handed out my gift to her anyways, I wanted her to only see it and know that it came from me. Her mouth opens when she saw it and she quickly threw herself to me. I hugged her back.

"Savannah, you dont really have to buy me this." She says while pulling herself away from me.

I smiled. "When I saw it I knew it'll look good on you."

She accepts it then opens the box. She kept on smiling while looking at the Tiffany & Co. necklace.

"I don't know how to thank you. Savannah this is too much." she says.

"No. You were the first person I met here. Well aside from finding your drunk brother that night, but you were the nicest person I met her Tracy." I smiled at her.

"Thanks Savannah. I'm sure as hell we are going to enjoy tomorrow!" She chimes.

"Who's surely going tomorrow?"

"You, me, Clyde, Nick, Alec, Penny, Megan, Romeo and Aries." She says. "I told you, close friends."

I smiled at her.

.....

I grabbed my bag with me and headed out of the dorm room with Tracy. She said she was going to ride with Nick alongside Clyde while I was going to ride with Aries cos I promised him and he offered me as well. When we arrived outside, Nick was the first man I saw, wearing a navy blue sleeveless with an imprinted Malibu on it, pair of white board shorts and slippers.

"Place your things at the back." He said.

Tracy went near Clyde as they head close to the trunk bed and placed the her bag down. Nick stared at me then stared at Tracy and Clyde who were getting busy at the truck bed. "Good morning." He mouthed to me.

I smiled at him.

He gazed at them again making sure they weren't looking. "You look pretty." He mouthed to me once again.

I smiled and dropped my head down a little. I slightly pulled my head up and glanced at Nick who was smiling too.

"Aren't you going to put your bag at the back of the truck?" He asked.

"Aries is taking me." I said.

Where in hell is Aries?

All of a sudden I hear a honk and a speeding car coming towards us. It parked right next to Nick's and Aries got off. He looked like he just got off the shower, his hair was still wet and he isn't wearing his cap. He smiled at me and walked right close to where I was.

"Morning angel." He says.

"Morning." I answered.

He grabbed my bag and we headed to his car. I'm not using Aries to make Nick jealous cos that's impossible, Im so sure he won't get jealous. I'm just being friendly with Aries and I'm not expecting this to lead to anything. I'm most definitely sure we're just friends. I gazed at Nick who was looking right at us.

"You guys lead the way. Not really familiar with the road." Aries said while placing my bag at the backseat.

"Alright." Nick answered right away.

Aries opened the passenger door for me and I climbed inside. I watch all of them settling themselves inside the car and Aries hops in right next to me. Nick starts to move and we followed them.

"Can we turn on the radio?" I asked.

He nods. "Sure."

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"They're already on their way to the rest house." He answered.

Aries starts turning on the radio and I just stared outside the window. "Is it going to be a long drive?"

"Well Romeo said it's going to be a three hour drive so I prepared a few foods and drinks at the back." He reaches for something at the back seat.

Aries slowly placed it over my lap. I smiled at him. "Wow. Thanks boy scout."

He laughs.

.....

The entire drive to Romeo's lake house was approximately almost three hours. We started driving around ten and exactly arrived lunch. I see Alec and Romeo's car already. All of us hopped off of the cars and Romeo was the one who welcomed us.

"Right on time for lunch. Let's go." He said.

I grabbed my bag from Aries' hand and all of us started walking inside while Nick was the one left behind cos he was grabbing something from his car. I was the second to the last person who walked near the front door since I was busy taking photos of the vintage looking jars and the beautiful ornaments on the patio while everyone were busy talking and getting amazed by the house.

All of a sudden someone grabbed me from behind and I know it's Nick. I turned to him and he pulled me back out of the house. He pinned me against the wall and my eyes couldn't look away from him. He checked the others who were busy going all the way inside.

"What are you doing?" I asked whisperingly.

Nick turned back his head to me. "Been wanting to taste you since this morning."

I smiled.

He crashed his lips into my mouth and we shared a gratifying stolen kiss. His tongue knows pretty well the directions inside my mouth and he always pretty knows damn well how to satisfy my mouth. He slowly pulled himself away from my lips and then kissed my forehead.

"We better go inside or else they'll look for us." He says.

I started moving to the door and he was walking right behind me. I know we shouldn't allow people to know about what we have cos it's a little better to keep it as a secret. This kind of thing isn't something to be proud of cos it's a little bit different from being lovers and from being in love. It's only in between both. We're less than lovers but we're more than friends. No, we're just basically using each other for sexual pleasure. That's it. This is what it's all about though. Sex. Only sex.

I followed the noises that were coming from the dining room and as we walked inside they didn't really notice us together. Aries was busy talking to Romeo and the others were all busy giving gifts to Tracy, I think Alec was the only one who saw us entering. I sat down on the other vacant seat right next to Alec and Nick sat right across me. We ate lunch right away since I know all of us were already starving from the drive.

.....

5:37PM

Nick, Alec and Clyde were busy making barbecues while Penny and Megan were still swimming at the lake. Romeo and Aries were busy fishing somewhere off. Tracy and I were busy setting up be table. "We're going night swimming tonight. Okay? It'll be alright for you to wear your bikini then." Tracy said.

I smiled. "What if I won't look good?"

"Nonsense. I saw you wearing the sleeveless and shorts and you have a beautiful body. Why hide it?" She smiled at me.

"My dad doesn't really want me to wear clothes that shows too much skin."

"Well your dad isn't here. Savannah, you need to let loose and have fun."

I know I should and maybe I should. Just for tonight. Maybe I can step out of my comfort zone just for tonight.

"Clyde's looking for you."

I pulled my head up and it was Nick standing next to me, placing the plate off barbecue down on the table.

"Oh, okay. Could you help Savannah for me?" Tracy hands the forks and spoons.

We stand right next to each other while setting up the table and we were facing everyone so I need to keep my composure intact. I shouldn't smile as much and I shouldn't act the way I am when we're alone. We were both quiet and from afar I see Alec looking right at us while fanning the barbecue.

"What's

up with your best friend?" I asked with my head down low.

I see Nick gazing at Alec. "Why?"

"He always looks at me when I'm with you." I answered, moving away from him.

He walks near me.

Damn it Nick.

"I don't know." He answered.

"Does he know?" I asked.

"Know what?"

"That we're... You know."

"Oh. That. Uh, no. He doesn't." He answered right away.

I decided to stay quiet now that Penny's eyes are darting at us too. I think everybody needs a chill pill in here. They always look at us like that. And I seriously know Penny likes Nick. It's so freaking obvious and

I think she's just hanging out with Tracy cos of it too.

"Don't drink a lot tonight." He says to me.

I stared at Nick for a few seconds. My hand was already empty from the plates. He was also done putting all of the forks and spoons too.

"Why? So I won't trouble you in taking care of me cos I'm Tracy's roommate?" I chuckled.

"It's okay Nick. I can--"

"No. It's not that. It's really not a problem to take care of you when you're drunk. I don't really mind taking care of you." He says while fixing the glasses.

I'm blushing.

I'm dying.

Goodness Nick!

He pulled his head up to me and I just wish my cheeks weren't blushing. "It's just a little dangerous cos we're on outdoor. You might fall on that pool or drown on the lake."

I smirked. "You're concerned. Awwwe." I said sarcastically.

He half smiled. "I'm being a good friend."

Good friend.

I sigh

8:29PM Dinner started.

I didn't expect the foods the men prepared were delicious as hell. They said Nick was the one who marinated it. We had pork, fish and these dishes that I do not know the names. There was a cake for Tracy as well. They also bought champagne, cans of beers and I'm sure there are more liquors on that ice box. We sang a happy birthday song for Tracy and then dinner was loud cos of the men on the table. I was just quiet and busy eating.

"We're going night swimming after this, do you have your swimsuit Jamie Sullivan?" Penny is starting now.

Nick glared at her then stared at me.

"Yes. I do." I answered confidently.

"Wow, that's gonna be an exciting view." Romeo complimented while smiling.

"You bet." Tracy added right away and smiled at me.

Nick cleared his throat and took a gulp from his water while he was still looking at me. I looked down on my plate and took the last bite on my cake.

"You really remind me of my childhood best friend, Savannah." Tracy blurted out.

I pulled my head back up ad stared at Tracy. "Really? What was her name?"

"Jenna, she was really timid and shy. I was always the one who makes her step out of her shell. She's--" Tracy stopped and as if she said something forbidden. Her facial expression changed while she was moving her eyes from Alec then at Nick.

I noticed that Alec was clicking his tongue while shaking his head and his eyes staring on his plate then Nick looked back at Tracy as if he was mad. I know he's mad cos his face changed right away when she mentioned that name. Nick was staring at her piercingly. Tracy looked sorry and she was biting her lips. I think I was the only one who noticed the awkwardness between the three of them cos the others were busy laughing and talking about jokes.

Who is Jenna?

"Where is she now?" I asked, why the hell did I still ask that.

Tracy glared at Nick, "She's uhh... I haven't seen her for a longtime now actually."

She smiled at me ruefully.

All of a sudden Nick pulled himself out of the table that got everyone's attention tpwards him. He left without saying a word with the can of soda on his hand. All of us were quiet.

"You shouldn't have." Alec said to Tracy.

What does he mean by that? What are these three hiding? It's like they have their own language. How long does Alec know Nick? He seems to know a lot about Nick.

"What's up with your brother?" Clyde asked.

"First day of menstruation." Tracy joked.

Everyone else just laugh but I noticed that Alec didn't and so did Tracy. She looked at me and smiled ruefully. I have to smile back at her.

Now who is this Jenna?

And who's Catherine?

"Be careful when you're with him..."

"Be careful when you're with him..."

"Be careful when you're with him...."

Nick is hiding so many secrets.

SFTC:

Dragging You Around - Greg Laswell ft. Sia