Thursday

Half the morning trickles past and I still can't shake the adrenaline that's currently coursing through my system. The feeling of freedom still rings red hot from the moment the rock crashed through the glass of his window. After all the pain and despair Johnny put me through, it's nice to break free and put it behind me.

This feeling, though, wow. It's almost like I've been electrocuted by a live wire or a thunderbolt from a lightning storm. Whatever, I'm buzzing and I don't want this feeling to end just yet!

The front door creaks open which makes me jump with surprise. I look around the corner to see Olivia and Theo walking through the front door. Olivia brushes her long red hair over her shoulder as she adjusts her white singlet. Theo pokes her back, which makes her smile.

They walk into the lounge room and walk towards the stairs. She runs up the stairs while Theo watches her. I plonk onto the couch and shiver – so gross. I hear approaching footsteps and then I see his face.

Theo looks over the side of the couch and at me. His black fringe falls away from his face so that I can see his piercing green eyes. His hand comes down and ruffles my hair which makes me pout.

"Can you go?" he asks.

"Ew, you're so gross. Wasn't last night enough?"

"Don't complain then." Theo pokes his tongue out.

Before I have the chance to smack his shoulder, Theo is already walking away from the couch and up the stairs.

"Why did the world give me Theo for a brother?" I grumble. Some days, it feels like we're the opposite. He's from Mars and I'm from Jupiter.

I grab the remote controller and turn the volume of the television up. The last thing I need to hear is them doing it, but at the same time, I don't think I have anything to be worried about.

My television show continues to play and I wait in anticipation. I almost give up waiting and then it happens. I hear the bedroom door swing open and then the heavy footfalls of what appears to be Olivia. She storms down the stairs as she buttons her up pale pink shorts.

"Call me when you want a serious relationship," she shouts.

Theo comes running downstairs with his shirt in hand. Instead of following Olivia out the door, he comes straight to the couch and glares at me. I keep the innocent yet dazed facade to avoid his angry wrath.

"Where did you put them?" he accuses.

I sit up from my relaxed position and shrug my shoulders. My seemingly innocent role appears to soften the anger coursing through Theo. At least I won't have to leave the house now.

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"My condoms."

"You have condoms?" I gasp with shock.

"Yes, and now they're gone," he groans. "I don't know what happened to them."

"Maybe you misplaced them? Theo, you're always losing your stuff," I suggest. "Do you remember that one time?" I don't bother with explaining what happened but I use it as a technique to change the topic to pinning the blame on him. Theo's confused face seems to change when he realises I might be right.

"Hm, I don't remember moving them," he says. "But maybe I did?"

"What's up with Olivia? She seems angry." I change the subject.

With a shrug, Theo says, "Don't worry about her. I'll be gone for a while but I'll be back later."

"Okay, see you then." I smile.

Theo grabs his car keys from the hanging spot on the wall and then chases after Olivia. I don't think she'd get far just walking. Her house is a couple of blocks away yet she's a slow walker – I actually think she doesn't like walking in general. That's one thing we have in common. Physical activity just doesn't agree with me.

I grab the list from my pocket and strike out getting even with Theo. I scan over the list and decide what to do next. Since the house is empty, skinny dipping seems like the perfect thing to try. A refreshing dip might help since it's a bit stuffy at the moment.

Running upstairs, I grab a towel from the linen cupboard and walk outside. I place the towel by the pool chair and then strip out of my clothing. The wind brushes against my bare skin and I feel weird yet excited. Anyone could see me in such a compromising moment and yet, here I am, naked and uncaring for the moment.

"One, two, three, here I come!" I run towards the pool and jump in. My naked body breaks the surface of the warm water and I sink to the bottom of the pool. As I resurface, I take a gasp of air and then float across the top.

When I hear footsteps coming from around the side of the house, I swim to the edge of the pool to cover my body from the person. I expect to see Theo but Leighton's familiar face pops out from around the side of the house. Groaning, I frown. What the heck is he doing here? Doesn't he have a house or something?

"Why are you here?" I call out.

"Your brother said to come around the back. I brought his supplies," explains Leighton as he holds up a white paper bag with a chemist name printed across.

"Too late, he's gone." I laugh.

"Oh, ops. The line at the shops was long," he complains.

"Ah well."

"What are you doing in the pool? And why are your clothes there?" he asks.

"Skinny dipping?" I bite my lip to stop myself from smiling.

"Ohh, I remember that one."

He puts the paper bag into his backpack before opening the pool gate and walking in. He tosses his belongings on the chair next to my stuff.

"Can I join you?" he asks.

"Uhh."

"I'll take that as a yes." Leighton smiles.

He begins removing his clothing piece by piece. First to be removed is his faded Twenty-One Pilot's shirt, then his black jeans and underwear. It's hard to avert your eyes but I'm thankful he quickly jumps into the water.

"You know, you can't just jump into the pool naked," I say, my body still pressed against the pool barrier.

"You did."

"Yeah, but-"

"Hm?" He paddles closer to me, a cheeky grin on his face.

"This is my house and I can swim naked if I want."

"Is that so?" He laughs.

Leighton paddles closer, I try to scoot away, but I'm backed towards the deep end and it's hard to go anywhere else. He begins splashing water in my face – so much – I have to fight back. I flick my hand through the water to stop the water from hitting me.

When the splashing stops, I realise he's disappeared under the water. I watch as he soars towards me. In a flash, he grabs my legs and tugs me under the water.

"Oi," I shout as I resurface. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you?"

"Have some more fun." Leighton splashes me again.

"Ay, I am."

"So, that's two more off your list?" he asks.

"Yeah and drowning isn't one of them," I say.

"We can add it if you want?" Leighton chuckles.

"I think I'll live without that experience."

I try to paddle away from Leighton, but he grabs my ankle and pulls me back once more. My body slams against his side and I feel exceptionally weird about this. I use my arms to cover my breasts and whatever else I can. But I'm doing a terrible job at covering my naked flesh. Skinny dipping was a bad idea. I don't think I'll do this again.

Leighton stands in front of me. As his face comes closer to mine, I feel less self-conscious of my body. His warm breath fans across my nose as I gaze into his eyes.

"You're . . ."

"What?" I ask.

Instead of more words, Leighton presses his soft lips against mine. From the shock of his action, my eyes go wide. Is he kissing me right now? Just as I soften under his delicate kiss, Leighton steps back and proceeds to swim away.

"Uh?" I gasp, my mind still shocked.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Despite being wet, he redresses in his clothing which looks incredibly hard and then walks off. If I'm being honest, I'm not entirely sure what to think. Either way, I enjoyed that kiss.

What is something you've done and regretted?