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Reid's POV

I wanted to swim.

I just needed to calm down. Sadie and I had just got into an argument before we got here. She'd been so on edge lately about Dakota. He's barely answered her phone calls and when he does, he rushes off.

We both know he's just hung up over Oliver, which is understandable. He had sex with him, making him think they were together again.

I didn't even mean to punch Oliver. He just pissed me off, talking about how Dakota was so selfish and didn't want to wait for him. So, he went ahead and found someone else. But not before getting a nice fuck. No one deserves to have that happen to them.

Asshole.

I don't really know how I started to actually care about Dakota. Maybe it's because he's Sadie's friend and I care about her. We may possibly just be together longer than I expected. She and I work well together. I mean, I'm starting to get along with her friends. I used to hate when Dakota tagged along with us, but I don't think it's so bad now.

I pulled my shirt off and ran to the water, hoping to clear my mind. I closed my eyes and relaxed once I was fully submerged. I finally felt at peace. I relaxed, letting go of the things that happened at home today.

I pushed myself up and rose above the water, breathing heavily. I swam around a little, seeing Oliver coming in. I nodded to him as he approached me.

"Hey, is Dakota doing better?" He asked me. I stared at him before nodding. I don't understand why he cares now.

"Yeah, he seems fine to me." He sighed.

"I do care about him. I was just hurt that–"

"If you care about someone, you don't bring someone else to a gathering you know they'll be at." He smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah... I know. I've ruined everything between us."

"Yeah, you have you ass." I told him, laughing a little. He laughed too and sighed. "I'm sorry about punching you." He shrugged.

"I deserved it. Maybe one day Dakota will help me come out." I nodded.

"I sure hope so Olly." He laughed and pushed me. I splashed him then pushed his head under the water.

"Dude, not everyone is fucking Percy Jackson." He told me, pushing me under the water. I laughed and swam away from him.

"You're just not a good swimmer." He rolled his eyes.

"Whatever dude." I had my fun in the water before deciding to get out and get something to eat. Oliver came with me, complaining about this girl he brought.

"She keeps trying to kiss me and crap. And then she complained about not knowing anyone here. She's the one who asked to come."

"Well maybe you shouldn't have brought her." I muttered.

I looked at Sadie and Dakota and saw Dakota watching us. How could he still like Oliver after what he did? Way too forgiving.

I shook my head before going over to them. Dakota looked down at his fingers as I approached them, Sadie looking up at me expectantly.

"What's up babe?"

"You two wanna swim? You both said you were."

"Baby, you know I can't swim today." I nodded, understanding. I looked at Dakota and his eyes widened.

"M-Me?" I laughed and nodded. "I can't swim that well. And you two were like drowning each other. No can do. I want to stay alive, I kinda like my life." I laughed and nodded towards the water.

"Come on. I'll be nice, I promise. Chill with the guys for once." He stared at me before sighing and getting up. He took his shirt and sunglasses off. "Good job buddy." He rolled his eyes and I couldn't help but look at his stomach to see if the bruises were gone.

They were fading, way better than the last time I saw. His stomach was surprisingly toned, something I would've never expected from Dakota.

"Alright, only for a few minutes you ugly duckling." I laughed a little and he followed me to the water.

"Doesn't it feel nice?" I asked him, sighing.

"Yeah, I guess it does." I smiled and nodded. "The water's actually not as dirty as I thought." I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"You're so uptight. Relax a little." He furrowed his eyebrows at me.

"I do relax!"

"When?"

"I am now!" I rolled my eyes but nodded.

"Whatever you say Dakota." He glanced at me before looking away shyly.

"Okay, I think I'm done." I raised my eyebrow.

"Didn't you just say you liked it?"

"Yeah but... I just... I don't know. I don't usually swim." I could tell he was lying, just as he did the day Oliver cheated.

"Do I make you uncomfortable Dakota?" I asked him, genuinely concerned.

"What? N-no." I raised my eyebrow.

"Then why are you lying about wanting to get out?"

"Huh?" I studied him before smiling.

"Nothing. Go ahead, you can get out. I wouldn't make you stay in." He took a deep breath and gave me a shaky smile.

"M-Maybe I'll get back in later." I nodded.

"Yeah, maybe." He waded over to the shallower side, slowly and I laughed.

"Don't laugh at me!" He yelled at me, making me laugh harder.

Later on, it was getting dark and we swam once more. Dakota got in again, and I laughed at how slow he got in.

"Didn't I tell you to shut up?" He grumbled. A few of the guys were in too this time. Maybe he wouldn't feel so weird.

"I'm sorry Princess." He looked up at me, annoyed.

"You've lost your job you fucking egg head." I laughed at him and splashed him. He gasped and wiped his face quickly.

"Hey mister! Don't you do that again." He said, seriously. I couldn't help but laugh, he was so cute. This was honestly so entertaining.

I put my hands up in surrender and he relaxed slowly, still eyeing me.

"Why don't you like to be splashed?"

"Because, it hurts my eyes." I raised my eyebrow.

"Well close them."

"What–?" I splashed him again and I burst out laughing at his reaction. He smiled a little before laughing. "I hate you."

"See, it's fun." He shrugged and splashed me repeatedly. I shook my head and pushed my hair back, trying to get away from it. He looked at me with a devious smile.

"Yeah, it is fun when you're doing it to someone else." I flipped him off and swam over to him.

"You're evil." He laughed loudly, and I couldn't help but laugh too. It was contagious.

"What's been up with you lately?" He raised his eyebrow.

"What?"

"I can tell you didn't really care about Oliver cheating as much. What's the real reason you haven't talked to Sadie?" He looked at me, then grew angry. He was going to say something but he stopped and shook his head.

"I... don't want to talk about it. I was going through something that I need to get over quickly." I shrugged.

"That's understandable. If you need some help, let me know. Or Sadie, you know. She worries about you a lot." Instead of being reassured, he frowned deeply.

"Neither of you could help me very much with this. But I appreciate the both of you nonetheless." I nodded slowly and he looked around. Sadie and the girls were talking loudly and he stared at them sadly.

"You can go back if you want to." He shrugged.

"Wouldn't make me feel better." I sighed, what the hell is going on in his mind?

"Well what is it?"

"Why the hell do you care?" He hissed at me. My eyes widened.

"Uhh... I don't know." I scratched my head. "You're Sadie's best friend and–"

"Thank you but that's not enough." He paddled himself back to the shallow end. I couldn't help but watch him.

It was weird, for a guy he had a little butt. My eyes widened and I sumerged myself in the water.

I did not just think that. I closed my eyes and ignored the questions in my head.

~

We all put our clothes back on and sat around a fire.

"Let's play some good ole truth or dare." Felix brought up. "When Dakota gets back." I was holding Sadie under my arm tightly as always. But I looked at Dakota who was a little away from us, talking to his parents.

"Yes guys, I'm okay." He whispered. I don't think anyone else could hear him. "No... we aren't going to talk about that right now. I know! I shouldn't be like this. We'll talk when you're back Sunday. I'll make sure the house is clean tomorrow morning. I promise." He smiled a little. "I love you too Dad. Tell Mom I love her when she wakes up. I miss you guys so much." I met his eye when he got off and turned. He looked away from me quickly and sat by Sadie.

She sat up and looked at him.

"Everything okay?" He nodded.

"I guess it's time to play." Olivier said, rubbing his hands together. There was a total of eight of us, finally our normal group.

Dakota, Sadie, Felix, Oliver, Andy, Michella, Lacie, and I. There were more boys in this group than girls obviously. Thankfully, Oliver's girl was gone home.

"This is an old ass game and it always turns things bad." Dakota said, rolling his eyes.

"Any other ideas?" Oliver asked him. He looked at Oliver and rolled his eyes, not answering. "Great." He muttered.

We ended up playing truth or dare.

I was dared to skinny dip in the water. I did as I was told and ran into the water, throwing my clothes off as I went. It wasn't bad at all, I liked swimming, I didn't understand why they gave me a dare like this.

I got out of the water and walked back to shore cockily.

"Put some clothes on!" Sadie yelled. I laughed and saw Dakota's eyes widen then look away quickly. I laughed to myself and put them back on. I plopped down between Dakota and Sadie.

"I knew I was hot, even for your high standards." I mumbled to Dakota. He froze and looked at me, then laughed shakily. I shook my head, not saying anything.

"Dakota." Oliver said, making him jump. "It's your turn. Truth or dare." He shrugged.

"Truth." He mumbled.

"Do you have a crush on any of the guys here?" Oliver asked him. He glared at him, then shrugged.

"I'm gay, I have no shame. Yes." My eyes widened and Oliver smiled smugly. How the hell could he still like him? I guess I was wrong about him being over it... Unless it was someone else.

I looked around the group. No other guys seemed to be Dakota's type. I sighed, maybe he does like Oliver.

Sadie was dared to kiss Dakota. It was the weirdest shit I'd ever seen in my life. I got a bit jealous, but I didn't know why. Dakota wouldn't ever like Sadie. He's hung up over Oliver, not to mention he's GAY. I rolled my eyes.

"That was... insanely weird. I know you're my best friend and all, but... wow, I love boys." Dakota said, shaking his head. We all laughed and Sadie nodded.

"I agree."

"Great. Next!" Dakota yelled.

In a few more turns, Dakota dared Oliver to make out with Felix. He grinned evilly and I laughed at how awkward Felix was about it. Oliver didn't really care, what a gay.

"Alrighty. You guys have some horrible dares." Oliver said. He glared at Dakota, then his eyes widened and he looked at me. "Dakota and Reid. Seven minutes in heaven. Just making out." I raised my eyebrow and Dakota shook his head.

"Dude you're going back to the stone ages with this." Dakota said. I nodded and everyone else shrugged.

"It's a dare." Sadie said.

"Unless you're homophobic." Oliver told me. I rolled my eyes at him.

"There's not even anywhere for us to go." He nodded towards the woods.

"Go to Dakota's car." I sighed and stood up.

"C'mon." Dakota rolled his eyes, and started walking. He really acted like he didn't want to do it.

"Your seven minutes starts as soon as we hear the doors close!" I heard Oliver yell.

Asshole.

We got in the car and closed the doors.

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