Page 4 of Beyond the Blues
change. Nora notices my awkwardness and jumps to a distraction.
“At least you don’t have this bad boy.” Nora pulls down her swimming shorts slightly, revealing her bare hip. My breath hitches. I look at Nora’s tattoo of a badly tattooed smiley face, one eye bigger than the other and the smile lopsided.
“It looks like you!” I say.
“What?!” Nora laughs, pulling up her shorts again.
“It’s smirking, like you always do.”
“I do not.” Nora responds, sitting up on the sunbed, crossing her arms over her chest like a child having a tantrum.
“Sure” I nod slowly, eyes wide. We both erupt into a fit of laughter, the families around the pool looking over, confused. I cover my hand over my mouth, trying to hold back my cackle.
“You’re easygoing. You know Ophelia?” I clear my throat and smile gently.
“Thanks, you too.” My thumb strokes my tattoo on my wrist.
“I can’t believe we didn’t speak more at university!” Nora adds.
“I think we only spoke like once, but somehow we were always in the same room a lot.” I remind Nora.
“Always noticed me, did ya?” Nora smirks.
“You could say that, I guess.” I shrug. But yes, I always noticed the attractive female in the same room as me.
“Dinner later?” Nora asks confidently “Is that a date?”
“It’s whatever you want it to be.” Nora says deadpan.
*3 years ago*
Coco and I go to a freshers party. We walk in and already the room smells like drugs, sex and vodka. I scrunch my nose in disgust. Is this what university is going to be for me?
“I met a couple of people earlier today. Let me introduce them to you!” Coco shouts over the music.
“You’ve literally just started uni? How have you already met people?” I ask.
15
BEYOND THE BLUES
“It’s my magic.” Coco winks and then pulls me through the crowds of people. When we arrive at this group of people, Coco hugs them as if she’s known them for years.
“Guys, this is Ophelia, my best friend!” They all say hello in unison.
“Hi, my name’s James.” A tall guy, with beautiful dark eyes and shoulder length curls. He shakes my hand politely.
“And my name is Eva!” a short, blonde girl with micro bangs and piercings all over her face interrupts. Similarly to Coco, she pulls me into a tight squeeze.
“Coco, I haven’t introduced you to Nora yet!” Eva exclaims, dragging a blonde girl towards us. When she stands in front of us, I’m taken aback by her freckle-covered skin, long and healthy blonde hair, and wearing a button-up shirt and jean shorts that fall just above her knees.
“Hi Nora, I’m Coco!” Coco pulls her into a hug, and her blue eyes land on me.
“Nice to meet ya, Coco, and you are?” Nora scoots her way around Coco, standing by me.
“I’m Ophelia. Is that accent of yours Irish?” I ask, feeling stupid as soon as it came out of my mouth.
“It indeed is.” Nora smiles. We hold eye contact for a few seconds before she turns to look away, flexing her incredible jawline.