Uh..I-I-I-I...

[Blair Collins]

"So this is kind of, like, your spot? Too bad. I was thinking of frequenting here myself."

Blair stepped to the edge and peered into the water. Her super-vision allowed her to calculate depth quite accurately. It was one of the first things she worked on at Sir Henry Barnet. Who knew it might come in handy? The lake was fine--not too shallow nor too shallow, perfect for a swim.

"Let's try something a little different. Come on, hand me your camera--I want to take the picture without it in."

She barely waited for his reply before closing the distance between them and taking the camera from him. She placed it carefully behind her. When she stood upright, she shoved him off the edge and into the lake.

Blair picked her camera and snapped a few pictures in quick succession--Lister falling backwards, Lister surrounded by a splash of water, Lister in the water.

She laughed--not meanly but sincerely. "That's what I call candid." She slung the strap of the camera over her head and showed the screen to her victim.

"Sorry--social experiment." She held out a hand to help him out. Maybe he would take it this time. "No hard feelings?"

[Lister D. Reynolds]

LDR gave her a shrug "I-I-I g-guess...ni-nice i-if I need a pl-place to...uh nevermind." His eyes flicked back down. Don't say anything about meltdowns. Deep breath. Then she touched him again. It wasn't on purpose, well at least he thought it wasn't on purpose, but it sent the hairs on his next stand up on edge. It was just a soft brush of skin against skin sending a shiver down his spine. His face turned redder, his heart beating faster. He'd felt this feeling before but that was with...

Then she pushed him in "W-W-W-Wait!" Then he hit the water. Then there was the splashing around. He bobbed out of the of the water and outstretched his hand to grip Blair's hand. Shivering he flopped on the edge of the pier and took a few moments to catch his breath, his shirt sticking to him. He looked up, staring at Blair "O-O-O-Only if you fa-fall in next..." He was only joking but she might actually take it as a challenge.

[Blair Collins]

Blair could not stop laughing--she could not help it. Her hand dripped water where Lister had held it--damn, that was cold. Her laughter subsided into giggles just in time to hear him say: “O-O-O-Only if you fa-fall in next...”

“I hope that’s just your teeth chattering because, if anything, that should have helped loosen up, List.” She stopped abruptly. “Is that a challenge, I hear?”

Setting her camera down next to Lister’s, she grinned and pulled her sweater over her head. She slipped off her sneakers--stuffing her socks into them--and wriggled out of her jeans. She did not stop to think about the fact that she only had a big shirt on left. If she did, she knew she would not be able to go through with the challenge.

The girl stepped back and got a running start before jumping into the lake, hoping she created a great enough impact to splash her assignment partner. She lingered underwater for a while, enjoying the amplified yet muffled sounds. A shoal of small fish swam away from her and the current moved all around her body. What a sensation. When her lungs felt like bursting, she swam for the surface.

“So we’re even, I take it?” She looked to Lister sitting on the pier, still dripping wet. She pushed herself towards him. “You know, speedy, you got out of the water much too fast.” She grabbed his leg and pulled him into the water.

[Lister D. Reynolds]

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT! Why is she stripping? LDR avoided looking at her but was kind of drawn to it. This was, after all, the first time a girl was stripping in front of him. He was positive he was about to have a heart attack. His chest grew tighter as he noticed she only had a top left on. He shuffled uncomfortably making sure she didn't notice anything. Then she jumped in and LDR caught a sight of hair flying and shirt lifting upwards, water splashing against his legs.

She really did think it was a challenge. It was kinda interesting to watch her swim under the water, something about it made LDR's stomach flutter. Why did it make his stomach flutter? Shit. He glanced down at her, feeling he knew what was going to happen. His suspicions were confirmed as she dragged him back into the water.

"Y-Y-Y-Yeah we're e-even. D-D-Did you ha-have to st-strip?" He floated right next to her, his heart beating like crazy. Pushing away he felt his chest grow tighter. No. No. No. Don't do this too me. Don't fuck with me universe. Aren't you having enough fun messing with Ben and me? Why do this? He flushed again.

[Blair Collins]

Blair laughed again. Of all things he could have said, he questioned the necessity of stripping down? "I wasn't about to get my clothes soaked for a challenge--that was never mentioned in the terms and conditions."

The boy drifted away from her and she frowned. What was his deal? One minute he was warming up and the next he clammed again. Blair tried not to take it personally.

She shivered. The air had been cold enough when she was wrapped up and dry--now the water was freezing her to the bone. And Lister's sudden change in temperature did not help at all.

It was not fair. She finally attempted to get comfortable with someone and all he did was try to brush her off. He changed moods faster than he got out of the water.

Blair huffed. It can't just be her. She understood being nervous but there has to be more. Okay. She calculated all the things she might have done to make him uncomfortable. She was a girl and a new student, she had punched his shoulder, pushed him into the lake, took off her clothes in front of him, and then dragged him back into the water.

Lister was still acting weird, in her opinion. It was not like he had a girlfriend--she overheard a pair discussing this--at least none that anyone knew of. Maybe--

"Shit. Are you gay?" The question just escaped her so she quickly added. "It's totally fine if you are! It's just... well, it'll be just my luck actually." This was embarrassing.

Blair sighed. "Look, I don't want to make this anymore awkward than it is. You don't even have to answer that. Sorry if I freaked you out. I'm not usually so forward."

[Lister D. Reynolds]

He didn't feel good about keeping the distance between them. In fact he wanted to be closer. LDR couldn't quite explain it. But she kinda interested him. Attracted him. His face flushed redder, his heart skipping again. The water lapped against the pair of them and LDR floated a bit closer. He had seen that the distance had annoyed her so he was trying to make it up to her.

Then the question. LDR's face fell. Why did every girl think that? Why did guys think that? Okay, maybe he did think he liked guys, he liked Ben that was for sure. But that didn't mean he wanted to go out with them. Make out with them. He liked girls too!

"I-I-I-I-I-I...I don't kn-know...I-I d-don't th-think so..." Then she said something about it being it just her luck and what she was saying hit like one of Demi's death balls. She liked him, or at least she was attracted to him. LDR looked up at the morning sun. Why couldn't things be easier?

"I...uh...Sorry I'm j-j-just not used to gi-gi-girls st-stripping in fr-front of me. Wh-What with all...the...and th-the..." His face flushed red and he looked back at Blair, a smile curling at his lips. This really messed things up.

[Blair Collins]

Blair's cheeks were burning. She had just asked a guy if he was gay and the answer was no! Way to wound your own pride. Well, not an outright no. He was unsure. There was a story there somewhere.

Still, the girl took some comfort in knowing she wasn't ruled out by sexual orientation. That would make all this for nothing.

What was all this anyway? She honestly had no idea. Was she flirting with him? Or worse, seducing him? The thought made her shudder. Maybe that was why he froze her out.

Shit. Blair was so lost in her thoughts she did not notice him being closer. And he was smiling. How the tables have turned... and not quite in her favour.

"Oh," was all she could say when Lister failed to finish his last sentence--she knew what the rest of it was. This was officially embarrassing. She bit her lip to keep from smiling sheepishly.

Blair cleared her throat. "Come on. It's freezing in here. Now I know why you got out so quickly."

She swam for land and lifted herself back onto the pier. Water trailed behind her as she made her way back to her clothes. "Damn. I really did not think this through."

[Lister D. Reynolds]

LDR moved back towards the pier and pulled himself up. His shirt still clung to him and his hoodie and jeans were completely soaked, it was going to take a while for him to dry off. He unzipped his hoodie, folding it and placing it next to him. No way was he going to strip off in front of her. He had to be careful now, she liked him or at least thought he was interesting.

She seemed to be less of in a huff now. That was good, right? She looked kinda nervous now maybe that was just because of the cold water, hopefully it was the cold water. "N-N-No you d-d-didn't..." LDR sighed as he wrung out the bottom of his shirt, looking up at Blair. It be wrong to take a picture now, wouldn't it?

[Blair Collins]

Blair followed his lead and started to wring her own shirt. This could not get anymore awkward so why not, right? This was why she was impulsive. If she stopped to think about stuff too much she might not do anything at all.

She tried not to acknowledge the fact that her shirt was clinging to her body. She looked around. Lister was right. This place was quiet--there was no one around. At least, that was what her super-vision told her. And what good were they if they could not spy unexpected visitors?

"Don't look," she warned before taking off her wet shirt. Quickly she slipped on her sweater. If he was peeking, hopefully he did not get a chance to see much. Oh it felt good to put something warm on her still-damp body.

She laid her shirt out on the wooden floorboards to dry out in the sun. She sat down next to Lister and twisted up her hair to squeeze the water out of it.

"This was fun," she told him and inhaled deeply. "I love the smell of fall in the morning." She leaned back till she sprawled herself across the pier. The morning sun warmed her where the wind gave her chills. She reached for her camera and took a picture of her partner from where she lay.

Blair sighed. "It's been a while since I had a really good day like this. Thanks, Lister."

Almost immediately she wished she could have eaten her words. She did not want him to think she was in love with him or something. She was just sincerely grateful. Maybe she should start thinking these things through.

[Lister D. Reynolds]

LDR chest tightened as he tried to steady his breathing. Who knew a girl in just her sweater could be so...exhilarating? He was sure if his heart didn't slow down it would explode. His face turned a bright red when he noticed that she was taking her shirt off, turning around to look away "I-I-I-I'm not..."

The boy wasn't sure of how to react. It wasn't everyday a girl wearing only a sweater sat next to you. Without really thinking he picked up his camera and snapped a shot of the girl, her hair caught the sunlight behind him sparkling brightly.

He could feel his shirt drying in the morning sun, sticking close to his body. Her words made his face turn redder. She seemed to be apprehensive about talking with him. Maybe she'd prefer hanging out with Ben or someone like that? Wait, Ben. What was he meant to do about Ben? It was obvious that the girl liked him, as a friend or something else LDR couldn't decide, but what was going to happen when she met Ben?

"I-I-It's o-o-okay, I-I-I ha-had fu-fun too. Ar-Are you in a-any of my cl-classes, then?" They had a while to wait for their clothes to dry and LDR didn't want a uncomfortable silence to fall over them.

[Blair Collins]

Blair could hear his heartbeat--still racing. She bit her lip. She was not sure whether she was embarrassed or flattered that she had this effect on him. She was not even sure they were taking pictures for the assignment anymore. No way would she allow Lister to hand in a picture of her with only a sweater on. She wondered if he would keep it for himself--she was certainly going to keep her pictures of him.

His face was as flushed as hers, she noticed. Damn, why did she have to say something so cliched? She cursed herself mentally. Lister suddenly looked guarded again. Hm. There was something stopping him from being more open--something disturbing him. Probably a someone, actually.

"Yeah," she answered briskly. "I think I saw you in Math class. I'm not really good at remembering faces--but I'll look for you next time."

She looked at the boy. His shirt clung to his body, not leaving much to the imagination. He was not particularly buff but he did have some muscles--benefits of super-speed, she supposed. He probably burned off a lot more carbs in a short run than an average person did in a marathon.

Blair wanted to tell him to take his shirt off. She had a good excuse--erm, reason--for him to do so. "Lay it under the sun," she would say. "It'll dry faster." Then she would be able to see more of him. Maybe he even had secret tattoos. Who knows? At least she would not be the only one half-naked. Suggesting this would make her an outright flirt.

The thought made the corners of her lips turn up. But the more she thought about it--about him, the wider she grinned. In fact, her face heated up and she started giggling. Even more embarrassed than before, she covered her face, hoping Lister was not looking her way.

"I'm sorry," she whispered through her giggles. He must think she was a complete freak. But she could not help it.

[Lister D. Reynolds]

A smile curled at the corners of his lips "Y-Y-You can si-sit ne-next to m-me and Be-Be-...Ben." He looked down at the lapping water and quietly chided himself. Be careful. The girl seemed to be very interested in looking at him, LDR shuffled nervously next to her. What was she looking for?

Then her suggestion and LDR's face turned a bright red "U-U-U-Uh...I-I-I-I th-th-think it'll d-d-dry ju-ju-just as fa-fa..." He didn't even manage to finish his sentence. She wanted him to take off his shirt.

And then she started to laugh. And laugh. And laugh. What was so funny? LDR gripped his arm tightly, the urge to run resurfacing. This time he couldn't really fight it, picking up his camera and hoodie. His face burned as he started walking down the pier. Yeah, he couldn't deal with this "I-I-I'm sorry..."

[Blair Collins]

Well hell. "Wait, no, Lister..." She sat up quickly but he was already halfway down the pier. And he was not even running!

Blair slung her camera strap over her head, stuck her feet into her sneakers and bundled up the rest of her clothes in her arms. If that boy could cover that much distance in a few seconds, she could not waste a moment.

"Lister, wait!" She raced up to him. "I'm sorry. I should not have laughed. It's just," she stopped. She was a daring person but she was not suicidal. "Well, if I told you what I was thinking of, you'd leave faster, really."

She did not know why she was doing this. Why did she have to go after him? Damn impulsiveness. Well what now? Lister did not stop and she was forced to try and match his pace. The girl started to reach for his arm but then thought better of it. No need to make this worse. But how can she talk with him if she was out of breath just trying to keep up?

Groaning internally, she sped up and stood in his way. She hoped she was shot after this because she might just do it herself anyway. Maybe she was suicidal after all. Humiliation kills like a bitch.

"Lister, please." She tried to catch his eye. "I don't know about you but I was having a really good time back there. Have you not considered the fact that this might be new territory for me too? I'm nervous as hell--I just have a different way of showing it."

She sighed--she hated behaving this way. Why did he have to make things so hard for her? "I just..." She could not finish her sentence. She just what? Even she had not figured it out yet. She bit her lip. Damn it. "Just don't hate me, okay?"

[Lister D. Reynolds]

If it were possible for someone's heart to stop but they kept on living that's what happened to LDR. His heart stopped, either that or it beat so fast he couldn't feel it any longer. Don't say it. Please, don't say it. His eyes fixed on the ground. Why did the universe revel in seeing him squirm? What had he done to deserve it?

He wanted to walk awa- No he wanted to run away. Run away and hide back in his room. No more photography club. Why did he even join in the first place? What point was he trying to prove? 'Oh look at me I can be a functional human being.' Keep trying, freak.

He dug his own nails into his arm and looked up at the girl. This wasn't fair on her, it wasn't her fault LDR didn't know how to act around people. He took a deep breath "I-I-I-I w-w-won't.." Just don't say what I think you're going to say.

[Blair Collins]

Blair had never heard someone's heart beat so fast. Shit. He was not going to die, was he? She had her own minor panic attack at the possibility she might kill someone by making them nervous. This was so messed up.

Still she appreciated the fact that Lister remained there. He had freakin' super-speed, he could have just run away without having to listen to her.

And what did she just say? A bullet through the head would be welcome right then. Where was an assassin when you needed one?

At least he did not hate her--unless he was lying just to get out of the spotlight on him. And he did not suddenly drop dead. But he looked so freaked out. Her speech was not that weird, was it? What could he possibly be thinking?

"Oh." It dawned her. "Oh gosh, no! No, no, no, no, no. That's not what I meant." She blushed bright red. "I'm not some hormonal teenager, I swear! I just met you!"

She backed off, suddenly very self-conscious about what she was wearing--or what she was not wearing, more like it. "Oh gosh, either you have watched way too many chic flicks or I have not watched enough. Dammit, I don't like you!" She lowered her voice, "Not in that way, I mean."

Blair shook her head at herself. This was humiliating.