Bella sank into her bed and reached for her phone. A new message from Jake blinked on the screen.
Jake:
"So… spill. Who was the mystery guy who crashed your tennis practice?"
Bella grinned as she typed back.
Bella:
"Oh, I told ya, just the swim team captain with a serious towel obsession."
Jake's reply came almost instantly.
Jake:
"Towel obsession? Sounds like a legend already."
"Was he charming? Intimidating?"
Bella rolled her eyes but typed with a smile. She went on to tell him about what happened at the pool the week before.
Jake:
"Uh oh, sounds like someone's got a crush brewing."
Bella's fingers hovered, then she shot back.
Bella:
"Please. I'm just trying to survive school without getting wrapped up in swim team drama."
Jake's grin practically jumped off the screen.
Jake:
"Sure, sure. Just remember, I'm here if you need help dodging drama or making your own."
Bella laughed softly to herself, but before she could reply, Bella's phone buzzed again. Jake's message popped up:
Jake:
"Hey, how about I swing by after school one day this week? Could check in on you, make sure you're not drowning in homework or, worse, drowning in your own drool over the swim captain."
Bella bit her lip, trying not to laugh as she typed back:
Bella:
"Okay, that made me laugh. And yeah… maybe I am."
Jake's response was quick:
Jake:
"Alright, deal. I'll come armed with snacks and sarcasm to save you."
Bella smiled, feeling a little less tangled up inside. Maybe this school thing wasn't so bad after all.