Page 27 of Now and Again

She wasn’t sure how long she and Juliet had been kissing, but she vaguely thought a few minutes had gone by. Could have been two, could have been ten. Could have been an hour. She’d checked they were alone before it started, but now, she didn’t care who saw. She’d catch flack for this if it got back to India, but some things were worth a grilling.

That was until Paul Prentiss - who Riley knew semi-well and was considered by all who met him to be a sweetie pie but an absolute idiot - came flying out of the back door of the house. She felt Juliet pull back and, out of respect, did the same. But she was less than happy about the interruption.

Riley turned to the kerfuffle and heard Matt Jones, his best friend and partner in crime, cry out, ‘Paul! You can’t do a handstand in a pool when you’re fucking smashed, mate! I’m too drunk to save ya!’ Hot on his heels was Paul’s long-suffering girlfriend, Jenny Yang. ‘Paul!’ she was yelling. ‘Fucking stop!’

This was not the first time Riley had witnessed something like this. Paul pulled this shit almost every party. Got hammered and got it into his head that he simply had to play fast and loose with his mortality while Jenny prayed he didn’t expire in front of her.

Riley turned back to Juliet. ‘Well. That was…’ She didn’t have a good word to describe what had just occurred. There might not be one. The only word she had was inadequate but better than muteness. ‘…Nice.’

‘Yeah,’ Juliet replied. ‘Nice.’ But then she started to step backwards. Riley wasn’t sure what Juliet was thinking, but she didn’t look very happy.

‘Are you OK?’ Riley asked nervously.

‘Who me?’ Juliet said. ‘I’m absolutely—’

What happened next was a moment by moment tragedy of small yet ridiculous proportions. Because while Riley usually watched from a distance while the clown show went on, tonight, she didn’t have the luxury of a nice, safe seat. Paul was coming right at them. Riley took a step away automatically, but Juliet seemed to freeze. Before Riley could do anything, it all happened, and she could only watch as Paul’s arm swung right into Juliet’s chest, knocking her into the pool.

Riley gasped in shock and prepared to jump in. But Juliet came quickly back to the surface, pulled up by Paul, thankfully not so drunk that he didn’t know he’d taken Juliet down. He’d dragged her to the opposite end of the pool, and Jenny, who’d been in action before any of this started, was already poolside, putting her hand out for Juliet, looking mortified. ‘Are you alright, dude?!’ Riley heard Paul ask as she ran around the pool. She heard Juliet mutter something back as Jenny began to pull her out. Then somehow, Juliet let go and slid back down into the pool. People were coming out now, the party moving outdoors.

But then Paul said something like, ‘Whoa! I didn’t know it wasthatkind of party. Bring back the sixties!’ Riley didn’t know what that meant, but the next thing anyone knew, Paul was upside down in the pool, as promised, legs jutting out of the water. He’d taken his bottoms off and his arse was on full display to the school. Everyone dissolved into laughter.

‘Paul!’ Jenny cried, mortified. ‘Put your arse away!’

Of course, Paul didn’t hear her. He was underwater.

A laugh burst out of Riley as she went around to help poor Juliet away from this ridiculousness. Riley put out a hand, and she could have sworn that Juliet saw it and ignored her, climbing out by herself, distress in her eyes. It seemed like it wasn’t just about getting wet. It got worse as Juliet stood shaking herself off. ‘Oh my god! Are you alright?’ Riley asked, concerned, unsure what was happening, but knowing that there was something she didn’t understand.

‘Yeah, I’m OK.’ Juliet said, checking her watch. ‘Is that the time? I’d better get home.’

Riley tried not to look hurt. ‘Oh. OK.’

Juliet turned away and headed for the back gate. Riley watched her go, bewildered. Why had she gone? Riley had thought they were… something. They’d talked, and it felt like more than just saying stuff. Riley had felt sparks. And then that kiss.

But Juliet couldn’t get away quick enough.

Sure, Juliet had gone in the pool, and she was drenched through and probably needed to get home to dry off properly, but it didn’t seem like it was just about that. Then again, she’d looked kind of funny right before she’d gone in the pool.

‘Hey,’ said India, wandering out and joining her at the side of the pool, looking pleased with herself. ‘Totally snogged that guy.’

‘That’s nice,’ Riley said, distracted.

‘Yeah, it was alright. I’d give him about a six out of ten?’ she said casually. ‘He wants to take me out. Properly. On a date.’

‘Yeah?’ Riley asked, barely listening.

‘Yeah, you think I should do it? I mean, I’m already sort of seeing that guy from my gym.’

‘Mmm,’ Riley nodded, disinterested. ‘Tough one.’

Lucky for her, India was quite happy to keep blathering on about her non-existent problems. Which left Riley’s brain free to pick over what had just happened. The clues were these: She’d kissed Juliet, and then Juliet had seemed awkward. Then the pool thing. Then she’d left.

When Riley thought about it like that, it was obvious what had happened. The pool episode was incidental. The meat of it was that Juliet had allowed herself to be kissed, not enjoyed it very much, and then had to make excuses to get out of a difficult situation. Riley was shocked she’d misread that kiss so badly. She’d believed that if she was into it, then Juliet had to be too. Apparently, that was an incorrect assumption. Riley didn’t know how she could have been so out of touch.

Could she be wrong? There was only one way to find out. She would text Juliet. Not right now, of course. That waswaytoo eager. Riley liked Juliet, but she wasn’t stupid. She’d wait a day, maybe even two, and then she’d send a carefully constructed message that was just the right blend of casualness and warmth. Whatever reply she got, she’d know if she was right or wrong.

She wanted badly to be wrong. How could you have a night like this end like it was nothing?

Thirteen

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