I Caught Myself

“Ben?” I breathed.
Ben stopped dead in his tracks absorbing the appearance of Zack and I; our hair dripping wet, patches of water seeping through creating damp patches on our clothes and our chests rising and falling rapidly as Zack and I tried to gather our breath having rushed putting our clothes back on. Ben glued his eyes to the expression Zack and I wore, one of embarrassment. He arched an eyebrow suspiciously while looking smug knowing he possessed the power to amp up the awkwardness of the situation at hand.
“What are you two up to?” he curiously inquired taking a small step towards the two of us who were currently paralysed still; the scenario was feeling more like a principal catching students guilty of mischief. Zack and I were trapped at the crime scene, even though what we did wasn’t bad or even remotely shameful it still felt uncomfortable confessing to Ben.
I opened my mouth trying to muster some words “I…ahh…we…well” but could only stumble gibberish failing to form a credible alibi.
“ I wasn’t interrupting something? Was I?” Ben interrogated, relishing in his position to torment and torture.
“No.” Zack grumbled irritably before beginning to walk away from the secluded and peaceful lake towards the house.
Ben examined my face inspecting for any falters in my expression that could contest Zack’s claim and prove ‘guilt’. Satisfied Zack and I had nothing to hide and were truthful he turned on his heel chuckling to himself, “Your face was priceless when I caught you, Cass!” he yelled over his shoulder.
I took a depth breath, closing my eyes cringing to myself feeling humiliated Ben had caught me swimming in my underwear with Zack.
***
The smell of bacon and eggs wafted through the house making me want to gag, the thick, dominant smell of crisping bacon crackling in its own soaking grease and fat on the hot plate made my stomach churn. I sat on the balcony with a bowl of fruit loops trying to gather fresh air to escape the putrid bacon smell making me want to heave. Jess and Izzy decided to join me knowing it was a hopeless cause trying to organise the preparation of breakfast with a kitchen full of boys. Jess and Izzy shook their heads laughing as they left the busy kitchen to take a seat each across from me.

“The kitchen is a madhouse!” Jess exclaimed. Iz and I nodded before I took a final spoonful of my Fruit Loops, the sugary contents crunching in my mouth. We all appreciated the view of the lake and the tranquil golden silence, watching the sun’s rays kiss the water so it shimmered strikingly.

Jess broke the peace facing towards me with wide dazzling eyes, “So is it true what I heard about you swimming in your underwear this morning with Merrick?” Jess placed her elbows on the table leaning forward eagerly for an answer. A small smile played on Izzy’s lips as she straightened up in her chair signally her curiosity for an answer as well.

My cheeks instantly flushed a shade of rosey pink as I slumped back in my chair crossing my arms across my chest uneasily“Ahh well yeah” I shrugged my shoulders trying to downplay the story, “…we were just rope swinging into water and, well, umm…we forgot our swimmers. It was nothing I swear!” I defended myself.

“Sure it was nothing, that would be why you’re blushing like crazy Cassie!” Izzy teased as I felt the warm flame of heat remain burning on my cheeks.

“Aww cute, she’s crushing on him bad.” Jess cooed while twirling a lock of hair around her finger.

“No, I’m not. I swear there is nothing there. The word ‘platonic’ doesn’t do justice in describing how neutral our relationship is!” I attempted to convince them of my spoken truth.

“Whatever you say, Cass.” Jess smirked before clutching her growling stomach, “I’m so hungry!”

The bustle and chaos in the kitchen could be heard from the balcony where we sat, the clashing of pans or utensils and the bickering arguments amongst the boys on how to prepare breakfast challenged how successful the completion of the task would be and most importantly how the resulting meal would turn out. The occasional complaint and bitter curse could be heard,

“Fuck, I burnt myself.” I recognised as Zack’s voice cry out.

“You alright man?” Ben asked before panicking, “Shit, the bacon!”

“Haha, look I made the bacon and eggs into the shape of a dick!”

“Jack! Move out of the way or they’ll burn.” Rian demanded

A laugh was heard followed by a congratulatory High five Man! which could only be Alex.

The three of us girls exchanged a look of horror and concern now doubting giving the boys the ‘difficult task’ of breakfast, “Well I was hungry but now I’m just worried we’ll be eating charcoal for breakfast!” Izzy chuckled.

“Me too!” Jess agreed “They really have no idea how to complete such a simple task of cooking breakfast do they?”

“No, but they think they know how to cook breakfast, Jess. I’m pretty confident they’re convinced they’re the next Master Chef…” I laughed while twirling the remaining fruit loops in my bowl making the colours run to form rainbow milk.

“Pfft Master Chef? Are you kidding? I’m better than that; I’m the next Jamie Oliver!” Alex exclaimed from the kitchen soon appearing leaning against the doorframe of the balcony with a spatula in hand wearing a black apron reading Mr. Good Lookin’ is Cookin’.

I scoffed at both his Jamie Oliver statement and his apron, “Nice apron, loser” sarcasm dripping in my voice.

“Oh I thought you would like it,” he smirked raising his eyebrows suggestively while smacking the palm of his hand with the spatula, “You know I could arrange for the heat I bring to the kitchen to be taken to the bedroom…if you’re catching my drift” he joked.

I rolled my eyes, “Real spicy and steamy Gaskarth...”

He feigned a pained face at my mockery, “Sour one, aren’t you?!”

“Well if Alex isn’t your flavour ladies, I’m available” Jack chimed in posing on the opposite side of the door frame from Alex in nothing but a pair of black underwear and a light blue apron with bold navy print, Barbeque naked. Show off your buns. A picture of hamburger buns placed underneath.

The three of us girls burst out in laughter simultaneously then Izzy stood up making her way towards Jack. He bent down to peck her on the lips gently before Jess panicked, “Do I smell something burning?!”

“It’s all under control, don’t worry!” Rian emerged holding a plate full of overdone, burnt bacon.

Izzy and Jess pulled a face of disgust while I chuckled to myself thankful I didn’t rely on the boy’s cooking for my breakfast. Zack soon followed Rian with another plate of bacon and a few cooked eggs, the bacon on Zack’s plate looking a little less abused by the heat and slightly more desirable and edible. Izzy and Jess chose a few pieces from the plate Zack served before the boys greedily fought for it.
Once the boys were finished serving themselves food which had resembled a vicious hockey game as they fought for the possession of bacon and eggs which were tossed back and forth with cutlery, they settled down to eat joining us girls at the table. It was unfortunate timing that Zack had sat next to me because the whole duration of breakfast I was shot looks from three different pairs of eyes; Izzy and Jess’ eyes translated to stirring me with their mockery while Ben’s were inquisitive with curiosity.
Oh how wrong they had read into this…