His Name Is Kirby Jones

“Kennedy, be careful!” Zoey warned, and Elena scoffed as the hyper eleven year old boy ran off to play with his friends who’d just spotted in the shallower end of the pool. It was a lovely, warm, sunny day, and the community pool was open for all to use. Families were enjoying a nice day out, couples lounging close together, and some people their age were celebrating the day.

“Zoey, you’re too protective of him. You act like his mother…” Elena warned, and Zoey rolled her eyes.

“I’m meant to care for him El” Zoey added, and Elena bit back her response and pointed to the four free sun-loungers.

Whipping out their towels, Elena set up her own little camp, they both stripped off their shirts and shorts, to reveal their lovely figures, it had to be said Zoey had a more curvy body then Elena, but neither of them had a problem with it. Elena watched as Zoey did the same and got out the sun-tan lotion and began to lather her legs, despite them being already a nice bronze colour. She envied her friend sometimes, not bitterly, but Elena always had such white, pale skin and never seemed to tan, just burn.

“Can I borrow some of that? I forgot to bring some.” Elena said suddenly, without replying, Zoey handed her the bottle of factor 30, L’Oreal sun lotion. Zoey sighed, and tried to relax but couldn’t help think but what happened back at the house. Drew decided last minute he didn’t want to come, as his date called him and asked to make it earlier, so he stayed behind, allowing Zoey, Kennedy, and Elena to go the pool, arranging for Zack to come meet them later.

“What’s up sugarplum?” Elena asked, she was always one to use odd, random pet names. Zoey sighed.

“My brothers, again. I told them about the party, and they completely flipped.” She muttered, as she put her brown aviators on, and watched as Kennedy jumped in the pool. The smell of chlorine was everywhere and the smell of the food drifted near her. She had to admit, she did love days like this.

“Wait, you are coming right?” Elena asked worriedly. Zoey nodded.

“Yeah, I’ve managed to win, but Jonah is coming” she added, and Elena nodded, keeping her jibes about how protective her brothers word to herself. She knew how much it irritated Zoey.

“That’s too bad, Jonah likes to party and I doubt he’ll hang with us” Elena persuaded.

“Yeah, but I’m still there at the same time you know? I’m not completely on my own…” Zoey didn’t mind the fact her brothers were protective, her attitude was the same for the ones she loved, but she could never feel independent as her brothers always treated younger then she was.

“We’ll have Zoey, we can get dressed up, have a drink, and flirt a little…it’s going to be great.” Elena enthused, and Zoey couldn’t help smile at her best friend’s infectious personality.

Zoey settled down and Elena and she presumed a normal amount of chatter, and then falling into comfortable silence as they relaxed in the sun, with Zoey never taking her eye of Kennedy. About an hour passed, and Zoey knew that it was time for Kennedy’s lotion to be topped up.

“I’ll be back in a sec.” Zoey told Elena, but it appeared she was having a nap. Elena got up slowly, picking up the bottle and a towel, and slowly walked over to the pool area. It hadn’t quietened down, in fact got busier and there were plenty of people swimming or messing around.

Zoey knew not to shout, to cause attention so instead put the towel and lotion beside her neatly, and sat down on the tiles, and put her legs in the cool water. Feeling better, Zoey watched her brother as he was finishing a race with one of his friends. When he’d done, he noticed Zoey was missing from her usual spot and frantically searched for her.

“Kenny!” Zoey called, grabbing his attention. He slowly began to swim over and hoisted himself out.

“Time to top up” Zoey told him, rolling his eyes and huffing, he dried himself and began to put lotion on his arms and legs.

“Come here, I’ll do your back…” Zoey said. Zoey moved back a little and allowed Kenny to sit between her legs, while she smoothed the cream over, making sure to get extra on his shoulders and neck.

“Did you see me race?” Kenny asked excitedly.

“I sure did baby, but be careful when you’re under water, don’t go bumping into people…” Zoey warned. Kenny chuckled and thanked Zoey, before sliding back into the water.
He swam off without a goodbye, and Zoey decided to stay put for a bit, and put her legs back in the water.

“Hey” a voice said behind her, making her jump. Zoey turned her head around and saw a person standing beside her; it had to be male due to the leg and voice. He had a tattoo, on his leg, it was about two inches above his ankle, and it was a three tiny blacked out birds, and it seemed small words were cursive around them. Zoey wanted to inspect it, but didn’t.

Looking up, but was blinded by the sun, Zoey couldn’t see the face. “Um?” she said confused. Thankfully, the guy decided to sit down and copy Zoey by also putting his legs in the water and it was clear he had a nice physique, but not too much, he wasn’t that tanned, but not as pale as Elena.

Within seconds of looking at him, Zoey finally realized who she was looking at. “Coffee guy!” she exclaimed, as the recognition hit her. He smiled shyly at her, almost embarrassed.

“I’m so sorry about that…” he murmured, and Zoey nodded and looked at his face, now she was closer up, she could see him and see how utterly beautiful he was. He had stunning brown eyes, they had a hint of hazel in them. His eye lashes were long, but not girly, but they just made those beautiful irises look better. He had a bit of stubble around his chin and under his nose, and it gave him a ‘rough’ look. His head was a curly mess, but shorter around the sides, she liked those curls. It appeared he had been swimming, as he was only wearing black swimming trunks with a design traced down the shorts. He was wearing a necklace, she noticed.

It was a black cross necklace.

“Honestly, I’ve forgotten all about it. I’ve forgive you.” Zoey insisted and the guy smiled softly at her. He looked so adorable, she thought. She realized her stomach was fluttering. Slightly embarrassed with her body’s action, she looked away. He however kept looking at her.

“It’s a beautiful day huh?” he said, looking up at the sky before looking back at her. Zoey smiled, feeling suddenly very shy and unsure.

“Yeah, I love days like this.” She murmured, they didn’t need to be loud, seeing as they were sitting quite close.

Zoey looked at him again, and her body immediately fluttered again. He had another tattoo, she saw the black ink on the inside of his wrist, as he flexed slightly.

“What tattoo is that?” she asked suddenly, her curiosity getting to her. The guy smiled at her, and turned his right arm over, the closest one to her and showed the ink.
The words: Strength, Courage, Love

“Nice, are those your words to live by?” she asked softly. He gave a feeble smile.

“My Pops use to always tell me there was three ingredient in life, strength to live, courage to face it, and love for people in it…” he said, and Zoey felt like melting then and there.

“That’s so sweet.” She said, almost gushing. The guy smiled lightly again and thanked her.

“Have you got any ink?” he asked, and Zoey shook her head.

“My dad and brothers would kill me….which is hypocritical seeing as Tommy has a tattoo on his left shoulder.” Zoey said. The guy smirked slightly.

“Protective family?” he asked, and Zoey almost laughed.

“Times a million” and they laughed, her melodic voice mixing with his masculine, soft one.

“What’s your name?” he queried, Zoey pulled tucked her hair behind her ears.

“I’m Zoey Titian” she said, offering a hand. Surprised, the guy takes it and shakes it gently.

“What a pretty name” he remarked, and Zoey felt herself blush.

“I’m Kirby Jones” he introduced, and they sadly let go of one another’s hands.

“Kirby?” she repeated, it was such a strange name.

He nodded, smirking “Kirby….no lie. That is my name.” he said, laughing slightly.

“Whoa, that’s pretty cool.” Zoey said, feeling the need to compliment him too.

“Thanks”

“So, are you new here?” Zoey asked curiously, and Kirby nodded his head.

“Just moved up here, I’m starting school on Monday and I’m dreading it…” he groaned and
Zoey laughed.

“What school you going too?” she asked hopefully.

“Heathway High” he said and Zoey grinned.

“I go there” she said and he smiled widely.

“That’s awesome, I won’t be alone” he said brightly. Giggling again, Zoey couldn’t ignore the fluttering intensify. Just as Kirby was about to speak, a massive splash of water showered them.

Shrieking, Zoey looked in front of her to see the culprit; she snatches her sunglasses off and puts them on top of her head, wiping the water from her eyes. Kirby was doing the same.

“What the f-” he halted as a kid was looking at him with a huge glare. He barely looked 12.

“Kennedy!” Zoey snapped furiously as he looked angrily at Kirby sitting beside her.

“Zoey!” he snapped back, and Kirby watched the two people interact.

“I’m so sorry, this is my brother Kennedy….” She said quickly, and got up at the same pace.
Kennedy got out too, dripping wet and wanted to push the guy that was now also standing up.

“It’s fine…” he said, sounding confused.

“I want an ice-cream.” Kennedy said, hoping to get away from the curly haired guy that appeared to be talking too closely to his sister.

Zoey sighed, frustrated and picked up the towel and draped it over Kennedy’s shoulders, and handed him the lotion.

“Go and get dressed then and wake up Elena…” she ordered, and he did as he was told. Kirby tried not to stare so openly at Zoey’s body, but the way the water glistened on her skin, made him need to stare.

“I’m sorry…” she mumbled, feeling embarrassed about her brother’s behaviour.

“We’re even.” He teased, and she smiled easily.

“Well I better go before he causes trouble….I’ll see you Monday?” Zoey said quickly, Kirby nodded and smirked at her.

“I’ll see you Monday Zoey.” He said, and watched as she walked away and Zoey’s heart was beating rapidly. She liked hearing her name from his lips.