The House Next Door.

As a little girl, Addison admired the ocean. The waves never show any restless as it swayed to the sand or her feet as she tried to conquer the fear of stepping toward the deep blue.

"Addy, stay away"

Her parents reminded the child ever so often to be aware of her current surrounding.

The Frost family lived only one hour away from the ocean.
Logan wanted the chance to teach his daughter how to swim.

Addison wore a bathing suite with a anchors designed.
Logan laid beside his wife as he watched
closely as Addison collected seashells.

Addison gaze was averted when a sparkling shell sparked her viewing.
She cast a glance back and saw the smile Logan was giving her.

Addison took small steps as the water kissed her toes causing her to squeal.

"Addison"

The warning in her parents voices should have caused Addison to run back to her parents.

But, as a six year old she was determined.

Addison lowered her body to grasp the shell. Her knees were covered in the water.

The song of the waves crashing surrounded her.

The echoes of her parents were blocked.

Addison hazel eyes viewed a single way forming.
It formed bigger and bigger.

Bigger and Bigger

The wave inched closer and closer and Addison stumbled back and lost her balance.

The water soaked her and Addison wheezed as the water clog her nose.

The shadow of the wave caused her to peer up just in time as the wave took her under its mass
________

"I don't think it's a good idea"

Addison mumbled tearing her gaze away from Mr Hardy.
She changed into a red one pice.
Addison would never wear a bikini in front of this particular man.

Mr Hardy arms rose above his head as the water dripped down to his forearms.

"It's a lovely idea"

Addison gnawed on her lower lip. "I'm scared"

"I'm right here" Mr Hardy facial expression hardened. "Nothing will happen"

Addison peered down and saw Louis happily float around in the pool.
The boy glanced at her and gave Addison a thumbs up.

"Do you trust me?"

Addison sharply turned to Mr Hardy voice as he leaned into her.

"Yes"

"Excellent" Mr Hardy beamed.

"Why do you ask-"

"I'm going to teach you how my father taught me"

Addison froze as Mr Hardy threw her over his broad shoulder. Addison fist pounded onto his back screaming at him to release her. But Mr Hardy chose to laugh.

Mr Hardy trailed toward the deep end to the pool. He stopped at the ledge.

Mr Hardy gently placed his hand on Addison's shoulder.
He balanced the girl in his protective arms.

The pair met eyes. Mr Hardy noticed the panic in her hazel orbs.

A scream escaped Addison lips as he grasp her waist and lifted her up.

And thrown her into the pool.

Mr Hardy stood there watching intently before diving in.

Addison gulped the water as she sank to the floor.

Im going to die

Arms snaked around her waist pulling her up toward the surface.

Addison gasped as the air filled her lungs.

"How's that?"

Addison coughed and lifted her head. Mr Hardy swayed in a circle holding the girl tightly. Addison was inches away from his plump lips.

"That was idiotic"

Mr Hardy stared at Addison sourly.

The grip around her waist was released. Addison paddled toward the devilish man. She scrambled and he gently placed his grasp around her waist.

"You just swam" Mr Hardy murmured.

"I did not" Addison mumbled.

Mr Hardy lips spread into a smug smile. Mr Hardy hands traveled to her abdomen and pushed her away from him.

Addison glared at Mr Hardy.
But she stayed above the water.

"You tiny little toes are moving" Mr Hardy said. "You're swimming"

"I'm floating"

"Swim to me"

"Nope"

Mr Hardy sighed before he contracted his muscles and dived under the water.
Addison watched the figure under the water.
Mr Hardy head rose above the water and the pair were inches away from each other.
Addison chest heaved.

Blue beautiful eyes gaze directly into her.

"Swim to me"

Addison blinked.

"Okay"

Addison didn't even think twice.
The man was hypnotizing.

Mr Hardy swayed around her. "A child hood trauma that turned into a fear?" He whispered.

"Near death experience" Addison replied. darkly.

"Don't dwell on your fears, Love" Mr Hardy said softy.

Mr Hardy swam away leaving a few splashes along the way.
Addison took a deep breath and lowered herself under the water.
She instantly froze but forced her limbs in a swimming stance.

Addison arms and legs moved gracefully under water.
Addison pushed her body toward the surface and gasped instantly.
She blinked several times.

"Excellent" Mr Hardy praised. "You're getting there"

Addison beamed and glanced back at Louis, who cheered from the rails.

"Now" Mr Hardy said leaning into the edge of the pool. "Swim above the water"

Addison swayed her body and nodded. Mr Hardy pushed himself away and swam closer to the girl.

"Motion your hands like this.." Mr Hardy murmured taking Addison's left arm and forcing her to move it in a circle. "Kick your feet as well"

Mr Hardy grip release and he inched away from Addison.
Addison met his intent gaze and offered him a beam of a smile.

Addison motioned her hands in a complete circle. Her limbs began to move above the water.

Mr Hardy swam beside her, appraising her often.

Addison dunk her head and quickly rose, meeting Mr Hardy's gaze.

"Lovely way to spend a Saturday"
_____________

Addison ran out of the house.
It was past ten at night and Addison felt energetic.

Jittery.. Perhaps.

Addison afternoon was eventful.
She learned how to swim. Addison wasn't very good but she would not totally drown.

And she might have developed a instant crush of her teacher.
And her neighbor.
And her coach.

Addison could barely sit still. The day lingered through her thoughts.
It was madness.

Addison glanced at the house next door as she ran by.
She wore baggy sweats and a oversized sweater. Her ponytail swayed with her as she ran.

The music played in her eardrums causing her to hum to the rhythm.
Addison stopped at the crosswalk jogging in place.

Addison waited patiently against the curb. Her hands landed on her hips.

A shadow cast behind her. Addison kept her gaze forward.

She realized more people were behind her.

A hand landing on her shoulder roughly caused her to scream spinning around.

Addison clenched her fist colliding it into a jaw.

"Addison"

Addison comprehended the voice.
It was Marcy.
Addison turned and met the gaze of Henry , who was hysterically laughing.

David Verga winced clutching his jaw. Addison realized what she had down and scrambled toward him.

"I am so sorry" Addison cried.

Marcy elbowed and smacked Henry as he still laughed at the situation.

"It's fine" David smiled.

"I didn't know-"

"Addison, I swear I'm fine" David laughed. "You punch like a girl"

"That bruise says differently" Henry cried hysterically laughing at his friend.

Marcy rolled her eyes and stepped toward Addison. "We saw you run out of your house"

Addison glanced down the street absently. "I was jogging"

"We know"Henry stated smiling.

Addison rolled her eyes at him. Marcy stepped in tow with Addison.

"How was your day?" Marcy chirped.

"I.." Addison began.

I better not

"I read that's about it"

"Antisocial" Marcy said sourly.

Addison shrugged sheepishly. Addison could not fathom into telling Marcy of her afternoon.

"I picked out a cute outfit.." Marcy rambled causing Addison to tune her out.

Addison glanced back and met the warm eyes of David. He offered her a smile before glancing at Henry.

"What are-" Marcy asked following her gaze. "Were you checking Verga out?"

"No" Addison scoffed.

Marcy grinned and stepped off the curb. As her house was in view. "Henry, lets watch sappy love movies"

Henry eyes narrowed but he smiled at his girlfriend. "As you wish"

Henry stepped off the curb and Marcy giggled as Henry pulled her toward him.

"See you" Marcy yelled glancing back. Mary wasn't very sneaky in giving Addison a wink.

Addison eyes narrowed confused.

That bitch

Addison turned to David.

"It's just us" David said smiling. "I think we were set up"

"I believe so" Addison murmured.

"Okay then" David mused. "At least let me walk to you home"

"Sure" Addison smiled brightly as the pair stepped in tow with each other.

"How's the jaw?" Addison winced.

"Actually pretty numb" David laughed. "Don't tell anyone but you hit like a grown man"

Addison brow rose from David's words. "Oh god-"

"Addison" David hand gently squeeze her shoulder. "I'm kidding"

Addison sighed laughing. "Very funny"

David grinned sheepishly. "So I heard"

Addison smiled gazing away.
She was shy.. Extremely shy.

David was much taller than Addison. So it caused her to peer up at him. "Whatcha thinking about?"

Addison brows knitted together. She pondered the question. "I'm thinking about ice cream"

David grinned, nodding his head. "Acceptable answer"

"I would love to take you to get sometime"

Addison peered up at him. A smile forming her lips. "I would like that"

David smiled.

"Hey, Mr Hardy"

Addison snapped her gaze toward the man.
As the fence met there stood Mr Hardy and Logan.

Addison face fell dramatically.

"Ello' David"

Addison watched as Logan comprehending the meaning of the boys name caused a slight smirk played on Logan's lips.

Logan leaned away from Mr Hardy and stepped toward the pair.

"Logan" he introduced himself, "Addison's father"

David quickly greeted Logan with a shake of his hand. "David Verga"

"The same David?" Logan glanced at Addison.

Addison groaned. "Dad-"

"You talk about me?" David marveled.

"No-" Addison blurted. "I mean yes" she sighed. "Kind of"

David smiled at Addison.

"So he is your boyfriend"

"No" Addison sighed.

Logan looked at Addison sharply. Logan quickly began discussing with David the whole works of dating his daughter.

Addison rubbed her cheek with the palm of her hand.

"Lovely outfit"

Addison turned as Mr Hardy murmured into her ear.
Addison groaned rolling her eyes.

"Stop" She complained.

Mr Hardy chuckled. "We heard your scream a mile away"

Addison met his gaze and her throat tighten.
Her father and Mr Hardy came running out of the house..?

Addison offered Mr Hardy a little smile before glancing back at Logan and David.

"Addison curfew is twelve not a minute later"

"Dad" Addison sighed. "I do not have a boyfriend"

"You never know" Logan replied sternly.

"I agree" Mr Hardy said.

Addison glanced back at him outraged. Mr Hardy grinned scrunching up his face.

Adorable

"I understand completely, Sir" David nodded absorbing her fathers words.

Addison wanted to just walked from this embarrassing scene.

"Nice meeting you David" Logan smiled shaking the boy hand.

"Likewise, Sir" David said serious.

"Goodnight Addison" David said meeting her eyes smiling. "Mr Hardy" David waved.

Mr Hardy let out a brief chuckle before nodding toward the student.

"Night David" Addison smiled. Then mouthed the words "I'm sorry"

David only smiled as he turned to walk away.

"Why must you embarrass me?" Addison whispered.

"It's my job" Logan shrugged sheepishly.

Addison gave her father a sour expression as she stomped away.

The sound of Mr Hardy laughter rang through her ears.

_____________

Addison stepped out of the steamy shower and slipped into a pair of undergarments.
Addison brushed the tangles out of hair as she sang walking into the hall.

Opening the door and trailing to her closet. Addison threw on a crop shirt and shorts. Placing the brush on her table an turning-

Addison froze as the sight of the blue blanket still placed on her bed.
Louis's blanket.

"Ah shit" Addison groaned before snatching up the blanket.

Slowly trailing down the stairs, Addison crept toward the door unlocking the door with the key pad.
Sliding out the door Addison ran toward the house next door with the blanket in her grasp.

Addison ran up the two steps and lightly knocked against the door.

It was so late at night. Addison fidgeted with her fingers.
The door flung open and Mr Hardy stepped out of the doorway.

His dark hair widely a mess and his eyelids squinting in a sleepy way.

"Addy?" He brows knitted in confusion.

"Louis forgot to take his blanket" Addison blurted quickly hanging him the blanket.

"Your first instinct was to run over here?" Mr Hardy yawned.

Addison tore her gaze away from his bare chest to meet his amused gaze. "I'm sorry. I just knew it was important" she sighed.

"You're a interesting creature"

Addison squinted her eyes. "Thank you?" She asked. "Is that a compliment?" She scoffed.

"Coming from me?" Mr Hardy smiled sleepily. "Of course"

"I'm glad" Addison said dryly.

Addison turned to step away but a meaty hand eased onto her wrist.

"Just a second" Mr Hardy murmured. He disappeared from the porch of his house and stepped inside.

Addison waited patiently leaning on the thick railing.
Mr Hardy returned with a paper in his grasp.

"Louis drew you a picture"

Addison instantly smiled as it was handed to her.

"Cheeky little booger"

Addison laughed as she gazed down toward the picture.

Little arrows pointed to the little doodles of the five year old artwork.

Louis was the smallest one.
Addison stood beside another stick figure as they both held hands.

The smile on her face faded.

"Is that you and I ?" Addison asked.

"Afraid so" Mr Hardy said apologetically but slightly amused.

"Very good" Addison smiled.

"The boy has a amazing imagination" Mr Hardy laughed.

Addison nodded pressing her lips together.

"Not in the sense of it being a possibility"

Addison froze completely and slowly turned to stare at Mr Hardy.

"Louis is confused. I had to inform him you aren't a lady friend"

"That would be overly unrealistic" Addison laughed.

Mr Hardy lips twitch. "I heard much worse"

"Agreed" Addison agreed. "I could never picture myself falling for someone older"

But Mr Hardy boldly formed a grin on his plumped lips and murmured the words.

"Never say never"