When Fletcher had called to ask where Holly was, she wasn’t sure what to say to him exactly. She was glad that he had thought of picking her up, but at the same time she thought he expected her to need him. She was grateful that she was able to tell him that she was already home.

After ending the call with Fletcher, she plugged her cell in to charge and then collapsed onto her bed. She was exhausted, both from school and after school activities. Thinking about those activities now made a grin spread across her face. They made her feel so fulfilled.

They also reminded her that her hair was still wet. She quickly jumped up again, checking to make sure that she hadn’t soaked the pillows. She hated it when she got her bed just a little damp because of her wet hair.

It was fine and she sighed with relief.

“Holly!” Her mom suddenly called, making her look toward the door. “You left your clothes in the bathroom!”

“Sorry!” Holly ran out of her room and down the hall to the bathroom. Her mom was standing in the doorway with her arms crossed. Holly smiled at her as she slipped into the room and started picking up the clothes that she had been wearing earlier in the day.

“By the way,” her mom said, leaning against the doorframe. “I was unpacking the summer stuff, and I couldn’t find your swim bag. You did pack it, right?” There was an accusing tone in her voice.

Holly knew what she was thinking. “Yes, I packed it.” Everyone knew that Holly had never been a huge fan of swimming. It had always been so much of a hassle for her to make sure she had a swimsuit that fit each year when she knew she would only use it five times all year at the most. It just didn’t seem worth it, and with everyone reminding her to check her stuff, she had gotten mad at the activity.

But now she smiled at the thought that her attitude just might change. “I unpacked it myself this morning before I left.” She explained to her mom as she left the bathroom. She wasn’t yet ready to tell her mom what she had done with the bag. Best to give it a few more days. Make sure that I’ll keep it up.

When she had told Fletcher that it was fine if he stayed after school, she had been thinking of something else. There was a public pool a short walk from the school that stayed open all year round. Holly had decided to check it out, and it turned out to be a really great place. It hadn’t been very crowded, and even though she only swam for a bit, doing laps, she was happy now.

Back in her room, Holly dumped her clothes in the hamper, glancing momentarily at her swimsuit. She had hung it up to let it dry. Today had been the first time she used it. But I don’t think it will be the last. She laughed to herself.

Just then she heard a car pulling up outside. Running to the window, she looked at the street below. For a moment she was confused. It was Fletcher’s car outside, but he hadn’t turned into the driveway. He wasn’t even in front of their house. Instead, he had pulled to the side of the road in front of their neighbours’ house.

As Holly watched, the passenger door opened. She could hardly believe her eyes when Lance stepped out. Sure, logically it made sense. They were neighbours, and so offering a ride home was nothing. It was the thought of Fletcher and Lance being alone in the car that really set Holly off.

Holly had discovered years ago that she had a distinct imagination, especially when it came to a certain genre. She loved Boys’ Love novels and comics, and she read them so often that they had quickly started to cloud her vision. Now, just walking down the street, she couldn’t help but pair two guys together.

And, well, Fletcher was her gay brother, so he often ended up in those pairings.

She couldn’t help but grin when she saw Lance say something to Fletcher quickly before closing the car door and running into his house. She turned away from the window and ran downstairs, reaching the door just as Fletcher parked his car in the driveway. When Fletcher stepped out of the car, she was right there, staring at him.

He stared back at her for a moment, confusion on his face. Then a look of horror replaced it. “No!” He stated firmly. Holly grinned even more when a slight redness painted his face.