Untouchable

Zoe

Seriously having so much fun writing this everyone. Please keep reading and please let me know what you think! Xx

*Song for this chapter - "California" by Phantom Planet*

The house was INCREDIBLE. Like, I seriously felt like I was on an episode of the OC. The downstairs was predominantly open-plan; a huge living room space with six massive sofas positioned round a large, glass topped coffe table, an enormous kitchen with several workrooms, including a giant, white island style worktop in the middle. Two gigantic fridge/freezers with ice dispensers. The floors were marble throughout. The living space opened out onto a giant veranda which had an area of beanbags and outdoor fairy lights strung around the railings. Below the veranda was the other outdoor space; no less than a large curved infinity pool, a big hot tub, a fire pit surrounded by low benches and hundreds more fairy lights strewn throughout the palm trees that framed the view of the ocean. We had our own steps down to the beach which was private, along with the few other houses along the street. Bliss.

See. I said it was awesome. Jack and the boys

The bedrooms didn't disappoint either. After some discussion we had successfully shared out the rooms. A double for Tanya and Jim and me and Jack. Twin rooms for Marcus and Alfie, Joe and Caspar and Finn and Louis (when they arrived). Louise had quite happily accepted her own room as she said she would enjoy being able to spread out all her stuff and not worry about walking round naked (haha). Plus she was next door to me, so all was good.

I had just speedily unpacked my things, and slung on my bikini, deciding to cover up slightly with a cream, netted beach dress. It didn't hide a lot but just gave that little bit of extra coverage, seeing as I would be walking through the whole house. I wore my hair loose all down my back for the moment, pulling a hair band onto my wrist in case I wanted to scrape it up later when swimming. I had applied a little more makeup, mainly just powder to hold everything in place but had decided to put on a cheeky bit of red lip too. I know we were only going to be chilling by the pool for the rest of the day but, when in California, right?

I hurried out my room, wanting to get to the pool and start my tanning as quickly as possible, but as I was also fiddling with my bikini strap at the same time, I bashed heavily into someone.
"Woah!" they exclaimed, grabbing hold of me, one arm round my back the other clutching my arm. I knew immediately.
"Oops, sorry Alf," I apologised. I felt giddy at the fact he was holding me so tightly, his hand in a place it wouldn't be for a normal hug. OK, so it was only on my back but it was quite low down and the holes in my net-dress meant I could feel him touching my skin...
"Someone's on a mission," he laughed, eyebrows raised. He still had hold of me and I felt like he lingered for a second longer than necessary before letting go. I saw his eyes flicker down over me for a split second a little more colour flushed into his cheeks.
"You alright?" I questioned.
"Yeah. You just look really good," he managed to stutter out and he flushed an even deeper shade.
Instead of accepting the compliment and returning it I decided to have a little flirt: "And I don't normally?" I asked, tilting my head to one side.
"No, no you do. You always do. I just..." He was struggling and I burst out laughing. "I'm only joking Alf," I quipped and he ran a hand through his dark hair.
"Go do one, Zoe Sugg," he teased.

As we made our way out to the pool all I could think was how he'd said I always look good. Was he just being friendly? My mind had been full the last few days. I had started to get different vibes from Alfie but I wasn't sure if it was just all in my head. Maybe I hadn't felt the same feelings from Jack lately and so I was just choosing my closest make friend to get them from instead? But, as mentioned before, I was really close to the other boys and had never felt like this around them. Was I merely overthinking the friendship or was I actually feeling something? Were the signals I thought he was giving off an indication he was feeling something too? Surely not. He was with Kimmi, who he seemed to worship. Oh yes and I was with Jack. I mustn't forget that!

We reached the pool and Joe, Caspar and Marcus were already in there, diving in generally being big kids. Joe wasn't the best swimmer so I always kept a watchful big sister eye on him when we were around water but he seemed happy enough.
"Alright gorgeous?" Tanya asked as I laid out on the sun lounger next to her, pulling my dress off over my head. I didn't want an awkward, holey tan!
"How could I not be here?" I replied, indicating the surroundings around us.
"I know. It's amazing isn't it!!" she agreed. "Jim and Louise have gone to get some food supplies," she explained and I smiled. Jim and Louise were so the Mum and Dad of the group.

I stretched out, the warmth of the late afternoon sun heating me throughout and feeling utterly blissful. I could almost feel the Vitamin D which we so seriously lacked back home seeping through my veins. I watched as the boys noticed Alfie was now poolside and they started splashing him, regardless of the fact he was still in shorts and a vest. In haste, he yanked down his shorts to reveal his swimming shorts and ripped his vest over his head. I couldn't help but stare as I took in his body, not overly muscly but nicely sculpted with a good set of abs. I watched him run and forward flip impressively into the pool, creating a tidal wave of a splash.

"Put your eyes back in Zoe, they're rolling down your cheeks," Tan said suddenly and I noticed she was looking at me I'm amusement.
"What," I protested feeling myself blush.
"I know it was a nice view but you didn't have to act quite so impressed," she giggled. "Practically caught your jaw in my hand." My hand immediately shot to my chin, as though pressing it shut and she laughed loudly.

I continued to rub it gently while Tan went back to her tanning and watched the boys splashing and messing around. Alfie's hair was wet and dripping down onto his chest. I realised the little feelings I had been thinking about earlier had grown into an undeniable attraction. Oh God. What a mess! How should I keep a lid on these feelings?