Chapter 66

It was three in the afternoon and the sun was still high in the sky shining so bright. I was sitting on the sand, feeling the coolness of the wind penetrating through my skin. I had my bare feet stuck in the sand, pushing the grains between my toes as I looked off in the distance, watching everyone surf except for Cara who was sitting three meters away from me, drooling to my man. And to Jeno who was missing right now. And Cara? Yes, she was staring straight at Uno. She was staring right through him, watching and ogling to my one and only baby. I glared at her murderously when she turned to look at me, smirking. Sofia and Liam were out there catching waves but my eyes were stuck only on Uno, watching him as he balanced on top of the water. I just loved the way the sun sparkled off the water that soaked his body. My eyes roamed from his broad shoulders, to his hard abs, and I licked my lips as my eyes lingered on the dirtiest but most delicious part of his body. I was enjoying the view when I heard the footsteps of someone nearing before I looked at them. I felt the spray of a few drops of cold water hit me in the next moment before finally turning my head away from watching Uno and looking up to see Jeno standing next to me. “You, Ashley, are obviously obsessed.” He smiled before he sat next to me on the sand. “What are you talking about?” I asked, confused. He pointed off the water right at Uno. I watched as he caught another wave and I shouted. “Go, baby!” I cheered out loud. Uno waved at me and gave me a flying kiss that made my heart flinch before he turned around and paddled for a wave. I saw Cara from the corner of my eye frowning when she heard my voice and then her eyes shifted from me to Jeno. She then stood up harshly and walked her way to the house, stomping her feet. I then turned back to Jeno who ignored Cara who was now staring at me with a smirk on his face. “Why don’t you tell him?” “Tell him what?” “That you love him. I know it, Ash.” He informed me as he looked down on the sand he was playing with his feet. “I like him, yes. But I don’t think I love him.” I whispered, trying to contain whatever emotion I was feeling. I was scared, scared that someone would know about my true feelings with Uno. “Korean do it right, huh?” he said, poking my neck suddenly making me turn my head to look at him. His beautiful eyes glinting with mischief, he smirked down at me. I laughed lightly. I know he was talking about the hickeys that Uno gave me earlier in the pool. “Just some insect bites, Jeno.” “Ha! Good old denial!” he sighed, still teasing. I didn’t say anything because I was blushing like crazy. Jeno placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze, the action calming me down a little. He offered me a smile before he spoke. “Uno is different, Ashley.” I know… “He’s one of the sweetest people I’ve met. He helped me during the time I had a problem with my family. He’s the friend that I for sure don’t want to let go. He’s the most important person man in my life after my dad, of course. He’s been through a lot, and still, he finds more happiness in giving.” “Been through what?” I questioned, immediately hating the way I sounded so nosy. “Not my place to tell you all of it. He had a very difficult time back in Korea. Probably one of the saddest things ever, his past.” He said, pulling away his hand from my shoulder. “He told me about his family and his best friend.” I told him. “Is there something else that I need to know?” “He told you?” “Yeah.” I replied. “Well, I guess, you’re that important to him that he opened to you about his family and his ex-girlfriend, and his best friend Luc—“ “Hey, bitch!” I turned my head to Sofia who suddenly interrupted us. She was running towards us and Liam was behind her, two surfboards in his hands. “Why didn’t you join us?” I looked up and smiled at her. “I’m contented watching my baby.” I said, turned my gaze to Uno who was still playing with the waves like they were his friends. “Okay, we’re going to rest now. Let’s go Liam.” Sofia grabbed Liam’s hand and together they walked away from us holding hands. Jeno stood up beside me and ran after them, leaving me alone. I shook my head as I watched him pull Sofia’s hands away from Liam but Sofia pushed him away. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was night time as we sat on the beach waiting for our dinner to cook the barbecue. We had a small bonfire going in the pit Jeno’s family had made on their private shore. I was currently leaning against Uno’s shoulder. We were sitting close enough that our arms would brush against each other every time one of us moved. The air had gotten colder this evening, so the heat for the fire felt nice. I had changed out my bikini, instead opting for a pair of my favorite denim shorts, a black strapless bandeau and Uno’s black hoodie. Uno was still in his swim trunks and a tee. He looked like he was ready to go for another swim any moment, this crazy boy. It seemed like forever before Liam and Sofia were coming down the walkway carrying a bunch of food. Who’s idea it was to let Liam of all people, handled the grilling? As it turned out, he was actually an amazing chef. I was pleasantly surprised with how good the burgers tasted. After we all stuffed our faces, Uno ran off to get us beer while Jeno and Cara went to get us marshmallows. What a great combination-roasted marshmallows and beer? When Uno came back, he leaned in and peck my forehead. “You can see the stars tonight.” He sighed with his head tilted up toward the sky and I followed his gaze after swallowing my nearly burnt marshmallow. The sky was dark and wide with nothing to obscure the view of the twinkling lights. “They are beautiful.” I said a moment after looking up. I turned my gaze over to watch Uno and I smiled at his amazed expression. “I used to be really into astronomy.” I told everyone. “Oh, astrology is so cool.” Cara stated before taking a gulp of beer and leaned into Jeno’s shoulder. Sofia’s silent while she held Liam’s hand, fiddling with his fingers. I laughed and rolled my eyes. “No, Cara not astrology. It’s astronomy, you know, space and stuff.” She frowned at me. “Well, that’s lame. ” “Anyway,” I said smiling particularly to Uno, choosing to ignore Cara’s jab at me. “I used to spend hours trying to find constellations on every clear night we had in Lexington.” “Do you see any now?” Uno asked me, interest filling his voice. I grinned at him and nodded my head. “Do you see those three stars from a line?” I asked him as I pointed up to the night sky. He shook his head, his eyes roaming left and right, up and down, yet not finding what I was pointing in the dark sky. “Here,” I said placing my hand on top of his. I tried to keep my breathing normal as I felt the familiar sparks pulsed through my veins at our contact. I felt his warm breath hit my face as I got closer to him, his questioning eyes staring at me. I used my hand to lift his hand up to point the stars. “Do you see them now?” I asked. I smirked as I watched him gulp from the corner of my eye before he turned his eyes off of my face and looked up to where our intertwined hands were pointing. Slowly, he nodded, a new smile playing on his lips. “Those three stars form Orion’s belt.” I informed him. he looked back at me, his face mere inches from mine and I wanted more than anything to lean in and kiss him under the stars. But we were surrounded by our friends and even though they knew that I and Uno were more than just being a roommate, we were here to enjoy as a group not just the two of us.