Part Twenty Five

"Meet you in the pool?" Nathan grinned excitedly."Okay" I replied through the cubicle door.

I flapped my hands about nervously. My bikini body wasn't great, far from it in fact and although Nathan seemed to like my figure, it would be a different story with my clothes off i was sure.

Pulling myself together and my towel a little tighter, i ventured out of the changing room and shoved my overflowing bag in the tiny locker on top of Nathan's stuff.

When i walked through to the pool, grimacing at the cold water under my feet on the tiles i could already see Nathan wet and shivering, sat on the side waiting for me.

I'd hoped i could slip in without him seeing me and then later get out and quickly wrap my towel around myself. That was the plan anyway. I tiptoed to the edge next to him and he smiled as i looked down at him.

"In you get then""You first" I urged."I've been in""Go again""Okay?" He slipped in and as soon as his head ducked under the water i jumped in beside him.

"Hiya" He grinned."Hey"

An hour of swimming later and our hands had pruned and i started to shiver in the water.

"Wanna get out?" He laughed, confidently swimming towards me."Please" I chattered."Okay"

We swam towards the ladder and got out, he had his back turned to me luckily as he made a beeline for the warmth of his towel. I grabbed mine and held it in front of my stomach.

"Wanna share a shower?" He asked flirtily."Okay" I nodded, though my mind was protesting. I'd gotten this far without him seeing my body and he was sure to if we shared a tiny box room together.

We waited in the queue for the showers and i picked at the skin around my nails nervously. Luckily we'd gone to a private gym, so there was no danger of teenage girls or someone catching a picture of us on their phone. One thing i was grateful for.

"You okay?" Nathan frowned watching my fingers switch from one to the other."Fine" I smiled reassuringly.He took my hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. He probably had no idea of the paranoid thoughts going through my mind. 

A door opened and a skinny blonde girl stepped out, her long legs were tanned and toned along with some golden hair down to her middle back, it wasn't exactly a confidence boost. Nathan didn't seem to notice and kept his eyes focused on her face, gave her a quick smile and then went into the shower room, pulling me by the hand with him.

"Hang your towel up then" He checkled at my shyness."Um, no it's okay. You can go first" I nodded, backing against the wall."Or we could go together" He raised his eyebrows.I shrugged, not wanting to admit to my self conciousness because i know he'd go all 'caring friend' on me and i'd hated that in the past."What's wrong, Es?" He asked, quieter this time. "Nothing" I smiled weakly."I know you better than that by now""I don't like my body" I mumbled."Wha?" He asked, not hearing my pathetic attempt of a reply."I don't like my body" I stammered."You don't like your body?" He repeated and i looked away ashamedly. "You're beautiful Es""Don't Nathan""You are. I'll spend every single second of the rest of my life telling you that if until you believe me""Please don't" I pleaded."Okay, sorry" He said, concealing a smirk. Before i had time to protest his lips were on mine, his hands had pulled away the towel and his hands were exploring my curves."Beautiful" He winked and ducked into the stream of water.

I followed him under, trying not to explode with happiness as i pushed him gently.

"Ow!" He pouted"Shut up" I laughed.

Later that night, Nathan and I were lay on his bed. He was propped up against some fluffy cushions and i rested on his chest.

"Alone, finally" He whispered into my hair."Yup" I rolled over and straddled him as he watched, looking rather bemused."We're gonna do this?" He mumbled, sitting himself up a little more to look me in the eyes."I think we've waited long enough" I laughed, pulling my top over my head and pushing him back.