When I woke up, it was already eleven. My stomach growled.

Downstairs, my family milled about, doing different things. Some were eating, some were doing the dishes, and some were reading.

I made myself a sandwich and sat down. My parents and siblings ignored me, just the way I liked it.

I hurried back to my room to get ready. I threw on a different bikini, along with a t-shirt and shorts. I braided my hair, then stuffed my phone in my pocket and waited.

Daniel arrived a few minutes before two. He knocked on the door, and I was first to it.

"Hey. Let's skip the awkward parent meeting and leave now?" I suggested, trying to get through the door.

"Hello, son. I'm Lindsey's father," m dad said, grinning and offering a hand.

I groaned, and Daniel smiled back at him.

"Hello, sir," he replied, shaking my dad's hand.

"You're taking my daughter out?"

"Yes, sir."

"To do what?"

"To swim, sir."

"Are you two dating?"

"Not officially, sir."

"Alright. Make it official, I don't need other boys hitting on her. And protect her," my dad said.

My face was as red as blood. My mom came out to say hello, and my sisters too, all the time I stood on the porch, rubbing my eyes.

"Alright, thank you, loving family, but we have to go," I said, stopping Em mid-sentence during an embarassing story of me.

"It was nice meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Adams," Daniel said, waving goodbye as we left.

I rushed to the car, eager to leave. I climbed into the truck, and buckled my seatbelt.

"Your middle name is Athena?!" Daniel asked as soon as he got in.

"Gah, my parents were really into the Greek mythology when I was born," I said, shielding my face.

"Cute. I like it."

"What's yours?" I asked, curiously.

"Well, I am Daniel Harold Walker."

"Welcome to the club of hideous middle names," I said, laughing.

"I'm hurt that you find it funny. Harold is a very common name!"

"Common my ass," I replied, shaking my head and chuckling.

"I do love your ass," Daniel said, peeking at me.

"Perv!"

"Hey! The whole team does. They just don't want to tell you."

"Still doesn't give you the right to say that. And congratulations, you guys will never have to see me in leggings or yoga pants ever again!" I said.

"Man. At least I can still see you in a shorts. And a swim suit. You have great legs, too."

"In that case, did I tell you that you have a really nice six pack, and that I'd just love to drag my tounge across it," I said, sarcastically.

"Oh really? 'Cause hun, all you had to do was ask," Daniel replied, grinning.

We pulled into his short driveway, and got out. Daniel walked around to my side and took my hand. We walked around back to the pool.

"After you," I said, taking my shirt off.

"Ladies first," Daniel said, taking his shirt off.

"Don't flatter yourself," I replied, taking my shorts off.

"What does that even mean?" I took that as an opportunity to shove him in.

My plan failed, however, when he wrapped his arm around my waist and I went down, too.

I came up for air. Fortunately, it was the shallow end, only a few feet deep. I could stand up and it reached my belly button.

"You're so funny," Daniel said, touching our foreheads.

"Thanks, I try," I whispered.

Daniel leans down, and kisses me softly. My heart explodes with joy. Heat takes away the goosebumps.

"You don't know how long I've wanted to do that," Daniel said, hot air blowing on my ear.

"Then tell me," I replied.

"Since middle school," he said. Then his body shook with a gentle chuckle.

"Are you serious?" I asked, pulling a few inches away so I could see his face.

"Yep. I've loved you for that long," he said, giving me a soft kiss on the lips, "and I still love you."

"I love you, too."

We kissed more. My fingers traced the muscles all over his chest and his arms. His hands held my waist.

It reminded me of middle school. We had first period study hall together. There was only about five other kids, and they usually just went to the library.

Daniel and I used to hang out. Sometimes, he would help me with homework, even though I really didn't need it. I just enjoyed the attention of an eigth grader as hot and sweet and smart as him.

Daniel bit my lip, trying to get me to open my mouth.

Smiling, I pulled away, and doved into the water. As quick as I could, I swam to the other side. Swimming is the only sport I'm good at.

"God, Lins, you're such a tease," Daniel said, chasing me.

It was like suicide, leaving the water. Daniel's a baseball player, obviously he can outrun me.

He wrapped his arms around me, and I was thrown over his shoulder. I slapped Daniel's back in protest.

"Let me down!" I screeched, my vioce cracking.

"Nope," Daniel replied, patting my butt.

I sighed, and let my body dangle. No point in fighting someone as toned as him. I'd lose.

"Sooo," I tried.

"Want some lemonade?"

"Sure?" I said, but it sounded more like a question.

"That means that my mom wants to meet you," he translated.

"Oh," I replied.

"Wait here," Daniel said, setting me down on a chair.

I tapped my fingers on the table next to me, only waiting a minute before Daniel came back out with a pitcher and two cups. A woman followed him.

"Mom, this is Lindsey. Lins, this is my mom," Daniel said, setting the lemonade down.

"Hello, Mrs. Walker, it's nice to meet you," I said, standing up and shaking her hand.

"Oh, dear, you are even more beautiful than how Daniel described," she said.

Instantly, my face lit up. Daniel talked about me to his mom?

"Thank you," I replied.

"And you two are just the cutest. I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I have to get back to work, so I'll be in the kitchen if you need me," she said, walking back inside.

"You talk about me to your mom?" I asked, sitting back down.

"Yeah. That's how special you are to me," Daniel replied, pouring lemonade into the two cups.

"Stop it, you're so cheesy," I jokes.

"That's just too bad."

Daniel leaned over the table, and kissed me. It was sweet and passionate. But then he took his lips away.

"Hypocrite," I mumbled, drinking from my cup.

"So, Mark knows. Anyone else?" Daniel asked, changing the subject.

"No, but I think we should tell Ben, too."

"And probably Tommy. That way he'll lay off the sexist jokes."

"Alright. At school tomorrow would be good."

"Man, I forgot it's Sunday."

"That's just too bad," I mocked.

"Silly," he responded.

I looked into his eyes. Daniel pushed stray hair behind my ear. Then he motioned for me to come close.

I straddled Daniel in the chair, just like in the car two nights ago. We kissed more.

"Kissing you," Daniel said between kisses, "is like," kiss, "I need more," kiss, "the feeling," kiss, "is indescribable."

I smiled on his lips, and finally allowed my mouth to open.

I felt it, too. There was something about him. Just feeling skin against skin is enough to make me itch for more. Like I can never have enough.

My phone started going off, breaking the kiss.

"I want you," it screamed, "to want meh!"

The famous beginning to "I Want You to Want Me," by Cheap Trick. Man, I love Robin Zander. Even in his 60's, he can rock a bedazzled jacket better than me.

Sighing, I got up to grab my phone. It was my mom.

"Mom?"

"Honey, is there any chance you can cut the date short? Gram is in the hospital."

Enough said.

"I'll be there in a few."

I hung up, and put my phone back down.

"My gram is in the hospital. I need to go." Suddenly, I shivered.

"Let me get you something to wear, then I'll drive you."

I followed Daniel inside, carrying my shirt, shorts, shoes, and phone. He went into what I assumed was his bedroom.

Daniel walked into his closet, then tossed me a sweatshirt with the school logo on it, a baseball, and his last name and number on the back. Then I threw on my shorts.

We hurried out to his truck. It had somehow managed to start raining while we were inside.

I shoved my phone in the pocket of the sweatshirt as the truck pulled out onto the road. We were silent, while I warmed up.

The truck stopped in a parking spot. I pulled out my phone and held it in my right hand, and waited for my mom to pick up. I have no idea where to go.

"Hey, honey."

"Where are you?" I asked.

"Just go to the reception desk at the emergency room and ask for her room."

"Can I bring Daniel?" I asked.

I looked over at him. He was stroking my left hand reassuringly.

"Sure. I'll see you in a few."

"Bye, mom."

I hung up, and got out of the car, leaving my shirt behind. Daniel took my hand, and we walked to the emergency room together.

Daniel opened the door for me, and I walked up to the desk.

"I'm looking for a Helen Adams?" I asked the lady.

Daniel placed his arm around my waist while she looked through the computer.

"Just through those doors, room 10. Only relatives are allowed back there. Are both of you related?"

"Yes, I'm Lindsey Adams, and this is my big brother, Daniel Adams," I replied.

She nodded, and pushed a button behind her desk for the door to open. We both hurried back.