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They were staring. Both his mother and father looked right at me. Guess I wasn’t as invisible as I thought.
What was worse: being invisible or being seen and disapproved of?
They both sucked.
Despite the wobble in my stomach and the whisper of insecurity in my head, I lifted my chin and met their stares with my own. Then, because I wasn’t playing their rich-people game and I truly meant what I told Ben about not choosing, I smiled, lifting my hand in a friendly wave.
Sure, I stopped going around their house as much, but Ben and I were friends. They knew that. A little surprise at my friendly acknowledgment passed briefly over both their expressions, but then they both returned the greeting, their smiles not quite meeting their eyes.
Before I turned back, I saw the note of suspicion in his mother’s stare as though, suddenly, she suspected Ben and I were more than friends.
Had she seen us talking before? Had she watched him kiss my head?
For the rest of the meet, I alternated between focusing on the game and the people sitting behind me in the bleachers. I didn’t turn back and look again, though. I kept my eyes on the pool.
Ben swam well, top time in all his heats but one. If I’d been worried his parents’ presence would somehow mess with his head, it was all in vain. I guess that particular affliction was just for me.
When the meet was finally over, Elite ran outside in their Speedos to ring the victory bell while the bleachers emptied.
A few of the lifeguards came over, and I stood, stretching out my muscles after sitting in that stupid chair for so long. We talked for a bit, and they went off to finish their shift and change.
I stayed put because everyone was meeting at Shirley’s after and Ben was my ride. I never thought I’d say it, but I missed my rusty old Mazda and driving myself around.
“Jessica.” A voice I knew well came from behind. “How unexpected to see you here.”
Stomach tight, I turned rather ungracefully to smile at Ben’s approaching parents. His mother had long blond hair, thick and perfectly styled in waves. Her eyes were green and her face was youthful, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was genetics or Botox. Her figure was slim, and she was dressed in a pair of wide-leg brown pants, a tucked-in white blouse, and a long wool coat that was most definitely from Burberry because it boasted their signature plaid.
Despite this being a swim meet, she was wearing heeled boots, and her nails were manicured in a beautiful shade of red.
Ben’s father was dressed in dark slacks, a light-blue dress shirt with no tie, and a long wool coat with a high collar. His hair was cut short and slightly darker than Ben’s. He had a baby face just like his son, but his was obviously a bit more weathered with age.
It’s not that unexpected. I’m a lifeguard. “Mr. and Mrs. Kruger, it’s nice to see you. I hope you’ve been well.”
“Living the dream,” his father replied, flashing a smile.
Is he for real?
“And how are you?” Mrs. Kruger asked, clucking her tongue. “You poor thing. What happened to your leg? And your face?”
Right, the bruise.
The horrors persist, but so do I. “I had a bit of a fall,” I explained. “But I’m fine.”
“Thank goodness you’re okay,” she said. It sounded sincere, but I still wondered if she meant it.
“Did you come to watch Benjamin swim?” his father asked.
“Ah, well, I’m actually a lifeguard, so I’m at every meet.”
“Do you see my son often?” his mother asked. “Are you still friends? He hasn’t mentioned you in a while.”
Well, yeah, that stung. Even if I knew why he didn’t mention me, his silence still hurt.
“Well—” I began.
“Jess,” Madison called, and when three sets of eyes turned to her, she stalled a little. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were speaking with someone.”
“It’s okay,” I said quickly, thankful for the interruption. “What’s up?”
