Find You in the Dark

that particular spot with my parents when I was younger. “Now this is awesome!” Clay enthused from beside me.
    I looked over at Clay who had pulled his shirt over his head. My mouth went dry as I took in his perfectly chiseled abs. Oh crap. I hadn't thought about what we'd be swimming in. I looked down at my denim skirt and blue short sleeved top, feeling like I was frozen in place. Do I just jump in with my clothes? I didn't think this through very well.
    Clay dropped his pants and stood before me in his boxers. Fuck! He was mouthwatering. I tried not to stare, but it was really hard. He was too perfect. Clay noticed I hadn't moved. “I thought you wanted to go swimming.” He frowned. “Well, I don't have anything...you know...to swim in.” I indicated my clothes.
    Clay laughed. He seemed so different than he had at school. Like he was two people. This Clay was carefree and fun. I liked him a lot. Not that brooding, angsty Clay wasn't hot. But this side of him was so easy to be around.
    “Well, you've seen me in my skivvies. I think it's your turn.” My jaw dropped. “I'm not stripping in front of you!” I gasped. I knew I sounded like a prude. But I just couldn't do it. I barely knew him. Hell, even Daniel had never seen me in that state of undress.
    Though, if I was honest with myself, the thought of the two of us in so little clothing made my blood boil. Clay raised his eyebrow at me in what I was learning to be a characteristic expression. “I promise I won't look. I'll get in the water and wait for you.” I looked at him in disbelief. He held his hands up. “I promise.”
    And like that, he turned his back and made his way into the river. “Fuck me it's cold!” He yelled as he plunged in. I stood there for another minute, not sure what to do. “Screw it.” I muttered -(that seemed to be my mantra for the day-) and dropped my skirt onto the ground. I then pulled my shirt over my head. I was glad I had decided to wear my cute navy blue bra and matching underwear.
    I ran to the water. I squealed when I stuck my toes into the frigid water. Clay still had his back turned. “Come on, if I can do it, so can you.” He called to me. I sucked in a breath and jumped in. The cold of the water shocked the air right out of my lungs and I kicked myself to the surface. The water was really deep. A few feet from the shore, you couldn't feel the bottom any more.
    “Is it safe to look?” Clay asked. I treaded water, keeping most of my body submerged. “All clear.” I said. Clay turned around and I splashed him in the face. He sputtered and wiped water from his eyes. “Oh, that's it. Pay back's a bitch.” He growled and lunged for me. I yelped and swam away from him, laughing so hard that I drank a mouthful of nasty river water.
    Clay finally caught me, his arms going around my waist. Before I could relish the feeling of his naked skin against mine, he hefted me out of the water and threw me. I landed with a huge splash. “You suck!” I yelled and went after him.
    I dunked him, he threw me. I splashed him, he pulled me under. I felt like a little kid. I couldn't remember the last time I had that much fun. And Clay laughed and smiled the entire time.
    After calling a truce in our ongoing water battle, Clay and I floated for a bit in the river. “This is so much fun, Clay. Thank you for hanging out with me.” I looked over at him. He smiled, but continued to look up at the sky. “So, spontaneous swimming isn't something you usually do?” He joked.
    I snorted. “No way. The most spontaneous thing I've ever done is wear my hair down instead of a pony tail.” I couldn't help the tiny bit of bitterness that seeped into my voice. Clay finally looked at me. “Well, maybe we need to fix that.” He suggested with a small smile.
    My stomach buzzed again. “I'm just...I don't know...bored, I guess. Everything, every day is the same. It gets tedious.” I made a face and Clay laughed. “I don't know. I could use a little monotony in my life. Spontaneity is exhausting.” He gave me another little splash and I looked at him in warning.
    He laughed, a deep sound that made my breath hitch. “You don't have fun with your friends? I mean, I see you hanging around with some people. You always seem to be laughing and having a good time when you're with them.” Clay said.
    He had just admitted that he watched me. OH MY GOD! I wanted to do a little tap dance, I was so happy. I looked at him and he ducked his