Coming out of the water, Jade stood for several minutes, squeezing her hair from the water. Physical activity benefited her: the tension that did not leave the girl to the beach suddenly evaporated.
Miss Moore relaxed.
She rested - one might say, for the first time in her career, she rested. No camera flashes, no screaming or asking for a picture. Only she, the lake, nature ... And a few people who may become her friends.
Get a grip on yourself and don’t talk nonsense, Josephine. They don’t even know who you are.
- Do you want a snack? - As soon as she sank on her coverlet, Rick appeared next to him, handing her a sandwich.
Thank you, she gratefully accepted the food offered to her and began to chew slowly.
Peters sat down beside him and began to eat up his sandwich.
- Somehow quite quiet. Let's turn on the music? - suggested Macy.
Everyone supported her, and Moore only shrugged: she did not care. Someone, it seems, Daryl, took out the speakers and connected to his iPod. Scorpions began to play, and Jade grinned. Rick's friends also had a good musical taste.
- May I sit down? Macy looked at her, pushing back her wet hair from the water.
Of course, Jade had to move closer to Rick so that the new acquaintance would not have to sit on the sand.
- Tell me about yourself, please. We don’t know anything about you, she asked.
Moore froze, her back arched tensely. She was afraid of that. Peters, who was just talking about something with Daryl, turned to her. Mike and the others, as if on command, also stared at her.
Um ... she laughed nervously. - Well ...
Julia is better off not asking about family and work, Rick broke the silence, helpfully explaining to his friends the essence of the situation.
- Too much stress? Macy asked sympathetically.
Then Jade could not stand it and laughed.
- Well, you could say that.
Scorpions in iPod Daryl are replaced by RHCP.
Okay, realizing that they would not leave her behind, the girl continued. I can only say that I love my job. I love it very much, but ... sometimes you need to take a break from it. I do not communicate with anyone from my so-called family, because they did not support me. But now it's in the past.
By The Way, was replaced by ... her song.
No fear made her flinch, and the sound of her own voice made Jade cringe and close her eyes.
- Julia?
- Sorry. In fact, - she made a short pause, - you know more about me than you think, - with these words she got up, and smiled forcedly, Well? Who is with me in the water?
Jack responded enthusiastically, while Diana snorted with displeasure, but followed her brother. Going to Rick, she smiled.
- Maybe racing? How was last year?
Rick's lips stretched into a reciprocal smile.
- Sure. You have no chance.
I wouldn’t be so sure, Jack scratched his chin, looking at his friend. - She went to the pool all year and practiced a lot.
Peters grunted back. Jade, watching them, quickly turned away. She suddenly felt superfluous. And blame for deceiving these people.
That's right, she said mentally, trying to convince herself of it.
***
They returned from the beach in absolute silence. For the rest of the day, she practically did not talk with Rick - they simply were not given such an opportunity. For the most part, of course, Diana. At one point, Jade even wanted to pull her aside and assure her that she was not an opponent, but she was distracted by Macy. She liked this girl.
- Everything is fine? - unexpectedly, Peters caught up with her, leaving Diana and Jack behind.
She smiled.
- All right. It was a wonderful evening. I have not rested like this for a long time. Without ... worries.
- For a long time? - Rick frowned. - How long?
Moore bit her tongue, but still, the answer burst out by itself:
- For ten years.
The man wanted to ask something else, but the tone of her voice made it clear that it was not worth pushing. And he was not going to delve into her soul, at least without permission. If she wants - she will tell.
Goodnight, the twins said first and turned toward their houses.
After a couple of minutes, only she and Rick remained, and the tension between them became much more noticeable.
Um ... thanks for calling me. I had a great time.
I'm glad, Rick threw his hands in his pockets and, after a short pause, turned to her.
- Are you going to sleep?
- Probably. I do not know. I need ... Something to settle. See you tomorrow. ”She awkwardly waved her goodbye and hurried to the door.
Once alone, Jade leaned back against the wall and slowly crawled down. She thought that it would be easy to portray a completely different person. Pretending it was not she who nearly died of an overdose ... The girl started. Now she owes Lynn the coffin of life. An irresistible desire to calm her nerves made her rise from the floor and take the guitar. Settling down on the couch, she began to play "Never too late" Three Days Grace.
Closing her eyes, she completely surrendered to the process.