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“Mythis much in the lake Ladies don’t skinny dip, and we ht,” she said, her southern accent strong as she spoke

“Don’t you ever want to break the perfect southern rules once in a while?” I asked, following her deeper into the water

“All the tiood side of me No one needs to see ht”

Though she had a s, I found sadness in the words

“I disagree,” I replied, taking hold of her ar out of the water “I don’t think you need all that makeup to be pretty You’re naturally beautiful”

She huffed “I was taught at a very young age that natural beauty does not exist without assistance I think I’ve worn lipstick since I was ten, when my mother told me I was cursed with thin lips”

We both stood in the water, looking at each other She was s, but I wasn’t

“That’s a shame, Bellamy Your mother should have never made you feel like you aren’t perfect in every way”

“No one’s perfect” She darted her eyes away from me as she said the words “But that’s what sh blush and eyeshadow”

I took a step closer to her and said, “Dive under the water with me”

Her eyes widened “Have you not heard a word I said? I’ to mess up—”

“I’ve heard every single thing you’ve said, and I want to prove you wrong Dive under the water with me”

“No”

“Don’t make me dunk you”

“You better not”

“Or what?” I teased

“Ehtly