𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 || 𝘫𝘫 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘬

𝐓 𝐖 𝐎

JJ's POV:

I sit on the construction scaffolding, trying to clear my mind and process what just happened. The sudden return of Aleena after all these years has left me in a state of shock. I'd never expected that she would come back. Even though I've never met her, I've heard stories about what she did, and I understand why John B wouldn't want her staying at his place, I wouldn't let her stay at my place either.

As I sit there, I wonder what it would be like to have a brother. Maybe if I had a sibling, my mom would have stayed with us instead of leaving when I was young.

Ugh, how emotional can a person be? Snap out of the weakness JJ.

Suddenly, Kie's voice interrupts my thoughts. "Can you please not kill yourself," she says to John B, who is balancing on the rooftop. "I don't want to arrange your funeral."

He keeps balancing on there. "As long as you don't invite Aleena, I'm fine with it." he responds with a sarcastic smile.

Kie tries to argue with John B, saying that there must be a reason why Aleena came to the Chateau, but he doesn't want to hear it.

"I don't care about her reasons," he groans. "Let her go back to Colorado, that's where she lives, that's where she belongs, and that's where she's supposed to be."

There is an awkward silence among everyone. The tension between John B and the rest of us is palpable, it stays like that for a couple of minutes, just the sounds of the waves reaching the shore. I'm the first to break the endless silence. "Don't spill that beer, I'm not giving you another one."

There is a big gust of wind that blows on John B, causing him to lose his balance and let the beer fall out of his hands to the ground. We groan in unison, annoyed but not surprised.

"Of course you did that."

Kiara rolls her eyes and lets her body lean against a bar of the scaffolding. "I still think you should talk to Aleena." She mumbles.

My irritation is growing and the anger comes up my body. I stand up and walk towards her, leaning on the iron bar. "Kie, stop whining about it, please," I say, annoyed that she keeps bringing Aleena up. "We know your opinion."

"Can we stop it? Like, don't talk about it anymore, ever?" John B asks us, and we all agree. "She's hopefully back on her way to Colorado by now,"

Suddenly Pope looks over the railing and starts to yell. "Guys, I think you should talk at another time."

"Is that Gary?" I ask amused. "Gary! Long time no see!" I yell excitedly. It's been a while since I've stretched my legs.

We all start running through the construction of the hotel like lions after their prey and laugh because we know it's finally summer vacation.

...

Meanwhile, Aleena's POV:

I've been walking for what feels like hours, my feet pounding against the pavement as I move further and further away from the town. I came across 4 road signs with the word "beach" on them, and I ask myself where that beach is hiding, I need to be alone with my thoughts for a while. I follow them, hoping to find the solace I'm seeking. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, I see it: the warm sand and the sparkling blue sea.

A sigh of relief escapes my lips as I make my way towards the water, my eyes squinting against the bright sun overhead. The heat beats down on my skin, burning a bit as I take off my sneakers and socks. I stuff the socks into the sneakers and hold them in my right hand as I take a moment to feel the sand between my toes and feel the slight burn on my skin.