The Enemy Lives Next Door (bxb)

Part Eleven

Part Eleven

•••

"I don't think I'm going to prom."

Maya says this while lounging beside the pool, a wide-brimmed hat shading her face, oversized sunglasses shielding her eyes from the glaring sun. Her green swimsuit clings to her like a second skin, emphasizing every curve.

Lilly, lying on my right, props herself up on her elbows and groans. "You're going, Maya," she says firmly, adjusting her own sunglasses. "We've had this conversation before, and I'm not repeating myself."

As Lilly speaks, a flicker of doubt passes through me. Maybe Maya has a point. Maybe I'm not good enough for these people—maybe I deserve better. But even with these thoughts swirling in my mind, I have to side with Lilly.

Prom is our last hurrah, and I'm determined to make it count, date or no date. Though the thought of asking Adam still makes my stomach flutter.

I nod in agreement. "Lilly's right. This is our senior year, and we're going to own it. Screw what anyone else thinks. We're making this year unforgettable."

Lilly snaps her fingers in agreement, but Maya remains unconvinced, her gaze fixed on the blue water shimmering under the sun.

"Wow, you guys are so motivational," Maya replies, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Don't worry. We'll go to prom and live happily ever after."

The soft sigh that escapes her draws my attention. She leans back into her beach chair, eyes drifting toward the cloudless sky. Lilly giggles, covering her mouth with her hand. "No need to sound so enthusiastic about it," she teases. "It's crazy how time flies. It feels like just yesterday we were sophomores."

I follow her gaze to the pool, where sunlight dances on the water's surface, casting tiny sparkles. "Yeah, we totally kicked ass back then. We were so terrified of the seniors!"

Maya laughs, her mood lightening. "I remember getting stuffed in that closet with you guys. But look at us now—all grown up."

"The only one who's grown here is me," I say with a smirk, earning a playful whistle from Lilly and an eye roll from Maya. "Emotionally speaking, Lilly's the weakest link in our group."

"Hey, I should take offense to that!" Lilly exclaims, slapping my bare arm. I flinch at the sting.

Maya slides her sunglasses down her nose, looking at us over the rims. "He's not wrong," she says. Lilly opens her mouth to argue, but Maya cuts her off. "Then why aren't you over what happened between you and Josh?"

Lilly's face tightens, her usual confidence faltering. The question hangs in the air, thick and uncomfortable, as if the sun itself has dimmed.

The mention of Josh's name shuts Lilly up instantly. Her gaze drifts away from us, as if she's trying to hide behind the silence. There's no point in digging deeper—everyone knows how he treated her. Or maybe that's just what she tells herself.

After a few moments of introspection, Lilly finds the courage to look back at us. "I loved him with all my heart, but that was then. I've moved on, and I'm doing better. I don't want to talk about it."

We all know it's a touchy subject, but that doesn't stop us from pushing. Lilly has a habit of bottling up her emotions, and we've seen the fallout before. We're not about to let it happen again, even if it means bringing up memories she'd rather forget.