Fairytale • Robby Keene

five

Summer, with its sunny days and long, warm evenings, was Odette's favorite season.

The air was filled with the promise of relaxation, the chance to bask in the sunlight, and the freedom of lighter clothing. She loved the warmth that clung to the skin, the breeze that made everything feel more relaxed, and the endless days that seemed to stretch on forever. Sure, the occasional heat wave could be overwhelming, but it was a small price to pay for the joy of summer.

Today, however, was not about lounging under the sun. Today, Odette was heading over to the LaRusso household to check on Sam after the previous day's cafeteria incident. She had been worried about her friend ever since the altercation with Kyler and the chaos that followed.

Sam had always been strong, but Odette knew that incidents like that could take a toll, even on someone as resilient as Sam.

Their friendship had grown from the connection between their parents, but over time, Odette had come to see Sam as more than just a friend—she was like family. Their bond was rooted in years of shared experiences, from playing together as children to navigating the complexities of adolescence.

Odette couldn't remember a time when Sam hadn't been there, offering a listening ear or a comforting smile. Sam's warm and caring nature had always drawn Odette in, and it was that same warmth that had made her one of Odette's favorite people. Even now, as they both dealt with their own challenges, Odette found solace in the fact that Sam was always there to encourage and support her, just as she had always done.

Their friendship had been shaped by many moments of joy, but also by the tough times they had weathered together.

Odette smiled softly, recalling the hours spent studying together, and those moments of shared frustration when they were late for school and had to scramble to complete a task before the bell rang. She couldn't help but laugh at how often they found themselves in those situations, but Sam always knew how to turn things around with her lightheartedness.

What truly stood out to Odette was the trust and camaraderie that had formed between them over the years. Sam had always been there to push Odette beyond her comfort zone, whether it was helping her tackle a tough subject in school or offering support when things were rough at home.

The way Sam had been there for her during the hardest moments of her life—after their parents' passing—had solidified her place as not just a best friend, but as family.

As Odette stood in front of the mirror, gazing at her reflection, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the friendship she and Sam shared. Today, she wanted to make sure Sam was okay, to remind her that she wasn't alone.

She slipped into her blue blouse, ripped shorts and a black jacket blazer—her go-to casual yet stylish look—and finished off her outfit with brown ankle boots. She was ready.

When she made her way downstairs and headed towards the front door, Oliver called out from the living room.

"Where are you off to?" He asked, looking up from his book.