Crescendo | WILBUR SOOT

xiii. maxen bale

(irl!)

As the sun set over Brighton, the group of streamers and celebrities sat on a pebble beach and watched the waves lap over the sand. While Tom, Scott, and Toby threw rocks into the sea, Wilbur, Gianna, and Jack watched with a mixture of disappointment and delight. Ash sat somewhere between, catching moments of joy with an iPhone video for that month's vlog.

Gianna sorted through the surrounding rocks, selecting the prettiest ones and placing them kindly on Will's leg. She leaned back on a massive stuffed bear.

"You're like a crow," he remarked.

"No," she corrected. "I'm an otter. I collect and gift rocks to my friends as a sign of endearment."

He laughed, watching her go back to the hunt for the perfect rock.

She looked perfect in the setting sun. In the fading golden light, Gianna shone like an angel. The sun blazed through her thick curls, transforming her hair into vibrant flames. Her obsidian eyes reflected light like a pool of night, giving the impression that the sun radiated from within her.

Gianna sent a pile of pebbles flying as she abruptly stood. "I'm going to go skip rocks," she said before running down to the sea.

Jack, who'd been a quiet observer all day, leant into Will and smacked his arm. "Mate..."

"What?" Will asked, placing all of Gianna's rocks into his bag.

"You like her, right?"

"Yeah," he said with a look of confusion. "We're friends."

Jack shot him a look. "You know that's not what I meant."

"I mean... Yeah, of course, I like her. Half the world fancies her."

"But does she like half the world back?" Jack retorted. "All day, you've been flirting and she's been reciprocating. It's time to take action, man."

"We're friends," Will repeated.

"And you both want to be more. Do something about it before somebody else does." 

✧ ♪ ✧

After parting ways with the rest of the group, Gianna and Will arrived at a crowded bar. They sat at a table, sipping on drinks and chattering about the day they enjoyed together. 

"I like your friends," Gianna said. "And, if I may be so conceited, I think they like me too." 

Will chuckled. "I could have told you that before you all met. They were delighted to meet a bonafide celebrity. And a woman, at that." 

"Happy to oblige," she said with a short bow. 

Will cleared his throat, unable to fully remove the rising lump. His heart stampeded as the words he wanted to say arose to his tongue. He'd dreamt about this moment, never daring to imagine it coming to fruition. 

"Can I ask you something?" Will mustered. 

"Of course." 

"I, uh-" 

Gianna's brow furrowed deeply. "Hold that thought." 

She stood from the table, approaching a tall, brown-haired individual at the bar. She moved as if under a spell, compelled to walk by the figure from her past.