𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦: 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗦

chapter four

In Landler, it was tradition for Light Waves to host a 4th of July celebration for the entire town. Every year, the business would host the party at the beach, hiring other local businesses to help decorate and cater the event. The reason Light Waves hosted was because they were the second-richest enterprise within the town, second only to the Landler Gymnastics Studio, where Scarlett Varela and Brooke Milan worked. 

While every previous year, it had been the girls' tradition to go to the party together, this year Alyssa and Sawyer were both stuck working the party, which meant mingling with everyone and attempting to raise money for their business. Luckily for them, Riely and Nick were both working as well, so the girls weren't completely swamped. 

"You're very patriotic," Nick pointed at Sawyer's shorts which had the American flag painted on the front of them, and her red, white, and blue tank top as he walked up to her.

"Well, the fourth is my favorite holiday," Sawyer shrugged. 

"Really? Never pictured you to be very patriotic."

"Oh, I'm not," She laughed. "I just think the celebrations on the fourth are the best. That and New Years."

"Well, hopefully working today doesn't dampen your celebrations," Nick joked. 

"It won't," Sawyer agreed. "I'm working with you and Alyssa, so it should be fun."

"I'm glad you think I'm fun."

"Sawyer!" Whitney exclaimed, running up to the girl and hugging her. 

"Oh, hey guys!" She greeted her friends, the five girls all gathering around. 

"Scarlett was just telling us about this guy," Whitney laughed, everyone glancing over at the girl with a large smile. 

"His name is Tanner," She smiled. 

"Wait, like the one you said you worked with?" Sawyer tilted her head, thinking back to the conversation they all had with Nick the other day. 

"Yeah,  he's--" Scarlett was cut off by a scoff from Brooke who then stormed away, everyone exchanging a confused glance. 

"What was that?" Alyssa questioned. 

"She's just been in a bad mood all summer," Scarlett sighed. "Anyways, he's the same age as Phoebe."

"Oh, god," Alyssa laughed. "He's, what, like 20?"

"Technically, he's only 19 because he was born in September," Scarlett smirked. "So there's barely any age gap."

"That's... actually fair," Sawyer shrugged. "Do you have a picture?"

"Yeah, here--"

"Alyssa, Sawyer, can you help over here?" Andy called the girls over, both of them waving to their friends before jogging over. 

"Hello," The two girls greeted an older woman. 

"This is Mrs. Jang and she'd like to make a donation, can you help her fill out the form please?"

Andy walked away as Sawyer and Alyssa led her over to their table, where Nick was standing on his phone, Riely nowhere to be seen. Alyssa took over helping the woman while Sawyer scanned the crowd for Riely, but she couldn't seem to find him. 

"Who are you so eagerly looking for?" Nick poked her shoulder. 

"Riely," She sighed. "He never does any work, and he's probably off flirting with a bunch of girls right now."

"Are you jealous?" Nick raised his eyebrows. 

"Uh, ew, no," Sawyer shook her head profusely. "I'm irritated."