A rivalry like no other.

6. I hate her

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of the villa, casting a warm glow over the spacious living room. I yawned and stretched, feeling the pleasant soreness in my muscles from the previous night's dancing. Around me, my friends stirred from their slumber, slowly joining the land of the awake.

"Morning, everyone!" Ella's voice was a cheerful wake-up call, her enthusiasm as infectious as ever. She moved with a dancer's grace as she placed plates before each of us, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Who's up for a hearty breakfast before we hit the beach?"

A chorus of agreements and clinking cutlery filled the room as we eagerly dug into the delicious meal. Alessia praised Ella's culinary skills between bites, marveling at the perfect blend of flavors. Leah shared stories of her previous beach adventures, her animated gestures adding to the lively atmosphere.

I found myself seated next to Ella, who was already plotting the day's beach activities with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Hold onto your beach hats, my friends," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You won't believe the beach games I have in mind! We're going to make the sand and waves our playground, and trust me, it's going to be more fun than a penguin in a tuxedo at a fancy gala!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and we couldn't help but laugh at her zany analogy. "A penguin in a tuxedo, Ella?" I chuckled, shaking my head in amusement.

Ella grinned, undeterred. "Absolutely! Picture this: beach volleyball with a twist, sandcastle building competitions with grand prizes, and, if we're feeling extra adventurous, a round of 'Musical Beach Towels' where the last person to find a spot gets a sandy surprise!"

Her outrageous ideas had us all in stitches, and even Katie couldn't help but crack a small smile, though her gaze remained distant. Ella's quirky sense of humor was a welcome distraction, easing the tension that had been lingering in the air.

A gnawing realization had taken root in my mind. In the quiet moments between the laughter and shared stories, I couldn't ignore the fact that Katie's presence was casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a relaxing holiday. It was as if she had the power to turn even the sunniest day cloudy with her mere presence. And with that realization, another truth emerged—I realized that I hated her too.

I really hated her.

The path to the beach was lined with palm trees, their fronds rustling gently in the breeze, and the rhythmic crash of waves grew louder with each step. The others chatted animatedly, their laughter carrying on the sea breeze.

Finally, we reached the sun-kissed shoreline, and Ella, true to her quirky nature, immediately seized the moment. "Okay, folks!" she announced with her usual lack of subtlety. "It's time for a game of beach volleyball like you've never seen before. But there's a twist! We'll be playing with some oranges!"

"Oranges?, What the fuck?" I muttered under my breath, my words punctuating my disbelief. Ella's ideas never failed to surprise, and this one was no exception.

As Ella's chaotic beach volleyball game progressed, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of competitiveness and laughter. Millie and Vivianne exchanged playful banter, their fierce athleticism contrasting with the casual beach setting.

Meanwhile, Leah, who had been sharing her insights about beach games from her previous vacations, couldn't help but chuckle as Ella's watermelon-led chaos unfolded. "Ella, I've seen some beach games in my time, but this one takes the cake," Leah quipped, her dry humor adding to the amusement.

Alessia, always known for her endearing clumsiness, inadvertently tripped over her own feet, sending a burst of laughter through the group as she tumbled into the sand. "Classic Alessia!" I teased, offering her a hand up as she blushed and chuckled at her own expense.

Ella, never one to let a moment pass without a humorous twist, decided to seize the opportunity when Alessia took a tumble. With a mischievous grin, she chimed in, "Well, well, Alessia, that's a total of four times you've fallen over so far, you could be going for a record here"

"Four times?!" I pitched in, "Alessia man you need serious help".

As the game progressed, I couldn't help but steal glances at Katie, who seemed to be making a conscious effort to avoid eye contact with me. The tension between us was palpable, like an invisible net separating us from the rest of the group.

But as I observed Katie more closely, a different concern gnawed at me. Her usually vibrant eyes were now dark and tired, and the fatigue etched into her expression was impossible to ignore. It was as if she had been carrying a heavy burden, one that had left her sleep-deprived and drained.

The realization tugged at my empathy, but I quickly brushed it aside with a bitter thought. Why the fuck should I care about Katie's exhaustion? The festering hatred between us ran deeper than any fleeting empathy could reach. I had no intention of extending a hand of understanding anytime soon.

When the game finally concluded, with Ella's team emerging as the unintentional victors, we all collapsed onto the sandy beach, breathless and laughing. But as Katie settled onto the beach towel beside me, her gaze still avoiding mine.

The warmth of the sun on my skin was a stark contrast to the cold indifference in my heart. Why should I give a damn about her exhaustion? She could sit there, avoiding my gaze all she wanted – it wouldn't change the fact that I despised her presence.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, Katie couldn't resist making a cheeky remark, her lips curling into a sly grin. "Enjoying the view, Avery?" Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, a hint of amusement playing in her eyes as she finally looked my way, challenging me in a way only she could.

I fucking hate her.