𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

𝟒 - 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

It was the perfect day for a beach day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the ocean waves were crashing against the shore. With help from Savon and Cassie, Lynnex and Maddox were meeting us at the beach. Cassie, Rowan, and I are all in Sevyn's room picking out our outfits for the day. I picked out a baby pink bikini that ties in the back, Sevyn picked a royal blue one-piece with the stomach part out, and Rowan and Cassie both have on a black two-piece.

As we're finishing packing towels and stuff, Serenity comes into the room and flops on the bed. Cassie and I giggle a little.

"Serenity, seriously?" I ask, trying my hardest not to burst out laughing right there and there.

"Why won't you let me come" She breathes out.

"Because your 15" Sevyn answers for me.

"So?" She stretches the word out. "I wanna go too."

"Girl no, now get out" Rowan throws a pillow at the girl and she finally gets up and sulks out of the room. After taking what seemed like forever to get ready and make sure everyone was on track, we loaded up our cars and headed for the beach. As we near the beach, it hits me–I'm going to be in a bathing suit in front of Maddoxx Bennett. I nervously start to play with my braids and Sevyn puts their warm hand on mine to try and calm me down. "It'll be fine Say, I promise." My sister says, giving me a look that says everything they don't say out loud. We reach the beach and find the boys already there unloading their car. We do the same then all of us walk down onto the beach and we find a spot in the shade but not too far from the water and place all of our stuff down.

Sevyn and I were the only ones who hadn't changed into our bathing suits so we find the bathrooms to get changed.

"Saliyah hurry up" Sevyn calls.

"Hang on, my bathing suit won't tie." Which wasn't a lie, but in reality I just hated my body. I look down at my chubby little stomach and tears begin to prick at my eye. Sevyn must have heard me sniffle because she rushes into the changing room to check on me. I'm sitting on the ground and facing away from the mirror because I can't stand looking at myself any longer. She drops to the ground and pulls me into the biggest hug. I cry into her shoulder and they just strokes my back, the feeling making me feel 10 times better.

"You're gorgeous, Liyah" My older sister whispers into my ear. It's so hard to believe her. However, I hug them tighter in response and say "Thanks Sev."

"Can we get off the floor now? Sevyn asks, giggling. I laugh through my tears "Yeah, come on."

We walk down to the beach to see everyone sitting on towels.

"Where were you two? Rowan eyes us suspiciously. I look over at Sevyn and before I can say anything, she speaks up.

"We got a little lost," they calmly say. I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. My sister winks at me and I send her a soft smile, letting her know I was grateful that she didn't tell them all what just happened.

"Whatever, can we get in the water now?" Savon muses.

So, they decided to take advantage of the beach day and see what would happen. We spent the day swimming, building sandcastles, and talking. We laughed together, shared stories, and ate a delicious lunch that Sevyn packed.

As I finish up my lunch I make a mental note to run off the calories I just ate and while I'm lost in thought, Maddox walks up to my towel and plopped down.

"You're getting sand on my towel."

"Oh well."

"Can you maybe not sit on my towel?" I ask, slightly annoyed.