A Small Town Lie

༎Six༎

♡♡♡

As we stepped into the hotel's courtyard, I was struck by the transformation. The once-quiet space was now pulsating with life, filled with people our age, all eager to let loose.

The air was thick with the smell of booze, the sound of laughter and music filled the air.

The pool was the epicenter of the party, with people splashing around...in their clothes, while others lounged on the deck, soaking up the warmth of the fire pit. It was a surreal fusion of a bonfire and pool party, with the flickering flames casting a golden glow on the revelers.

The atmosphere was electric, and I couldn't help but feel drawn in by the infectious energy.

Without warning, Alex suddenly stripped off his shirt and launched himself into the pool, causing the girls in the water to shriek.

Steve burst out laughing, holding his sides in amusement. The sound system blasted loud music and before I knew it, a smile had spread across my face. The carefree vibe was infectious, and I felt myself relaxing.

"Looks like you're enjoying yourself," a voice said behind me. I turned to see Max, his eyes filled with warmth.

"This is beautiful," I said, taking in the vibrant scene.

Max smiled, his expression radiant. "Thankfully you didn't miss it."

I laughed, feeling a sense of gratitude. Thankfully indeed.

As I scanned the crowd, my eyes wandered unconsciously, searching for a certain someone. And then, they landed on him - sitting in the corner, sipping from a bottle of beer. Our gazes met, and for some reason, he was staring at me, his eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

Just as I was trying to play it cool, Celine appeared beside me, and I quickly looked away, hoping to hide my momentary distraction.

"Aren't you going to swim?" she asked, her voice bubbly and inviting. I nodded, and we headed towards the pool together. As we plunged into the cold water, we let out ear-piercing screams, our laughter echoing through the courtyard.

We spent the next while splashing around, tossing pool balls at each other, and generally having a blast. When we finally emerged, shivering and teeth-chattering, Josè was quick to wrap a towel around Celine's shoulders, her attention towards her as attentive as always. I watched them with a tinge of wistfulness, feeling a pang of...something.

Just then, I felt a towel being wrapped around my own shoulders, and I spun around, expecting to see Max, but instead, I found myself face-to-face with Elias. His eyes locked onto mine, and I noticed a few people glancing our way, their curiosity piqued.

"What are you doing?" I asked Elias.

"You're welcome," he replied with a hint of a smile. Before I could respond, Max called out his name from a few yards away, and Elias turned to leave, his departure as sudden as his arrival.

Celine approached me, her mouth agape, looking like she'd just witnessed a miracle. "Did Elias just...talk to you?" she asked, her voice full of disbelief.

I shrugged, playing it cool, as I bent down to grab a bottle of beer from the cooler. "You know Elias?" I asked, my eyes meeting hers, searching for answers.

Celine's expression was priceless, like I had suddenly sprouted seven heads. "Who in this town doesn't know Elias?" she asked, her voice full of incredulity.

Josè handed her a bottle, and she was rewarded with a radiant smile. I couldn't help but notice how Josè's face lit up, and I wondered, how had she managed to hide her feelings for Celine all this time?