When I Met You in the Summer

9

The next day dawned bright and clear, the promise of a perfect pool day hanging in the air. Miranda woke up with a sense of excitement, eager to spend the day with her friends and leave her worries behind.

As she finished getting ready, there was a knock on the door. Opening it, she found Lana standing there, a wide grin on her face.

"Ready for our pool day?" Lana asked, excitement evident in her voice.

Miranda nodded eagerly, grabbing her beach bag. "Definitely"

Before they left, Miranda's mom made sure to give them a stern yet caring reminder to be safe.

"Remember to look out for each other, stay together, and be careful," Elena said, her voice tinged with concern.

Miranda nodded, reassured by her mom's words. "Mom, we're going to Cam's house. He lives right down the road."

While her mom was wary of letting Miranda go hang out at a boy's house. She knew Cam's mother and she trusted no funny business would be happening over there. Plus she had been working on her trust more when it came to her daughter. So with a hug she allowed her to leave with Lana.

When they arrived at Cam's house, they could hear laughter coming from the backyard. Cam and Ben were already outside by the pool, setting up for the day. Cam was fiddling with the portable speaker, trying to get the music just right, while Ben was laying out towels on the loungers.

"Hey, you two" Cam called out as he spotted Lana and Miranda approaching. "Perfect timing"

Once they were settled Ben and Cam quickly shed their shirts and raced each other to the water, making a big splash as they jumped in, Miranda couldn't help but admire Ben's athleticism and the way the sunlight danced across his toned muscles.

Lana nudged Miranda playfully, a knowing smirk on her face. "Looks like someone's checking out Ben," she teased, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

Miranda felt a blush creeping up her cheeks as she quickly looked away, adjusting her glasses nervously. "What? No. I mean... maybe a little," she admitted, laughing nervously. "He's just... different now."

Lana smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Yeah, he's definitely grown up. But hey, I don't blame you. He's good looking. Just remember not to fall under his spell," she advised, her tone lighthearted but sincere.

Miranda rolled her eyes, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "I'm not falling for anyone's spell," she insisted, crossing her arms defensively.

With a shrug, Lana let the matter drop, turning her attention back to the boys splashing in the water.

As they splashed around in the water, Cam couldn't resist bringing up the topic of Ben's potential romantic intentions toward Miranda. Seeing as there was enough distance between where they were swimming and where the girls were talking.

"So, Ben," Cam began, giving his cousin a playful nudge, "are you planning to make a move on your summer sweetheart this summer? You know, since you're such a ladies' man and all."

Ben laughed, shaking his head at Cam's teasing. "Come on, man, you know me better than that," he replied, his tone light but genuine. "Mandy and I are just friends. We've been hanging out every summer for years now, and it's always been platonic."

Cam smirked, nudging Ben playfully. "Oh, I know you, alright., You two have history as summer flings. You call it platonic but I'd say she was the first girl you ever laid eyes on that made your heart flutter. What's stopping you?"

Ben paused for a moment, considering Cam's words. He glanced over at Miranda, her infectious smile lighting up her face. There was something about her that drew him in, something he couldn't quite put into words.