𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄 - 𝐁.𝐄

ten - lavender

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omniscient.
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july 21st.

the gentle waves lapped softly against the wooden pillars of docks, each crest rising just enough to kiss the sides of the boats anchored near nearly each lake house, causing them to sway rhythmically in the emerald-tinted water. the dock creaked in response, an almost melodic sound that echoed across the stillness of the lake, mingling with the whisper of the evening breeze.

julia's house stood quietly, an acre's length away from the small sand bank, hidden behind a sea of vibrant green grass that stretched endlessly until it met the sandy bank. the backyard was a sanctuary, beginning with a fire pit surrounded by smooth beige-colored stones, then rolling seamlessly into lush, unbroken grass that eventually gave way to that small stretch of sand, its grains warm underfoot, leading out to the dock. out in the distance, the silhouette of a small yacht bobbed gently in the fading sunlight, tethered to the dock by rope.

between julia's home and the neighboring property, a dense line of trees acted as a natural barrier, their trunks barely visible beneath the cascade of blue hydrangeas, lavender, and small sunflowers. the flowers, always immaculate, were lovingly tended to by the evans' housekeeper each spring, only for rachel (or the rain itself) to take over during the summer months, ensuring they remained vibrant, a burst of color against the deep green of the trees.

you couldn't spot either house unless you drove past at just the right angle, or in julia's case through her bedroom window. beyond the trees and flowers, it was as if they existed in their own worlds, separated by more than just the two acres of land that stretched between them. it was enough space that you could almost imagine two more cottages nestled within that void, but instead, there was only the land—vast and nearly untouched.

the distance between the homes rarely mattered. julia never cared much for the idea of visitors from next door, and until now, it hadn't been something that occupied her thoughts.

when billie arrived earlier that day, the only thing that caught her eye was the sprawling lake house next door, its look almost matching the ranch house she now found herself staying in. she barely gave the mansion next door a second thought throughout the day, content to lose herself in the charm of the little coastal town, the coziness of the ranch-style house, and the warmth of her family close by.

inside, maggie and claudia were sprawled on the couch, lost in an episode of dr. pimple popper. meanwhile, the boys had gone into town to pick up the ingredients maggie needed for dinner. the evening had settled in gently, the house alive within relaxation.

but billie had sought solitude even away from her mother and claudia. she sat at the very edge of the wooden dock, her toes dipping into the lake's cool, greenish-blue water, sending ripples across its surface. she swung her feet back and forth, each movement creating tiny man-made waves that brushed against the dock's supporting pillars, occasionally splashing her calves with a cool mist.

her hands gripped the edge of the dock, fingers curling around the wood as she gazed out across the horizon. the sun was sinking lower, its golden light bleeding into the water.  as it dipped below the surface, the sky held onto the last vestiges of day, a soft, fuzzy orange that would soon fade into the blues of night. billie couldn't help but feel a deep, calming peace settle over her as she watched the sun finally disappear, leaving only the gentle twilight in its wake.

billie drifted into the labyrinth of her own thoughts, where each step felt heavier, as though the weight of the world had quietly settled on her shoulders without her noticing. she should be relaxing, not worrying.