Breaking the Grid

Pool day

The sun was blazing down as I lay near the pool, my phone in hand, fingers dancing over the screen as I sent messages to Kyra. Her messages popped up with delightful regularity, and I couldn't help but smile at each TikTok she sent my way. She had an uncanny knack for knowing just when to make me laugh, even when she wasn't there in person.

Suddenly, a loud splash interrupted my thoughts, and I felt water hit my skin. I shot up, ready to unleash my annoyance. Pointing at the boy in the pool, my finger poised as if I were about to scream at him. "Idiot, ti ammazzo!" He just laughed, an infuriating smile plastered across his face.

Kimi swam over, nonchalantly climbing out of the pool and shaking his wet hair, splattering even more water all over me. "ANDREA, STOP IT!" I protested, wiping my face with the back of my hand.

He chuckled, his voice low and casual as he launched into a monologue about the new regulations or maybe the weather—I wasn't really paying attention. I nodded absentmindedly, my mind drifting back to the buzzing in my pocket.

Kyra had just sent another TikTok, and I grinned to myself. I quickly glanced at my phone. It was another edit of me, taken right after a race. I recognized the moment instantly—leaning against my car, soaked in sweat, hair plastered to my forehead, looking utterly exhausted. But the edit was well-made, slow-motion cuts and dramatic music.

I groaned internally. Of all the moments she could have chosen, it had to be that one.

Kimi's voice pulled at the edge of my consciousness again. "Seriously, Bee, they're saying that they are going to completely change—"

I wasn't even listening. I quickly typed a response to Kyra:
Me: Why would you send me that? 😫 I look disgusting.

Her reply came through almost immediately.
Kyra: Nah, you look kinda hot in it though

My face flushed, and I instinctively bit my lip, trying to hide a smile. Just as I was about to respond, Kimi nudged me lightly, an amused glint in his eyes. "Hey, you good? You've been staring at your phone this whole time."

I glanced up, momentarily flustered, and shoved my phone back into my pocket. "Yeah, sorry, just... Kyra."

Kimi raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Ah, of course. What's she sending you this time?"

"Nothing," I said quickly, though I could feel the heat creeping up my cheeks. "Just... stupid stuff."

Kimi wasn't convinced. "Alright, now I have to see it." Before I could react, he snatched my phone from my hand, laughing as he opened the TikTok chat.

"Kimi!" I protested, lunging to grab it back, but he was already scrolling through the messages. His eyes widened in exaggerated shock when he saw the edit. "Ohhh," he grinned, glancing between the screen and me.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Kimi, give it back."

He leaned against the pool deck, watching the video with a smug grin. "Look at you, all sweaty and serious. Kyra's got good taste in edits. She knows how to pick the best ones."

I reached for my phone again, but he dodged away, still laughing. "Honestly, Bee, you think this is disgusting? You look hot here."

"Hot?!" I laughed, finally managing to snatch my phone back. Kimi shook his head, still chuckling. "You underestimate yourself, Becks. Trust me, if this is what you think is a bad moment, you're doing just fine."

I blushed a little less now but could still feel Kyra's teasing lingering in the back of my mind. I shot Kimi a playful glare. "Next time, I'm locking my phone."

He shrugged, grinning. "Too late, I've already seen it." Then, with a wink, he added, "And so has Kyra."

I let out an exaggerated sigh, though I couldn't help the smile creeping back onto my face. Kimi, still amused, tucked his hands into his pockets, leaning casually against the pool wall.