THIRD PERSON P.O.V
The next morning, Zari awoke with the sun streaming through her curtains, illuminating the room with a warm glow. She stretched lazily, thoughts of the beach trip swirling in her mind.
After a quick breakfast, she decided to check her phone, hoping for some new messages in the group chat. She was greeted by a barrage of texts.
“Good morning, everyone!” Clark had written, followed by a string of sun and beach emojis. “Who’s ready for the beach?!”
“Me!” August replied, “But we need to come up with a list of things to bring. Like, sunscreen is a must!”
Zari smiled, feeling the excitement build within her. The banter continued, with Cassie chiming in. “Don’t forget the snacks! I’m bringing all the chips!”
“We should also plan games! Beach volleyball or something fun,” Jade suggested.
As Zari read through the messages, she felt a swell of anticipation. She typed out her response, “I’ll bring my speaker for music! We need a summer playlist.”
A moment later, Naya replied, “Sounds perfect! I can’t wait! Just thinking about it makes me want to dive right in!”
Zari’s heart fluttered at Naya’s enthusiasm. She decided to take a risk and sent a follow-up message: “Maybe we can find some time to go out just the two of us while we’re there? I miss hanging out like we used to.”
There was a brief pause, and Zari held her breath, anxiously awaiting Naya’s reply. Finally, Naya’s response came through, “Definitely! Let’s make it happen! I’d love to catch up.”
Zari felt a rush of excitement but also anxiety. She knew this trip could be a turning point for her feelings toward Naya.
After showering and getting dressed, Zari headed to the office. She could feel the familiar buzz of anticipation in the air, a stark contrast to her turbulent emotions. As she entered the building, she was greeted by her friends, who were already deep in discussion about the trip.
“Zari! You’ll never guess what games I found for the beach,” Jade exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Let me guess, they involve sand and way too much sunscreen?” Zari teased, smiling.
“Okay, you caught me!” Jade laughed, “But I also found this amazing frisbee that lights up. Perfect for night games!”
“That sounds awesome! I can’t wait to see it,” Zari replied, her excitement growing.
Just then, Sophia walked in, her presence immediately drawing attention. She wore a vibrant summer dress that complemented her cheerful demeanor. “Hey, everyone! What’s the plan for the beach?” she asked, her voice bright.
Zari felt a pang of jealousy as she watched Naya’s face light up at Sophia’s arrival. The way Naya responded to Sophia was almost magnetic, and Zari couldn’t help but feel overshadowed.
“We were just talking about games and snacks!” Clark chimed in, trying to include everyone.
Sophia nodded eagerly. “I love beach games! We should have a whole tournament. What do you all think?”
“Count me in!” August said, his enthusiasm infectious.
Zari forced a smile, attempting to push aside her jealousy. “Yeah, a tournament sounds like a blast!” she agreed, though her heart wasn’t fully in it.
As they continued discussing the trip, Zari felt increasingly sidelined. Sophia’s charm and energy filled the room, and Zari couldn’t shake the feeling of being just a friend while Naya and Sophia seemed to connect effortlessly.
YOU ARE READING
The Heiress of My Dreams
RomanceA tragic car accident that Zari got into leading her to amnesia. She grapples with her new reality and lost memories, the intense tension between her and Naya, her rival, become somehow a poignant reminder of what she's lost.
