(A/N: THIS CHAPTER WAS HIGHLY INSPIRED BY @mazewriterrr 's BOOK 'Untamed', SO GO CHECK IT OUT!!)
I push past the branches blocking my way, ignoring the scratches I continue to gain as I do so. Braedyn is slightly in front of me, eager to find something special. Something for us.
"What do you hope to find, though?" I ask him.
He shrugs, shoving past another branch so he doesn't get cut. "Anything special."
I nod, catching up to him as I walk beside my closest friend so far. Other than Minho. The heat is burning me, but there's a coolness in the air, a hint that something is nearby. Maybe that's what Braedyn is hoping to find. Something worth the effort of this hike. And I hope it's worth the fact we're going to get in a lot of trouble for skipping sports.
The ground beneath us softens as we move deeper into the trees. The leaves crunch less, and the air feels damper. Braedyn glances over his shoulder, his lips forming into a grin. "Do you hear that, Whit?"
I stop to listen. It's faint, but there's a slight dripping sound in the distance—water. My heart races a little, excitement bubbling up inside of me.
"Come on!" Braedyn urges, pushing forward even faster now. I follow close behind, ducking under low branches and stepping over roots.
After a few minutes, the trees open up, revealing a clearing. And in the centre, nestled like a hidden gem, is a lake. It glistens in the sunlight, the water so clear I can see the bottom even from a distance. The surface sparkles, reflecting the deep blues and greens of the sky and surrounding greenery.
Braedyn steps forward, awe on his face. "We found it."
I let out a breath I didn't realise I'd been holding, my eyes sweeping across the water. "It's perfect."
He grins, looking at me with a gleam in his eye. "See? I told you we'd find something special. And just saying, I'm definitely not swimming here. Just admiring the water."
"I know, you told me about your fear." I laugh, feeling a strange sense of pride that we discovered this place together. The water appears calm, cool and refreshing compared to the heat we've been walking through. Without another word, I walk closer, dipping my hand into the lake. The coolness spreads up my arm, soothing the sting of the scratches from the journey.
"We could come here whenever," Braedyn says, standing next to me. "Our spot."
I nod. "Yeah. Our spot."
I take my shoes off and sit down on the side of the lake, starting to kick my feet in the water. "So, how've you been?" I attempt to strike up a conversation.
He shrugs. "Pretty great. How about you?" He raises an eyebrow at me, grinning as he asks, "How have things been with Minho?"
At the name, my cheeks gain a slight colour. Why? I don't know. They just go pink. "Things have been fine."
"Just fine?"
"Just fine," I confirm. Then I change the subject. "Do you fancy anyone right now?"
He swallows. "Not a girl."
"A boy?" I ask, turning to make eye contact. He quickly averts his eyes, probably out of nerves.
All he does is nod.
"Who?" I ask him, placing a hand on his shoulder, hoping to show him my support.
"Newt," he murmurs, his voice so low I almost miss it.
Just then, interrupting the moment, my phone buzzes from a notification.
I pick it up and stare at the phone in horror. It's a picture of me. Changing. On a groupchat to the whole island.
"Whit," Braedyn mutters, pulling me into a hug as he sees the tears form in my eyes. "Shh, it's okay. Whoever took and sent that photo is messed up."
"Who did it?" I ask, beginning to sob. I wasn't paying attention to who took the photo—or how it even happened.
One of his arms lets go and he takes his phone. A small gasp escapes his mouth as he tells me the answer. "Astrid."
My eyes widen and I let go, grabbing the phone she gave me. Sure enough, I see a small red light at the top. Immediately, I throw my phone into the distance.
"Here," Braedyn says, giving me his phone so I can see the text messages on the group chat.
Island✌️
8:42 am
Minho
Astrid, what the actual hell is wrong with you?
Why would you send that photo of her? She didn't give permission, did she? You're just a messed up little bitch who hates herself, and I hate you too.
Dylan
Astrid, you've messed up
Minho never swears
Gunther
Ngl the girl she sent the photo off is hot, and she's got a nice body
Minho
Gunther, shut the fuck up
Gunther
It's just the truth
Astrid
See, Minho, how do you like her now?
You've seen her body, how do you feel about it?
Disgusted by all her scars?
Minho
No, I'm not disgusted by her scars, who would be?
Now go kill yourself
All of you, except Ley
By the time I finish reading, tears are streaming down my face. Why would she do that? And why mention my scars? The one thing that reminds me the most of my parents, she has to mention.
I continue to cry, but as I do so, two questions flood my mind. It's been less than two hours since she gave me the phone; how did she already get the pictures? Was it planned? I choose to ignore the question and cry into Braedyn's arms.
"It's okay," Braedyn reassures me, his arm wrapping around me in a comforting way. "Nobody's judging."
"Astrid is," I remind him, my tears continuing to shed.
"Yeah." He nods. "But she can literally go die in a hole."
I bury my face in his shoulder. "Thank you, Braedyn. You're the one of the only people who have actually been so nice to me. You're the best friend ever. Thank you."
He pulls me into a full–hug. "You're welcome. You're my best friend, probably the only person I'd die for, and I love you so much, Whit."
"I love you more."
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(A/N)
You may think the timing is unrealistic, but let me just say that it was all planned from the beginning (I'm trying not to spoil ahahah)
HOPE YOU LIKED IT THOUGH
- Ivy
YOU ARE READING
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫? - 𝐓𝐌𝐑 𝐀𝐔, 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐨
Fanfiction!! BEING REWRITTEN !! After moving to a new town, Whitley doesn't know anyone. When she gets the chance to go with her class on a school camp to a tropical island, she immediately accepts. But will this trip be as good as she imagines, or will it ch...
