𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗲: 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

𝙎𝙖𝙜𝙚

It's summer vacation, and here I am in Hawaii with the family,  relaxing in the warm bubbles of the jacuzzi with my mom "Did you remember to pack your clothes?" my mom asked, glancing over with a playful smirk.

"Yeah, I packed everything," I replied with a pout. "I can't believe we're heading home tomorrow, and I have school the next day!"

"We also have work," my mom reminded me, a knowing smile on her face.

"Where's Dad?" I asked, reaching for a chilled champagne bottle nestled beside the jacuzzi, the bubbles catching the light like tiny stars.

"Oh, he's probably at the golf center with his friends," my mom replied casually. "Well, I'm heading out first. I'll see you in the room."

I spoke, took a sip of the champagne, savoring the cool bubbles, then set it down and made my way out, feeling the warm breeze brush against my skin.

I slipped on my robe and headed to the elevator, pressing the button for the upper floors. As I waited, I scrolled through social media on my phone. I noticed a post from a friend who had just visited China, and a wave of envy hit me. I quickly typed out a message, asking her to bring me back some snacks.

Just then, the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding. I stepped inside, tapping "Send" on my message before pressing the button for the 15th floor. As the doors closed, I felt a mix of anticipation and relaxation wash over me while the elevator began its ascent.

As the elevator doors opened, I stepped onto my floor and walked down the long, elegant hallway. The soft carpet muffled my footsteps as I fished the key card out of my pocket. Standing in front of our room, I slid the card into the reader, feeling a rush of excitement as the lock clicked open. I pushed the door ajar and stepped inside, ready to unwind after a long day.

I quickly changed and dove into bed, surrendering to sleep almost immediately. The next morning, I was jolted awake by my parents. "Time to get up! We have to leave for the airport," they urged.

Groggy but determined, I hurriedly got ready. After packing the last of my things, we left the hotel and headed to the airport, the excitement of our trip still lingering as we drove through the sunlit streets.

I slept through the entire 5 hours and 21 minutes from Hawaii to Los Angeles, barely stirring as the plane made its descent. As we landed, the heavy air of the city hit me, a stark contrast to the lightness of Hawaii. Reality set in—I'd be back at school tomorrow, and the thought of diving back into homework and routine felt overwhelming.

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The next day, I got ready for school, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. As I stood in front of the mirror, I noticed how much I had changed since the last time my classmates saw me. The carefree vibes of Hawaii had left their mark—my hair was a bit sun-kissed, and my skin glowed with a hint of tan. I couldn't help but wonder how everyone would react to the new me.

When I arrived at school, all eyes turned to me, whispers rippling through the crowd. A few friends came up to me, their smiles wide. "You look amazing, Sage!" one of them exclaimed, her excitement infectious. I felt a rush of warmth at their compliments, the initial nerves melting away as I stepped into the familiar chaos of school life.

During class, I found myself dozing off, the sound of the teacher's voice fading into a background hum. Suddenly, I felt a gentle tap on my arm. "Don't fall asleep," a soft voice whispered in my ear. I turned to see an unfamiliar face, a boy with tousled hair and a playful grin. Startled, I blinked awake, curiosity piqued by his unexpected attention.

I reached for my notebook, ready to jot down the notes from the board, but just as I was about to start, the teacher erased them with a swift motion. I let out a soft sigh, feeling frustrated. Just then, the boy leaned over and slowly handed me his notes with a smile. "Here, you can use mine," he said, his kindness catching me off guard. Grateful, I accepted them and began to write, stealing glances at the boy who had unexpectedly brightened my day.

When the bell rang, I quickly packed my things into my backpack and turned to him. "Thank you," I said, feeling a warmth in my cheeks. He smiled back, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. With one last glance, I stepped out of the classroom, the day ahead feeling a little brighter thanks to our brief interaction.

As I made my way through the crowded hallways, I spotted my friends gathered near our usual spot. Maya waved me over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You won't believe it! A new student is joining our group research," she announced, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. I felt a mix of curiosity and anticipation—wondering who this new addition would be and how they might shake things up.

I raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's his name?"

"Maya grinned and replied, "Lucas."

The name felt oddly familiar, stirring a vague memory in the back of my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that I might have crossed paths with him before, but I couldn't quite place it.

 Just then, Ashley chimed in, "Oh, and Lucas has a twin named Luke! I've heard they're really close."

My curiosity piqued even more. "Wait, you're saying Luke is in your art class?" I asked, trying to piece together the connections. The idea of meeting both twins felt intriguing, and I wondered if they shared the same charm.

 Maya smiled and said, "We'll meet Lucas after school to start the group research. He's supposed to bring some ideas for the project."

I nodded, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside me. I couldn't help but wonder what Lucas would be like in a group setting.

I turned to Maya and asked, "Are both twins going to be in the group research?"

She shook her head, a teasing smile on her face. "No, just Lucas." We then went our separate ways as we have to get to class.

After class, we all decided to meet at a nearby café. Maya, Ashley, Ellie, and I arrived first, finding a cozy corner table where we settled in with our drinks. The aroma of coffee and pastries filled the air, making the atmosphere feel warm and inviting.

As we chatted and laughed, I couldn't help but glance at the door, waiting for Lucas to arrive. "I wonder what he's like," I said, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. Maya nodded, equally curious, while Ashley and Ellie exchanged knowing smiles, adding to the anticipation of our new group dynamic.

The door swung open, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw a tall, handsome guy stroll in with a laid-back confidence. He had a nonchalant air about him that immediately caught my attention.

Maya waved her hand enthusiastically, and he started making his way toward us. As he approached, I realized he looked familiar—I remembered seeing him in one of my classes. A mix of excitement and nervousness washed over me as he drew closer, ready to join our group.

It hit me in an instant—he was the same guy who had lent me his notes when I dozed off in class. As he glanced my way, a soft smile spread across his face, making my heart flutter. He slid into the seat beside me, and I felt a rush of warmth at the familiarity of our earlier encounter.

"Hey, I'm Lucas," he said, his voice friendly and easygoing. I could feel the energy in the café. 

After we wrapped up the group research, we all headed back home, laughter and chatter filling the air. As we walked, Maya pulled out her phone and created a group chat that included Lucas. "This way we can easily share ideas and keep in touch about the project!" she announced, excitement in her voice.

I glanced at Lucas, who was scrolling through his phone with a casual smile. The thought of being connected with him outside of school felt thrilling.