Chapter Nineteen.

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chapter nineteen:
downward spiral

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PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)

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Alessia sprawled on a lounger beside the shimmering pool, the sun overhead casting a golden glow that felt like a warm embrace. Her friends, Sam, Yasmine, and Moon, were positioned nearby, each of them enjoying the lazy afternoon in their own way. Alessia felt a lightness in her heart that she hadn't experienced in a while; she was starting to forge genuine connections with these girls. Moon was sweet and easy to talk to, her laughter infectious, while Yasmine, despite her uptight demeanor, was beginning to reveal her softer side. Alessia was determined to break through that shell, seeing potential for a meaningful friendship.

Sam and Alessia were both absorbed in their books, the pages fluttering occasionally in the soft breeze. Alessia glanced over at Sam, who seemed engrossed in her novel, a small smile playing on her lips. Their shared silence was comfortable, punctuated only by the distant sounds of splashes and laughter from other pool-goers. The smell of sunscreen mixed with the scent of warm concrete, creating a nostalgic atmosphere of summer freedom.

Suddenly, the moment was disrupted by the unmistakable presence of Anthony, Sam's younger brother. Alessia looked up to see him standing at the edge of the pool, his eyes wide and his mouth agape in a cartoonish expression of shock. His gaze was fixed on them, and Alessia couldn't stifle her laughter at how obvious his fascination was.

"Ew. Anthony, can you not stare at my friends?" Sam shot back, her voice teasing yet protective, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips.

Anthony's face turned a deep shade of crimson, clearly flustered. "No, no, no, I wasn't, um, uh, staring," he stammered, scrambling for words as he shifted on his feet, clearly caught off guard.

The four girls exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. Alessia found it amusing how quickly he lost his cool, and her laughter blended with Moon's and Yasmine's, creating a symphony of teenage amusement. Anthony, feeling the weight of their collective gaze, mumbled a quick excuse before turning on his heel and sprinting away, his bravado crumbling as he fled.

"Such a dork," Moon giggled, shaking her head in mock disapproval as she glanced at Alessia, who couldn't help but smile at the scene. The light-hearted atmosphere felt like a bubble of joy around them.

Yasmine then turned to Sam, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "He's starting high school in the fall, right?" she asked, a conspiratorial tone creeping into her voice.

Sam nodded, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, why?"

"Let's torture him. Tell him later I asked if he's been working out," Yasmine suggested, her grin widening mischievously.

𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐙𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔| Robby KeeneWhere stories live. Discover now