This is Euphoria

-11-

happy halloween! ⚰️🎃🕸 here's an update :-)

ATHENA

Both Kai and I agree we should wait to get in the water, at least until our food is digested.

I'm flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine when a text notification pops up on my phone screen. It's from Vera.

VERA 🌿: hi, long time no see. i miss you. what are you doing today?

Vera is the closest thing I have to a best friend. Besides Kai, I tend to stick by myself. Vera's the same way, which is why I think we get on so well. A lot of people have tried to make an effort towards friendship with me, but I don't need anyone else, I have myself. And Vera. And Kai.

(+me): hey. I miss you too. We could meet up? I'm at the beach.

I fiddle with my phone, throwing it a centimeter up before catching it as I wait for a reply.

VERA 🌿: I can be there soon

(+me): Perfect.

I look over at Kai, who's smelling a lip balm he must have found in my stuff. Somehow, he managed to 'forget' a towel of his own, or so he claims. Who forgets a towel to the beach?

"Do you mind if one of my friends meet us here?" I ask him.

"Nope," he says, dropping the chapstick. I knew he wouldn't.

I stand up, try to wipe the sand off my legs as best as I can, then walk over to Kai.

Kai looks up as I tower over him, and I sit next to him.

"So," I say after settling down, "I meant to ask you earlier, but what's this?"

I reach forward, and grab the camera that was tucked away in a bag. It looks expensive, so obviously he must know what he's doing.

"A camera," he remarks sarcastically, and I roll my eyes. He laughs, obviously proud of himself.

"Well, obviously. I just didn't know you took pictures, that's all," I say.

He shrugs, "yeah, I do."

"Take one," I suggest.

"You want me to take one?" he raises an eyebrow.

I nod encouragingly.

"Okay," he nonchalantly agrees.

I scoot away from him, wanting to see a full view of what he's doing. He adjusts some settings then holds the camera in his hands.

In one swift motion, he takes a picture. Only, it's of me. I assumed he would choose something more captivating, like the water or the rocks, but he didn't.

"That's not what I meant," I say. Snap.

"Kai!" I shriek, in a fit of laughter. Snap.

I cover my face, and he finally ushers the camera down.

"Don't you ever wonder what you look like?" he says, suddenly sincere.

"No..." I answer unevenly, but truthfully.

He bites on his lip. I notice he does that when he concentrates on something. A storm is brewing behind his eyes.

"Let me show you," he says.

I suspect my face was contorted with inquisition. What ever he meant by that, the offer sounded meaningful. It was like a proposal. I felt weird about it. I had an urge to reject. However, the adrenaline I always carry in me that takes part of what ifs has a mind of it's own, and a voice now too.

"Okay," I say.

I feel my pocket buzz.

"But not now," I add.