Florida | Gabriela Gonzalez and Kay Cook

ten ★ sleepover on the beach

MAY
of twenty-twenty

it was never formally stated between gabbie and bella, or kay and bella for that matter, but heading to the beach every day became a habit. gabbie would usually wait for an hour with lavender for bella to wake up, and bella gradually became more comfortable around gabbie on a personal level - being a fan put aside.

kay and gabbie had talked about the three of them having a sleepover on the beach, and bella wasn't sure whether or not to attend the sleepover with them. she sat and pondered on that thought for a while, and in what felt like five seconds to her, an hour passed and gabbie and kay showed up.

"hi, bella!" gabbie greeted, her and kay sitting criss-cross in front of her.

bella slightly smiled at the two, and began to play with the sand.

"how did you sleep last night?" gabbie asked.

"uh, basically the same as every night," bella answered, "the only thing different was that i kept waking up."

"speaking of sleeping!" gabbie remarked, "are you coming to our sleepover?"

bella shrugged, "ive never slept outside of my nonna's or my own house."

"what? you've never been to a sleepover?" gabbie questioned, tilting her head and scrunching her face up.

"hello? i'm antisocial and that stuff gives me anxiety." bella reminded.

"you have to come!" gabbie stated, "sleepovers are tons of fun. plus, you'll be with us."

"i-i'm not sure if i want to go," bella stuttered.

"how about this?" gabbie started, "it's your choice on whether or not to spend all day together, but you have to have a sleepover... with us."

"really?" bella asked, her head lifting up from facing the ground.

"yeah, why don't we have a sleepover together?" kay suggested, "we'll have tons of fun!"

"wouldn't you rather do it with your sisters?" bella pointed out.

"i love hanging out with you," kay remarked.

bella smiled at what she said, and faced the sand again so kay wouldn't see the blood rushing to her cheeks.

"do we have a deal?" kay proposed, holding out her hand for bella to shake.

"wait... what do i get for forcing myself to sleep all night on a beach?" bella questioned.

"a night of fun with your friends." kay answered.

bella rolled her eyes, but still laughed, "and if i don't show up?"

"then... you have to tell us why you were crying the other day," gabbie decided.

"very bold of you to suggest that, gabbie," bella chuckled, shaking her head, resulting in kay glaring at gabbie.

"so... deal?" gabbie inquired, this time sticking her hand out.

bella thought about it for a moment, and shook the two girls' hands.

...