"Do you get déjà vu?"

I HAD WOKEN UP WITH A BIG THROBBING HEADACHE. My vision was also blurry due to me crying myself to sleep, I couldn't sleep well at all, so my only option was to go to the living room for a while. There I fell asleep at three in the morning, completely drained over how long I cried for.

The sound of birds chirping accompanied with the beache's breeze was what technically woke me up, it was something out a movie if you ask me. I walked up to the sliding door that lead to the backyard, making my way outside to admire how beautiful the day was.

It was surprisingly feeling cold, almost felt like Christmas, to me suddenly.

Steven: "Couldn't sleep either?"

I looked towards my right noticing Steven, laying down on a beach chair. The sun made his honey eyes shine dazzlingly, and also allowed his freckles to show more. I couldn't deny it, he looked mesmerizing.

Nova: "Did you...slept there?" -I asked, after noticing a pillow and sheet on the ground.

He nodded while looking embarrassed, sitting up from the chair to stretch his arms around. I walked his way, taking a sit on the ground, right beside him. My back was facing the boy though, I was trying my best to not show my face due to how bad it probably looked over all of my crying last night.

Steven: "Hey, I'm really sorry about what happened with Conrad, yesterday." -he apologized, receiving a nod from me.

Nova: "It's fine...it's not your fault."

Steven: "It is my fault though, I should've told you sooner. What Conrad, was going to do...I should've said it."

I glanced back to the black haired boy, instantly seeing how his eyes widened while he took a look at me. He gently moved my hair behind my ear, making me back away immediately by his touch.

Nova: "What are you doing?" -I quickly asked, adjusting my hair back to where it was before.

Steven: "Sorry, your face it's kinda swollen. Is everything okay?"

Nova: "Yeah, everything's fine." -I replied, looking over to the pool, avoiding to be caught lying.

The boy stared at me for a couple of seconds, suddenly standing up from the chair and stretching his hand towards me.

I glanced up weirded out, baffled by the boy's action. He raised his eyebrows to signal his hand, making me take a hold of his cold palm.

Nova: "I sometimes fear what you might have in mind." -I mentioned, hearing how he laughed while pulling me towards the house's gate.

He opened the wooden door, guiding me  towards the entrance of the small path that lead to the beach. I smiled while realizing what he was gonna do, suddenly trying to run away.

Steven: "No, no, stay here." -he chuckled, pulling onto my waist, as he embraced from behind.

I laughed as I was being lifted up in the air, being pulled even more into the beach area. It was all beautiful, the whole ambience felt peaceful since there was no one around the beach. It was just the two of us, looking like the little kids we once were. I suddenly realized how fast time passed, when did we grow exactly? I have no idea. It felt like it was yesterday when we celebrated Belly's birthday right on this beach.

As he pulled me down, I grabbed his arms gently. He continued to glance at me for a while, making me feel my face heating up.

Steven: "There she is." -he whispered, rubbing my arms as I held onto his.

Nova: "What do you mean?"

He smiled as he glanced over to the beach, later looking down at me.

Steven: "You look like yourself again...happy, I like that." -he smiled, only to focus on my face for a little longer.

He began to poke my face gently while mumbling numbers, making me laugh as I realized he was counting my freckles.

Nova: "You always do this and it's almost always the same number, Steven."

Steven: "You said it yourself "almost" maybe new ones appeared." -he joked, finishing his counting.

He smiled victoriously, tapping the tip of my nose which only made me scrunch my features.

Steven: "You have seventeen freckles, your same age. That means you no longer have fourteen freckles, so I win."

Nova: "Now that's you lying to try and win." -I jokingly argued, beginning to walk towards the shore.

I could hear his running behind me, only continuing to get closer each time. I was then pushed over to the water while being hugged, making me scream loud by the sudden action. The water was freezing cold over how early it was, but at least I felt happy at the time.

He splashed water that was accompanied by sand onto me, making me do the same as well only for it to fall right inside of his mouth since he kept laughing. He gagged a few times, spitting off the sand while crawling towards the shore.

We both sat down on the shore eventually, glancing at each other while laughing over how stupid we both looked covered in sand.

Steven: "Remember when we used to do this all the time?" -he asked, admiring how beautiful the sunrise was.

Nova: "Yeah, it's one of my favorite memories."

He smiled by my comment, placing his arm around my shoulders.

Steven: "I've missed you guys, it's always fun coming here...you all just make life better."

Nova: "We think the same, Steven. Trust me, our family wouldn't be the same without y'all." -I said, resting my head on his shoulder.

We both sat quietly on the shore, even though we were covered in sand and water still. We didn't care at all, but I was feeling sad over me knowing that moment was gonna end soon.

Steven: "Can I ask you something?"

Nova: "Mhm." -I mumbled, deciding to observe his features.

Steven: "Why do you keep lying to me? You keep hiding your feelings to everyone."

I stared at him for a couple of seconds seeing how genuinely concerned he looked. He had never looked so serious before, everyone at home it's so used to Steven, being the clown boy. It's weird seeing him like this in so many ways, that when you put more thought into it...it's kinda scary.

Nova: "I'm not lying."

Steven: "Do you think I'm stupid, Nova? You literally lied to me a couple of minutes ago at the backyard and yesterday as well."

Nova: "Steven, please." -I whispered, sitting in a much comfortable way to look at him.

Steven: "No, you listen to me. You're someone I care for a lot, I don't want you to hide stuff from me in any way. We used to tell each other everything, remember?"

He grabbed my hand, rubbing my palm's skin softly. He continued to do that for a couple of seconds, only for me to stop him completely over how nervous I got.

Nova: "That was before you decided to be much closer to Jere and Conrad, dude."

Steven: "I know, but I want you to not feel scared to talk to me. I'm always here for you, and you'll always be there for me, right?"

Nova: "Right."

Steven: "Okay, good talk." -he mumbled, smiling over to me.

He then glanced around the beach for some time, seconds after reaching for his pocket to grab his phone.

Steven: "Shit."

Nova: "What?" -I asked, looking over to the device to see what was wrong.

Steven: "It's almost ten, Belly's birthday is today."

Nova: "Yeah, I already have her gift ready." -I mentioned, smiling excitedly as I remembered.

He smiled by my reply, helping me up from the cold sand beneath me. The wind blew strongly but it felt good, this past days had been very hot so feeling slightly cold made me feel better. I only hoped it wouldn't stay cold for too long though, I loved feeling the summer heat much more.

We both walked back home, shortly arriving inside of the beach house to find Mom and Laurel, already cooking Belly's iconic pancakes.

Steven: "Mom, can I help?" -he questioned, clapping excitedly.

Laurel: "Sure, but wh-"

Susannah: "What were you two up to?" -she asked, suddenly interrupting, Laurel.

Mom, then smirked in a playful way, only making me grin my eyes towards her.

Steven: "We went inside of the water for a bit, remembering old times."

Mom approached the boy, while smiling, taking a hold of his face to place a kiss on his cheek gently. Steven, only giggled while observing me, placing a kiss on her cheek as well.

Susannah: "Go get cleaned up, we're gonna surprise Belly, with her gifts soon."

We both nodded, running upstairs and going our separate ways to go get ready as soon as possible. I choose to put on a simple yellow dress I had on my closet, this accompanied by some old sneakers I had. I dried my hair rapidly with my blow dryer, deciding to only put on a simple makeup look later on.

The voices of everyone made me run downstairs faster than ever, only to stumble across Conrad, who quickly grabbed my waist so I wouldn't fall back. We both stared at each other for a couple of seconds, I then pushed him off annoyed to continue running downstairs.

Everyone talked within each other, Jeremiah, noticed me instantly. He smiled awkwardly my way, which made me smile back to him since he's probably the only person I can't be mad at.

Laurel: "You look beautiful, hun."

Nova: "Thanks, Laur." -I smiled, grabbing a pear from the fridge soon after.

Conrad, entered the kitchen slowly, making eye contact with me. I only shortly cut it off since I didn't wanted to see any sign of him. I heard how he sighed as I approached Mom, who noticed how my mood changed completely since she tapped my shoulder to ask what was wrong with only her stare.

I shrugged my shoulders in response, scanning her features carefully. She looked a little pale, making me wonder if she was the one not doing okay. She then grinned, rubbing my shoulder lightly as she took a look around the kitchen.

Nova: "Is Belly, already awake?" -I asked Laurel, who prepared the pancakes fully focused.

Laurel: "She's getting ready right now, she'll be down in a couple of minutes."

I nodded in agreement, taking a sit right beside Jeremiah, who ate his cereals quietly. He smiled by seeing me sitting beside him, passing me a cup of cereal as well.

Nova: "Thanks."

Jeremiah: "No problem." -he replied, continuing to eat.

We kept eating beside each other, eventually making me pass my milk to Jeremiah, since he's pretty much obsessed with it. Steven went over to Laurel, finally helping her serve Belly's pancakes. Everyone else after eating just continued to help adjust the decoration on the kitchen, except for Conrad, who sat still while eating his cereal.

Nova: "Those balloons are gorgeous, Mom." -I complimented, receiving a wink from her.

Susannah: "You know I'm the best at decorating or finding decorations."

Nova: "You're such a brag queen."

Susannah: "I'm the best." -she replied, placing a kiss on top of my head to continue decorating.

We all spoke amongst each other while getting the final details done, eventually finishing everything after hearing a pair of footsteps arriving downstairs.

Belly: "Morning, everyone."

Nova: "Happy birthday!" -I exclaimed, while everyone else cheered out loud by noticing the girl's arrival.

She smiled brightly while everyone continued to exclaim, quickly being embraced by me.

Nova: "I see you wore your birthday gift." -I smiled, taking a look at the dress I had brought for, Belly.

It looked beautiful on her, the colors on the dress matched her skin color perfectly.

Belly: "Thank you so much, Nova." -she said, making me smile at her softly.

We then glanced back, noticing Mom approaching, the girl.

Susannah: "There's the birthday girl, looking like a vision in floral. Happy birthday." -she chuckled, pulling the girl aside so she could see, Jeremiah.

Jeremiah: "Happy sweet sixteen, Bells."

He hugged her tightly while she laughed out loud, looking over to me with the brightest smile ever.

Steven: "Now Belly Button's getting old finally, happy birthday."

Belly: "Thanks, everyone." -she spoke, later on smiling while seeing Laurel, coming her way.

The woman smiled nostalgically, almost seeming sad over Belly, growing which I knew it was on her mind. Laurel and I, have always talked about nostalgia and how much she suffers when seeing us grow. She has made sure to let me know how bad she is in showing affection, that's why the Conklin's have always been bad at showing love though. But when they show it...truly it it's one of the most beautiful things ever and that is what was currently happening.

Laurel: "Happy birthday, sweetheart."

Belly: "Thanks, Mom."

Laurel: "Your Mickey Mouse, pancakes are ready." -she mentioned, smiling completely excited.

I waited for the girl's response, seeing how hesitant she looked. She studied the room, later on glanced over to me and to Laurel, finally beginning to speak once again.

Belly: "Actually, I'm not really, uh, hungry." -she stuttered, making Laurel's smile fade away.

Laurel: "Oh."

We all stayed quiet for just a couple of seconds, looking over to the girl, completely awkward. The silence was sort of killing me, so I looked over to Mom, with widened eyes making her nod.

Susannah: "Shall we open gifts?"

Jeremiah: "Oh! You're gonna love mine." -he spoke completely excited, making the girl, giggle by the boy's comment.

Belly's smile faded away as she noticed Conrad, I realized he hadn't even congratulated her. I felt my blood boiling just by seeing or thinking of him, what was getting me more angry, is the way he was treating, Belly.

We all then walked over to the living room, pretending that we didn't noticed how sad she looked while noticing Conrad, each of us sitting down to face the brunette one. She looked covered in excitement, Laurel, gave her gift first. Belly, smiled shyly while beginning to open the gift, glancing over to her mom, to find approval.

She opened her gift rapidly after seeing Laurel's nod, eventually fully unpacking it to reveal a book. I grinned by realizing what book she had on her legs, turning to look over to, Mom.

Laurel: "It's a first edition. I got it from a rare book dealer."

Belly: "Thanks, Mom." -she mumbled, looking at the gifting paper.

Laurel: "Turn to the bookmarked page."

The girl, only glanced up seeming to be slightly confused, beginning to search for the mentioned page.

Laurel: "It's your favorite poem." -she mentioned, eyeing Mom, with a proud smile beaming on her face.

Belly: "Oh, yeah. I remember Susannah, teaching us to recite this."

She then observed me happily, showing me the page completely delighted.

Belly: "For whatever we lose, like a you or a me."

Nova: "It's always ourselves we find in the sea." -I mumbled, hearing how everyone else also said it.

Everyone chuckled as we finished, looking over to Mom, who smiled brightly as she remembered the poem.

Belly: "Thank you. I love it."

Laurel: "You're welcome." -she grinned, smiling at Mom, signaling her to continue.

Susannah: "Okay, open mine now, Belly."

She handled the small box to the girl, making Belly, shake it a couple of times to try and guess what's inside. I was excited to see the girl's reaction, since I knew what it was already.

Inside rested my grandma's pearl necklace, that were always meant for Belly, one day. I have my grandma's wedding dress, so I wasn't jealous over the gift at all...which Mom, thought I was.

Belly: "Oh, wow. They're gorgeous. Thank you, Susannah."

Mom took a sit beside the girl, helping her put on the beautiful necklace gently. Belly, smiled at me with frowned eyebrows, making me grin back at her reassuringly.

Nova: "I'm not mad if that's what you're thinking." -I spoke, hearing everyone's laugh echoing on the living room.

Susannah: "Maybe she's a little jealous, but that's all."

Nova: "I'm not." -I laughed, covering my face while laughing.

We then watched how Mom, finished placing the necklace around Belly's neck softly. Smiling completely happy, as she looked over to me.

Susannah: "My mom gave me these pearls for my sweet sixteen." -she stated, grinning one last time at, the girl.

She walked over to where she was sitting before, looking over to Laurel, who only observed around the room filled with happiness.

Susannah: "Radiant, isn't she?"

Nova: "Hell yeah she is!"

Belly: "Oh stop." -she chuckled, touching the pearls gently.

Laurel: "They look great on you, sweetheart."

Belly, only smiled shyly, suddenly getting startled by, Jeremiah.

Jeremiah: "Oh, I'm next." -he spoke, approaching the girl, quickly to hand her the gift.

He also carried a small box with him, giving it to her completely thrilled. Everyone laughed as they saw the boy, coming back to his spot while he chuckled.

Belly: "Thank you."

We watched how she continued to open the box, eventually seeing what was inside with a bright smile.

Jeremiah: "It's a good-luck charm to help you pass your driving test."

She smiled while placing the charm on an old bracelet Mom actually gave to Belly, a long time ago. She has kept it on since she got it, it's covered in different charms she owns. Most of them are gifted by me actually.

Belly: "Perfect, thank you." -she cheered, showing off the bracelet happily.

Steven: "Think fast, Belly."

Belly: "What?" -the girl mumbled, quickly catching the package that was suddenly thrown by, the boy.

Everyone smiled except for Belly and Laurel, who instantly got annoyed by what had happened.

Laurel: "Steven." -she said, only making Belly, laugh while opening the gift.

Nova: "So immature."

Steven: "Yeah, yeah, whatever." -he spoke, continuing to chuckle as he looked at, Belly.

She pulled out a long sleeve shirt, seeming completely familiar but I couldn't figure out from where. She smiled while probably reading what it said, beginning to laugh.

Belly: "Wow, Steven, I can't believe you actually spent money on me."

Nova: "No way he did that." -I whispered, hearing Belly's laughter.

Belly: "That's too unreal."

Steven: "Relax. I just didn't want you to steal mine next year when I get in." -he laughed, making my smile fade away by his comment after realizing what the shirt design was.

Laurel: "I didn't know you were still considering, Princeton."

I glanced towards Steven, instantly making eye contact with him. He had this genuine smile on his face, it lighted up the entire room literally. Everyone smiled by his expression, seeing how happy he was by just thinking of his dream.

I felt sort of sad about it, that meant Steven, wouldn't probably spend next summer with us. It felt depressing knowing that it wouldn't be the same anymore, maybe.

Steven: "You know, I-I think I'm gonna apply for some scholarships, and Dad thinks I can get some financial aid."

Nova: "That's great, Steven." -I spoke, grinning slightly at him.

Me and Jeremiah, made eye contact for a split second, instantly making me look away in fear he would notice how sad I actually was.

Steven: "I-I don't know. I'll see if I get in."

Laurel: "Okay. Um-"

Susannah: "Conrad, uh, do you want to give Belly, your present?" -she interrupted, making the whole room go silent by the boy's name being mentioned.

My eyes darted towards my hands, only hearing how Conrad, sighed after staying quiet for a while. Belly, smiled excitedly while placing the presents aside, waiting for her other gift to be handled. We all patiently waited but nothing happened, only silence filled the room. I turned around to look at the boy confused, meeting his eyes that glanced around the space nervously.

Conrad: "Sorry, I forgot."

I stared back to Belly, in complete shock, seeing how her smile slowly went away to a saddened one. I knew she tried her best to hide how disappointed she felt, but I could tell instantly.

Belly: "Uh, that's...that's cool. Um...I wasn't really expecting anything anyway, so." -she smiled, glancing down to try and avoid making eye contact with me.

Everyone only looked at each other completely confused over Conrad's attitude, trying our best to maintain calm. Jeremiah's eyes darted towards me, making me nod my head a couple of times. Just as he was about to speak, he was suddenly interjected by, Conrad.

Conrad: "Oh, so I got to go. Um, I promised Cleveland, that I'd show him some knots today, so."

He then stood up as everyone nodded, watching how he walked off rapidly. The silence was probably killing everyone inside over how uncomfortable it felt, the faces all of us had were completely awkward.

Conrad: "Happy birthday, Belly." -he said, eventually heading out of the house.

Jeremiah sighed uncomfortably, looking over to Belly, with a smile later on.

Jeremiah: "Hey. Why don't we take my car and practice driving before we pick up Taylor, from the bus station."

Belly: "Sure." -she smiled, looking over to me.

She stared at me for a couple of seconds, pointing later on towards my dress.

Belly: "Are you coming too?" -she asked, continuing to look at my outfit since she noticed it was not really casual.

Nova: "Uh, no. I can't come, I need to go buy some supplies for work. I'll meet up later on though, if that's okay."

Belly: "Yeah, that's fine."

Susannah: "Hey, Steven...would you go with Nova, to buy the stuff she needs? She has to get some heavy tools and I don't want her to struggle too much."

I glanced behind me to look at Steven, seeing how his expression changed as he heard Mom's question.

Steven: "Damn, I-I can't. I have sort of a meeting with my friend."

Jeremiah: "Your friend? You're literally meeting up with Shayla, your future wife." -he joked, making me glance over to the ground.

Steven: "Stop it, Jere."

Jeremiah: "What? It's literally true." -he laughed, looking over to me to stop completely.

Steven: "I'm sorry, Nova. I would've come if I didn't have anything planned out already."

I looked back once again, faking a smile completely. Mom, already knew how I was feeling by how she was already staring at me...she knew I felt dissatisfied somehow.

Nova: "It's fine, I'll just invite Ethan, instead." -I smiled, standing up from the floor to walk towards the hallway.

Jeremiah: "Hey, make sure to be back early. I don't want you to miss out the pool party we're gonna have."

Nova: "I won't." -I replied, heading outside without saying goodbye.
________________________________

Ethan: "So, have you talked to Conrad, again? Your text from yesterday had me worried almost the whole entire night." -he asked, driving the small cart around the store.

I only kept placing everything I had written on the work list inside of the cart, pretty focused on making sure that all of it was good quality for the club. I glanced at him completely serious, seeing how he nodded in agreement by just observing my face.

Ethan: "I'll take that as no."

Nova: "A fuck no, it's much better." -I whispered, checking myself out on a mirror that rested on one of the shelves of the store.

Ethan: "How about, Tate? Any words shared after he told you everything?"

Nova: "You see, I don't even know if I actually want to speak to him. I know it wasn't his fault, but him still leaving the beach made me feel uncomfortable."

Ethan: "Why?"

Nova: "I don't know, I guess...if he actually loved me so much he would've stayed and not pay mind into what Conrad, said." -I explained, dropping some plates inside of the cart.

He then stopped his tracks to look at me, fully looking as if he had seen a ghost. I stared at him confused, frowning my eyebrows instantly.

Nova: "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Ethan: "Code red...like bright fucking red."

Nova: "What? No, what is it?" -I asked, looking behind me to see what the boy, was observing.

Ethan: "No, wai-"

As I turned around I noticed the king of Rome in fact, a couple of steps behind me while holding onto some random girl's hand.

Ethan: "Please tell me that's not him actually, like that's not...Tate Ferguson, right?"

Nova: "What. The. Actual. Fuck?"

Ethan: "Shit...it's him."

I placed my bag on the cart, walking rapidly towards him only to stop as I noticed him kissing the girl, this time.

Ethan: "Want me to like...beat him up or something?"

Nova: "No, wait here." -I said, handling him the cart since he had left it right behind us.

I walked even faster, pulling the girl away from the curly head. He opened his eyes widely before my fist impacted his face, the amount of gasping coming from around me was giant but I didn't care.

Tate: "Meryl? Shit, wha-what are you doing here?"

Nova: "What does it fucking look like? I'm shopping and you're out here with some other girl!"

Tate: "Please, stop yelling. I can explai-"

Nova: "You can't explain shit, I literally just saw you holding hands and kissing her. We're done, Tate." -I interrupted, looking over to the unknown girl.

She only stared at the both of us in complete shock, eventually walking off in a very awkward way. I then walked off as well, leaving the boy, behind.

Tate: "Are you serious, Merl?!"

Nova: "Yes I'm freaking serious! And don't call me Merl, ever again." -I shouted, throwing a roll of paper towel at him that was right beside me.

He only grunted, looking over to me with his mouth wide opened.

Tate: "What the hell was that for?!"

He stayed still while rubbing his cheek over the impact from earlier, hearing my scoff echo through the hallway we were in. I turned around abruptly, throwing another paper roll his way.

Nova: "Are you stupid?" -I asked, only receiving shrugged shoulders from him.

I rolled my eyes as I walked off, followed by Ethan, who had gone completely quiet. I continued to hear my name being called by Tate, but I ignored him.

Ethan: "Um...do you think they'll let us pay?"

Nova: "You pay, I-I need some air." -I mentioned, handling him my credit card while walking away to head outside of the store.

The breeze hit me abruptly, as I tried my best to not break down in front of the people outside of the store. I repeatedly took heavy breaths to calm myself down, looking around the small shops to try and find something distracting. I knew this would happen sooner or later. Conrad, would always be right no matter what.

Maybe he actually did good by making him leave me completely alone at the beach, maybe I deserved to suffer. I probably also deserved being told all of those stuff last night, because I'm stupid enough to think that some boy, actually liked me. I sometimes feel like everyone at home tries their best to like me, only because they feel forced to do so. I know that's probably not true at all, but in moments like this...that's just what rooms through my brain.

I let some tears room down my cheek, only for me to wipe them off quickly as I saw people walking by me.

Ethan: "Hey, uh...should we get going?" -he questioned, rubbing my back gently while holding onto the plastic bags.

I nodded in agreement, walking alongside him towards my car. He placed the bags inside the trunk, following to open the door for me so I could go in without worrying. I stayed quiet throughout the ride, he would try speaking to me but I couldn't respond only due to all of the thoughts I had on my mind.

He passed me a tissue as soon as he realized I was crying even more, suddenly stopping the car a few blocks away from my house. I glanced over to him baffled, watching how he unblocked his seatbelt to open his arms.

I quickly embraced the boy, as soon as he signaled me to do so. His hugs were one of the best, you felt like you were hugging a teddy bear that rested the whole summer on your bed. It felt like hugging Junior Mint, literally felt like that but in a human size.

Ethan: "Listen to me now, okay?" -he spoke, pulling me off so I could look at his eyes while he talked.

Ethan: "You're not gonna let that loser put yourself down, and you're surely not gonna get your summer ruined by him."

I nodded as he rubbed my cheeks gently, continuing to look at his eyes with tears accumulated on mine.

Ethan: "You're gonna find yourself someone that treats you way better than he did, sooner or later. And you're gonna have the best fucking summer ever, okay?"

I nodded once again, making him sigh while shaking me around a couple of times.

Ethan: "Answer me."

Nova: "Okay." -I replied, letting out a small laugh while trying to stop him from shaking me around.

Ethan: "Good, let's go enchant Steven Conklin, for a bit."

Nova: "What?!" -I exclaimed, pulling my seatbelt off.

Ethan: "Girl, don't try acting stupid. I know you've had a crush on that man for like...what? Your whole life? Yeah, probably."

Nova: "Oh my, God." -I mumbled, covering my face in complete embarrassment.

Ethan: "I'm literally your best friend since Kindergarten, I know everything."

I stayed quiet while repeating what he said on my brain, realizing how a lot of people have told they knew about the situation.

Nova: "I feel like everyone knows, even him. I mean, he technically told me he knew yesterday."

Ethan: "What?!" -he shouted, suddenly stepping on the car's break harshly.

Nova: "Yeah, he literally told me something like, "Does someone still have a little crush on me?" Like, he literally said that."

Ethan: "That little shit, I'm so gonna ask him about that."

Nova: "No! Dude, you can't!"

Ethan: "Why not?" -he asked, making me sigh completely frustrated.

Nova: "Cause he'll know that I talked to you about that, he'll know that I'm actually...really freaking in love with him."

I heard Ethan's laughter right beside me, making me roll my eyes to look over to him completely annoyed.

Nova: "What?"

Ethan: "Nothing, you just sound so cute talking about him."

Nova: "Shut up, Ethan. You literally talk about Jeremiah, the same exact way." -I argued, pulling the collar of his shirt.

Ethan: "Yeah, but at least I'm not as obvious as you are."

He then pushed my hand off, chuckling as I rolled my eyes.

Ethan: "Girl, I just remembered the bonfire night. You literally almost told me you were dating Tate, to just forget about him."

Nova: "I-I didn't say that." -I mumbled, crossing my arms defensively.

Ethan: "You literally almost did, stop lying to me."

He then pulled into our driveway, seeing how the jeep was already parked at home. This meaning that Jeremiah and Belly already arrived with Taylor, probably.

Nova: "Okay, from now on...we don't talk about Steven, all right?"

Ethan: "Okay." -he replied, heading out of the car as soon as he parked.

We both headed to the trunk, grabbing the bags to put them inside. It seemed like Mom and Laurel, had left home too, there was no sign of them anywhere. My eyes darted towards the bay window, noticing Belly and Jeremiah, inside of the pool talking.

Nova: "Where's, Taylor?" -I whispered to myself, suddenly hearing footsteps right behind me.

I turned around startled, seeing how the girl, stopped her tracks right in front of me.

Taylor: "Right here."

I cheered excitedly, jumping to her arms instantly. She laughed while embracing me tightly, pulling me back to take a look at me.

Taylor: "Girl, you're glowing." -she mentioned, making me smile by her comment.

Ethan: "She has her breakup glow happening already, she just broke up with her ex."

I stared at Ethan, with grinned eyes later on just beginning to laugh by his embarrassed expression.

Taylor: "That was...too much info, right?"

Nova: "Yeah, but it's fine. He's just excited to see an specific someone. By the way, this is Ethan Alvarez, my best friend." -I mentioned, pulling onto his pink hair.

He grunted but later on smiled, trying his best to pretend like he wasn't hurting.

Taylor: "Nice to meet you, and oh my God, who?"

Nova: "My dear younger brother, Jeremiah Fisher."

Jeremiah: "Right here, sis." -he spoke, making all of us look towards the backyards door.

He waved at us, only to then wink at Ethan, who instantly flushed by the boy's action.

Taylor: "Uuu, I see what's going on." -she chuckled, pulling the two of us to the backyard quickly.

I dropped the plastic bag on the kitchen's bar, running with the girl, instantly. I took my shoes off, walking towards one of the beach chairs in front of the pool. Right beside the chair rested one of my favorite poetry books, I grabbed the one I had stayed reading last time.

Ethan: "You're not gonna jump in?"

Belly: "Nova, come on!" -she laughed, making me sigh while smiling.

Nova: "I'll jump in a bit, I need to change my clothes first."

He then nodded, quickly taking his shirt off to jump in soon after. Everyone cheered excitedly, watching how Taylor, then jumped inside as well. She laughed as soon as she rise up from the bottom, giving a hug to, Belly.

A couple of minutes had passed and everyone talked to each other as I read from my poem book calmly. I wasn't even focused on what was going on around the pool area, my only focus was how beautiful the poems were.

I realized it actually had been a while since I looked away from my book, I never even changed my clothes. Everyones laugh was the only thing I could hear, except that there was one more voice in the pool this time.

I looked away from the book, sitting up from the beach chair after seeing, Steven. He was resting his arms on the pool's edge, already looking at me with a smile beaming on his face. I smiled back while approaching him, dropping the book just where I was sitting before.

Nova: "When did you even got here?" -I asked, crouching right in front of him.

Steven: "A couple minutes ago, you were just probably too concentrated on the smut you were reading on that book."

Nova: "Ew, don't ever say that again. And it's not even a smut book it's a poem book, Steven." -I argued, watching how he laughed.

Steven: "All right, all right...are you coming in or what?"

Nova: "No, I'm not."

Steven: "What? Why?" -he asked, instantly making his smile fade away by my response.

I stood up from the hot ground, beginning to walk away while staring at him.

Steven: "Wait, wait, wait. You got something on your hand, let me see."

I frowned my eyebrows, stretching my hand his way only for me to suddenly get pulled inside on the water by him. The water was freezing cold, immediately sending shivers down my spine. I swim up to splash some water onto him, taking deep breaths over how cold I felt.

Nova: "Steven, what the hell? My dress...it was like brand new."

Steven: "There's literally washing and drying machines, Nova." -he mentioned, splashing water onto me as well.

Belly, cheered as she saw me inside of the pool, clapping excitedly while tapping Jeremiah's back.

Nova: "It's really cold, how can you guys be here right now?" -I asked, looking over to Ethan and Taylor, who were currently heading out of the pool to sunbathe.

I then glanced over to Steven, as I felt water being splashed my way again.

Steven: "Come here." -he whispered, stretching his hand towards me.

I grabbed it, only getting pulled into his chest that even inside of the water felt warm. Does that sound weird? Yes. Maybe I'm just being completely delusional, once again...but that's just what I genuinely felt.

Steven: "Put your arms around me."

I did as he said, feeling how his arms embraced my waist gently. His touch made me shiver nervously, only making me hug him tighter.

Steven: "Does that feel better?" -he asked, making me nod without saying any words.

I rested my head on his shoulder carefully, continuing to feel his hand rub my back underneath the water. My whole face heated up by his touch, I kept wondering if he knew how much power he has over me? Does he know how nervous I truly feel by just even talking to him?

Steven: "You okay?" -he questioned, pulling me back to look at my face.

I glanced down while smiling, avoiding to look at him since my face was probably bright red at the moment.

Steven: "You're extremely red." -he mentioned, making me laugh while still looking down, embarrassingly finding his abs more interesting.

Nova: "Shut up."

Steven: "No, you're like...tomato red." -he chuckled, rubbing my back once again.

Nova: "You need to stop, Steven."

He frowned his eyebrows, grabbing my legs delicately to embrace them around his torso.

Steven: "Stop talking or making you blush?"

Nova: "Both...yeah." -I stuttered nervously, seeing how the boy, smirked proudly.

He then placed his hand on my waist, pulling me closer to him. Our faces being literally inches away from each other, all of it suddenly making me wonder how exactly did we get to this moment? Why was he suddenly being so clingy if he had a date? Did he actually...liked me?

He then looked down to my lips, looking over to my eyes almost searching for approval. I nodded slowly, rubbing my hands throughout his neck. As we were getting closer and closer to probably kiss each other and almost making my wish come true, the sound of water splashing gained our attention.

Jeremiah: "Yo, should we all do something really fun?!"

Steven, quickly placed me down from his arms, smiling over to Jeremiah, who was already staring at us suspiciously. I scratched my head nervously, later on nodding while swimming towards, Belly.

Belly: "Do you want to...talk about that?"

Nova: "What?"

Belly: "You were straight up just about to make out with Stev-"

Nova: "Shut up."

Belly: "Okay." -she mumbled, instantly laughing later on.

I then glanced in front of me, seeing Ethan and Taylor, going inside of the pool again. The girl, approached our way, instantly smiling while seeing the two of us together. Ethan stayed with Jeremiah and Steven, who laughed while speaking to each other about something we couldn't hear.

Taylor: "Well...how's summer going for y'all?"

End of chapter.

Sofia's notes:
Is this my juiciest chapter at the moment? YES. When I tell you I was blushing while writing this...I WAS BLUSHING. I felt everything my girl, was feeling I'm not even joking. I just hope you all enjoyed this just as much as I did.

Don't forget to vote if you liked this chapter, it means literally EVERYTHING to me.

TikTok/Instagram: sofifics
Pinterest: sofiafics

See you soon!! 🥹🩵