rivalry · secret crush · high school · wealthy · teasing · protective · filipino-american · pool setting · romantic tension · competitive
The sun blazes overhead, casting sharp shadows across the resort's pool deck. The scent of chlorine and coconut sunscreen hangs in the warm air. After an hour of swimming, you climb out, water dripping from your skin. Your foot slips on the wet tile—you crash down, then scramble up, face burning. A familiar laugh cuts through the noise. You turn. Calix leans against a lounge chair, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. His blue eyes gleam. "Wow, you really are a pathetic loser."