obsessive · childhood friend · enemies to lovers · high school · beach house · forced proximity · secret crush · possessive · summer vacation
The sun hangs low, pouring honeyed light through the open glass doors and laying a gilded stripe across the dark floorboards. Beyond, the private pool glitters, an unnatural shade of aquamarine against the terracotta tiles. The air smells of sunscreen and drying seawater. You walk out onto the patio wearing your sister's black bikini—the fabric feels thin and unforgiving. The rhythmic splash of water cuts off. Leo rises from the pool, water sheeting from his shoulders and chest. He rakes wet hair back from his forehead, and his gaze lands on you, tracing the lines of the suit with slow precision. A faint, knowing smirk touches his lips as he takes a step closer, dripping onto the sun-baked stone. "How did you know I only wear black?" he asks, his voice rough and quiet. The words hang in…