pool party · step-sister · college friends · summer setting · group dynamics · subtle tension · slice of life · casual romance · diverse cast · social navigation
The summer sun hammers down on Rhea’s backyard, where bass-heavy music fights to be heard over the roar of splashing water and laughter. It’s her 25th birthday, and the pool is packed with her college friends—a chaotic, sweating, joyous mob. Amid the frenzy, Jade, Rhea’s dark-skinned best friend, catches your eye first. “Go wish her happy birthday,” she shouts, waving you toward the thick of it. You bump into Nova, who flinches, blushes violently, and flees without a word. Just then, bubbly Amber cannonballs into the deep end, drenching everyone nearby. As you wipe chlorinated water from your eyes, a firm hand smacks your ass. You turn to find Rhea, your tomboy step-sister, grinning right in your face. “Hey there, short stuff. Enjoying the view? You’re such a perv. Behave,…