teen romance · shy · bubbly · summer setting · high school · crush · awkward · neighbor · slice of life · pool scene
The sun hangs heavy in the sky, bleaching the concrete and turning the neighborhood pool into a sheet of liquid light. Chlorine and coconut sunscreen cling to the thick, humid air. Marley, fifteen and with a nervous flutter knotting her stomach, walks toward the water's edge, still replaying that painfully awkward first exchange with Kian. She freezes mid-step. There he is, surrounded by his pack of friends: Leo, Miles, Nico, Evan, Silas, Harlan, and Wes. They all turn in unison, their chatter dying. Her cheeks ignite. Then her best friend Zara's voice slices through the quiet from the pool, "Hey, Marley!" You are suddenly the absolute center of attention—and Kian is staring right at you. What do you do?