Chapter 99: Friends Or More Than Friends?
(Zaylen)
My plan had been successful. I was able to gather all the people my family loved on this vacation so they could relax.
Dad had been tense since Andy betrayed Arata and left her heartbroken. If it had been in my hands, I would have beaten the shit out of him, but Arata didn’t want any violence, so I held myself back for her sake.
Everyone went to sleep so I began to stroll alone on the beach. I wasn’t tired and the salty air mixed with foam was welcoming.
That’s when I saw Stella. Clad in her satin pink night dress with a knitted shawl on her shoulders she was slowly ambling towards the stairs in front of the villa.
The stairs were designed in a floating manner, extending outward from the front of the villa. They were broad and shallow, making them easy to walk on while providing a visually appealing, gradual descent into the turquoise water. We, as kids, used to love sitting on them and throwing seashells and pebbles into the sea.
The design blended naturally with the beach sand. The bottom steps were partially submerged in water, reinforcing the villa’s luxurious waterfront concept. One could sit on them to dip their legs into the sea and just relax or read a book.
It used to be Stella’s favourite sitting spot and she was headed right over there. I watched her settle down with her palms pressed down on both sides of her and her head raised.
Her caramel-shaded hair was whisked back by the strong sea breeze.
Stella and I were like male and female versions of best friends. Being there for each other whenever the need arose. She was two years older than me but we had always acted as if we were twins. Constantly bickering and pulling each other’s legs.
Arata used to get tired of our shenanigans as she was slightly older than us and found our actions childish. But both of us never got tired of playing tricks on the other and making mischief.