❝ here's the real question: is the only reason you're trying to keep your distance from cole because deep down, you're afraid of how much you're starting to care? ❞
the room falls into a profound silence, the weight of realization hanging thick in t...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
PART TWENTY-FIVE lake house
after cole was certain that blanca had calmed down, he gently pulled away, his hand still lingering on her shoulder. with a comforting smile, he asked, "wanna get out of here?" his words, whispered softly into her ear, carried a warm invitation as he brushed a strand of hair from her face
"with you?" blanca asked, her breath gradually returning to normal.
"yeah, i mean," he looked around, the corners of his mouth lifting in a soft smile, "unless you had somebody else in mind."
"dylan has a lake house," he started, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "i mean, it would involve cutting class-"
"i can't do that-"
"well, i'm going, and it looks like you're having one of those days where you just... kinda need to escape," cole said.
"are you telling me i look like shit?" blanca joked.
"you said it, not me."
blanca scoffed, a laugh escaping her, as the playful banter added a lighter touch to the moment. "okay, let's go," she agreed, walking towards cole's car.
cole lingered behind for a moment, a content smile playing on his face as he idly toyed with his car keys.
˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
after a semi-long drive, spanning around 25-35 minutes, cole and blanca arrived at the lake house. the music from their car, which was playing "sugar" by brockhampton, clashed harmoniously with the rap music outside.
as they stepped out, a picturesque scene unfolded before them. the lake, serene and shimmering under the gentle sunlight, reflected the lush greenery that surrounded it. towering trees provided a natural canopy, casting dappled shadows on the grassy shore. people emerged from their cars, their laughter blending with the sounds of nature.
blanca stepped out of the car, followed closely by danny and cole. as as surveyed the surroundings, her eyes caught erin, who pursed her lips at the sight of blanca. a hushed exchange passed between erin and her friends, their whispers briefly lingering in the air before they left their car.
blanca turned to say something to danny, but he swiftly walked away upon hearing his name called from another direction. "okay," she whispered to herself.
her body tightened, instinctively reacting to the cold, her shoulders hunching as she wrapped her arms around herself as she continued walking, passing erin and her friends.
blanca, lost in her thoughts and shivering from the cold, didn't notice that cole, who keenly observed her shiver, grabbed his jacket before locking the car. catching up to her, he gently draped the jacket over her shoulders, before walking off without her.
erin and her friend olivia exchanged a knowing look as they observed the interaction.
"hey, erin," blanca tried.
"why are the howard sisters trying to ruin my day," erin mumbled as she walked off, though blanca caught the remark, the chilly air mirroring the frostiness between them.
˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
a long lake dock stretched out, adorned with multiple fun-colored beach chairs and a plush fur throw in the middle. passionfruit by drake played from a speaker, the melodic beats blending seamlessly with the various side conversations happening
amid the vibrant scene, olivia returned from the kitchen carrying a tray with multiple shot glasses.
"shots?" she offered, bending slightly so erin, seated on a red beach chair, and blanca, on a blue one, could easily access the tempting array of drinks.
blanca, meeting erin's gaze with unwavering determination, calmly downed the shot without even a flinch. "i'll take another, please," blanca requested, her steady demeanor revealing little about the impact of the previous shot. olivia, handed her another fireball shot with a knowing glance between the three.
cole watched the interactions unfold from his chair, positioned a couple of feet away. his gaze was intent, focusing on erin and blanca, and he adjusted himself on his chair as he observed the dynamics between them. as blanca grabbed ahold of another shot, he couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in the atmosphere. with a quiet intensity, he saw blanca raise her glass to erin, before drowning another shot like it was water.
erin was about to say something when dylan dropped his beer can on the floor. "all right, who wants to go skinny-dipping with me?" he declared, starting to remove his clothes, beginning with his jacket.
"dylan, it's like, 40 degrees, man." danny tried to protest.
dylan simply shrugged. "just means i need someone to come in with me," he said, casually glancing at blanca, who hadn't noticed his gaze. however, cole did. cocking his head to the side, a muscle in his jaw twitched as he stared down his friend.
as danny mumbled about hypothermia, the anticipation in the air grew. ruby, undeterred, swiftly took the initiative, "i'm down if you go first," she declared, her words carrying a playful challenge. with deft fingers, she began undoing the knots on her tiny blue cover-up.
"perfect," dylan declared as he casually threw his hoodie on the floor, revealing a bighorn jersey with the number 19 on it. the lakeside crowd turned their heads to cole, who took in the jersey and scoffed in response.
"hey, man, it's not the NFL. you know, we don't retire numbers, and since i took over-"
"it's fine," cole interrupted, gently moving erin off his lap, he created a subtle yet firm distance.
"It's not like i'm on the team anymore, right?" he added, as he walked up to dylan who simply nodded, "exactly."
"danny's right. we're gonna need a fire sooner or later," cole stated as he walked away, his departure leaving a subtle ripple in the atmosphere.
blanca, unfazed, simply shrugged, the gesture conveying a detached ease as she took a sip from her shot of don julio as the rest resumed their side conversations.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
athena's interlude 🎀🫧 the marvel cinematic universe ended when tony stark died. change my mind mind.
