Page 34 of Rival Summer

The engine hummed softly as we cruised down the main street of Bayside, but inside my mind was adrift. I couldn't shake off thoughts of Chandler. I knew her favorite view would be the lake. She always had to see it as soon as she got to Bayside, and then again before she left.

"Stop right here!" Caroline's voice pulled me back to the present, and I hit the brakes, in the middle of a busy street.

"Here?" I asked, looking through the windshield at the row of storefronts. "Your favorite view is this street downtown?"

She snickered. "No. Get out of the car, silly."

Stepping onto the sidewalk, I followed her finger as she pointed with enthusiasm to a massive painting across a brick wall. It was a vividly-colored mural, the word Bayside in large letters in the middle.

"Look at this," she said. "This painting has everything from Bayside in it. There's the baseball field, there's the lake..." her voice trailed off as she gestured toward the familiar landmarks depicted on the mural.

"Even Mrs. Patsy’s pet pig," I chimed in, laughing as I spotted the little guy peeking through some bushes. The whole town, captured in swirls of paint—it was unexpectedly really cool.

"Exactly!" Caroline beamed, pleased with my reaction.

I took the piece of paper, scribbling down her name with the words, “going to run the world someday” on the paper. I could see her not just being the president of the Blue Devils’ committee, I could easily see her bossing around the staff in the White House. Holding it up, I snapped a photo with the mural in the background.

"Okay, on three we'll send our photos in the chat together," she said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Ready? One, two..." she counted as we sent in our photos.

We pressed send simultaneously, and within seconds, our phones buzzed with incoming notifications from the group chat. I couldn't help but let out a laugh as I scrolled through the string of photos and notes on them.

Reese's photo for Chandler was of course a picture of the lake.

Chandler gets overly excited about seeing heart-shaped rocks - Reese

I smiled. I could picture her, eyes lighting up as she found one that made her squeal.

Chandler sent a snapshot of the same part of the lake, taken from Reese's boat. The sight turned my stomach.

Reese has an annual Disney membership… for himself - Chandler

Willow is feisty but sleeps with a nightlight - Parker

Parker is kinda cute but cries at Christmas movies - Willow

The thread continued with hilarious facts. Bailey had apparently hooked up with two roommates, who were both on the cheerleading squad.

And then I saw it—the note Caroline wrote about me. I blinked at my phone screen, unable to speak for a second.

Boston is great with his tongue - Caroline

I turned to face Caroline, seething with anger. "Why the fuck would you write that?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice level.

She laughed as if it was no big deal. "It was supposed to be funny, Boston," she said, her tone dismissive, as though my irritation was nothing but an overreaction.

"Really, Caroline?" I clenched my jaw.

"Come on, lighten up," she said, still smiling, still not getting it. "This day is just about having fun."

But it wasn't funny—not to me. Messages from the group chat started rolling in as I glanced back at my phone.

Crew

BOSTON, MY BOY!!!!

Parker

Show off. I got cries at Christmas movies. Who the fuck doesn’t cry at Christmas movies?

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