Page 5 of Rival Summer

Seriously?! Ugh need ur help!

Me

With what?

I'm going to my parents. Helping my mom tackle some projects around the house.

Willow

Dad is making me work my way up on the coaching ladder. He says I need to be on the Blue Devils committee this year. Was hoping you'd be my saving grace and join with me.

You could even stay with me for the summer…

Doesn't pay a ton, but has some nice perks.

Me

Sounds exciting. Wish I could help!

Willow

I get it

Offer stands if you change your mind! love u.

A sigh escaped me. The offer was tempting. It would be a summer with Willow, uncontrollable laughter, and memories I’d probably never forget. But I couldn’t be around Boston or Reese—not just in their presence, but pulled into the same orbit as Reese, who’d ended things with me last summer. The thought of facing him again twisted my insides into knots. And there was Boston, who I didn’t recognize at the moment. I quickly typed another response before putting my phone back down on the couch beside me.

Me

love u too!

How could I step foot in Bayside, knowing the chaos it would create? Attending some of Parker's games and hiding in the shadows was one thing. Actively participating in the committee and being forced to hang around both of them was an entirely different situation.

"Chandler!" Kristina's voice pulled me back. She was peering at me now, her earlier rant forgotten, replaced by a look of concern.

"Foot guy still bothering you?" I asked Kristina, redirecting the conversation back to her and away from my own internal conflict.

"Ugh, his username should really be Papi Likes Feet," she groaned, but the sparkle in her eyes told me she'd already moved on. I couldn't help but smile at her playful teasing, a signature of her charm.

But Kristina caught the flicker of my fading amusement. "Hey," she said, her tone softening with concern. "How haveyou been doing since your birthday?" Her eyes searched mine, seeking the truth.

"I've been fine," I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. Being around Boston stirred up more emotions than I’d expected. "It just… brought back memories, you know?"

"Memories," Kristina echoed, her voice laced with understanding. She knew the depth of it all without another word.

"Yeah," I sighed. "I didn't expect Boston to show." I honestly wasn’t sure why he came. After spending the entire year hidden away, why had he chosen my birthday to finally make an appearance?

Kristina's expression warmed, her confidence unwavering. "I knew he'd show," she said, her belief in him—and perhaps in us—was clear. "You're the Topanga to his Cory, Chandler. If you said jump, he'd dive off a mountain without a thought."

"I’m the what?" I asked.

"Seriously? You've never heard of Cory and Topanga?"

I shrugged. "No, who are they?"

"They're like..." she paused, searching for the words. "The epitome of childhood sweethearts. My mom made me watch this show... Basically two people just destined to be together."

A tiny laugh escaped me, despite the turmoil inside. Boston was the king of mixed signals, the type of person to confess his feelings at the most inconvenient moment, or disappear for months then suddenly appear on your birthday. Case in point.

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