The driver dropped us off at the meet-up spot a random open area near the river. just outside town. It looked like the kind of place you'd either have a wholesome picnic or get kidnapped in a horror movie.
So... love that for us.
The rest of the group was already there, standing around three cars like they were about to shoot a music video.
First, there was Lina.
A literal model - Black, confident, with long curly hair cascading down her back like a shampoo commercial, and that effortless hourglass figure the rest of us were still praying for.
She wore a flowy dress that somehow looked casual but screamed, "I don't try. I slay naturally."
Then there was him.
The mysterious guy of the group.
Always in black - black hoodie, black jeans, black cap pulled down low like he was in witness protection.
I didn't even know his real name for the first three hangouts. We just called him "Shadow."
He didn't talk much. Just... stared. But not in a creepy way. More like he was silently judging the entire world and foundit mostly disappointing.
I couldn't decide if he was suspicious... or just secretly really hot.
Next to him was my best friend, Elena.
Loud, fat, funny, and 200% the moment.
She had bouncy curls tied in two little puffballs and wore this bright yellow hoodie that had "CHUBBY AND CHILLIN written across the front.
She didn't care what anyone thought. And that made her kind of iconic.
"Oh my god," she gasped dramatically the second she saw us. "You two look like you got hit by a tornado of bad decisions."
"We woke up to a picnic invite." I shot back.
"And I woke up flawless. Not my fault you live in a cyclone," she winked, flipping her curls.
I laughed, but my eyes flicked back toward Shadow.
He was looking at me.
Not smiling. Not frowning. Just... looking.
And something in my stomach did this weird little flip.
Just when I thought our chaotic crew was finally complete, I heard the sound of another car pulling up.
The kind of car you hear before you see smooth, expensive, and possibly driven by a man who wears designer cologne.
I turned my head.
And there he was.
Six feet of unexpected drama.
A white guy. California-tan, with jet-black hair, perfectly messed up like it was styled by the wind and not three different hair products.
He stepped out of the car like he was about to walk into a fashion shoot muscles, sharp jawline, sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms that looked sculpted by actual angels.
I blinked.
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
What the hell just walked into my life?
Girl, close your mouth before a fly moves in." Elena stage-whispered from beside me.
"I-I wasn't staring." I said, not even convincing myself.
"You were drooling. I saw it. He's gonna need a lifeguard if you stare any harder."
I elbowed her, cheeks on fire. "Shut up."
She smirked, nudging me. "So who's it gonna be? Shadow Boy or California Dreamboat?"
"Neither." I hissed. "We're here for a picnic. Not a season of The Bachelorette.
"Mmm," she hummed. "Keep lying to yourself, Suzie