The Heat of the Pool

Elodie's POV

I sit on the cold bathroom floor for what feels like hours. My legs go numb against the hard tiles. My eyes are swollen and raw from the endless tears, and a deep, agonizing ache radiates through my fragile chest. The orange pill bottle on the counter mocks me, a bitter reminder of the burden I carry.

"Dad..." I whisper into the empty space. My voice cracks, barely audible over the loud ringing in my ears. "Why did you leave me? I don't know what to do anymore."

I desperately wish he could just appear right here in this bathroom. I need him to wrap his strong arms around me and tell me everything is going to be alright. I need him to tell me I am not just a curse holding my mother back. But there is only silence.

Just then, a sharp buzz breaks the quiet. My phone lights up on the floor beside my knee. I drag my heavy hands over my face, wiping away the fresh tears, and grab the device. I expect a message from Maisie and Jovie begging for photos of Kiernan's house, but a different name flashes on the bright screen.

*Nyara: Hey babe! Want to hang out tonight? A garden party!*

I stare at the glowing text. I bite my lower lip, tasting the faint metallic tang of blood. Part of me wants to type out a quick excuse and stay locked in this sterile bathroom. The thought of facing anyone after the nightmare of today makes my stomach turn. But another part of me is desperate to escape. Sitting in this massive house, knowing Kiernan is somewhere under the same roof, feels like a tightening noose around my neck. I am suffocating in his presence.

Nyara has been the only person to show me an ounce of genuine kindness since I stepped foot in this new school. Going out might be exactly what I need to clear my head and breathe for a minute.

I quickly text Maisie and Jovie back, telling them I am going out with a friend and will chat later. Then, I open Nyara's chat.

*Me: Sure! Send me the address!*

Her reply comes instantly, packed with a dozen excited emojis and a location pin. The second I see the address, I open my ride-sharing app and book a car.

I strip off my clothes and step into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the sticky layer of sweat and anxiety coating my skin. Ten minutes later, I stand in front of the mirror. I pull on a pair of comfortable fitted jeans and a loose, flowy top. I make sure to avoid anything tight that would press against my chest. I have to be careful with my heart. A sudden spike in my pulse could trigger a fainting spell, and I cannot risk collapsing in front of a bunch of strangers tonight.

I grab my small bag and quietly slip out of my room. I tread softly down the hallway, hoping to slip out unnoticed. But my heart sinks the moment I step out into the sprawling backyard to reach the side gate.

Kiernan.

He is in the middle of the massive, glowing pool. Three other guys are in the water with him, splashing and laughing loud enough to echo across the dark estate. Nyara mentioned his friends earlier today. Aris, Klay, and Nolan.

I duck my head, keeping my eyes glued to the expensive paving stones. I just need to walk past them without saying a word. But luck never seems to favor me.

Klay spots my moving figure in the shadows. He stops laughing and stares. A second later, his loud voice cuts through the warm evening air.

"Kiernan? Isn't that the new girl from school?" Klay calls out. He whistles, a sharp, grating sound. "Wait... don't tell me... woah! You've fucked her already? How is she in bed? Mind passing her over?"

My feet freeze on the pavement. A cold shiver of disgust crawls over my skin. The casual, derogatory way he talks about me like a piece of meat makes my stomach churn.

Aris frowns and shifts in the water near him. "That's a stupid thing to say about someone you just met," he snaps sharply.

Klay just smirks, unbothered. "Come on... relax! I'm just joking!"

I glance toward the center of the pool. Kiernan is not laughing. His jaw is clenched tight. He grabs the edge of the pool and rises slowly from the water.

Despite his sheer cruelty, my breath catches in my throat. I find myself staring, unable to look away. Water slides down his broad, sculpted chest, tracing the sharp lines of his muscles and dipping into the deep V of his abs. Dark wet hair clings to his forehead, and heavy drops slide down the thick column of his neck.

My gaze travels lower before I can stop myself. A strange, unwanted heat blooms in the pit of my stomach and rushes between my legs. He is wearing low-riding swim trunks, and the wet fabric clings tightly to his groin, outlining the heavy shape of his cock.

My cheeks burn red-hot. I tear my eyes away, staring hard at the grass. What the hell is wrong with me? I have never looked at a guy like this before. He treats me like garbage, yet my body reacts to him with a flushed, heavy warmth.

"Come on man... I have taste," Kiernan says flatly. A maid scurries out from the patio and hands him a thick white towel. He wraps it low around his waist and turns his piercing gaze on me. His eyes drip with pure disgust. "I can't stoop so low to be with someone like this, have you seen her face? She'd definitely give me nightmares."

Each word hits me like a physical blow.

"She's just the leech my father adopted," Kiernan continues, stepping closer to the pool's edge to look down on me. "Well... my father got married to her mother... you know how poor people can be... they are all gold diggers. They just want to bleed my father dry because he is an Alpha."

I bite the inside of my cheek hard. The copper taste of blood coats my tongue. I fight the hot tears burning the backs of my eyes.

Nolan, who had been quiet the entire time, offers him a sympathetic look. "That's cold bro... your dad knows how much you love your mom, and he brought someone else to replace her already? I'm sorry, man."

Kiernan's lips twist into a cruel, dark smile. "Don't worry... they won't be here long. I'll chase them out and prove to my father that they are nothing but useless parasites!"

Loud laughter erupts from the other boys. Klay makes another vulgar comment about what he would do to teach me a lesson. Aris looks uncomfortable but keeps his mouth shut.

I refuse to give Kiernan the satisfaction of watching me break down and cry. I force my legs to move, quickening my pace until I am practically running past the pool and out the heavy iron front gates. Their cruel laughter echoes behind me, chasing me down the long driveway.

My ride is already waiting by the curb. I yank the door open, dive into the backseat, and slam it shut. I press my hot forehead against the cool glass of the window.

The moment the car pulls away, the tears finally spill over. I sob into my hands, the sound muffled by the hum of the engine. He humiliated me in front of his friends. He reduced me to nothing but a gold-digging parasite. But the worst part? The part that makes me hate myself right now? I cannot stop remembering how incredibly handsome he looked climbing out of that glowing pool.

Thirty-five minutes later, the driver pulls up to the address Nyara sent. I take a deep, shaky breath and quickly wipe my wet cheeks with the back of my hand. I refuse to let Nyara see me crying.

I step out of the car and into the warm night air. The place is buzzing with loud music and chatter. It is a massive outdoor garden event. Glowing string lights hang from the thick branches of the trees, illuminating long tables set up with food, red cups, and drinks.

I swallow hard, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans. Anxiety gnaws at my chest. The last time I attended a party with Maisie and Jovie, I got too caught up in the excitement. I danced too much, pushed my fragile body too far, fainted on the dance floor, and woke up in a sterile hospital bed.

Mom made me promise never to attend parties again. I promised I would be careful. But standing here, listening to the thumping bass and the carefree laughter of teenagers, I just want to feel normal tonight. After all, she is out going on a date too.

I pull out my phone and text Nyara that I have arrived.

Seconds later, a familiar voice squeals my name. Nyara bursts from the dense crowd near the entrance, a wide grin plastered across her face.

"Babes! You made it!" She throws her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly.

I blink, stepping back to take her in. My eyes widen in surprise. Nyara looks absolutely stunning. She is wearing a tight, short denim skirt that shows off her long legs, paired with a tiny white crop top. Her face is flawlessly contoured with beautiful makeup, and her lips are painted a glossy pink.

I glance down at my simple loose top and basic jeans. Suddenly, I feel incredibly plain and out of place.

"Nyara... I feel so underdressed," I say, crossing my arms over my chest. "Why are you so dressed up for a garden party?"

She laughs, a bright, bubbly sound, and flips her perfectly styled hair over her shoulder. "Are you really asking me that? Come on, Elodie. Everyone knows I only go all out when my crush is going to be at an event."

I freeze. The blood runs ice-cold in my veins. My heart does a terrifying, erratic flutter against my ribs.

"Wait... what?" I ask, my voice trembling.

Nyara grabs both of my hands, her eyes sparkling with uncontainable excitement. "Yes, Elodie! Kiernan's coming! This is my chance! Maybe tonight, he'll finally notice me!"