Shadows By The Poolside

The Distance Between Us

The morning of the inter-school creative competition arrived with an energy that buzzed through the halls like electricity. Arielle felt it from the moment she stepped into campus—the nervous butterflies, the excitement, the pressure. She clutched her presentation folder against her chest, her heart pounding with every footstep as she headed toward the auditorium where the contestants were gathering.

It was supposed to be a big day. Maxwell had promised her he’d be there. Noah and Bryson too. But after everything that had been happening lately, especially with Maxwell constantly glued to Lia’s side, a tiny part of her couldn’t shake the fear that he might forget.

Still… she held on to hope.

Noah found her backstage first, offering a reassuring grin as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’re ready,” he said softly.

Arielle exhaled. “I hope so.”

“Hey,” he nudged her lightly, “I said you’re ready. So you’re ready.”

She laughed under her breath, the tension in her chest easing just a bit.

Bryson arrived moments later, hands shoved in his pockets, eyes a little tired but warm. Even though they’d only recently reconciled after their argument, he still showed up—his presence loud without him saying anything yet.

“Look at you,” he said with a smirk. “About to go win something again.”

Arielle rolled her eyes. “Please, don’t jinx it.”

He chuckled and leaned his shoulder against the wall. “I’m proud of you though.”

She blinked, taken aback, and Noah snorted. “Now that’s a miracle,” he whispered loudly enough for Bryson to elbow him.

But Arielle smiled.

The auditorium soon filled with students, teachers, and a panel of judges. The hall hummed with chatter, cheers, claps, and shifting seats. When Arielle’s name was announced, she took a deep breath and walked onto the stage with as much confidence as she could muster.

Then she saw them—Noah and Bryson, right in the second row, cheering like she was already the winner.

But Maxwell’s seat… empty.

Her chest tightened, but she forced a smile and began her presentation.

Her voice steadied as she spoke, grew stronger as she continued. She presented her story with passion, confidence, and heart. When she finished, the hall erupted in applause. Her eyes went first to the two boys who were already on their feet, clapping, smiling, cheering.

She bowed lightly, but her heart felt heavier instead of lighter.

When the results were announced—her name called as the winner—the entire hall cheered. Noah whistled, Bryson punched the air, and Arielle’s classmates crowded around her with congratulations.

But Maxwell never walked through that door.

After the rush of photos, interviews, and certificate handovers, she found Bryson and Noah waiting for her by the entrance.

“You killed it,” Bryson said, pulling her into a brief hug that surprised her.

“You really did,” Noah added proudly.

Arielle smiled, but her gaze drifted again around the auditorium entrance. Searching. Hoping.

Seeing her, Noah spoke softly, “He probably got busy… or maybe he didn’t know when it was starting.”

Bryson shook his head. “He knew. I told him. He promised he’d come.”

That stung. Deeply.

Her smile faltered.

After school, Noah and Bryson began packing up. Bryson had basketball practice and for once, he actually asked Noah to come along.

Arielle blinked. Bryson never asked for favors like that.

“Noah, go with him,” she said gently. “I’ll be fine on my own.”

“You sure?” Noah asked.

She nodded. “Yeah. He hardly asks for help. Go.”

They left, and the moment she turned toward her locker, she heard voices from the hallway—two girls talking with excitement.

“Did you hear? Lia almost failed her lab test today.”

“Yeah! But Maxwell helped her. Like… literally saved her grade.”

“Those two are always together lately.”

Arielle froze. Her stomach tightened painfully.

So that’s where he was.

Her hands trembled as she packed her books. She headed out of the building quickly, swallowing the ache clawing at her chest.

Not even halfway down the stairs, she heard footsteps and her name being shouted.

“Arielle! Arielle, wait!”

She knew that voice. She didn’t turn.

Maxwell caught up to her, slightly out of breath. “Why are you rushing? I was looking for you everywhere!”

She didn’t look at him.

“How did the competition go?” he asked, the guilt already in his voice. “I’m- I’m sorry, I got stuck helping—”

“Lia,” she said sharply.

Maxwell froze.

Arielle finally faced him. Her eyes glistened—not with tears but with hurt. “You’re always helping Lia. Always with Lia. You even missed the competition.”

Maxwell swallowed hard. “Arielle, I—”

“It’s fine,” she cut in, though her voice cracked slightly. “Go back to her.”

She turned to leave, but then paused, facing him again.

“Bryson has a competition coming up,” she said quietly. “He’s practicing hard. He asked Noah to help him… because you’re too busy these days to even have time for any of us.”

The words hit him like stones.

Then she walked away.

Maxwell stood frozen for a second, then sprinted toward the basketball court. But by the time he got there, practice was over and Bryson was grabbing his backpack.

“Bryson—wait.”

Bryson didn’t. He walked past him, jaw clenched.

“I’m sorry,” Maxwell said. “I know today was important to Arielle. I should’ve been there. I—”

“You weren’t,” Bryson said without turning. His voice low, disappointed. “You’ve been neglecting us, Max. All of us.”

Then he left.

Noah remained behind. Maxwell ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.

“They’re really mad at me, aren’t they?” he said quietly.

“They’ll be fine,” Noah replied. “But you need to apologize. Especially to Arielle. She really wanted you there.”

Maxwell nodded slowly, regret written all over him.

The next day was Saturday, and Bryson’s mom invited all of them for lunch. The atmosphere was tense—uncomfortably quiet. Even Bryson wasn’t making jokes. Arielle barely spoke. And Maxwell could feel their silence like a weight pressing on his chest.

Finally, after they’d all finished eating, Maxwell stood.

“I’m sorry,” he said, looking at both of them. “I messed up. I… I wasn’t paying attention to you guys. I didn’t realize how far away I’d gotten. I’ll do better. I’m sorry, Arielle. And Bryson. Truly.”

Bryson sighed and nodded reluctantly.

Arielle looked up, expression softening just a little. “Just… don’t disappear on us again.”

A small smile tugged at Maxwell’s lips. “Never.”

And though things weren’t suddenly perfect, the tension eased. Laughter eventually found its way back into the room, slowly but surely.

But the cracks had already begun to form.

Cracks that would only grow.

Cracks that none of them yet realized would one day shatter everything.