Strangers again

Pool scene

Rosa lay stretched out on one of the pool chairs, her back warmed by the sun and her eyes fixed lazily on the wide blue sky above. A few clouds drifted slowly, barely moving, like they had nowhere important to be. The air smelled faintly of chlorine and sunscreen, and the quiet hum of summer surrounded her. From the pool, she could hear the steady rhythm of water moving as Emily swam back and forth, completely in her own world.

They were at Rosa’s house, a place that always felt too big when she was alone but just right when someone else was there. Since it was summer, her parents had gone out of town again, trusting her enough to leave her with the entire place to herself. Rosa didn’t mind—it had become a routine at this point. Instead of feeling lonely, she had invited Emily over, knowing her friend needed a distraction.

Emily finally slowed down, pushing herself toward the edge of the pool. She rested her arms on the tiles for a moment, catching her breath before pulling herself out. Water dripped from her hair and shoulders as she stepped onto the warm concrete. She let out a satisfied sigh, grabbing a towel and wrapping it loosely around herself.

Emily: your house really is the spot.

Rosa lowered her gaze from the sky and looked over at her, a small smile forming.

Rosa: your house is like a palace too, I don’t know why I’m here.

She said it lightly, clearly joking, and Emily let out a short laugh as she reached for the glass sitting on the side table. She took a sip of tequila like it was nothing, then picked up her cigarette and lit it, inhaling deeply.

Emily: yeah, but my parents don’t go for vacations every summer and leave me the house. And if they do, a damn nanny has to be there, watching every move like I’m still ten.

She exhaled smoke slowly, staring off into the distance. Rosa watched her for a second, then shook her head, sitting up slightly.

Rosa: you should really get over that damn a**, you can’t keep drinking to forget about him.

Emily ran a hand through her damp hair, clearly annoyed at the mention of him.

Emily: it’s not that simple, Rosa. We’re opening campus soon, and I’ll have to see his face every single day.

Her tone had changed—less relaxed, more tense. Rosa stood up, stretching her arms above her head before walking closer to the table.

Rosa: there’s always a way to ignore his a**, you know that. And you know how the basketballers are. Half of them are too busy showing off to even notice anything else.

Emily scoffed, shaking her head.

Emily: but Jake isn’t like that.

Rosa raised an eyebrow slightly.

Rosa: well, he’s our friend, obviously.And at least it wasn’t Lucas you dated. That would’ve been a complete disaster.

Emily let out a humorless laugh, taking another sip of tequila.

She flicked ash from her cigarette, her jaw tightening.

Emily: you know what he told me? That he “needed space.” Space for what? To go around flirting with every girl on campus? To act like I didn’t exist the second things got a little serious?

Rosa leaned against the table, listening quietly.

Emily: I swear, I don’t even recognize him anymore. Or maybe I just never really knew him. And the worst part is, I actually believed him when he said he was different.

She shook her head, clearly frustrated with herself.

Emily: I feel stupid, honestly. Like I should’ve seen it coming. Everyone always says guys like him don’t change, and I still went ahead thinking, “oh no, Drew’s not like that.” Turns out he’s exactly like that. Maybe worse.

Rosa crossed her arms, her expression softening a bit.

Rosa: you’re not stupid. You just trusted him.

Emily: yeah, well, look where that got me.

She took another drink, longer this time.

Emily: and now I have to go back to campus and see him acting all normal, like nothing happened. Like he didn’t completely mess things up.She let out a sharp breath.

Emily: I don’t even want to go back, Rosa. I was actually excited for this semester before all this happened. Now? I just feel… drained thinking about it. Every hallway, every class… there’s a chance I’ll run into him.

Rosa stepped closer, her tone more serious now.

Rosa: you can’t let him ruin that for you. Campus isn’t just his—it’s yours too.

Emily looked at her, eyes narrowing slightly.

Emily: easy for you to say. You’re not the one who has to sit there pretending you’re fine while he’s probably out there not caring at all.

Rosa sighed.

Rosa: you don’t have to pretend anything. Ignore him, avoid him if you can. And if you can’t… then just don’t give him the reaction he expects.

Emily let out a small, bitter laugh.

Emily: oh, I’m definitely not giving him anything. If anything, I’ll act like he doesn’t even exist. Like he’s just another random guy on campus.

She paused, then added more quietly:

Emily Start from where have started here:

Emily sigh looking up the sky: it hurts more I let him have my f*****g p*ssy every f*****g night after school and sent him nudes it hurts Rosa

*Rosa's eyes widen with shock before narrowing in anger, her hands clenching into fists at her sides*

"That absolute f*****g asshole!" she snaps, voice trembling with rage. "If he's still keeping those nudes after everything, I swear to god I'll—" *She cuts herself off, pulling Emily into a tight hug* "You deserve so much better than some dickhead who doesn't respect you."

*Emily wipes her tears with a shaky laugh, voice bitter* "I let that bastard use me whenever he wanted—lunch breaks, after class, even skipped practice just to spread my legs for him." *She kicks a pebble hard* "Half the girls in school have their nudes in his damn phone... but it still f*****g stings like hell."