Saturday – 9:17 PM
Location: Outdoor Hot Springs (Private Time Slots)
"You sure we have this whole side to ourselves?" I asked, stepping into the wooden enclosure behind the inn.
Tyler flashed a grin. "Reserved by our queen of chaos—Sofia. I think she bribed the desk guy with imported sweets."
"Should I be worried?"
He shrugged. "Depends on what happens when the girls sneak over."
"…What?"
"Nothing," he said, and sprinted off.
Of course.
I stepped inside the changing area, wrapped a towel around my waist, and eased into the water.
Steam curled up around my face, soft and sweet-smelling from the cedar walls. The night sky shimmered through the trees overhead, stars winking like they were watching.
Then I heard the door slide open.
And my brain stopped functioning.
Sofia – Unapologetic and Unfiltered
She entered like a scene from a dream.
Hair up. Skin glowing from bath oil. Wrapped in nothing but a loosely tied yukata that barely held on.
"Oops," she said, stepping barefoot into the steamy air. "Wrong side."
I blinked. "This is the boys'—"
"And yet, here I am," she said, smile smug, eyes already scanning me like I was dessert.
"I can go—"
"Nope," she said, slipping the yukata from one shoulder. "Too late. I'm already foggy."
She dipped a toe into the spring. Then another. Then—
Sank down right beside me.
Skin brushed skin. Water rippled dangerously.
My brain said run.
My body said stay right there.
"Jay," she said softly. "You really don't get it, do you?"
"…Get what?"
Her fingers trailed across the water to mine.
"I want you to want me."
"I—I'm not—"
"You are. Just scared of choosing."
Her hand found my thigh under the water. Not bold. Not pushing. Just… there.
I couldn't breathe.
Not because I didn't want it.
But because I did.
And she knew it.
"You won't forget this," she whispered, leaning in, lips almost brushing my neck. "Even if you don't pick me."
SLAM. The side door flew open.
"BRO."
Tyler.
"Get out!" Sofia shouted, sinking lower into the water.
"You forgot your phone!"
"I will throw a sandal at your face!"
I was already halfway out of the spring.
Tyler stared. "Did I just walk in on—"
"OUT!"
I grabbed my towel and retreated with whatever dignity I had left.
Later – Back at the Inn, My Room
I sat in the dark.
Dripping.
Still half-dizzy.
The steam hadn't left my skin.
Neither had Sofia's touch.
Or her words.
And I couldn't stop thinking about what she'd said.
"I want you to want me."
I'd thought I was in control of this.
That I was just floating through something fun.
But this?
This was fire.
And I didn't know how much longer I could keep walking through it without burning.
Meanwhile – Girls' Room
Sofia re-entered like nothing happened.
Emma raised an eyebrow.
Amaya looked up from her book.
Luna: "You're flushed."
Sofia: "Steam."
Emma: "Where were you?"
Sofia paused.
Then smirked. "Letting Jay make a mistake he's gonna remember forever."
Amaya's hand tightened around the edge of her futon.
She didn't say anything.
But her eyes—quiet, trembling, fierce—watched Sofia like a storm just waiting for its moment.