Author's POV
Evie sat at the edge of the pool, her legs swaying gently in the water. The sunlight poured through the glass ceiling, sparkling off the surface like scattered diamonds. The pool area was quiet, save for the gentle slosh of water and the far-off chirping of birds just beyond the garden wall.
From beneath the clear blue water, a head emerged—dripping and breathless. Ender Zerothie. His wet brown hair clung to his forehead, glinting gold under the sunlight, and his hazel-green eyes locked onto Evie with a look of soft concern. His strong jawline was sharper with the water dripping down it, his lips parted slightly as he caught his breath.
He swam over with a few effortless strokes, then pushed himself up, placing both hands on either side of her, caging her in gently. His face was so close now, she could feel the chill of water off his skin.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" he asked, voice crisp and smooth. "You've been somewhere else all day."
Evie blinked, her trance broken. A small, sheepish smile tugged at her lips. "Is it that obvious?"
"Painfully," Ender replied without missing a beat. He leaned in and kissed her—soft, sudden.
Evie froze for a second, caught off guard, then melted into it. Her hand brushed his cheek before she pulled back with a faint laugh.
"Do you feel better now?" he asked, smiling at her, his dimples peeking out.
Evie squinted playfully. "A little bit."
She slid her legs out of the pool, stood up—then yelped as her wet feet betrayed her. She slipped forward, her body tilting toward the pool in a sudden blur of movement.
"Evie!" Ender lunged, catching her mid-fall just before she went fully under. His arms wrapped around her waist as she splashed halfway in. He pulled her up against his chest, her body soaked and gasping.
Evie clung to him, coughing as water dripped from her chin. Her chest heaved too quickly, her breath caught in her throat.
"I got you," Ender whispered, setting her gently back on the edge of the pool. He crouched beside her, his palm pressing softly to her cheek. "Breathe slow, okay? Deep in, deep out."
Evie did as he said, focusing on his voice, his touch, the way his presence calmed her like no one else could. Her rapid breathing slowed. He kissed her forehead, lips warm against her damp skin.
Just then, the door flew open with a sharp creak.
"There you are!" a loud, slightly out-of-breath voice called out.
Evie turned quickly.
A girl with orange-brown hair tied up in a high ponytail, green eyes behind large round glasses, and a spray of freckles across her cheeks stood in the doorway. Charlotte Doin.
She marched into the room, holding two cones of ice cream—one melting faster than the other.
"I've been looking all over for you two lovebirds," she said, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Evie brightened. "Charlotte!" she beamed, scooting aside as her best friend came over.
Charlotte sat cross-legged beside her, not even glancing at the water. Pools weren't her thing. "Here's your ice cream. Bubblegum flavor, just how you like it."
"Thank you," Evie said, her voice still breathy as she took the cone gratefully.
Ender tilted his head, feigning betrayal. "Wait, where's mine? I asked for one too."
Charlotte looked at him flatly. "And I thought you had legs."
Evie snorted.
Charlotte and Ender might've been friends by technicality, but they were oil and vinegar most days. Charlotte didn't tolerate bossiness—Ender, unfortunately, had a natural talent for it. She only ever took orders from Evie. Period.
Then Charlotte's gaze narrowed as she took in Evie's soaked clothes. "Why are you wet?" she asked suspiciously. "You don't swim."
Evie sighed. "I slipped and fell in."
Charlotte's eyes grew huge behind her glasses. "You what?! Are you okay? You could've hit your head! Or—oh my god, should we go to the hospital?"
Evie waved her off, still licking her ice cream like it was no big deal. "I'm fine. If something was broken, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I'd be unconscious. Or, you know, dead."
"Not funny," Charlotte muttered, though the corners of her lips twitched.
"Okay, okay," Evie said, laughing. "New topic. College entrance exams are two weeks away. Where are you guys applying?"
Charlotte leaned back, letting out a sigh. "I'm going back home for college. My parents insist it's the best choice for me."
Evie nodded slowly. She realized—again—that after all these years, she still hadn't met Charlotte's parents. Never even been to her house. But Charlotte had been to hers more times than she could count, had met her mom, had sat on her broken couch, eaten instant noodles with her on rainy days.
"I'm going to the family legacy school," Ender added. "Same one my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, blah blah blah all went to."
They both looked at Evie now.
She paused, licking a melting streak from the side of her cone. Then she took a breath. "Phoenix University," she said, chin high, voice steady.
The silence that followed was loud.
"Wait, what?" Charlotte blinked, as if she misheard. "Phoenix University? As in the Phoenix University? In Selvion? Top school in the world? That Phoenix?"
Evie nodded once. Confident. Clear.
Charlotte's hands flew to her head. "Evie. Darling. Light of my life. I say this with nothing but love… you're insane. Even with perfect grades and a gold-plated résumé, you're not getting in. That school doesn't care about your brain. They care about your last name and how many millions your family donated to their fountain."
"I know," Evie said softly, her tone suddenly distant. "But I've made up my mind. No matter what method I have to use... I'm going."
There was a flicker in her eyes—something raw and hungry. Desperation curled beneath her words like smoke.
Ender frowned, sensing it. "If that's what you want more than anything... then I'll support you. I believe in you."
Charlotte sighed, leaning forward, her expression finally softening. "Then so will I. But I hope someday you tell me why it has to be Phoenix."
Evie nodded. A smile broke through the quiet. "I love you guys," she whispered.
Then she glanced at her watch—and nearly jumped.
"Shoot! I have to go!"
"What?" Charlotte blinked.
"I need to get home!" Evie shouted, already scrambling to her feet, ice cream forgotten. "The lottery numbers are about to be announced!"
She bolted barefoot through the door, hair dripping, heart pounding—not from the pool, not from the slip, not even from the kiss—
But because the numbers might be the beginning of everything.
[Authors Note:Should I continue doing the visual understanding, or it's disturbing]