Mia's smirk deepened, a mischievous glint lighting her eyes as she exchanged a knowing look with Fiona. "Of course, you're not," Mia teased. "You're way too busy being tedious."
Lexi's eyes snapped to Mia, her glare sharp enough to cut glass. "Mia," she warned, her voice dropping dangerously low, "don't call me tedious again, or you'll regret it."
But Mia only grinned wider, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Tedious," she repeated under her breath, her tone playful yet deliberate.
Lexi stopped in her tracks, her entire body stiffening. Slowly, she turned to face Mia, who stood with her arms folded, her expression daring. Fiona let out a soft, resigned sigh, already sensing where this was headed. She had seen their sparring matches before, but the stakes always seemed higher when water was involved.
"Mia," Lexi growled, her tone sharp, "I'm warning you."
Mia took a bold step forward, meeting Lexi's intensity head-on. "Oh, what's next? A creepy vampire act?" she quipped, her smirk turning wicked. "Or are you too tedious to even try?"
That did it. Lexi's restraint snapped like a thread pulled too tight. With a swift, unthinking motion, she shoved Mia toward the edge of the pool. Fiona gasped, rushing forward just as Mia lost her balance. But Mia, ever quick on her feet or in this case, her reflexes grabbed Lexi's arm as she fell.
"You're coming with me!" Mia shouted, her voice ringing with laughter as she yanked Lexi down with her.
"No Mia, wait!" Lexi shrieked, her protest cut short as they both tumbled into the water with an enormous splash that echoed across the pool area.
Fiona reached the pool's edge, her heart raced. "Girls!" she called out, scanning the water with wide eyes, her posture tense.
Fiona let out a long-suffering sigh, though the faintest smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Honestly, you two," she said, her tone caught somewhere between exasperation and fondness. "If you've ruined your swimsuits, don't expect me to sympathize."
Beneath the water, Lexi and Mia's gazes locked. Their expressions danced between defiance and apology, unspoken words swimming between them. It was a quiet battle of wills, each daring the other to react first. Finally, their lungs demanded air, and they broke through the surface, gasping in unison.
The two made their way to the pool's edge, water cascading from their swimsuits in sparkling rivulets, and sank onto the cool tiles of the stairs. They sat side by side, feet still skimming the water's surface, the silence between them thick with unspoken emotions.
Mia broke it first, her voice light but edged with exasperation. "Seriously, Lexi. What was that?"
Lexi turned her head slowly, one brow arched. "I could ask you the same thing, Mia."
The words hung in the air for a moment before both girls broke into soft, reluctant chuckles.
"Okay, okay," Mia said, raising her hands in surrender. Her voice softened, shifting to something more genuine. "I'm sorry, Lexi. I shouldn't have pushed you like that literally and figuratively."
Lexi glanced at her friend, her hardened expression melting into a faint smile. "No, I should be the one apologizing. I overreacted." She hesitated, then added, "I guess I'm still… not great with water. It's stupid, but all those sea monster movies we used to watch really got to me."
Mia blinked, her eyes widening in realization. "You're still scared of that? Lexi, I had no idea…" Her voice trailed off, guilt creeping into her tone. "I'm so sorry for teasing you. I didn't mean to push you past your comfort zone."
Lexi gave a small laugh, shaking her head. "It's fine, really. I shouldn't let my fears control me." She reached out, pulling Mia into a quick hug. "Let's call it even, okay?"
Mia grinned, relief evident in her eyes. "Deal. No more teasing. Cross my heart."
Their brief moment of reconciliation was shattered by Fiona's sharp voice cutting through the air. "What on earth am I hearing?"
The girls flinched, turning to find Fiona standing a few feet away, her arms crossed tightly over her chest and her gaze steely. She looked every bit the imposing figure of authority, her irritation radiating like heat.
"Mumsy, you're here," Lexi ventured, forcing a sheepish smile that did little to soften Fiona's expression.
"Don't 'Mumsy' me," Fiona snapped, her eyes narrowing. "Lexi, did I just hear you say you've been watching horror movies? The ones I specifically forbade because they could mess with your head? And yet, you went behind my back?"
Lexi's face fell, her earlier confidence evaporating under the weight of her mother's disappointment. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came.
Fiona shook her head, her tone colder than either girl had ever heard. "I'm so disappointed in you, Lexi. You've always been such a wonderful daughter, loyal, responsible. What's changed?"
With that, Fiona turned and began walking away, her movements brisk and purposeful.
Lexi stared after her, a pang of guilt and heartbreak tightening her chest. The weight of Fiona's words pressed down on her like a physical burden, and tears pricked at her eyes.
Mia shifted closer, wrapping an arm around her friend. "Hey, it's okay," she said softly, her voice steady despite the emotion in her own eyes. "We'll fix this. Let's go find her and apologize properly, okay?"
Lexi hesitated, her voice trembling as she whispered, "What if she doesn't forgive me?"
"She will," Mia said firmly. "You're her daughter, Lexi. She loves you more than anything. Trust me, we'll make this right."
Lexi managed a small smile, brushing at her eyes. "Thanks, Mia. And for what it's worth, this isn't your fault. Sometimes… things just happen." She exhaled slowly, squaring her shoulders. "No more tears. Let's go find Mom."
The girls stood, water dripping from their hair and clothes as they climbed the pool stairs. Side by side, they walked toward the path Fiona had taken, ready to face the consequences together and determined to mend the rift before it could grow any wider.