As they were about to part ways, Marina stopped them, her icy blue eyes sparkling with a shy intensity. "Hey guys, since we're done studying and it's the weekend, why don't we all go for a swim in the school's swimming pool? It should be open since it's the weekend, and the swim team will practice later."
Aurora nodded enthusiastically, her ponytail bobbing up and down. "I think that's a great idea, Mari! The weather is scorching, and I think Rave and I need a soak after watching that intense match. Don't you think so, Rave?"
Raven smiled, her dark hair shining in the sunlight. "Yea, I agree. But let's head to our rooms first. Can't go swimming without our swim trunks, right?"
Mia chuckled, her bright pink locks bouncing as she nodded. "Yea, you're right. Let's go!"
As they walked towards their dormitories, Aurora spotted Ethan leaning against the wall next to the boys' dormitory door, looking handsome and rugged in his black graphic t-shirt, distressed denim jeans, and scuffed-up sneakers. She told her friends to go on without her, saying she'd catch up soon. They nodded and continued towards the girls' dormitory.
Aurora walked up to Ethan, feeling a flutter in her chest. They stood in silence for a few moments, the only sound being the distant chatter of students and the rustling of leaves in the trees. Aurora was about to break the silence when Ethan suddenly spoke, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.
"You watched the match."
Aurora nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yea, I watched it with a friend. And I thought you were really good."
Ethan nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. He pushed off the wall, his movements fluid and graceful. As he was about to enter the boys' dorm, Aurora spoke up, her heart racing.
"Maybe you could teach me sometime? Help me become a better basketball player?"
Ethan stopped, his back still to her. For a few moments, he didn't move or speak. Then, he turned back, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her face flush. He stared at her for what felt like an eternity before turning and entering the boys' dorm, the door shutting behind him with a soft thud.
As Aurora made her way back to her dorm, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was lost in a sea of confusion. First, Liam, and now Ethan. What was wrong with her? She was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice when she reached the front of her room...
She stood there, her hand hovering over the door handle, her mind replaying the strange encounter with Ethan. Why had he looked at her like that? And what did he mean by his silence? Was he interested in teaching her basketball, or was he just being polite?
Aurora shook her head, chiding herself for overthinking it. She opened the door and entered her room, finding Raven and Mia already changed into their swimsuits, their towels slung over their shoulders.
"Hey, Rory! What took you so long?" Raven asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Aurora shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just ran into Ethan outside the boys' dorm. He was...interesting."
Mia raised an eyebrow. "Interesting? That's a weird way to describe someone. Spill the details, Rory!"
Aurora hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But her friends' curious gazes won her over, and she found herself recounting the entire encounter, including Ethan's intense stare and cryptic silence.
Raven and Mia listened with rapt attention, their faces ranging from surprise to intrigue. When Aurora finished, they exchanged a knowing look, and Raven spoke up.
"Rory, we need to get you prepared for the next match. Remember it's the girls team that are playing the next match. And maybe, just maybe, we'll get to the bottom of this mystery with Ethan."
Mia nodded in agreement. "Yea, and who knows, maybe you'll even learn some new basketball tricks from him."
Aurora smiled, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. "You're on, friends. Let's do this!"
The four friends - Aurora, Mia, Raven, and Marina - grabbed their towels and swim bags, heading out of the dormitory towards the school's swimming pool. The sun beat down on them, warming their skin as they walked across the campus. They chatted and laughed, their excitement for the swim growing with each step.
As they approached the pool, they could see the glint of water and the sound of splashing grew louder. They entered the pool area, and the warm sun gave way to the cool shade of the pool's awning.
Aurora wore a bright pink bikini, her long hair tied up in a ponytail, and her sunglasses perched on her forehead. Raven had on a sleek black swimsuit, her dark hair slicked back, and her eyes shining with excitement. Mia looked radiant in a yellow and white striped swimsuit, her bright pink locks tied up in a messy bun, and her smile brightening up the whole area. Marina looked stunning in a turquoise swimsuit, her icy blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, and her short hair which was the same color as her eyes, slicked back.
They dropped their bags and towels on the sun loungers and headed straight for the pool, eager to dive in and cool off. The water was refreshing, and they spent the next hour swimming laps, playing games, and simply enjoying each other's company.
As they lounged by the poolside, soaking up the sun and chatting, Aurora couldn't help but feel grateful for her friends and this wonderful day. Little did she know, this was just the beginning of an adventure that would change everything...
The four friends - Aurora, Mia, Raven, and Marina - spent the afternoon lounging by the pool, enjoying each other's company, and soaking up the sun. Marina, who had been quiet until then, suddenly spoke up, "Hey guys, let's have a contest to see who can swim the most laps!" Aurora, always up for a challenge, grinned, "Game on, Marina! I'm in!" Mia and Raven exchanged a look, and then Mia said, "Okay, but only if we can make it interesting. Loser buys ice cream for the rest of us!" Raven's eyes lit up, "Oh, I'm so in! Let's do this!"
Marina nodded, her icy blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Alright, let's get started! On your marks, get set... go!" And with that, the four friends dove into the pool, their laughter and splashing filling the air as they began their friendly competition.
But it quickly became apparent that Marina was in a league of her own. She changed into her mermaid form, her sparkly mermaid tail, the same color as her hair and eyes, shimmered in the sunlight as she shot through the water with incredible speed and grace, leaving her friends in her wake. Aurora, Mia, and Raven struggled to keep up, their human bodies no match for Marina's supernatural abilities.
As they completed lap after lap, Marina's lead only grew, her fins slicing through the water with ease. Her friends cheered her on, amazed by her incredible talent. Little did they know, this was just the beginning of an adventure that would take them beyond the pool and into the unknown...
As they completed the final lap, Marina emerged as the clear winner, her mermaid tail glinting in the sunlight. Aurora, who had put up a good fight, lagged behind, exhausted but grinning.
"I guess I underestimated the skills of a mermaid!" Aurora said, laughing.
Marina chuckled, her voice musical. "You witch, vampire and werewolf are pretty impressive too! But I think I'll take the win this time."
According to their earlier agreement, Aurora had to treat her friends to ice cream in the cafeteria. As they walked in, the cool air-conditioning was a welcome relief after their strenuous swim.
At the ice cream counter, Marina opted for a towering cone with three scoops of her favorite flavors. Raven and Mia chose decadent chocolate sundaes, while Aurora went for a cup of vanilla and chocolate ice cream.
As they sat down to enjoy their treats, Marina turned to Aurora with a mischievous grin. "You know, Rory, you may have lost this time, but I have a feeling you'll be back in the game soon."
Aurora smiled, her eyes sparkling. "You can count on it, Marina. I'm already planning my next move!"
And with that, the four friends clinked their spoons together, savoring their ice cream and the joy of each other's company. Little did they know, their friendship was about to take them on the adventure of a lifetime...