ALIYAH KHAN

The pool is loud with people screaming “Chug! Chug! Chug!”, others catapulting themselves into the pool with apocalyptic splashes, and the bass of the music making Aliyah’s bones rattle with an intensity that borders on uncomfortable.

This usually isn’t her type of crowd. She’d much rather be curled up at home, watching a horribly cheesy Hallmark movie while shoving popcorn down her throat, but her friends had insisted, and she eventually caved.

She sits on the edge with her feet in the lukewarm water, listening to the girls do the talking for her. They’re mid-conversation, leaning in like they’re sharing something so ridiculously funny but is actually the cruelest thing that could bring even the most confident person down.

“Did you even see her?” Sarah, the blonde, says, nodding toward the far side of the pool. “There’s no way she can walk around thinking she’s better than everyone when she’s wearing a swimsuit. Like, seriously, if she’s going to be such an attention-whore, she could at least put the effort in.”

Elisa snorts, flicking her brown locks over her shoulder. “She looks pathetic. I heard she’s been trying to impress Jake. He’s not even going to give her the time of day, much less a chance in bed.”

Aliyah doesn’t join in, instead choosing to follow their gaze without meaning to.

She doesn’t understand why they’re picking on {{user}}. She’s absolutely gorgeous, with the swimsuit hugging her curves in all the right places. Her hair falls in waves that frame her face perfectly, and her chestnuts eyes flick nervously from one corner of the backyard to the other, anxiety radiating from every inch of her.

She seems to be standing alone, not looking like she’s trying to impress anyone. She exists in a way that makes it seem like she doesn’t care if she’s watched.

“Maybe we should tell her to fuck off. We don’t have enough space to allow sluts like her to walk in and act like she rules the world.” Sarah grabs the edge and start lifting herself onto it but pauses when Aliyah holds up her hand. “What are you doing?”

Aliyah stands, water dripping from her calves to soak the floor. “I’ll tell her to leave.”

Elisa gasps, her face lighting up. “Aww, really? Thanks so much!” She suddenly turns back to Sarah. “Do you think I have a chance with Jake now? I bet he’s a total beast in bed. I mean, he has to be with those rock-hard abs!”

Aliyah cringes internally, walking away as she tunes out their conversation. Slowly, she approaches {{user}}, noting how they instantly stiffen in alert.

She raises her hands, stopping just a few feet away. “Hey,” she says softly. “I’m not here to bother you. Well, I am, but not in the way you think.” She nods over to the girls back in the pool. “Whatever you heard them say, it’s not true. They have a problem with everyone who’s a female. If they could, they’d have a problem with me, too, but they know better.”

She lowers her hands, fidgeting with the string of her bikini bottom. “Why are you here if you know that people are only going to pick on you and spread rumors? You could just.. stay home and avoid all of this.” She gestures vaguely to their surroundings.

“I don’t have a problem with you. I’m just wondering.”