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Sunlight glittered off the pool’s wavy blue surface Kids were already cannonballing into the water and splashing each other

I squinted and searched the area for Juliet or Vienna

Vienna elasses, high sandals, and her barely-there white two-piece she looked like she belonged on a runway, not a high school field trip

As if so concrete, a wild pack of horny teenage boys stopped what they were doing and zeroed in on her

Juliet popped out of the exit next Unlike her friend, she kept her head down and shoulders hunched My gaze traveled over the weird, loose dress-thing she earing It was a dark, green abstract print with a ruffle at the botto suit underneath

Some sort of territorial need to stakeainst her arm

“Oh! There you are” She grinned up at me

“Let’s set up caood spots are taken” She grabbed Juliet’s hand and dragged her toward the far edge of the concrete pool deck

“We saved you a spot, Vienna!” Stubby called out

She nodded and waved but kept powering toward three lounge chairs clustered under an umbrella and a small table

“Here!” She plopped her bag on the first chair and nodded to Juliet to take the one in the middle with the most shade “You’ll fry like bacon if you sit directly in the sun,” she said to Juliet

“I’ve got reen tube at her friend

I spread e their stuff They’d brought an awful lot for a day trip “Do you need help?” I asked

“No” Juliet handed er beach towel and a bottle of ice-cold water

“Thanks What else are you hiding in that bag?”

Her lips twisted with amusement “Not much”

I uncapped the water and took a swig, keeping my eyes on Juliet

She lifted her dress, slowly pulling it up over her head

I choked and sputtered on the sater

Vienna sle herself froed

What…the…