The bonfire crackled louder as the crowd buzzed with excitement. The smell of burning wood and the salty ocean air mixed together in a strange but comforting scent. The beach was filled with volleyball teammates, friends, and a few kids from other schools who had shown up just to hang out. As the group mingled, the flames cast dancing shadows on their faces, making everything feel like a hazy memory.

Star was standing at the edge of the group, her eyes fixed on the fire as her mind wandered. She couldn't help but feel out of place—again. Her friends were mingling, but she was stuck in the background. Then, suddenly, she heard a familiar voice calling her name.

"Star!" Zara's bright, enthusiastic voice pierced the air. Star turned, her stomach sinking slightly as Zara ran toward her, accompanied by Kendrick and a few of the other volleyball players. Zara was glowing, laughing, chatting, as usual—taking center stage just like she always did.

"Hey, Star!" Zara called over to her, waving a hand as she made her way through the crowd. But the smile she gave was forced, her eyes flicking over to Kendrick before looking back at Star.

"Wow, you made it!" Zara said, walking up to Kendrick and wrapping her arms around his shoulders in a way that made Star's chest tighten. "Sorry I'm late! Had to finish practice, you know how it is," she added, all smiles, as if everything was just as it should be.

Star stood still for a moment, her heart thumping, watching them interact with a sinking feeling. Zara was flawless as always—her perfect hair, radiant smile, her energy that seemed to fill the entire space. And Kendrick... he looked even more perfect in the light of the bonfire, his jawline sharp, eyes gleaming in the firelight. It was like watching everything Star wanted to have but didn't. How did Zara have it all? How was she so effortlessly... perfect?

And then it hit her. This wasn't just about Kendrick. It was about everything. Every time Star felt like she was gaining a little bit of ground, Zara always showed up and took it all away. How was Zara her best friend? How could she have felt so close to someone who made her feel like she was always second place?

"Star?" King's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. He was walking toward her, but she barely registered it. All she could see was Zara and Kendrick laughing, her laughter piercing Star's ears. Everything about Zara made Star's teeth clench.

King noticed the shift in Star's energy. He raised an eyebrow but didn't push her. Instead, he casually leaned in. "Don't let her get to you."

Star tried to shake off the bitterness, but it wasn't that simple. She could feel her temper rising. It wasn't just Kendrick—it was everything. Zara, the one person Star thought she could trust, was acting like she had everything and Star was just there to cheer her on.

"Hey Kendrick, how's it going?" Star said, forcing herself to sound nonchalant as she walked up to the group, stepping just a little too close to Zara to make sure she saw it.

Kendrick looked over, giving her a grin. "Oh, hey Star! Been good, how about you?"

"Good, just surviving school, you know," Star replied, her tone a little more biting than she intended. She looked at Zara with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "How's practice going, Zara? Winning all the games again? Seems like you're always winning."

Zara froze for a second, catching the sharpness in Star's voice. She smiled again, though it was more forced this time. "Oh, you know me, always bringing my A-game," she said, her eyes flicking between Star and Kendrick, a confused tone In her voice. Star's comment was a subtle jab, but it felt like it had landed.

"I'm sure Kendrick here knows all about hard work, right?" Star added, the words slipping out before she could stop them. Her eyes caught Zara's, and for a brief moment, Star felt a pang of guilt.

Zara raised an eyebrow, her smile shifting to something a little more polished as she turned to Kendrick. "You know, Star's always been the competitive type," she said with a little laugh, casually complimenting Kendrick. "But I've always admired how hard she works to be the best." The compliment sounded genuine, but something about the way she said it made Star feel like she was being put on display for Kendrick's approval.

Star's heart dropped a little, the guilt hitting her hard. She didn't want to play games, didn't want to keep acting like this. But she couldn't stop herself from feeling like Zara had it all—everything Star wanted—and yet, here she was, having to claw for even a scrap of attention.

"Thanks, Zara," Star said with a tight smile, then turned to Kendrick. "But I'm just here to enjoy the night. Anyway, how was your summer?"

Before Kendrick could respond, the group was interrupted by the loud, boisterous laughter from Prince, Bubbles, and some of the football guys. Hunter, one of the football players, looked directly at Star with a grin.

"Hey, Star! You're looking good tonight!" he said, winking at her.

Star blinked in surprise, her cheeks flushing. She wasn't used to this kind of attention. As much as she tried to shrug it off, she couldn't help but feel flattered.

Prince grinned and elbowed Hunter. "Oh man, don't even think about it. Star would never date someone like you," he joked.

King laughed from the side. "You think she'd go for you, Hunter? She's too smart for that."

Hunter chuckled, but his smile faded as he playfully charged at Prince, grabbing him by the waist and lifting him off the ground with ease. "What did you say, little man?" Hunter teased, his voice turning mock-threatening.

Prince's eyes widened in shock. "Hey! Put me down!" He squirmed in Hunter's grip, but Hunter swung him around like a ragdoll before tossing him to the ground with a laugh.

"Alright, you want to play?" Prince said, his face lighting up with mischief. He jumped up, tackling Hunter to the sand, and the two began wrestling, laughing the entire time.

Star and Kendrick exchanged amused glances, but the tension between Star and Zara remained. Star couldn't help but notice how Zara's eyes were narrowed, watching the situation with a flicker of something Star couldn't quite place.

King joined in, The brothers both tackling Hunter together. Bubbles was jumping around, laughing and egging everyone on. The football player was no match for them, and within moments, the fight dissolved into a pile of laughing teenagers on the sand.

Star couldn't help but laugh, the tension between her and Zara momentarily forgotten in the chaos of the fight. But as her eyes briefly caught Zara's, she saw something in her eyes—a flicker of something that made Star's chest tighten again.