"You're stalking him again!"

I immediately locked my phone and put it away. Trying to act casual, I looked up from my seat behind the counter in the lobby and faced the girl in front of me.

She was wearing a beige bucket hat that covered her dark hair that was split into braids. Her dark brown eyes lit up in mischief as she stared at me, while her thin frame was covered with the loose white tee she decided to wear today.

"Caught ya," she said, grinning as she leaned on the counter.

"Hello, Sunnie. How are you this fine morning?"

"It's the afternoon."

"You're supposed to be in the recreational room," I reminded her.

Sunshine was one of the twenty teenagers staying here for the summer, who was kinda forced to participate in the activities the Youth Center offered.

In other centers, they didn't allow overnight accommodations because that was mostly reserved for rehabilitation facilities. This place provided a two-in-one concept, seeing as we operated in a huge mansion in the woods overlooking the valley.

Almost all of the activities were wholesome and fun, although open forums could be unpredictable. The participants were highly encouraged to join whatever they were interested in. Sunshine signed up for yoga, art, and music class.

But most of the time, people just hung out at the recreational room.

"Rec room is so boring," Sunshine whined.

"You can watch tv, play foosball, and—"

"Surround myself with other 'troubled' youths and bask in our misery together," she finished for me. "Yay."

"None of you are miserable."

She gave me a look.

I averted my eyes, and murmured, "Just misguided."

"Sure," she snorted, looking around before letting out a big sigh. "I swear, no one should look that gorgeous."

I didn't even have to look up to see who she was referring to. "You only think that 'cause he's from the city – and he's the brother of Maxine."

"Nuh-uh," she argued. "Even if he's not the brother of my all time favorite singer, I'd still do him. Girl, look at him."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes before looking at Anders Ferguson.

He was talking to one of the regular employees, Louie. He seemed very attentive and all smiles, like I didn't catch him looking bored out of his mind in the staff room the other day.

He had curly brown hair with golden highlights in them, and tanned skin as if he spent all his free time in the sun. He was tall and lean, with the kind of build swimmers had. He didn't look like a varsity athlete, but he had the posture of one.

And... he had The Smile.

You know that one where you could be caught off guard at any given time and be mesmerized and just get lost in the whole day without ever knowing? Yeah. It was the kind of blinding smile that was charming, sweet, and dazzling all at the same time.

Too bad he was faking it most of the time.

"He's... good-looking," I admitted to Sunshine.

Because he really was, but there was more to a person other than their looks. And other than him being attractive and having The Smile, I hadn't seen much else.

"That's it?" she demanded. "You're not gonna say how his jawline can cut corners and his body is so ripped it can rip anyone's panties with just one look?"

"What for?" I smiled at her. "You're already doing a fine job."

She sighed. "You're just too hung up on Hernandez."

My hand instantly went to her mouth. "Shh!"

She rolled her eyes and removed my hand. "I didn't say his first name. Relax."

"I'm trying not to think about him."

"Stalking his socials must really help with that."

I stuck my tongue out at her.

Before she could snap a retort, Anders walked by. He flashed his ever ready smile at us. Sunshine waved a hand in greeting while I looked down at the papers on the desk, trying to look busy.

"Hi, Anders."

"Good afternoon, Sunnie."

Sunshine let out a giggle, which I guessed was her way of subtly flirting with him. After a few moments, she whispered to me, "He's gone."

I raised my head and caught Anders disappearing into the staff room. He spent most of his time there. He barely even had any daily tasks given to him.

"Why don't you talk to him?"

I made a face, turning to Sunshine. "Why would I do that?"

I would rather not talk to him, unless it was absolutely necessary. So far, I didn't have the need to. I was satisfied with our civil relationship.

"Why not?" she shot back.

I shrugged. "I don't feel like it."

"You're no fun."

I winced.

"Oh, no." Sunshine gasped. "Sorry, Meadow. I didn't mean it that way."

I nodded. "I know."

I hated how it was my biggest insecurity.

It was stupid. Why would I worry about not being fun enough for other people? I enjoyed my own company. That should be enough for me. Except...

I wanted it to be enough for someone else, too.

But it wasn't.

"Why don't you try doing one of those dating apps?" she suggested.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Excuse me?"

"Don't look so offended. Everybody does it. You could practice your oral skills."

A horrified look crossed over my features.

"Oh, my God—No! That's not—" She started laughing. "That's not what I meant. Oral as in, you know, communicating with people."

"I'm communicating with you right now."

"And I'm honored," she said, putting a hand on her chest and giving me a smile. "Truly, I am. That's why I'm telling you to share this side of you to the world."

"What side?"

"Your goofy side, like that time your sister's boyfriend caught you twerking in your living room."

I closed my eyes, and groaned. "That was six looong years ago. I was ten. I didn't even know he saw me until he brought it up last Christmas."

She laughed and shook her head. "You, my friend, twerked your booty in front of Oz Lacy. You're a legend."

I covered my face with my hands. "I shouldn't have told you that story."

"But you did."

"I didn't think you'd rub it in my face all the time," I muttered, glaring at her.

"I'm trying to prove a point."

"And failing."

She laughed. "Ouch."

"Meadow," Grace called, walking up to us as she pushed a hamper trolley.

Grace seemed like she was in her early thirties. She had been working here since before my sister started volunteering a few years ago. Everybody knew her – and loved her, most of the time.

"Would you be a dear and take these to the laundry room please?"

"No problem," I said, walking around the counter to her.

"Thank you." She smiled gratefully at me, then eyed Sunshine. "Shouldn't you be somewhere else, young lady?" she added in a soft voice, more of an amused question.

"Just keeping Meadow company, Grace."

"That's very kind of you." Grace gently patted her back. "Now, why don't you keep others company in the recreational room?"

"Sure thing." Sunshine exchanged looks with me and mouthed, "Bye."

I gave her a nod before pushing the hamper towards the other end of the hall, and then into the laundry room. All the while, my mind wandered off to what Sunshine said.

I really liked dancing and letting loose whenever I was on my own. Even though I was bad at it, the important thing was that I was enjoying myself at my utmost element. It wasn't me being goofy. It was just me being me.

Biting my bottom lip, I looked around the empty laundry room. Then, I glanced at the closed door. I was alone.

Feeling giddy at what I was about to do, I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped from me. I took out my airpods, placed them in my ears, and played some Blackpink on my phone. Soon, I could hear Lisa rapping.

I grabbed a random white sheet and started flinging it around my head like a flag. I laughed to myself, feeling more and more pumped up as the second chorus began. I removed my hair tie and whipped my long black hair back and forth without a care.

"Hit you with that ddu-du ddu-du~"

"Ow."

I turned around so fast, a flock of my hair hit the person square on the face – for the second time. Holy shipwreck!

I gasped, my eyes turning into saucers as I realized who it was.

"Oh, my God! I am so sorry!" I pulled my hair back quickly, brushing them to my side with my fingers in hopes of taming them.

"It's okay," he said, rubbing his face.

"Does—Does it hurt?"

He chuckled. "No, just caught me off guard."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I was sure that my usually very pale face was now flaming red hot cheetos. Awesome.

"Hey," he said gently. "Don't worry about it."

I nodded absentmindedly, focusing my eyes out the window. It was bright and sunny outside, like the weather was making fun of my humiliation by being beautiful.

Boo, you big ball of gas!

"It's not the first time this happened."

"You've been slapped by hair before?" I asked in a whisper, looking at Anders.

He pressed his lips together to stop himself from laughing. Then with a straight face, he whispered back, "No."

I took deep breaths to calm myself down, trying not to think about the fact that I just whacked Anders Ferguson with my freaking hair.

"Are you alright?" He sounded so concerned.

I just gave him a thumbs up, losing the ability to speak now that I just secured my spot in the world's hall of most embarrassing people. He eyed my hand in the air before turning his attention back to my face.

"Your face is seriously red."

State the obvious, why don't you?

"Right, okay—I'm going now." He started to back away slowly, still watching my face. "Carry on to whatever... you were doing."

The moment he shut the door behind him, I let out a deep breath.

Smacking Anders with my hair had officially replaced twerking in front of Oz on the top of my most mortifying moments ever.

What the heck was he even doing in the laundry room?!

_____________

Introductions are dooone!
What are your first impressions on Anders and Meadow?

Did this chapter make you laugh?