western nights ( shane walsh )

1.02 ; away with the lake

                                        As the school day dwindled to its final hour and a half, Natalie found herself seated in her English class. The teacher stood at the front of the room, diligently writing on the blackboard, and amidst the academic ambience, a request from one of her close friends, Cassie, broke the monotony.

"Do you have the notes from before?" Cassie inquired, the more small girl, had a darkened fair skin tone, with her hair a brown wavy medium length. a trusted ally in the often tumultuous landscape of high school friendships. Natalie, who had been wary of designating anyone as her "best friend" due to past betrayals, was cautiously navigating the realm of companionship.

"Oh yeah, here." Natalie obligingly flipped open her notebook, turning it to share the valuable notes with Cassie. The act of camaraderie was an unspoken acknowledgement of their bond, a silent agreement in the world of academic survival. It was a simple exchange, yet it carried the weight of shared experiences and mutual understanding.

"After school, Shawn wants to go to the lake, near Peaks— you in?" Cassie whispered with a mischievous smirk, ensuring her words remained a secret from the vigilant eyes of the teacher.

Natalie sighed, a mixture of weariness and reluctance colouring her response. The prospect of discussing Ethan, her on-again, off-again companion, loomed ahead. The complexity of their relationship, characterized by a continuous ebb and flow, had left Natalie yearning for stability amid the unpredictable tides of teenage romance.

"Are you two going to be hooking up?" Cassie prodded further, her inquiry laced with a hint of teasing curiosity. Natalie, not inclined to delve into the intricacies of her feelings for Ethan, shook her head, silently signalling her desire to steer clear of the topic. The unspoken weight of her emotional history with Ethan lingered, creating a shadow over the otherwise mundane moments of the school day.

"I mean, he's bringing the boos so...I'd say-" The smaller girl had laughed a bit to herself as she nodded her head agreeing that she was in for whatever was going to happen later, but knowing that there was going to be drinks; she was happy.

‎𓇻 

As the day progressed, the lake, despite its dirtied state, failed to deter the enthusiasm of teenagers seeking some carefree enjoyment. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the water, setting the stage for an impromptu escapade. Suddenly, a female's piercing scream cut through the air, reverberating across the lake, and the thrill of spontaneity took hold.

"Cassie, you maniac!" shouted Natalie, her laughter trailing behind as Cassie, propelled by sheer excitement, sprinted towards the edge of a small cliff and leapt into the lake. The splash echoed the unrestrained spirit of youth, and Natalie, already in the water, couldn't help but revel in her friend's exuberance. Cassie's blonde hair, now darker from the lake's embrace, clung to her face, and her soaked clothes lay discarded on the grass.

There were about, five of them that were swimming around, drinking and enjoying the moments that they had together.

Natalie, too, sported the evidence of their aquatic adventure, swimming in her black and pink bra and underwear. The sun, gradually bidding farewell, painted the scene with hues of warmth, creating a fleeting moment of serenity. A bottle of beer found its place in Natalie's hand, and Ethan, a figure with curly brown hair and glasses perched on his nose, positioned himself protectively around her waist as they floated in the water.

In the presence of Ethan, there always seemed to be an invisible tether connecting them. His rough grip on her hip, though clothed, conveyed a possessive hold. "Where are you going?" he questioned, a note of concern colouring his tone as Natalie attempted to extricate herself from his grasp.