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Cece hadn't planned on staying in Atlanta for the summer. It just sort of happened — like most of the things in her life lately. One minute she was packing to go back home to her mom's apartment in Charlotte, the next her advisor was talking about "opportunities" and "networking," and her mom was all excited about her "being grown."
Now here she was, standing outside of a random smoothie shop in East Atlanta, headphones in but no music playing, trying not to look as awkward as she felt.
"You Cece?"
The voice was loud, almost too loud for someone she'd never met. Cece looked up and saw a girl walking toward her with a bounce in her step and box braids pulled into a high, messy bun. Her nails were long, bright orange, and clicking against her phone as she typed.
"Yeah..." Cece answered slowly, pulling out one earbud.
"I'm Lele. I'm the one from the group chat. I told you I'd come scoop you?" She smiled like they were old friends. "You look exactly like your Instagram, I ain't gon' lie. I love when people don't catfish."
Cece gave her a small laugh — the first real one in a minute. "Thanks... I guess."
Lele motioned for her to follow. "Come on, the car's right here"
Lele motioned for her to follow. "Come on, the car's right here. We finna link with the crew. You cool with pool stuff? I got an extra swimsuit in the back just in case."
Cece hesitated. Pool stuff? The crew?
"I mean... I'm not really a pool person."
Lele looked over her shoulder and grinned. "Girl, you gon' be today." ___________________________________
The car ride was loud — not from conversation, but from the music. Lele had a speaker in the backseat blasting Summer Walker and Gunna, singing along and dancing while driving like she was in a music video. Cece just sat there, seatbelt tight across her chest, lowkey regretting everything but trying not to show it.
When they pulled up to the house, Cece's stomach twisted. It was one of those big Atlanta homes with the wide porch and loud energy spilling out of it — people laughing, music playing, doors swinging open and closed.
"You ready?" Lele asked, cutting the engine.
Cece didn't answer. She just nodded and followed.
Inside, everything smelled like weed and cologne. A few guys were lounging in the living room, girls in swimsuits laughing in the kitchen, drinks already in hands. Cece moved slow, careful, quiet.
"Y'all — this Cece!" Lele called out over the music. "She chill, so don't be on no weird stuff."
A couple heads turned. One guy gave her a nod, another one said, "What's up?" but most just went back to what they were doing.
