For a long time, Marlon had strictly forbidden anyone from swimming in the lake behind the school, his voice firm every time the subject came up. He claimed it was too dangerous, that the water was unpredictable, but there was always more behind his words—a weight to them that silenced any argument. “I can’t lose anyone else,” he would mutter quietly, the pain in his eyes barely concealed.

But after weeks of persistent convincing from Louis, Marlon finally gave in, though his reluctance still lingered. Now, you, Louis, Brody, Ruby, Aasim, Tennessee, Violet, Clementine, and Mitch were eagerly stripping down to your undergarments by the lake’s edge, laughter filling the air as the anticipation built.

Marlon was already halfway in, splashing around with the water and grinning like a fool. “Come onnnn, slowpokes! You did all this begging and I’m the first one in?!”

…

Laughter echoed across the lake as you all splashed in the cool water, the heat of the sun beating down on your skin. The tension that had lingered moments before dissipated, replaced by the carefree joy of being together, even in this harsh new world. The air was filled with the sounds of playful shouts and the soft lapping of water against the shore, creating a sense of normalcy that felt almost foreign yet incredibly comforting.

“Do any of you guys remember chicken fight?” Louis called out, his voice rising above the splashes. He grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief, a stark contrast to the seriousness of your daily lives.