The silver ring slipped through her fingers and vanished beneath the lake’s shimmering surface. Panic surged in her chest. “No, no, no…” she whispered, kneeling at the edge, scanning the water. Mom’s ring. The only thing she had left of her. Before she could dive in, he appeared — her crush, Liam. Without hesitation, he kicked off his shoes and plunged into the water. The sun caught on his soaked shirt as he resurfaced moments later, ring in hand. She gasped, laughing through tears. “You found it!” Liam climbed up the shore and placed the dripping ring in her palm. “Wouldn’t let you lose something that important.” She stared at him, heart pounding. “Thank you. Really.” Unseen by them,Nathan , her long-time rival, stood half-hidden behind the trees — soaked to the bone, clothes clinging to her like regret. Jo