Odd slowly lifts his head up from his desk and looks at the clock across the classroom. 09:05. With a groan, he buries his head back into his arms. Almost done, he thinks.

As usual, Dr. Fumet's history class is a snore, but it is even more painful to endure early on a Friday morning. But, as much as he hates 8am classes, Odd always fills his semester up with them because having free time in the afternoons and evenings is paramount to having the best day possible... to him, anyway. Still, waking up early for the world's most boring lecture on ancient history every Friday morning is almost not worth it.

Right as the clock hits 09:15 and everyone begins packing their bags to exit the room, Odd leaps out of his seat and dashes through the door. He pulls his phone out of his pocket to find a text message from Sissi: "morning baby~ lita's already over here so get here with william asap"

Oh, right, Odd thinks to himself. I forgot that William is coming along. This is going to be an interesting weekend.

He slips his phone back in his pocket and then puts both hands in his pockets as he makes his way to the cafeteria. Per Sissi's instructions the day before, William will be waiting for him there.

As he enters the cafeteria, the aroma of fatty breakfast foods caresses his nostrils, and he takes in a deep breath. He makes a beeline right for the pancakes and sausage patties, making stacks of each on the plate and tray he picks up along the way. After he finishes piling on the food, he slowly scans the room with his eyes. There William is, seated at a table by the big bay windows, sporting a cap and sunglasses. He has himself angled away from the center of the room.

Odd takes a bite of a sausage patty as he strolls over to William. "What's with the get-up?" he asks, mouth still full of food.

"I'm trying to keep a low profile."

"Why's that? Playing hooky?"

William chuckles. "Yeah. That's one way to put it. Ready to go?"

"Yep. Let's rock 'n roll. Our lady friends are probably getting impatient."

William wipes the sweat from his brow and reaches into the boot of Odd's hand-me-down SUV as he shakes his head. God, he thinks to himself, Sissi sure did pack a lot of bags for just two days.

The drive hadn't been very long or very far, taking only twenty minutes to travel from Boulogne-Billancourt to Versailles. While Odd and William unload the car and bring bags inside the wooden cabin, Sissi and Aelita are out back planning out the rest of the day.

"I say we flip-flop the plans for today and tomorrow. Let's make today our pool day and tomorrow our hike day so we can take a longer hike!" Sissi squeals with excitement.

Aelita chuckles. "I'm down for whatever you want. It's your birthday weekend after all."

With that, Sissi grabs Aelita's hand and skips happily into the cabin. "Don't come in here, boys! We're changing!" she calls out.

"Not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous," Aelita says in a hushed tone. "I've never been in front of William with so little clothing on."

"Girl, relax. You'll look amazing. Trust me."

"I'm not worried about that. I'm just worried about how he'll react."

"Well, you're in luck, because I packed the perfect swimsuit for you." Sissi digs through her suitcase and pulls out a black bikini. "This is the one."

"Sissi, I can't wear that!"

"Yes, you can."

Aelita sighs. "No, I can't. It's too... revealing."

Meanwhile, the boys are outside, setting up the grill and the fire pit.

"So, what's the deal with you and Aelita, anyway?" Odd asks as he lights the charcoal.

William shrugs. "We're friends. Why?"

"Just curious. Sissi told me that you have a thing for her."

"She did, huh?"

"Mhmm. She also said that Baptiste told Bastien who told her that you've been checking Aelita out."

"I mean, she's hot. Who wouldn't check her out?"

"Hm. You're not denying it."

"Denying what?"

"That you have a thing for her."

"I'm not. I'm just not confirming it, either."

"Fair enough. But, if you hurt her, I'll have to kill you."

"I don't plan on hurting her."

"Good. Because she's been through a lot lately. She doesn't need any more bullshit."

"Understood."

"Glad we're on the same page."

After a few minutes, Sissi and Aelita emerge from the bedroom in their bathing suits. Sissi is wearing a black and white polka dot bikini, and Aelita is wearing a pink and white striped halter top and high-waisted bottoms.

"Damn, babe," Odd says as Sissi approaches him. "You're looking fine as hell."

"Thank you, baby," she says with a wink.

William can't help but stare at Aelita. Her body is absolutely stunning, and the color of her swimsuit brings out the pink in her hair and the pink in her cheeks.

"What do you think, William?" Sissi asks with a smirk.

"Uh, yeah. She looks great," he replies, trying to play it cool.

"I'm glad you think so," Aelita says with a shy smile.

The next few hours are a blur of alcohol, barbecued foods, games, and the smell of a bonfire. William truly feels like he's having genuine fun for once, and not just the drunken party fun that comes with being on the soccer team. The more he eats, drinks, and laughs with Odd, Sissi, and Aelita, the more comfortable and accepted he feels.

As the night comes to a close, he feels an immense gratitude for the opportunity to get to know more about Aelita and to understand her better. He feels a smile tug at his lips as he recalls the multiple rounds of drunken Never Have I Ever that the four of them had played.

William peeks over his shoulder at an already sleeping Aelita, who had succumbed to the many types of alcohol she'd consumed throughout the day. The girl sure can hold her liquor, he thinks as he quietly laughs to himself and turns back over.

His eyes start to get heavier and heavier until they shut completely, and he falls asleep with the tiniest of smiles on his face.