The gym is silent but for the hum of the fluorescent lighting overhead and the clinking of iron striking iron. Coaches Jim Morales and Anton Dragonov are running a tight ship, conditioning both current and prospective players ahead of the tryouts for the upcoming season.
William stands in front of a rack of free weights, a dumbbell in each hand, his muscles glistening with a sheen of exertion. Beads of sweat roll down his forehead, mingling with the determination etched on his face. With a focused intensity, he pushes himself to his physical limits, displaying the athleticism that has garnered the attention of professional soccer teams. He watches his reflection in a mirror to his side to gauge his form.
From across the room, Hiroki watches the captain of the collegiate team intently, resolute to become just like him. He watches as William moves through his exercises smoothly with disciplined, rhythmic breathing. He admires his elder's dedication and drive, and he hopes that one day he will be able to emulate those qualities.
Hiroki is snapped out of his reverie when William catches his eye and gives him a friendly nod. Embarrassed, the younger Ishiyama sibling quickly averts his gaze and resumes his own workout.
William smiles to himself. He remembers what it was like to be Hiroki's age, full of youthful energy and ambition. He makes a mental note to speak with the young athlete later, offering words of encouragement and advice.
When he finishes his set however, Hiroki beats him to it, approaching him shyly. "Hey, William," Hiroki greets. "Got a second?"
"Hey, kid," William replies, wiping the sweat from his brow. "What's up?"
"I was wondering, uh, hoping even, that you could give me some pointers?" Hiroki asks, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I really want to move up from JV to varsity this year but I'm not sure Jim is gonna want to let me go."
"Sure," William says warmly. "I can give you all the tips and tricks you need to know as a varsity player." He lowers his voice for his next utterance. "And everything you need to know to stay on Dragonov's good side."
Hiroki's face lights up. "Really? Thanks, William!"
"No problem, kid."
Sissi, who had been stretching nearby, overhears the conversation. Curious, she walks over and joins in.
"Hey, Will," she greets.
"Hey, Sissi," William replies.
"Since when have you two been this close?" she asks, her eyes darting between the two boys.
"Hiroki was just asking me for some advice on getting onto the varsity team," William explains.
"Oh, gotcha," Sissi says, nodding. "Well, I'm sure you'll do great, Hiroki. I've seen you play, and you've got a lot of potential."
"Thanks," Hiroki replies, looking away to hide the blush forming on his cheeks. He's not used to his sister's friends praising him. "Uh, anyway, I've gotta get back to my workout. Thanks again, William!"
"Of course, kid. Let me know if you wanna practice a little," William says as he waves Hiroki off.
"So, William," Sissi continues, turning her attention back to the older boy. "I know you have tryouts and everything coming up, but do try to make yourself available a couple of weekends from now."
"What for?" William asks as he wipes some lingering sweat from his brow.
"Lita's birthday, duh," Sissi replies. "I always plan a little trip for her, and I'm sure it'd mean a lot to her for you to join us this year."
"Oh, yeah, of course," William says, his expression softening. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Plus," Sissi adds with a smirk, "since you've got pro soccer player money, maybe you could help fund the trip a little."
William chuckles. "Only because it's Lita's birthday. Sure."
"Thanks, Will. You're the best," she says giving him a quick hug.
"Anything for my favorite girls," William replies. "So what are you actually planning, anyway? What happens on this trip normally?"
"Well, typically," Sissi begins, her excitement palpable, "we rent out a place on the beach in Marseilles for a couple days. We usually spend the first night cooking together, then the next day we go to the beach. The final day we usually head out and explore the city before packing up and heading home."
"Marseilles?" he asks with a scoff. "Don't waste your money."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Sissi blinks in confusion. "Marseilles tends to be cheaper than anywhere else in the south."
"I mean don't rent out the place in Marseilles. My family owns a villa down in Nice. I can talk to my parents about using that instead. It's free, and it's right on the water. You can't beat the view."
"Wait, what?" Sissi's jaw drops. "William, are you serious?"
"Dead serious," William replies, his tone sincere. "It's the least I can do for Aelita. Plus, I'm sure the others would enjoy it, too."
"Wow," Sissi says, her mind racing to formulate new plans. "Thank you, William. That's incredibly generous of you."
"It's no problem. Happy to help."
"Why isn't anyone telling me what's going on?" Aelita pleads to her friends as they walk through Charles de Gaulle Airport. "I don't understand why we're flying this time. Isn't it cheaper to take the train to Marseilles like we normally do?"
"It may be cheaper, but flying is faster and I want to get celebrating as soon as possible today!" Sissi says over her shoulder as she leads the group to their gate.
"Sissi's right, though. It's what, a little over an hour in the air to Marseilles," Bastien adds as he gives William a knowing look, which William returns. "I'll spend an extra fifty euros to get to the beach faster.
Aelita narrows her eyes at her boyfriend and his best friend. "You two know something that I don't, and it's beginning to frustrate me. In fact, why isn't anyone giving me anything to work with?"
"Princess. It's okay. You'll understand in a second," William says calmly as he sees Sissi take a sharp right towards a group of seats near a jetway door. "Look. We're at our gate now. Why don't you take a seat and just try to enjoy yourself."
Aelita drops her bag and sits down heavily. She pouts and crosses her arms over her chest, staring expectantly at William.
Odd walks past William and Aelita, towards his girlfriend. "Hey, babe," he calls, "Don'tcha think this is gonna be such a nice time?"
Sissi gives him a look trying to make him shut up, but he continues his antics anyway, knowing it's just going to rile Aelita up. He turns around to Bastien and Maeve. "Oh, Maeve! I heard about your niece, is she doing alright?" He gives her a couple winks and Bastien has to stifle a laugh.
"My niece?" she questions Odd. "Oh right! Yeah, she's doing great!" she says once she understands what he's doing.
What is happening? Aelita wonders to herself. Odd is acting especially weird today. And why is Maeve of all people enabling him?
Almost as if he can read Aelita's thoughts, Odd smirks and turns to Ulrich who's sitting with Yumi behind him. Ulrich also tries to give him a look attempting to make him shut up.
"And Ulrich. Your parents just bought a Nissan, didn't they? How are they enjoying it?"
Yumi pipes up, whispering to Odd, "Odd, stop. You're going to ruin the surprise." She glances obviously at Aelita. "She doesn't know where we're going."
Aelita catches Yumi's quick glance and starts to put the pieces together in her head. Wait. Nice. Nissan. NIECE. No. No way.
Her thoughts are cut off by the gate attendant making her boarding announcement. "Good morning, everybody! In just a moment we will begin boarding AirFrance Flight 2922 with nonstop service to Nice. Hope everyone brought sunscreen."
Aelita gasps. "I knew it! We are going to Nice!"
"Ding ding ding, we have a winner!" William puts his arm around her, "Thank my parents the next time you see them. They were kind enough to give me the keys to their mountainside villa," he says, surprisingly nonchalant.
"Your parents have a villa? On a mountainside? In Nice?" Aelita can't rein in her astonishment. "I knew you came from money, but how much do your parents actually have?"
William feigns counting on his fingers, making thinking faces at the ceiling. "A lot."
The gate attendant calls the beginning of the boarding process and many of the passengers sitting in the waiting area stand and start queueing. The four couples stand and find their places in line.
"Wait, so, why are we going to Nice?"
"We're going to celebrate your birthday, Princess," William says as he grabs his and Aelita's carry-ons. "Instead of Marseilles, we're going to Nice now."
"But, what are we going to do?"
"Whatever you want."
"I... I don't know what I want to do. I've never been to Nice and I don't know what's there."
"Well how do you normally spend this trip? I know it's basically a tradition for you and Sissi."
"It's usually a cookout day, a beach day, and an exploration day. But—"
"Aelita, it's going to be fine. Just relax and enjoy the ride."
Aelita sighs. "I guess. I'm just trying to process all these differences. You know I'm not good with change like this."
"I know," he reassures her. "Come on. It's our turn."
The two of them make their way into the plane and find their seats.
Aelita is doing her best to occupy her mind on the flight, but her excitement is making it hard. Nothing is holding her focus and she can't stop fidgeting in her seat.
William grabs her hand and lightly kisses it. "Princess, it's okay. I do apologize for hiding this from you, but you really don't have to be nervous."
Aelita takes a deep breath. "I am nervous, though. You haven't seen me in a bathing suit as... interesting... as the ones I've packed."
William stares flatly at Aelita. "Lita. I've literally seen you naked. I know what every inch of your body looks like."
She tries to protest, a blush forming on her cheeks. "But this is different..."
William just laughs, making Aelita pout again.
The rest of the flight is uneventful. William takes a nap and Aelita watches as the Alps move past them in the distance. The pilots make a routine landing at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. The group makes their way through the airport towards the baggage claim. One by one, each couple grabs their suitcases off the carousel and regroups.
"Well, shit," Sissi curses.
"What's up, babe?" Odd asks.
"I just realized something. I don't think any of us made any rental car reservations."
"I don't think that's a problem, Sissi," Ulrich says, pointing at a man in a suit standing ten meters from them. "That dude's got a sign that says 'Dunbar.'"
"Mom. You didn't," William grumbles as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
Aelita puts a hand on his arm. "What's wrong, honey?"
"After I told my parents this trip was happening, Mom must have gone behind my back and scheduled a chauffeur for us." He pinches the bridge of his nose again. "So much for not standing out."
"Sweet! Party bus!" Odd and Sissi yell in unison.
William leads the group to the man and introduces himself before giving the driver the information he needs. They all pile into the bus and get comfortable as it pulls away from the curb.
The drive to the villa is nothing short of breathtaking. They navigate along the winding coastal roads, ascending higher into the hills overlooking the sparkling sea. The road is lined with vibrant pink and purple bougainvillea, the blooms adding a pop of color to the lush greenery.
As they continue their journey, the landscape gradually transforms. The Mediterranean Sea spreads out below them, revealing its deep, blue expanse. They approach the villa, perched on the mountainside, offering panoramic views of the sea and the city of Nice in the distance.
The villa is a tranquil oasis, with white stucco walls, terracotta-tiled roofs, and lush gardens surrounding it. As they step out of the car and look out at the pristine scenery, Aelita can't help but feel a sense of serenity wash over her. She looks around, taking in the beauty of her surroundings, and feels a smile spreading across her face.
The group makes their way inside the villa, marveling at its opulent interior. The spacious living room is decorated with tasteful furnishings and features a large fireplace. The kitchen is fully equipped with state-of-the-art appliances, and the bedrooms are elegantly appointed, with luxurious beds and private bathrooms.
Odd whistles appreciatively. "Damn, William. Your parents have good taste."
"Yeah, well, they're not exactly hurting for money," William replies.
Ulrich notices the hint of embarrassment in William's tone and decides to change the subject. "So, what's the plan for today anyway?"
"Honestly, screw the normal itinerary. I think we should all take a dip at the beach," Sissi suggests loudly. "It's a beautiful day, and the water looks amazing."
"Sounds good to me," Yumi agrees. "I could use a chance to relax."
"Alright, then. Everyone pick a room," William says. "Let's meet back down here in 30 minutes."
The group splits up, each couple claiming a bedroom. William and Aelita's room is the largest, with a king-sized bed and a stunning view of the Mediterranean.
"Wow," Aelita breathes, taking in the sight. "This is incredible."
"Yeah, it's really something, isn't it," William agrees. "I'm glad my parents were willing to let us use the place."
"Me, too," Aelita says, smiling. "I can't wait to explore the rest of the villa."
"We'll have plenty of time for that later," William says, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her to his side. "For now, let's just enjoy the moment."
The two of them stand there for a while, basking in the warmth of the sun and the beauty of their surroundings.
Eventually, they're interrupted by the sound of Odd's voice. "Yo, lovebirds! Everyone else is ready to go!" he calls out. "Are you two gonna join us at the beach or what?"
"Yeah, yeah, we're coming," William replies, rolling his eyes. "Come on, Princess," he says, grabbing Aelita's hand. "Let's go have some fun."
The group makes their way down to the nearby beach, eager to take advantage of the perfect weather. As they settle in on the sand, they can't help but admire the stunning scenery around them. The azure waters of the Mediterranean stretch out before them, and the sun shines brightly overhead. The shoreline is dotted with palm trees and colorful umbrellas.
Bastien places a big umbrella in the sand and opens it up. Maeve lays out a blanket and the two sit down.
"I'm so excited for this," Maeve says, her eyes sparkling. "I can't believe we're actually here."
"Me, too," Bastien replies, a smile on his face. "It's going to be a great weekend."
Sissi inches herself closer to Maeve, not keen on being in the sun. "I'm just happy to be away from school for a bit."
"Yeah, me too," Maeve agrees. "I needed a break from all the stress."
"I'm just glad Odd didn't bring his skateboard," Ulrich jokes.
"Hey, I heard that!" Odd yells from the edge of the water.
Ulrich yells back, "You were meant to!"
Yumi snickers. As she does, she nonchalantly pulls the oversized shirt she's wearing over her head, revealing an all-black one-piece with a low-cut neckline held together by a gold ring.
"Holy shit," Ulrich mutters under his breath.
Yumi smirks and saunters over to him, her hips swaying seductively. "Like what you see, Stern?"
Ulrich swallows hard, his eyes raking over her body. He clears his throat before speaking. "Uh, yeah. You look amazing."
"Thanks," Yumi purrs, leaning against him. "I'm glad you approve."
Ulrich's heart races as Yumi's lips brush against his ear. He can't help but imagine what it would be like to have her in his arms, her body pressed against his.
Meanwhile, William watches closely as Aelita also removes her own wraparound coverup dress, revealing a similar light-colored one-piece with a low-cut neckline, also held together by a gold ring. William sucks in a breath at the sight of her, his eyes roaming over her curves.
Aelita notices his reaction but doesn't say anything. She simply blushes, a shy smile playing on her lips. She sprawls out on her towel, eager to soak up the sun's rays.
Ulrich clears his throat again. "Hey, William. Wanna play a game of volleyball?"
"Yeah... sure," William replies, struggling to tear his gaze away from Aelita.
The two men make their way over to the net, where Odd and Bastien—who has put some distance between him and Maeve for his own sanity—are already waiting.
"Ready to get your asses kicked?" Odd taunts.
"In your dreams," Ulrich retorts.
The four of them begin to play, their competitive spirits on full display. As they volley the ball back and forth, the heat of the sun and the intensity of the game cause their bodies to glisten with sweat.
Aelita and Yumi watch from the sidelines, cheering their respective partners on.
"Come on, Ulrich!" Yumi shouts. "You can do it!"
"Yeah, William!" Aelita calls. "Show 'em who's boss!"
As the game continues, the tension between the four men grows. Their muscles flex and strain as they dive for the ball, their movements graceful and powerful. The girls can't help but admire the sight, their eyes following every curve and contour of their partners' bodies.
"God, they're so hot," Sissi murmurs, her eyes glued to Odd.
Bastien takes a skilled dive to keep the ball off the ground, and Maeve's eyebrows shoot up. "I know," she agrees, her gaze fixed on Bastien.
The two women exchange a knowing look, their cheeks flushed even though they're not in the sun.
"I can't wait to get him alone later," Sissi whispers.
"And you get on me for PDA," Aelita says teasingly.
Sissi smirks. "It's different when I do it."
The two women burst into laughter, their eyes twinkling with mischief.
Suddenly, Maeve gets up and makes her way towards the water. "I'm going for a swim," she announces. "I desperately need to cool off, if you catch my drift."
"Count me in," Yumi says, following her.
The two women make their way into the cool, refreshing water, their bodies glistening in the sunlight.
As Aelita stands up and takes a few steps, her eyes dart back to Sissi, who is still content to stay under the umbrella. "Aren't you coming in, Sissi?"
"Nah, I'm good," Sissi replies, waving her off. "I'm not a huge fan of the sun."
"Uh-uh," Aelita says, grabbing onto her best friend's arm and pulling hard.
"Aelita, no," Sissi protests, digging her heels into the sand.
"Aelita, yes," Aelita replies, her tone playful.
"Fine," Sissi relents, allowing herself to be dragged into the water.
The four women splash around, laughing and enjoying each other's company.
"See, isn't this fun?" Aelita asks, a smile on her face.
"Yeah, yeah," Sissi grumbles, but the corners of her mouth are turned up in a smile.
The men, finished with their game, make their way over to the women.
"So?" Aelita asks. "Who won?"
"We did, of course," William replies, a smug grin on his face.
"Of course," Bastien echoes, rolling his eyes. "It must be easy when your teammate actually knows what he's doing." He shoots an angry glance at Odd.
"I don't know, man. From where I was standing, Odd was absolutely carrying you," Ulrich teases.
"Hey!" Bastien retorts, "Not true!"
"You just keep believing that, buddy," Odd chimes in with a hand on Bastien's shoulder.
The group spends the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach, enjoying the sun and the sea. As the sun begins to set, they make their way back to the villa, their bodies tired and their spirits high.
As the group walks through the villa's front door, Bastien shouts to William, "Yo, is there a grill somewhere here? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm feeling a cookout tonight!"
Everybody else erupts in a quick cheer, agreeing to the idea.
"It's out on the patio behind the house. There's some couches and a fire pit, too."
"Sick." Bastien runs to the kitchen and gathers a whole bunch of ingredients and piles it all high in a basket he finds laying around. Meat for steaks and hamburgers, all manner of vegetables, some sausages, and all the buns and sauces necessary.
The rest of the group heads out to sit around the fire pit while Bastien is running around the kitchen.
"Anyone wanna help me?" Bastien yells from the kitchen.
"Not me," Odd replies, his eyes closed as he lays his head on Sissi's lap.
"You got this, man!" William shouts back. "But just because I want to be a bro, I'll start the grill for you."
"Thanks, guys. Means a lot." Bastien walks out of the kitchen with all the food perched precariously on his arms. He slaps all the meat on one side and all the veggies on the other, a chorus of sizzling food echoing around the patio.
"Alright, who wants what?"
"I'll take a hamburger," Ulrich says.
"Same," Odd adds.
"Make mine a steak. Correctly," William requests.
"Medium rare for the sir, coming up!"
"Steak for me, too. Less correctly?" Aelita chimes in.
"Medium for the miss!" Bastien replies, flipping the meat expertly.
As the smell of the cooking food fills the air, the group can't help but feel a sense of contentment. The setting sun casts a warm glow over the scene, and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore provides a soothing soundtrack.
"This is the life," Sissi sighs, her eyes closed as she leans back in her chair.
"Yeah, it is," Maeve agrees, a smile on her face. "I didn't realize Bastien was so good in front of a grill."
"It's a hobby," Bastien says over his shoulder.
"Well, it's a damn good one," Odd declares, his mouth full of chips.
"Thanks, bro," Bastien replies, a grin on his lips.
When Bastien is done cooking, everyone digs in, savoring the delicious meal. As the sun sets, the group sits around the fire, talking and laughing.
"This is the best birthday weekend ever," Aelita says, a smile on her face.
William returns her smile. "I'm glad you're having a good time, Princess."
"I'm just glad we can all celebrate together," Sissi says, her expression soft.
"Yeah, me, too," Maeve agrees, her eyes meeting Bastien's.
The group continues to enjoy the evening, their hearts full and their spirits high. As the night wears on, the conversation turns to bonding experiences and funny stories.
"Remember when Odd got stuck in the vending machine?" Ulrich asks, a smirk on his lips.
"Oh, yeah," William chuckles. "That was hilarious."
"I was hungry!" Odd protests, his eyes wide.
"So was the machine, apparently," Ulrich replies, his tone teasing.
The group continues to share stories, their laughter filling the air until Sissi whips out a deck of conversation cards and reads one. "Okay, each couple has to answer these questions. First one: have you ever had your heart broken?"
"Jesus Christ, Sissi," Bastien says. "Coming out guns blazing, aren't we?"
"Just answer the question," Sissi replies, her tone playful.
"Yeah, yeah," Bastien grumbles.
Maeve smirks at Bastien. "Well, I haven't."
"Me neither," Bastien agrees.
"Well, I have," Sissi admits.
"Really?" Odd asks, his brow furrowed. "When?"
"Pfft. Everyone remembers I used to be in love with 'Ulrich, dear.'"
Odd snickers as he elbows Ulrich in the ribs. "Thank God you got over that phase."
"Yeah, yeah," Sissi replies.
"Can't say I've had my heart broken," Ulrich says, his expression serious.
"Me, neither," Yumi agrees.
"Well, I have," William admits, his eyes downcast.
"Yeah, me, too," Aelita chimes in, her voice soft.
"What happened to you, William?" Ulrich asks, an eyebrow raised. He thinks he has an idea of what the answer might be.
"I used to date a girl named Tiffany. She was a bitch. She cheated on me. The end."
"Oh. That's way worse than what I was thinking."
"Yeah," William replies.
"Damn. I'm sorry, man," Ulrich says sincerely.
"It's whatever. It happened. Nothing else to say about that," William says dismissively. "But at least I came out better because of it." He smiles down at his pink-haired partner as he pulls her closer.
"What's the story on your end, Aelita?" Maeve asks, curious.
Aelita sighs. "I... used to date a guy. He took my virginity but, in the end, he wasn't actually into it. He basically used me and tossed me aside."
"Not gonna lie... that was a dick move," Ulrich says.
Aelita glares at Ulrich. "Yeah, well, it's in the past. No use getting bent out of shape because of it." she says angrily.
"Still, that's rough," Yumi says sympathetically.
"I'm sorry, Aelita," Maeve says, her tone sincere.
"Thanks," Aelita replies, a small smile on her lips. "Can we move on though? I don't like talking about that."
The friends continue to open their hearts to each other and share emotional stories. As the night wears on, the group can't help but feel a sense of connection, their friendship deepening.
Eventually, Aelita's eyelids grow too heavy for her to keep them open, and she begins to doze, her head resting on William's shoulder.
"I think it's time for us to turn in," William says gently.
"Yeah, us, too," Yumi agrees, stifling a yawn before looking at Ulrich.
"Alright, everyone. Goodnight," Sissi says.
The group makes their way inside and splits off towards their respective rooms. As they settle in for the night, they can't help but feel a sense of contentment, their friendship forged in the flames of shared experience.
William gently lays Aelita down on the bed. "Goodnight, Princess," William whispers, pressing a kiss to Aelita's forehead.