Unanswered Questions

Melanie's POV

The morning light streamed through the curtains, gently rousing me from my peaceful slumber. I found myself nestled comfortably in Theo's arms on the living room sofa. Despite the uncomfortable sleeping arrangement, I couldn't help but feel content in his embrace.

As I savored the warmth and security of that moment, I felt a tap on my shoulder, breaking the spell. Slowly, I turned my head to see fucking Grace standing there, a soft smile playing on her lips. She asked me, "What are you doing here?"

I stretched and yawned, feigning grogginess, though my heart was already dancing with amusement. "Keeping an eye on your boyfriend," I replied with a mischievous grin.

Grace chuckled, a melodic sound that eased away the last remnants of sleep from my mind. She leaned closer, her playful tone betraying her genuine affection. "You're not doing anything, right?"

I glanced over at Theo, who was now awake and watching our interaction with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. We shared a knowing look, and our laughter filled the room. "Nope," I said with a shake of my head, my voice filled with mock innocence. "He's all yours."

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Bea's POV

I couldn't do this trip anymore. Christmas was just around the corner, but the festive spirit had left me completely. I wanted to be anywhere else but here, surrounded by the echoes of our fractured friendships. The warmth and laughter we once shared now felt like distant memories.

My solitude was interrupted by a knock on the door, and before I could even respond, Josh walked in uninvited. I shouted at him, my frustration mounting. "Didn't I tell you not to come in?"

Ignoring my protest, he entered further into the room. I couldn't contain my anger anymore. "Where did you go last night?" I demanded, my voice laced with irritation.

With a nonchalant tone that grated on my nerves, he replied, "Out."

I clenched my fists, my patience wearing thin. "Are you fucking serious?" I shot back, unable to hide my exasperation. "You're going to give me one-word answers now?"

Josh sighed, his expression a mixture of weariness and defiance. "Bea, just fuck off."

But I couldn't let it go that easily. The nagging feeling of uncertainty gnawed at me. "Did you sleep with another girl last night?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.

His response hung in the air, a heavy silence that refused to break. Finally, he spoke, but his words were more of a challenge than an answer. "Do you really want me to answer that question?"

My heart sank. The question remained unanswered, and the gap between us seemed to widen further. I felt a lump in my throat, the sting of tears in my eyes. It was as if our relationship, already strained, was slipping through my fingers like sand, leaving me with nothing but unanswered questions.

Gathering all the courage I could muster, I pressed him once more, "Answer the question, Josh."

He sighed, perhaps realising that he couldn't evade this any longer. His voice, though, was softer this time, as if he understood the depth of my anxiety. "Bea, I didn't sleep with anyone," he admitted, his gaze never leaving mine.

A sense of relief washed over me, but it was quickly overshadowed by the frustration and hurt that had built up over the past few days. I tried to speak, to convey the turmoil inside me, but he interrupted me, his words cutting through the tension.

"You always think the worst of me," he said, his voice tinged with both exasperation and longing. "I love you, Bea."

His words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of our unresolved issues. But then, he continued, addressing a concern that had clearly been festering beneath the surface. "And I want you to know, I don't love you because of your skin color. I love you because you're the love of my life."

My heart ached at his words. This had always been a sensitive topic, something that had plagued our relationship with doubt and insecurity. It wasn't just about skin color; it was about trust, understanding, and the ability to bridge the gaps that society had created.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I realized that, despite everything, I still loved him too.

As the tears glistened in my eyes, I took a deep breath, willing myself to speak calmly, to make sense of the turmoil within me. "It's hard to love you when I know what you did," I began, my voice trembling ever so slightly.

Josh looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of understanding and remorse. "That was in the past," he said softly, as if those words could erase the history we shared.

I nodded, acknowledging the truth in his statement. "I know," I whispered, "but why didn't you tell me? Why keep it a secret?"

Josh's gaze never left mine as he replied, "Because I've changed."

I furrowed my brow, the confusion still clouding my thoughts. "Changed? How?"

He took a deep breath, as if searching for the right words. "I've changed for you, Bea," he admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "For better or for worse, I don't know, but I do it all for you."

His confession hung in the air, heavy with the weight of our shared history and the uncertain path that lay ahead. My heart ached with conflicting emotions. The wounds of the past were deep, and the scars ran far. But there was still love, a flicker of hope that perhaps we could navigate these turbulent waters together, rewriting our story with the lessons we had learned along the way.

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Grace's POV

Theo and I sat together outside, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees, and the distant sounds of the others enjoying their time in the villa. It was a peaceful moment, but an unease had settled in the pit of my stomach.

"What's next for us?" I asked, breaking the comfortable silence. I couldn't help but wonder where our relationship was headed, especially after the recent dramas happening.

Theo shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his gaze momentarily distant. "I don't know," he replied softly, uncertainty lacing his words.

I couldn't ignore the unease any longer. "What's wrong?" I asked, my voice tinged with concern.

As if on cue, Bella, Melanie's friend, appeared seemingly out of nowhere, her presence unwelcome in this intimate moment. She chimed in, "Yeah, what's wrong?"

I felt a surge of annoyance but kept my composure. "Can you leave, please?" I asked, hoping she would take the hint and give us some privacy.

Bella, however, seemed undeterred. She smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and retorted, "I can, but I don't want to. And I have some questions for Theo."

Theo's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You do?" he echoed, clearly taken aback by Bella's sudden intrusion and her apparent interest in his personal life.

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Theo's POV

Panic swelled within me as Bella continued to press her questions. Her sudden appearance had disrupted the peace of the moment, and I felt a rising sense of dread as she dug deeper into matters I'd rather not discuss.

I tried to maintain my composure, taking a deep breath before responding. "What do you want?" I asked, attempting to sound nonchalant despite the unease that gnawed at me.

Bella's inquiry was direct and sharp, leaving no room for evasion. "Do you still have feelings for Mel?" she asked, her eyes boring into mine.

Grace, sitting beside me, interjected with unwavering support. "Of course he doesn't," she stated firmly, her voice laced with confidence and trust in me.

But Bella wasn't so easily convinced. She persisted, her tone relentless. "Then why did you guys sleep downstairs together last night?"

I struggled to find a plausible explanation, my mind racing as I attempted to salvage the situation. "I don't know," I stammered, my voice tinged with desperation. "We got tired."

It was a feeble response, and even I knew it. The truth was far more complicated than I cared to admit.

Bella's questioning had sent a ripple of tension through our little gathering. Her inquiry into my feelings for Melanie was like a sharp blade, cutting through the delicate balance we had tried to maintain.

Grace, unyielding in her defense of our relationship, pressed Bella with a counter-question. "Do you have a boyfriend?" she asked, her voice steady.

Bella's response was intriguingly direct. "Yeah, I have some," she replied casually, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her choice of words. "Some?" I repeated, amused by her ambiguity. She was a force to be reckoned with, and her unexpected presence had thrown me for a loop.

Melanie emerged from the shadows, her presence casting a new light on the situation. "What's going on?" she inquired, a curious look in her eyes.

Suddenly, a smile crept onto my face as I gazed at Melanie. It was an involuntary reaction, one that seemed to happen every time she was around.

Grace, sensing the tension in the air, offered to fetch drinks for everyone. Bella, however, volunteered to help, which piqued my curiosity.

As they left, Melanie seized the opportunity, her intentions crystal clear. She winked at Bella, a gesture laced with hidden meaning that only she and Melanie seemed to understand.

I questioned Melanie's actions, baffled by her flirtatious behavior. "What was that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Melanie responded with a mischievous grin. "Something I had to do so I could do this." With that, she leaned in, her lips brushing against mine in a passionate kiss.

Startled, I pulled back slightly. "Woah, what are you doing? Grace could literally come back any second," I cautioned, my heart racing.

Unbothered , Melanie leaned in even closer, her voice a sultry whisper. "I bought us some time." She then kissed me again, her passion undeniable.

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Lily's POV

Steph and I had been hanging out for a while, and it was turning out to be one of those perfect days where time seemed to slip away effortlessly. Steph was engrossed in updating her Instagram, adding filters and captions to her latest photos. Her social media game was always on point, and it was no surprise that her posts garnered so much attention.

I leaned in, trying to sneak a peek at the latest gossip on my friends' feeds. It was the ultimate time-killer, scrolling through stories and posts, each one a tiny window into someone else's life. Instagram had a peculiar way of making everything seem glamorous, even the most ordinary moments.

Steph glanced up from her phone, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Hey, Lily," she said, "have you seen Bella's Instagram?"

I shook my head, my curiosity piqued."No, I haven't. What's going on?" I asked, reaching for my own phone.

Steph leaned in closer, her eyes alight with excitement. "You won't believe it," she said, handing me her phone. "Just check it out."

I took her phone and began scrolling through Bella's Instagram feed. Post after post, my jaw dropped in amazement. Bella looked absolutely stunning. Her photos were a masterclass in how to capture life's moments in the most beautiful way possible.

I couldn't help but be stunned by how effortlessly Bella seemed to radiate confidence and style. Her Instagram feed was like a treasure trove of inspiration.

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Bea's POV

I rushed downstairs, eager to gather my group of close friends. Jess, Steph, Lilly, Bella, Melanie, and Grace – they were my lifeline, my support system, and today, I had a plan to lift all our spirits.

"Hey, girls!" I called as I entered the living room, where they were scattered around chatting and sipping coffee. They all turned to look at me, curious expressions on their faces.

"I've got an idea," I began, excitement bubbling in my chest. "How about we have a beach day?"

Steph's eyes lit up immediately, her phone practically an extension of her hand. "Yes, I need some new content for Instagram," she exclaimed, a mischievous grin on her face.

Lilly nodded enthusiastically. "Count me in," she chimed in. "I could use a day of sun and sand."

Melanie, always the practical one, had her own motivations. "I need to put up some beach photos on my dating app profile," she admitted with a sheepish grin. "Maybe I'll find love by the ocean."

Grace, who was rarely one to mince words, couldn't resist stirring the pot. "Oh, Melanie," she teased, "we all know you to be alone."

Bella, jumped in before the banter could escalate. "Shut the fuck up Grace," she said with a playful eye-roll. "Let's not start this again. Beach day it is!"

And just like that, the plan was set in motion. As we packed our bags with sunscreen, towels, and snacks, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope wash over me. The beach was our sanctuary, a place where we could forget our worries, soak up the sun, and enjoy each other's company. Today, it was exactly what we all needed – a day of laughter, friendship, and the healing power of the sea.

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Melanie's POV

The sun was high in the sky, its warmth enveloping me as I lay on my beach towel, attempting to catch a tan. The sound of the ocean's waves provided a soothing backdrop to my thoughts, which at that moment were completely consumed by Theo.

My phone buzzed with messages from him, each one more endearing than the last.

Theo was sweet, caring, and had a sense of humor that never failed to make me smile. As I read his texts, my heart did somersaults in my chest, and I couldn't help but think, "I love this boy."

Wait, did I just think that? Panic washed over me as I realised the depth of my feelings. I quickly put my phone down, hoping that my beach towel would swallow me whole.

Just then, I saw Grace approaching. She had a determined look on her face, which immediately sent my heart into overdrive. Grace was known for her straightforwardness, and her timing couldn't have been worse.

She greeted me with a friendly smile and then cut straight to the chase. "Melanie, can we go on a walk?" she asked.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what this conversation was going to be about. "Yeah, sure," I finally replied, propping myself up on my elbows.

Grace took a deep breath before continuing, "I don't want to have any problems with you, so..." She trailed off, leaving the statement hanging in the air.

I furrowed my brow, trying to understand what she meant. "What do you mean, Grace?"

She looked at me earnestly. "I know things have been a bit tense lately," she began, "especially with Theo and all."

I felt a lump in my throat, wondering how much Grace knew about my feelings for Theo. "Yeah," I admitted, "it has been a little complicated."

Grace nodded in understanding. "I just want you to know that I care about you, Melanie," she said softly. "And if you ever need to talk or if there's anything you're worried about, I'm here for you."

I was taken aback by her sincerity. Grace and I had our differences, but in that moment, I could see that she genuinely wanted to resolve any issues between us.

"Thanks, Grace," I replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I appreciate that."

Maybe there was hope for smoothing out the rough patches in our friendship, just as there was hope for a relationship with Theo.