Veronica's POV

I noticed how happy Nessa seems to be recently. I haven't seen her cry once since she started talking with Grayson. I think he's good for her. After what happened. But I can't help but be protective. She's my twin sister, she's my best friend and I love her more than anything in the world. I don't want this to happen again. She deserves better. She deserves everything.

I was cleaning up my room when I heard Nessa screams. I sprinted to her room, only to see her laughing with her phone in her hand. Grayson...

"Nessa? Everything's okay?"

"Yeah I'm sorry, it's just gray-" she cuts short. "Nevermind it's okay."

"I heard you scream. I was worried something was happening to you."

"I'm okay Roni. I promise." She smiled at me.

I can be overprotective sometimes, but she knows and she understands why.

I smiled at her, "great. See you later."

She nodded and went back to her conversation.

"Stop! You can't do th-" I shut the door and go back in my room.

We had our family over yesterday, and especially our cousins. They're really nice guys but they just don't know how to keep a room clean.

•••

Ethan's POV

Should I talk to her?  

This question has been running in my mind for weeks now.

I'm just scared. Scared than she doesn't want to talk to me.

I keep my thumb floating over her contact's number. She will think I'm weird.

To: Veronica Merrell

Hi,
Just wanted to make sure if you and Vanessa are still okay for New year's Eve?

I don't know if I should press send. Why am I like this? I'm just too dumb.

Send

My palms are sweating, and my breathing is unsteady. Calm down, E. It's just a girl. A girl that I like. A girl that drives me crazy. Sure, no big deal.

•••

Grayson's POV

She is so beautiful. I've never seen a girl like her before. I mean, yeah I did but she's special.

"Gray?" I hear Nessa call as I look at her on my screen.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" She asks, raising her eyebrows. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows. Everything about her is perfect.

"Y-yeah, just thinking."

"What were you thinking about?"

You.

"Hm, new years eve." I said, "I'm so excited. Are you still coming?"

"Of course we are! Our parents are going to Las Vegas and I don't think staying home alone with Roni is in my plans."

"Cool." I smiled. "I'll text you the details tomorrow."

"Cool." She smiled. Oh god, her smile.

***

To: Nessa 💝😊

Hey Ness, wanna hang out?

Two days left before New year's Eve. I really can't wait to ask her. Ethan is in his room, doing I don't know what. He's been distant recently. I wonder if it's because of a girl or something else.

From: Nessa 💝😊

Sure! I was about to ask you the same thing. Where do you wanna go?

To: Nessa 💝😊

We could go for a walk on the beach. Get ice cream and maybe we could have dinner after.

From: Nessa 💝😊

You sure know how to make a girl happy, don't you?

I smiled at her response. I take my keys and walk to the car to pick her up.

***

Grayson's POV

I was waiting for Nessa in my car when I heard a door shut. I look up and see Vanessa walking to the car.

"So, you're ready?"

"Let's go" she smiled at me.

__

The wind was brushing through our hair and the waves came crashing at our feet leaving them wet. We took off our shoes and we now are walking on the sand, next to each other.

The view was beautiful, but she was prettier.

We walked for about half an hour without saying anything. Just thinking and enjoying the other person's presence. I saw an ice cream stand not far from us so I decided to talk.

"Hey, wanna get ice cream?" I asked her as I gestured towards the stand.

She had a big smile on her face as she started to run.

"Last one who get there pay!" She yelled as she continued running.

I laughed and started running after her.

I smile as I stop next to her. Seeing her happy that she won makes me feel like I won too.

"I won!" She said, out of breath.

"Yeah you won," I laughed, "what flavor do you want?"

__

We were sitting on the beach, eating our ice cream and staring at the sunset. I wanna stay here forever. I enjoy having her by my side.

I look at her as I hear her laugh. She's already looking at me and I shot her a confused look.

"What?"

"You got ice cream all over your face." She says, laughing.

She leans closer to me and wipe the ice cream from my face with a tissue. She was concentrated, staring at my lips. And I just stared at her face. She really is beautiful.
Her eyes then fall into mine. We just stare at each other, blushing. I wanted to lean closer but she pulled away, laughing and she continues eating.

I stayed silence, I didn't know if she did it on purpose. I mean, pulling away. Maybe I'm just being delusional. Why would someone like her wants to be with someone like me.

__

We've been on the beach for a few hours already so I decided we should leave.

"Do you wanna go home, or should we go eat somewhere?"

"You've already done so much today, gray." She smiled, "I had so much fun. We should totally do it again some time."

"Okay, let me give you a ride home."

We both get back in the car after washing our feet covered in sand.
We stayed silent, again. The only thing we could hear was the music. But it was relaxing. Not awkward.