Across the Pond

Across the Pond
Every summer, Isabella Cooper returns to Wilmington, North Carolina, a place steeped in sunshine, family, and the quiet, enduring presence of her childhood crush, Nico Bradford. This year, on the cusp of her senior year, she's determined to make it the best summer yet. But with hidden feelings and unspoken words lingering between them, will Bella finally cross the pond from friendship to something more, or will the comfortable familiarity of their past keep them forever apart?

The digital glow of my phone cast a harsh light across my room. 8:29 AM. Too early for most, but not for Mom. Her voice, a cheerful chime, drifted up from downstairs. “Bella, almost ready?”

I glanced at my reflection in the vanity mirror, scrutinizing my olive skin. No makeup. My standard, comfortable uniform lay waiting on the ottoman: white shorts, a basic tank, and my well-loved, mud-splattered high-top white Converses. “Just a minute!” I called back, the lie tasting familiar. Today was the day I returned to Wilmington, to summer, to… Nico. And I had to be as close to perfect as possible, even if that meant convincing myself my worn-out shoes were peak fashion.

Nervous excitement buzzed beneath my skin, a feeling I’d known for nine years. Nine years of crushing on the same guy, mastering the art of playing it cool. The words of my best friend, Remi, echoed in my head, 'You make your infatuation obvious.' She had no idea. Or maybe she did, and I was just really good at convincing myself otherwise. After all, I’d perfected the casual nod, the perfectly timed laugh, the nonchalant ‘hi, how are you?’ that never betrayed the somersaults in my stomach. The truth was, Nico Bradford was everything. My first friend. My first crush. My first love, even if he didn't know it. And I was terrified he never would.

Across the Pond

Across the Pond

First LoveCoastal TownComing of AgeChildhood FriendsSummer Love