Chapter 14: River Bash
The final day of their weekend getaway had arrived, and the air was thick with excitement. The sun had barely risen, but the group was already gathering near the river, eager for the day ahead. Riley felt the cool morning air on her skin as she tugged her sports bra on, followed by a pair of swim shorts and boxers underneath. It wasn't a style she typically wore around others, but today, she felt more at ease than usual, more confident in her own skin.
Her abs, which were visible beneath the loose fabric of her clothes, made the muscle definition she'd worked hard for stand out in the early light. She didn't mind the slight attention it drew-she was proud of what her body could do now, how strong and capable it had become. But what caught her attention most was the way everyone seemed to look at her differently today, especially Elena.
Elena's gaze lingered for just a moment longer than Riley was used to, and Riley could have sworn she saw the surprise flicker in Elena's eyes. Her expression was soft, almost appreciative, before she quickly turned her gaze away. Riley couldn't help but grin, knowing that this was a side of her Elena had never really seen before. But it didn't matter. They were friends, and that's all that mattered. Right?
"Alright, you ready for this?" Sam called out, already perched on the edge of a large rock near the riverbank. His voice was brimming with excitement. He was always the one to instigate these kinds of things, and today was no different.
Riley stepped forward, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "You bet I am," she replied confidently, her voice carrying across the water.
She walked towards the river with an easy swagger, her every step exuding confidence. She could feel the eyes of her friends on her, but instead of shrinking away from it, she embraced it. She was in her element, finally comfortable enough to show off her strength and her confidence. She stopped at the edge of the river, turned to face her group, and then without warning, launched herself into a graceful flip off the rocks.
The splash was immense, sending a spray of water into the air as Riley landed with ease in the deep, cool river. She surfaced a moment later, wiping the water from her face, her grin wide as she swam toward the others.
"Come on, you guys!" she called, still grinning ear to ear. "It's just water!"
Maya let out a surprised laugh. "Since when is Riley the one leading the charge?" she teased, her voice full of disbelief but with clear amusement.
Jordan chuckled beside her, giving Riley a nod of approval. "She's on fire today," he commented, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "I think she's finally hit her stride."
Sam, ever the supporter, clapped his hands. "I like it. This is the Riley we all know and love."
The others slowly followed, eager to join in on the fun. Elena hesitated for just a moment before joining the group at the water's edge, her gaze finding Riley again. She had never seen Riley like this-so free, so confident. There was something magnetic about the way she held herself now, and Elena couldn't quite look away. But there was something else too, something unfamiliar in the way her heart raced as Riley's playful grin turned into something almost... seductive, in its own subtle way.
Riley waited until the others made their way to the edge, her presence commanding. She motioned for them to jump in. "Come on, you wimps! Are you gonna stand there all day, or are you gonna join me?"
The challenge was clear in her voice, and the guys, including Danny, exchanged a glance. Maya shot a grin at Elena before following Riley's lead, her laughter mixing with the others as she dove into the water. Danny was the next to jump in, followed closely by Jordan. Elena took a few more steps back, her feet unwilling to move, but she couldn't help but watch Riley, her mind caught between admiration and confusion.
She was still trying to process what she'd seen earlier. The confidence, the way Riley had tossed herself into the river without hesitation, the muscles she didn't even know she had-Elena couldn't quite believe how much Riley had changed. She wasn't the quiet, unsure girl she'd known back in high school. Riley was now someone else entirely. And part of Elena wondered if maybe she'd missed out on getting to know this side of her before.
As Riley swam toward the shore, dripping wet but still full of energy, Elena felt her heart flutter. The ease with which Riley moved, how natural she looked in her own body, made Elena feel a little self-conscious. She wasn't used to seeing Riley this way-so unapologetically herself. Elena had always admired Riley from afar, but today... today she couldn't help but wonder if Riley had always been like this, hiding in plain sight, waiting to emerge.
The group was laughing now, the energy contagious. Riley's newfound confidence had sparked something in everyone, and the mood had shifted from a simple getaway to something more-something that felt like a new chapter for them all.
Elena was snapped from her thoughts when she saw Riley swimming back to the shore, a huge smile on her face.
"Okay, enough of that!" Riley shouted, waving her arms. "Who's next?"
Maya was the first to leap into the water again, with Sam following right after. They were all excited, but there was something different about the way Riley led the charge today.
"You're really owning it today, Riley," Maya said as she climbed out of the river, her voice filled with admiration. "It's like we're seeing a whole new you."
Riley shrugged nonchalantly, her grin unwavering. "Guess it's time I stop pretending I'm someone I'm not," she said, her voice confident and strong. "Why hold back when you're just gonna regret it later?"
There was a beat of silence, the group nodding as they soaked in her words.
"Well, you definitely seem more like the real Riley today," Danny teased, wading over to her. His smile was easy, though his eyes flickered to Elena for just a moment, making Riley raise an eyebrow.
Elena, still processing the shift in Riley, couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She was happy for Riley, genuinely. It was like watching someone find their place in the world-and Elena couldn't help but feel a little jealous of the way Riley had so effortlessly embraced herself, while she, too often, had been tangled in her own doubts.
She wanted to be like Riley, to let go and not care about how she was perceived, to just live. And maybe, just maybe, she could.
As the afternoon wore on, Riley remained the center of attention, taking the lead in every challenge, every game. Whether it was climbing onto rocks to jump off or daring everyone to dive into the deeper waters, Riley didn't hesitate. She had become the energy that fueled the entire group, and everyone was eager to follow her lead.
As they all gathered later, relaxing on the banks of the river, Elena watched Riley as she joked with Sam and Jordan. It was then that Elena realized that maybe Riley had always had this side to her. She just hadn't known how to let it out before. And now, with a new sense of confidence, Riley was finally embracing it-and herself.
It was hard not to feel a little inspired by it. And, maybe, just maybe, Elena was beginning to see Riley in a whole new light.