Chapter 4 : Alicia & Julia

LJ and Eli arrived home in the late afternoon. After dropping Eli off, LJ left immediately to meet up with some friends. Eli went straight up to her room and lay down on her bed, thinking about the mysterious boy she'd seen at the lake. Who was he? Was he a tourist? The town welcomed many tourists in summer and autumn. Perhaps he was a newcomer? If so, she might see him again in the fall. Lost in thought, she didn't hear the doorbell ring several times. Suddenly, her bedroom door flew open. Alicia and Julia, her two best friends, burst into the room. Surprised, Eli straightened up and glared at them.Alicia and Julia burst out laughing at her reaction.

Alicia, a beautiful blonde with sparkling blue eyes, had long, slender legs and a cream-colored figure that drew the eyes of boys and girls alike. She was gifted in science and sport. Julia, on the other hand, was a pretty redhead with a dazzling smile and white teeth where you could almost see her reflection. She also had a pretty figure. Both were members of the women's soccer team. Unlike Eli, they had experience with boys and loved to tease Eli about it, although she always responded with indifference.The three friends had been inseparable since the beginning of high school. Their friendship was so strong that their families had also become close. The Brown family, Alicia's, and the Johnson family, Julia's, lived in the same neighborhood as Eli.

Their friendship had begun with riding the bus together in the morning and getting off together at night. Being on the same girls' soccer team had brought them even closer together.

"What are you doing in my room?" asked Eli.

"We rang the bell a few times, but when you didn't answer, we came in to see what you were up to," Julia replied.

"We didn't expect to find you lost in thought," laughed Alicia. "Is it about a boy?"

"Would a boy have managed to pique the interest of our ice princess?" exclaimed Julia, bursting into laughter. Eli didn't reply, his face turning crimson. Julia and Alicia, knowing their friend by heart, fell silent, stunned by Eli's reaction, before bursting out laughing.

"Why are you laughing like that? Don't I have the right to be interested in a boy?" protested Eli.

"Yes you can, Eli, of course you can. We're just surprised we got it right," Alicia replied, laughing.

"Pfff, I guess you want me to tell you everything, don't you?" sighed Eli.

Alicia and Julia nodded vigorously, and Eli told them what had happened.

"I'd love to see what the boy who managed to warm the heart of our beautiful princess looks like, wouldn't you, Julia?" gasped Alicia.

"Oh yes, Ali," replied Julia.Exasperated, Eli picked up her pillow and threw it at Julia."Why are you here, anyway?" asked Eli.

"We're here to get ready with you for tonight's party," Julia replied."And also to teach you what you need to know about men, obviously," Alicia added with a wink at Julia.

"With you, I don't know if I'll get any good advice," Eli sighed."Don't worry about that," Alicia affirmed with a laugh.

"Well, what did you pack for tonight's outfit?" asked Eli.

"You know us, we've packed several outfits. We have to try and coordinate to do our trio proud," replied Julia.

Eli smiled and replied, "Then let's start getting ready!"