Summer kills

They found themselves gathered in Olivia's apartment, huddled around the worn-out coffee table that had seen more than its fair share of shared secrets and heartbreaks. Olivia had made hot cocoa for everyone, the sweet aroma filling the small room. There was a sense of peace and calm that hadn't been there before, a testament to their collective healing.

There was no need for words as they sat there, each lost in their own thoughts. Jaxon kept staring at his untouched mug, his gaze distant. The others watched him silently, understanding that he was coming to terms with the consequences of his actions.

Every now and then, Maddie would sneak a glance at Jaxon, her eyes filled with concern. Ruby's father, on the other hand, looked profoundly tired but seemed to be finding solace in the silence that permeated the room. As for Evelyn, she appeared more thoughtful than usual her gaze fixated on the dancing flames of the fireplace.

The silence was finally broken when

Olivia stood up, her mug still steaming in her hand. She crossed the room to where Jaxon was sitting, extending her mug to him in a silent offer of comfort. He looked up, surprise clear in his eyes before he slowly reached out to take it, their fingers brushing against each other in the exchange.

The contact seemed to stir something within Jaxon. His gaze softened as he looked at Olivia and he nodded, offering her a small smile. It was a tiny moment, but it felt monumental in the wake of everything that had happened. Olivia returned to her seat, leaving Jaxon with the hot cocoa. He studied the beverage for a moment before finally taking a tentative sip. Maddie watched the entire exchange with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. It was not an outright reconciliation but it was a start.

In response to the subtle shift in atmosphere, Ruby's father rose from his seat and announced that he was going home. Evelyn offered to drive him, and they

left together, leaving Maddie, Olivia, and Jaxon alone in the apartment. The momentary awkwardness was broken by Maddie who stood up and began gathering the empty mugs.

As she moved about the room, Olivia turned to Jaxon, offering him a hesitant smile. He returned it with a nod, a silent understanding passing between them.

"Things will get better," Olivia finally murmured, her voice breaking through the quiet in the room.

"I know they will," Jaxon agreed quietly, his gaze soft but resolute.

Left alone in the living room, they sat in silence for a while longer before Jaxon decided to head home too. He thanked Olivia for the cocoa and gave Maddie a small wave on his way out. Once he was gone, Olivia turned to Maddie who was now sitting across from her on the couch. Her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears but she offered her friend a reassuring smile. "We did what we could," she

whispered, her voice quivering with emotion. Maddie responded by reaching out, her hand taking Olivia's in a firm grip.

"We did," Maddie agreed softly, her thumb gently stroking the back of Olivia's hand. "And we'll continue to do so. For him, for us."

Their conversation hung in the air, a resolute testament of their enduring friendship and solidarity. They sat like that for a while longer, their hands clasped together, offering silent comfort. The circle of trust they had built through the counseling sessions, although stretched thin at times, still held strong.

As the night deepened and the fire in the hearth reduced to glowing embers, they finally decided to call it a night. Maddie helped Olivia clear up before she too left for home. In the soft hum of continuing life outside the apartment window and the hushed quiet inside, Olivia found herself alone.

She stood there for a moment, looking around at the now empty room

the silence holding its breath. The last vestiges of warmth from the fire danced upon her face. She took a deep breath, tasting the lingering sweetness of cocoa in the air and sensing the faint echo of laughter and tears this room had absorbed.

She switched off the table lamp, leaving the room bathed in the faint light coming from the streetlamp outside. Her own shadow stretched out across the worn-out rug, appearing as a lonely silhouette against the dim light. The vacant chairs around her seemed to be waiting for tomorrow, for more conversation, for healing.

Weariness washed over her and Olivia sank down onto the couch, her fingers tracing over the spots where her friends had sat. Her thoughts wandered back to their journey - one that was filled with resistance and acceptance, heartaches and breakthroughs. She realised that their lives had been irrevocably changed; they were not the people they used to be, yet they were more genuine than they had ever been.

A sigh escaped

her lips as she settled back into the cushions, her eyes closing. She pictured their faces - Maddie's unwavering determination, Jaxon's newfound humility, Ruby's father's stoic acceptance, and Evelyn's thoughtful serenity. They were her circle. Her tribe.

She thought about the walls they had built around themselves over time, the defences that were slowly being lowered. It was terrifying and liberating at the same time. To be seen, to be known for who you truly are, flaws and all - it was a vulnerability they were all learning to embrace.

In the quiet darkness of her apartment, Olivia allowed herself to feel everything - the relief of unburdening their secrets, the sting of past hurts and betrayals, the cautious hope for a reconciled future.

The memory of Jaxon accepting her cocoa stirred within her. It was a small gesture but it held so much meaning. His acknowledgement of his wrongdoing and his willingness to make amends were promising signs of change. The road to recovery was not going to be easy, but she felt hopeful for the first time in a long time.

Casting a final look at the empty apartment, Olivia rose from the couch. She moved to the window, her gaze searching the now quiet street. The city had finally settled into a soft slumber, the streetlight casting long, mellow shadows on the deserted pavement.

With one last sigh, Olivia turned away from the window and moved towards her bedroom. As she slipped beneath the covers of her bed, she clutched at her dreams for peace and reconciliation.

Morning would come with its own set of challenges and uncertainties but for now, in these fleeting moments of tranquility before sleep claimed her, Olivia allowed herself to believe in their collective strength to face whatever came their way. She shuts her eyes tight, the lure of sleep's whispering call too potent to resist. The day has been a marathon, draining yet filled with revelations, acceptance and affection. Just as she teeters on the edge of slumber, a sharp knock echoes from the door. Startled awake, she sits up - heart pounding, mind racing. What could possibly be next?

Flinging the soft, cotton blankets aside, she hurriedly swung her legs over the edge of the bed and padded barefoot across the cold hardwood floor. As she reached the door she paused, instinctively peering through the peephole. Her heart pounded in her chest like a drum against silence, echoing in her ears as she squinted into the darkness outside her apartment.