"Under the Starry Night"

The rest of the day went on well, with the sun beating down on us as we lounged in the field. As nighttime fell, I drifted away from my family, who were gathered around the makeshift picnic area, their faces aglow with the soft light of their phones and the distant sound of music. I decided to go night swimming, the cool water a refreshing escape from the warmth of the summer evening. I slipped into my two-piece bathing suit and made my way to the pool, the sound of laughter and chatter growing fainter as I walked. As I settled onto a floaty, I pulled out a joint and lit it, feeling the familiar calm wash over me. The stars twinkled above, and the sound of crickets provided a soothing background hum. My family was getting ready to start lighting fireworks, and I could hear the rustling of wrappers and the occasional burst of excitement. As I sat there, ready to take a hit, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me, approaching the pool. I turned to see who it was, my heart beating a little faster. The sound of gravel crunching beneath feet grew louder, and I could sense a presence looming over me. I turned to see Adrian standing there, a mischievous glint in his eye. He was holding a small bag in one hand, and a sparkler in the other. "Hey, cuz," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Thought I'd join you for a little midnight swim." I smiled, feeling a rush of excitement. I offered him a hit of the joint, and he took it, holding the smoke in his lungs for a moment before exhaling slowly. We sat there in silence for a moment, watching the stars and enjoying the cool night air. As we sat there, I could hear the distant booms and flashes of light from the fireworks my family was setting off. The sounds were accompanied by cheers and laughter, but I tuned it out, focusing on Adrian's presence. "I'm glad I found you out here," Adrian said, breaking the silence. "I was starting to think I'd have to join the family gathering." I chuckled, feeling a sense of ease with him. "I'm glad you didn't," I said, smiling at him. As we floated there, the tension between us grew thicker, until I could feel it like a physical presence. I knew that this night was going to be more than just a casual gathering, and I was excited to see where it would lead. The sound of laughter and music drifted over from the field, but I was oblivious to it, my focus solely on Adrian. I took another hit of the joint, feeling the effects spreading through my body. The world seemed to slow down, and all that mattered was the two of us, floating in the darkness, surrounded by the twinkling lights of the stars.