We were all gathered in a circle around the bonfire, the soft crackle of flames filling the spaces between laughter and the gentle hum of waves nearby. Each of us had our own stick, marshmallows skewered and slowly toasting over the fire, their edges turning golden brown. Around us were scattered snacks, chocolate bars, graham crackers, and a few opened bags of chips. The night was warm, and the mood even warmer.
Have you ever made s'mores before, Anna? Sia asked, glancing at me as she carefully rotated her marshmallow.
Once, I said simply.
Yeah, I was there, Eduardo chimed in from four seats away, flashing a grin. That was a fun night, right, Anna?
It was, I replied, smiling faintly at the memory as I took a bite of my s'more, the melted chocolate sticking to the corner of my lips.
What was the occasion? Sia asked, curious.
Oh, it was Kelly's birthday, Eduardo said. Must've been two years ago now, right?
Yeah, probably, I nodded, just as a familiar voice joined us.
What's the topic here, huh? Kelly said, strolling up with a bottle of beer in her hand. She dropped onto the sand beside us, her expression relaxed and amused.
Your last-last birthday, Eduardo replied.
Oh, that one, Kelly laughed, tipping her head back slightly. The night we snuck drinks and got caught by our parents.
Your last-last birthday, Eduardo replied.
Oh, that one, Kelly laughed, tipping her head back slightly. The night we snuck drinks and got caught by our parents.
Eduardo chuckled. You tried to convince them it was apple juice.
Kelly grinned. And they actually believed me for five seconds. That's gotta count for something.
Laughter rippled through the group, the kind that bubbles up easily when memories are shared among people who know each other well. The flames danced in front of us, just friends, stories, and the warmth of toasted sugar in our hands.
Kelly, where did you get that beer? Matthew asked, eyeing the bottle in her hand as he leaned back on his palms.
From the other group just past this one, Kelly replied casually, lifting the bottle in a brief toast before taking another sip.
Matthew stood up and dusted off his pants. Let me grab some. Anyone else want one? he asked, looking around the circle.
I turned slightly toward Sia and lowered my voice. Should we?
She gave me a warm smile and nodded. Two here, Matthew, she called out.
Jane? Matthew asked, looking her way.
Yeah, I'll have one, she replied with a shrug, as if it was the most natural decision in the world.
Then his eyes landed on Eduardo.
Eduardo shook his head with a polite smile. I don't drink.
Jean leaned in toward him playfully. "We're still minors after all. Eduardo's just being the rational thinker.
Matthew rolled his eyes good-naturedly and walked off toward the other group to collect the drinks.
Where's Tom, by the way? I asked, scanning the area. The firelight danced on everyone's faces, but his was nowhere in sight.
Jean snorted. You know where. Off hooking up with his guy or something. Classic Tom, she said, laughing softly.
I'm heading to the bathroom. I'll be back in a second, Sia said as she stood, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to my cheek before stepping away into the darkness.
Smooth kiss, Kelly commented with a teasing smirk before taking another sip of her beer.
Just then, Matthew returned, arms full of cold bottles. It's freezing out here, he said, shivering slightly as he handed the drinks around. Feels like this bonfire doesn't even exist.
Thanks, Jane said as Matthew passed her a cold beer. I took my own bottle and brought it to my lips, the chill of the glass brushing against my skin before I took my first tentative sip.
Tomorrow it's back to reality, Jean said, her voice a little dreamy as she gazed into the flickering bonfire. Anyone wanna share something before this trip ends?
I confessed my feelings to someone, Matthew said abruptly, taking a deep gulp of his drink.
Jean looks at Matthew. Yeah if possible you're exempted for what i said.
We all laughed until Jane suddenly chimed in, I'm jealous right now.
Like, at this exact moment? Eduardo asked, his grin wide and full of curiosity. He leaned forward slightly, clearly intrigued.
Jane gave a small nod, her expression unreadable. Yeah.
Kelly nudged Jean playfully. Alright, your turn. Spill it.
Jean sighed, brushing ash from her sleeve. There's nothing to spill. No grand moment, no deep talk with the person I like. Not even a one-on-one chance to just... exist near him. She shrugged, her voice tinged with quiet disappointment.
Just then, Sia returned and settled beside me. I'm back, she said softly, her voice warming me more than the fire ever could.
Jane handed her the beer. Here.
Thank you, Sia replied, and then, without saying more, she draped a small blanket over my shoulders. It was just big enough for one. Her hand lingered briefly on my arm. It's t's cold, Anna. You'll catch cold if you stay out here like this. We don't want that happening right before we go home.
You're wearing a jacket—how unfair, Eduardo teased with a laugh.
Kelly squinted toward Sia. Did you go back to your room?
Yeah, she said simply, her fingers brushing mine under the blanket.
We're sharing everything tonight like it's goodbye, Eduardo said, his voice mellow as he stared into the dying fire.
Sia leaned closer to me, lacing her fingers through mine. If that's the case, she said with a proud smile, then I'll tell how much i love Annabelle.
No—ugh, stop that, please, this is a no-flirt zone, Kelly warned playfully, waving her beer like a gavel. We all laughed as Sia grinned and shrugged.
Jane's getting tipsy, Jean observed, eyeing her with raised brows.
Kelly leaned over Jane's shoulder. This girl right here has zero alcohol tolerance. Why'd you even say yes to a drink? We're heading back tomorrow!
I'm fine,Jane said with a lazy smile, leaning back against the sand.
Should we call it a night? Jean asked, rising and brushing the sand from her legs.
It's only eleven, Matthew replied. We're really ending now?
Well unless we each start dropping our secrets, then yeah, Jean teased.
Hell no, Matthew laughed. Let's go, then.
Jean turned to Sia. So, hand me my best friend now.
Sia chuckled, letting go of my hand. Right, right. She's sleeping in your room tonight.
And we are not sleeping, down for a movie?
No problem. Let's go find Tom first, Jean said.
I turned to Sia one last time, kissed her softly, and whispered, I love you.
She smiled against my lips. I love you too.
Don't miss me too much, I teased. We'll see each other tomorrow.
I'll try, she giggled, brushing her thumb over my cheek.
As we started walking, Eduardo's voice carried behind us. Hey, what are your plans for Valentine's? It's not that far off—just thought I'd ask.
Oh chill out, it's not like you have a girlfriend, Jane said, patting Eduardo on the shoulder with a smirk.
Ouch.
Kelly, clearly exhausted, groaned, Eduardo, help me carry this girl to our room—just give me a hand, come on.
Without a word, Eduardo moved to her side, and the three of them headed off.
How about you, Sia? Are you heading back to your room too or hang with your friends a little bit? I asked as the fire crackled low and the night stretched on.
Sia rubbed her eyes gently and nodded. Yeah, I'm tired. We swam for hours earlier—I feel completely drained.
I'll walk you to your room, I offered.
But Sia shook her head with a small smile. No, you don't have to. Go find Tom. I'm totally fine. I'm not even tipsy, unlike some of our friends.
Before I could say anything else, a voice cut in.
I'll take her, Matthew said.
I blinked. I hadn't even realized he was still here— with beer in his hand barely catching the firelight.
What? Sia said, her brow tightening.
I said I'll take you to your room. Are you deaf?Matthew added, arrogantly.
Sia glanced at me.
Thank you, I said, keeping my voice even as I looked Matthew straight in the eyes. Please take her home safe.
He gave a short nod. Yeah.
As they walked off, I stood there for a moment before Jean nudged my arm gently.
Come on, she said. Let's go find Tom.
We started down the sandy path, our shoes half dragging through the cool grains.
So, I began, breaking the silence, about the guy Tom's with—what do you know about him?
Nothing really. Just that he's in twelfth grade. Which you already know.
That's all?
That's all I've got. Tom doesn't exactly give updates like a morning news show, Jean said, half-laughing.
We'll find out tonight then, I said, a hint of curiosity threading through my voice as Jean and I walked side by side.
Just then, Jean's phone buzzed. She pulled it out and read the message aloud.
I'm in room 500. Come get me ASAP. —Tom.
Without a word, we broke into a sprint, the soft thuds of our shoes smacking against the resort tiles echoing down the hallway.
When we reached room 500, we knocked fast and loud. The door opened with a soft creak revealing Tom and a half-naked guy standing right behind him.
Jean froze. What the...?
The guy, unfazed and almost smug with confidence, gave a polite nod. Um, hi Jean. Annabelle. Good evening, he said smoothly.
Hi… I guess? Jean answered, clearly caught off guard, her voice tilting up at the end as if unsure it was the right response.
Oh, right! You guys finally made it, Tom said cheerfully. His left arm wrapped around Jean's shoulder, his right finding mine with a light, familiar squeeze. Then, without warning, he gently pushed us out of the doorway along with him, stepping out into the hallway and pulling the door shut behind him.
Goodnight, baby, Tom called back to the guy—who we now knew was named Rynzo—with a grin on his face so full of affection it made Jean and me both glance at each other. And the door clicked shut like nothing unusual had just happened.
Standing in the hallway, Jean turned to Tom with a dramatic flourish. Okay, what the actual hell was that? Care to enlighten us? she asked, grinning wildly, her voice loud with excitement and shock.
Tom, cheeks glowing pink, held up his hands and declared, okay, okay—you got me. He's my boyfriend!
I blinked, then smiled wide, too surprised to speak at first.
I knew it, Jean said, laughing. But seriously, you didn't think to share this with us?
It's new, okay? Tom said, still blushing, like a kid caught in a secret. Just tonight, actually. We made it official.
Jean reached over and gave him a playful shove. Ugh, you romantic sap.
I finally found my voice. I'm happy for you, Tom. You look… really happy.
He nodded, eyes shining. I am.
So what was that then? That half-naked Rynzo moment we walked into? Jean said, crossing her arms, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. Come on, Tom, spill the tea.
Tom's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of pink. That's just Rynzo being... Rynzo. He gets hot easily, so he takes his shirt off. It's a thing, he said with an awkward laugh. And I was in his room because—we were watching a movie.
A movie? Jean raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. She turned to me. Do you buy that, Anna?
Not even a little, I said, laughing, and soon all three of us were cracking up like we hadn't just caught Tom in the most obvious excuse ever.