Chapter 2 — The Girl by the Rocks
Back in our tent, I called out, "Hey, Son! Stop those things already! You're just embarrassing yourself—and us too!"
Sonnie sighed and huffed. "Yah, Seth. You're not really in the position to scold me, you know."
"Yeah, Son, stop making us look bad!" Wayde added, and everyone started laughing again—except Sonnie, who gave us that I'll get you later look.
"But still," Scott said, glancing toward the girls Sonnie had approached, "it's kinda a shame. All the girls in that group were pretty."
Everyone nodded.
"Agreed," Don added with a grin. "Especially the one you talked to, Sonnie! You've got good taste, man!"
That set everyone off again, laughing until Sonnie groaned and waved his hands.
"Alright, alright, enough! Let's find another group and have some fun!" he said, smacking Wayde on the back.
Then his eyes landed on me. "What's with that face, huh? What did you even come here for, half-grown brat?"
I hesitated. I knew they'd laugh, but I couldn't help it.
"I… just came here to swim," I said quietly.
Silence. Then—
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA!" They all laughed at once.
"Since you're the only one who came here to swim," Sonnie teased, "the sea's right there! Go swim your heart out—just don't get lost!"
"Ugh, you guys are hopeless!" I muttered, turning away and running toward the water.
Everyone treats me like a kid. I'm already an adult…
As soon as I dove into the sea, everything felt peaceful again. The teasing, the noise—all of it disappeared under the sound of waves.
Swimming... it's the one thing I've always been good at.
Stroke after stroke, I swam toward the rocky shore, the one that had caught my eye since morning. When I finally reached it, I climbed up and caught my breath.
"Fu... that feels good," I said, smiling. "Yaaah!" I shouted, letting the sound of my voice mix with the ocean wind.
Then I froze.
Someone was standing a few meters in front of me. The sunlight was behind her, turning her outline golden and making it hard to see her face. When she bent closer, the light shifted—and I suddenly forgot how to breathe.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice full of concern.
Her long hair shimmered in the light. Her skin was fair, her eyes calm and clear. I could only nod, too flustered to speak.
After making sure I was fine, she turned to leave. Just before diving back into the sea, she looked over her shoulder and smiled at me.
"Ah—" I tried to say something, but the words wouldn't come.
She jumped gracefully into the waves, disappearing beneath the bright water.
I stood there, cheeks burning, heart pounding.
How beautiful... I murmured.