Chapter 3 — When the Waves Bring Us Together
"Where did you go?" Sonnie asked as soon as I returned to our tent, still catching my breath.
"Nowhere," I replied blankly, trying not to meet his eyes.
When he saw me walking toward the small store by the beach, he shouted, "Hey! Buy me a drink while you're there!"
I frowned. "What am I, your slave?"
"What? Still angry? Come on, sorry about that, okay?" Sonnie said with an exaggerated pout, his voice softening.
I sighed. "Fine… I guess it can't be helped," I muttered, forcing an awkward smile.
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At the Store
"Excuse me," I said to the waitress at the counter. "Seven bottles of drinks, please."
As I waited, I couldn't help thinking, He really makes me do everything.
Still, maybe I was in a better mood than I thought. Without realizing it, I ordered enough for everyone—not just Sonnie.
"Here are your drinks!" one of the staff called, placing the bottles in a bag.
I paid, grabbed the receipt, and turned to leave—when I heard someone call out softly behind me.
"Hi?"
I turned around.
It was her.
The girl from the rocky shore.
My heart skipped a beat. She was wearing the resort's light uniform now, her hair tied neatly, sunlight filtering in from the window behind her. Seeing her up close again made the memory of earlier come rushing back.
For a moment, neither of us said a word. The silence between us was strangely warm—awkward, but comforting.
Then she spoke first, her cheeks faintly pink.
"You swim really well," she said shyly.
"Oh—uh, thanks," I stammered, scratching the back of my neck.
"People who come here don't usually swim like that," she added with a soft smile.
"Um… I just… like swimming," I managed to say, my voice barely steady.
She giggled. "Hee hee. I love swimming in this sea too. But…" her gaze shifted toward the window, the sunlight glinting in her eyes, "people on this island usually come to pick up girls. And the girls… well, they're usually waiting to be picked up."
Her voice carried a hint of loneliness.
"Such a beautiful sea and sky… yet everyone only looks at each other," she murmured.
I nodded quietly. "Yeah… you're right."
Then, out of nowhere, she turned back to me and asked, "You didn't come to pick up girls, right?"
My face burned instantly. Images of Sonnie's "failed mission" flashed through my mind.
"I–I didn't! There's no one I like…" I said quickly, glancing away.
She turned too, her cheeks bright red now. "I hate people who come here just to flirt," she muttered.
I smiled awkwardly, nodding again. The silence returned, but this time it felt gentler.
Then I realized the drinks were getting warm in my hands. "Uh—I should go! My friends are waiting."
I took a step back, then turned slightly and said, "My name's Seth. Bye!"
Just before I reached the door, I heard her voice again.
"My name is Belle!" she called out.
I stopped, looked back, and met her eyes.
For a second, time seemed to pause.
We both smiled.
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