It had been five years since any of them stood in the same room, five years since the chaos of graduation flung them into the winds of adulthood. Now, at 25, older, different but somehow the same… they were getting back together. It started with a lucky text. "Congratulations! You've won a holiday trip for 5 to Serpent's Cove Island!" Sarah didn't even remember entering the contest but who cared? The ticket was real and it came with five seats just enough for her and the people who mattered most.
Ashley. Joanne. Dian and Andy.
Their group chat lit up that night like wildfire, old memes, drunk selfies from 2016 and a whole lot of screaming in capslock. Dian, who worked out of state now, promised he'd be back just in time. Andy offered to drive. Joanne said she'd bring the drinks. Ashley? She just sent, "Hell yeah. Gonna drink till I float."
By the time Andy pulled up in the rented six-seater, the sun was already leaning west. His car smelled faintly of smoke and cheap air freshener. He was broader now but that same lazy grin still hung on his face. "Oi," he called as Sarah stepped out from her apartment. "You aged. Is that a cane in your hand or you shrink ?" Sarah rolled her eyes but smirked. "Still driving like a grandpa? Wow you look more brighter now" . "Children!" Ashley yelled as she hopped into the backseat, sunglasses too big for her small face. "Not in front of the innocent." Joanne slid in while vaping and blow the smoke to Ashley's face. "Innocent?" All of us laugh her presence soft as always but we all know she's naughty. Her white skin glowed in the golden light, a calm contrast to the others.
They picked up Dian last at the airport. He swaggered toward the car in his oversized hoodie and that stupid, smug smile. "Who missed daddy?" he yelled, tossing his bag in. "umm Ashley and Joanne" Sarah replied laughing.
That night, they booked a cheap hotel near the harbor. Nothing fancy, just two adjoining rooms, one with a small veranda. The air was heavy with salt and humidity, but spirits were high. Ashley popped open a bottle of whiskey almost as soon as they dropped their bags. "Let's play truth or dare," she declared.
They did. They laughed. They drank.
Joanne admitted she still slept with the lights on. Dian dared Andy to take a shot from someone's belly (Ashley volunteered). Sarah got dared to dance seductively to no music. By midnight, Ashley was the first to crash on the bed, face down, mumbling about vape clouds and man. Joanne passed out on the floor with a soft snore, and Dian collapsed on the other bed, half in a blanket, half in a dream. Sarah stood alone in the veranda, the smoke curling from her cigarette like a sigh. The stars hung low above the ocean horizon, silent and endless. Footsteps behind her. Andy. "You never stopped smoking," he said, joining her at the railing. "You never stopped being annoying," she replied, but there was a smile tugging at her lips.
They stood in silence for a moment, the kind of silence you can only have with someone who's seen you cry in high school and still decided to stick around. "You look different," he said eventually. "Good different or 'I peaked at sixteen' different?" Andy chuckled. "Good. You glow different now. Like lipgloss with extra glitter." Sarah laughed, then took another drag. "Same to you. Just buffer. Still dumb."
They teased each other for a bit. Like old times. Jokes, subtle nudges, a flick on the forehead. Something warm buzzed underneath it all. Later, they both quietly made their way back inside and found their spots among the rest. The room buzzed with soft snores and breathing. Everyone was tangled in their own sleep. Sarah's last thought before drifting off was of the island. Serpent's Cove. A short gateaway from her stressful work life.
The salty breeze hit them the moment they stepped onto the ship's open deck, hair whipping, clothes clinging. Laughter rang from different groups scattered across the boat. Excitement buzzed in the air like static. Sarah's group stood together, bags slung, sunglasses on, hearts racing. The island was still far ahead, but they could already feel its pull. "We're not the only lucky bastards," Dian muttered, nodding toward the crowd. Three other groups stood nearby, all holding the same golden holiday ticket in their hands.
Group 1: Three girls in colorful bikinis, all pouty lips and exaggerated giggles. Mia, all sparkly nails and hair flips. Loca, the loudest of them, confident and dressed like she walked straight out of an adult summer movie and Nadia, quiet… but her eyes wandered, sharp and calculating, especially toward the guys.
Group 2: Four tall, built men stood at the railing, laughing among themselves like they owned the sea. Ian, cocky grin and shamelessly checking out Ashley, who kept locking eyes right back, blowing slow vape clouds like it was foreplay. Natnat, the quiet one, half his body inked in dark tattoos. He held a camera in one hand, occasionally snapping photos with a mysterious calmness. Becky and Simon is deep in conversation, looking effortlessly attractive.
Group 3: A mixed group of seven, chill energy, like a bunch of college friends tagging along for the ride. Nothing too intense. The island was breathtaking. Turquoise water. White sand. Palm trees swaying over luxury villas. Each group was assigned a private homestay, complete with modern pools, balconies and beach views. Sarah's group got the one smack in the middle. Right between Group 1's flirty energy and Group 2's testosterone parade. "Imagine the drama," Ashley whispered as she watched Loca trying to "accidentally" drop her towel in front of Ian. "Imagine the STDs," Sarah replied dryly, earning a snort from Joanne.
The afternoon was filled with sun, laughter, and salt water. They swam, played beach games, and even made a wonky sandcastle that Dian named "Broke Bitch Castle." Ashley flaunted her bikini without shame. Dian cracked dirty jokes every ten minutes. Joanne sipped from her little vodka bottle and smiled at the horizon. Andy and Sarah got into a splash war that ended in both of them laughing, dripping wet.
That evening, the grill sizzled with meat, the fire pit danced, and their cups were never empty. Music played low, the ocean behind them humming like background score. Suddenly, two shadows approached.
Ian and Natnat.
"Smelled fun from next door," Ian grinned. "Mind if we crash?" They brought more booze and with Ashley yelling "Hell yes!", no one objected. The night turned loud. Silly games, body shots, and reckless dares filled the air.
Truth or Dare was a bit naughty;
"You ever had a threesome?"
"Dare you to take off your shirt and dive in the pool."
"Truth. Have you ever fantasized about someone here tonight?"
"Dare. Kiss the person to your left."
Ashley was tipsy, straddling Ian's lap. They didn't even try to hide their chemistry anymore. She pulled him by the collar and kissed him like they were the only two on the island. They disappeared into the villa shortly after and came back with red cheeks.
Dian was flirting with Loca after she join them drinking leaving her group for a dick. Matching her dirty joke for dirty joke. Sarah sat quietly until someone called her name. "Sarah," Ian smirked, "Truth or dare?" She hesitated. "…Dare." "I dare you to kiss the guy you'd sleep with tonight." A beat of silence. Her eyes moved slow, unsure. Before resting on someone. Natnat. He looked just as surprised as she was. But he didn't move. He watched her. Waiting. She got up, walked over, and kissed him. It started light. It didn't end that way.
The sound of wave can be heard from outside. Sarah blinked. The sun was pushing gently through the curtain, brushing her skin like a soft whisper. Her mouth was dry. Her head buzzed and there was a weight beside her. A slow breath. A warm chest. Natnat.
He was lying on his back, one arm behind his head, the other lightly touching her waist like it had been there all night. His tattoos were more intricate up close, black ink spreading down his collarbones like vines. Memories rushed in, messy, hot, fragmented. She had followed him to his room after the kiss or maybe he followed her. There were shots, laughing, touches… his hands had been everywhere. His lips down her neck. Her back arching as he pulled her close. The way he whispered her name like it meant something. His mouth trailing down her spine. His grip was firm, asking, never forcing. The way he looked at her like she wasn't just another drunk girl at a beach party. It hadn't been rough. It had been intense. Intoxicating. She slowly sat up. "Morning," came his voice, low and husky. She glanced back. His eyes were half-lidded, but awake. Watching. "…Hi."
"You good?" Sarah nodded slowly. "Yeah.. just surprised." Natnat smiled lazily still sleepy. "Me too." Neither said anything for a moment. The air felt weird.. thick, but not awkward. Just real. Somewhere outside, someone yelled "Breakfast!" Waves crashed softly. Sarah ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. This island… it was starting to feel like more than just a vacation.