Chapter 14: An Unforgettable Vacation

The scent of greasy fries and melted cheese filled the air as I took another bite of my burger, savoring the flavors that I hadn't indulged in for far too long. Around me, the bus was alive with chatter and laughter, the kind that made my heart feel full.

It had been ages since I'd let myself enjoy junk food like this—normally, I tried to be mindful about what I ate, but today? I didn't care. I wanted to enjoy every bite.

We had a long journey ahead of us, heading to a rented beach house where we'd be staying for the next week. I'd been excited about this trip ever since Dylan had invited me, eager for the chance to unwind, breathe, and just exist without worrying about the pressure of work, the stress of my own thoughts, or—

I sighed, staring out the window.

The scenery was breathtaking.

Tall, lush trees lined the highway, their branches swaying gently in the wind. Every now and then, the road would open up to a view of the ocean, the deep blue waves stretching endlessly into the horizon. Sunlight glinted off the water's surface, shimmering like scattered diamonds.

It was beautiful.

Even though the bus was noisy, filled with laughter, conversation, and Dylan's occasional terrible singing, there was something oddly peaceful about it all. Their happiness was infectious. If they were happy, then I was happy too.

I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts.

I turned my head and immediately froze.

It was Thomas.

My heartbeat quickened, and I quickly tried to compose myself.

"Oh, hey, Thomas," I greeted, forcing my voice to sound normal.

He offered me a small smile, leaning against the seat beside me. "So... how are you? Are you happy?"

A simple question.

One that made my stomach twist.

Of course I was happy. How could I not be? I was surrounded by friends, heading to an amazing beach house, eating deliciously unhealthy food. But a part of me—the part I refused to acknowledge—wanted to answer differently.

I'm happy because you're here, too.

Instead, I gave a lighthearted laugh and shrugged. "Of course! Who wouldn't be happy when you're with the one you love, right?"

The words left my mouth before I could process them.

And then I saw it—

Thomas blushed.

My brain short-circuited.

Oh.

OH.

Did that sound like I was talking about him?!

Panic shot through me like lightning, and I immediately scrambled to explain myself. "I mean—that's not what I—what I meant was—"

But before I could finish, he burst into laughter.

His real laugh.

The kind that made my stomach flip.

I frowned, confused. "Why are you laughing?"

His grin didn't falter. "Because you're cute when you panic."

If my face was warm before, now it was on fire.

I quickly looked away, pretending to be very interested in the empty food wrapper in my hands.

Just then, Dylan appeared out of nowhere, plopping down beside me with Britt trailing behind him.

"Whoa, whoa—are you okay?" Dylan asked, his eyes flicking between me and Thomas suspiciously.

I cleared my throat, trying to act normal. "Yeah, I'm fine. Totally fine. Nothing weird happening here."

Dylan narrowed his eyes.

"Then why do you look like you just ran a marathon?"

Thomas smirked but didn't say anything.

I frantically searched for an excuse. "It's just... hot in here!"

Dylan blinked. "But it's air-conditioned—"

Before he could finish, I shot up from my seat and practically ran to the bathroom, ignoring the way I could hear Thomas chuckling behind me.

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After hours on the road, we finally arrived.

And it was breathtaking.

The sand was soft beneath my feet, still warm from the sun, each grain pressing gently against my skin. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of salt and fresh sea breeze, blending into the kind of tranquility that made you want to close your eyes and just breathe.

Waves rolled lazily onto the shore, the water shifting between shades of deep blue and turquoise under the golden hues of the setting sun. It was the kind of view that belonged on a postcard—the kind that made you forget everything else, if only for a moment.

And then there was the house.

Calling it a beach house felt like an understatement.

The place was huge.

Two stories, pristine white walls, glass windows that reflected the sunlight perfectly. From the outside alone, it looked like something straight out of a luxury travel magazine.

My eyes widened as I stepped onto the porch.

"This place is insane," I whispered, half to myself.

"If you think the outside is good, wait 'til you see the inside," Dylan grinned, unlocking the door.

The second we stepped in, my jaw dropped.

Spacious living room. Plush furniture. A massive kitchen with sleek countertops. Floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the ocean, giving us an unreal panoramic view.

I could live here.

Dylan clapped his hands together. "Alright, listen up! There are six rooms, so find a roommate and claim your space!"

Without hesitation, he grabbed Britt's hand and bolted up the stairs.

I rolled my eyes. Those two are definitely up to something.

I turned to the others, ready to figure out who I'd be rooming with—

But then I saw it.

Everyone had already paired up.

Kaya with Rosa.

That left one person standing alone.

Thomas.

My stomach twisted.

Of course.

Slowly, he turned to me, and the moment our eyes met, something flickered in his expression—something almost amused.

And then, he smirked.

"So," he said, tilting his head slightly. "Looks like it's you and me, huh?"

I narrowed my eyes, folding my arms. "Since when do you smirk?"

He shrugged. "Since now."

I rolled my eyes.

But as I followed him up the stairs, my heart wouldn't stop pounding.

One room.

One week.

And him.

This vacation was about to be very interesting.