𝗂𝗌𝗅𝖺 𝗉𝗈𝗏

𝗂𝗌𝗅𝖺'𝗌 𝗁𝗈𝗍𝖾𝗅 𝗋𝗈𝗈𝗆

october 6, 2024

9:30 am

i had been awake for about an hour, just lying there, thinking about last night. about how everything had changed. about how tucker told me he liked me again.

it didn't feel real. the way he looked at me, the way he said it-like it was the simplest truth in the world. like it had always been there, waiting to be spoken out loud.

and now, no matter how much i tried to push it away, my mind kept drifting back. back to australia. back to the first time we met.

because maybe that was where it all really started.

𝖿𝗅𝖺𝗌𝗁𝖻𝖺𝖼𝗄

it was eight in the morning when my phone rang, pulling me from the light haze of sleep. i groaned, blindly reaching for it on my nightstand. the name on the screen made me smile despite my exhaustion-sienna. my cousin, my partner-in-crime, my forever "let's do something spontaneous" person.

i answered with a sleepy, "you do realize normal people are still asleep at this hour, right?"

sienna laughed, bright and full of energy, like she hadn't just woken me up at an ungodly hour. "come on, isla. we're spending the whole day together. and the whole night. no excuses."

i sighed, already knowing there was no way i'd say no. sienna had this way of pulling me into her whirlwind of plans before i could even think about resisting. and, truth be told, i loved it.

so, with a sleepy smile and a stretch, i said, "fine. but you owe me coffee. a big one."

she cheered like she'd won some great victory, and i couldn't help but laugh. whatever she had planned, i knew one thing for sure-it was going to be a day to remember.

"extra large, with whatever sugary nonsense you always get," sienna promised, her voice practically vibrating with excitement. "now get up, get dressed, and meet me in twenty."

"twenty?" i groaned, rubbing my eyes. "sienna, be serious. i need at least an hour."

"you don't have an hour. the world is waiting for us, isla. get moving."

before i could argue, she hung up, leaving me staring at my phone in amused disbelief. typical sienna. always rushing headfirst into the day, dragging me along for the ride.

with a sigh, i kicked off the covers and rolled out of bed, stretching as i tried to shake off the last remnants of sleep. the sun was already streaming through my window, casting golden light across my room. it was one of those mornings that felt like a promise-like something good was bound to happen.

and maybe that was the thing about sienna. no matter what we did, whether it was aimlessly wandering the city or ending up at some last-minute party, the day always felt bigger, brighter, full of possibility.

as i pulled on my favorite pair of shorts and ran a brush through my hair, i couldn't help but smile. whatever today had in store, i knew one thing for sure-sienna and i were in it together.

grabbing my phone and slipping on my shoes, i made my way downstairs, already hearing the familiar honk of sienna's car outside. of course, she was early.

i swung open the door to find her leaning against the hood of her car, oversized sunglasses perched on her nose and two coffee cups in her hands. she grinned the moment she saw me.

"finally! i was about to come in and drag you out myself."

"yeah, yeah," i mumbled, taking the coffee she held out. i took a sip and hummed in appreciation. extra large, drowning in caramel and whipped cream-just the way i liked it.

"so," i started, settling into the passenger seat as she slid behind the wheel. "what's the plan?"

sienna shot me a look, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "who says there's a plan?"

i sighed, already bracing myself. "sienna..."

"i just figured we could spend the whole day doing whatever we feel like. spontaneous adventure, you know? no schedules, no stress-just us."

i glanced out the window, watching the city wake up around us. the idea of a day with no obligations, no expectations, just me and sienna and whatever trouble we decided to get into... it didn't sound bad at all.

i smiled, leaning back against the seat. "alright. let's do this."

the sun was already high in the sky, casting a golden glow over sydney as sienna's car weaved through the streets. the windows were down, the warm breeze tangling in my hair, carrying the salty scent of the ocean. sienna had called me way too early that morning, practically demanding i spend the entire day with her, and now here we were, heading toward bondi with no real plan except to make the most of the day.

"brunch first," sienna declared, drumming her fingers against the steering wheel. "you need actual food, isla."

"coffee is actual food," i shot back, lifting my cup in emphasis.

she rolled her eyes. "not in my world, babe."

fifteen minutes later, we were sitting at a little beachside café, sharing a plate of pancakes and avocado toast while the sound of crashing waves filled the air. sienna talked animatedly about her latest work drama, something about a coworker who kept stealing her snacks, but my mind was elsewhere-caught up in the newness of it all.

australia.

even after weeks of being here, it still felt surreal. everything was brighter, louder, more alive. i had spent years dreaming of places like this, places that felt like they belonged in a movie, and now i was here, living it.

"you're quiet," sienna noted, nudging my foot under the table. "what's up?"

i shrugged, picking at my toast. "nothing, just... thinking."

she narrowed her eyes playfully. "dangerous."

i laughed, shaking my head. "it's just-do you ever feel like something big is about to happen? like, you don't know what it is, but you can feel it, just waiting for you?"

sienna leaned back in her chair, considering my words. "yeah. sometimes. and when i do, i remind myself not to overthink it. just let it happen."

i let her words settle over me, looking out toward the endless blue of the ocean. maybe she was right. maybe something was coming.

i just didn't know that, somewhere in this very city, maybe he was out there too. and soon, our worlds were going to collide.

several hours had passed since we'd been at the café. now, we were back at the house i was renting in australia, and as sienna worked on my hair, i felt a strange mixture of excitement and anxiety simmering beneath the surface. the party tonight felt like a way to let go of all the tension that had been building up in me. the time spent here in australia had been a whirlwind-new places, new faces, and yet, there was still a part of me that felt out of place, like i was searching for something i couldn't quite name. sienna's presence always made everything seem a little easier, a little more bearable.

"tonight's going to be a great night," sienna said, her excitement contagious.

"if you say so," i replied, applying the finishing touches to my makeup, but my voice was distant, even to me. there was a flutter of nerves in my chest, but i wasn't sure if it was because of the night ahead or because of everything that had come before.

"i can feel it," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "okay, i'm done with your hair. i'm going to change now. are you sure it's okay if i borrow something of yours? if not, i can just go to my place," she added, her voice tinged with a bit of hesitation, as though unsure if she was asking too much.

"yeah, of course. don't worry, as long as i get to borrow something from you later, it's all good," i said, my words automatic, but i meant them. i couldn't help but smile at her, the warmth between us settling me, if only for a moment.

"haha, i hate you," sienna teased, her laughter filling the space between us.

"i love you too," i said, my heart feeling a little lighter.

i stood up and walked over to the closet, trying to shake off the unease that clung to me. my fingers grazed over the hangers, but nothing seemed to fit the mood of the night-of what i wanted it to be. the day before, sienna and i had gone to a little shop near the beach, and i'd found a white dress with pink, orange, and yellow flowers scattered across it. it was soft, a little carefree, but it still felt like it belonged to someone else. i slid the dress on and slipped into some strappy high-heeled sandals, my reflection staring back at me, unsure.

"wow, you look gorgeous," sienna said, her voice sincere, pulling me out of my head.

"haha, thanks. you look beautiful too," i said, my voice barely above a whisper. i gave her a quick glance, feeling the weight of the night pressing against me. sienna was radiant, confident, and effortlessly happy. i envied that about her sometimes.

"okay, are we ready?" she asked, her voice a little more grounded now, like she could sense the change in me.

"yeah, let me just put on some perfume, but yes," i replied, trying to sound more sure than i felt. i didn't want to show her how much i was overthinking everything-how much i wished i could stop questioning every moment.

"okay, because they're almost here to pick us up," she said nonchalantly, not realizing that her casual tone made the whole thing feel more real.

"i thought you were going to drive us?" i asked, a little surprised, still processing everything.

"not a chance. if i drive, i won't be able to enjoy myself-i mean, i won't be able to drink," sienna said, laughing. "that's why i asked some friends here if they could take us to the party."

"sometimes, i forget that you have a life here," i said, my words slipping out before i could stop them. i smiled at her, but it was softer, like i was realizing that while we were here, things were different-i was different.

it was silly, but it felt like a lot of things were still in flux, and no matter how much i tried to pretend everything was fine, part of me was still trying to figure out where i fit in all of this.

as we stepped out of the house, i could see their friends waiting for us in the car. one of them got out of the passenger seat to make room for sienna. i couldn't help but notice that the one driving was the one sienna had been talking about, the one she liked.

"mason, cooper, this is my cousin, isla," she said, buckling her seatbelt.

"a pleasure, cousin of my future girlfriend," mason teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

sienna rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "you're so annoying, mason." she turned to him with a playful grin. "give me your phone, i want to put on some music."

mason handed over his phone without hesitation, and soon the soft notes of the thrill by wiz khalifa and empire of the sun filled the car. the song had this undeniable energy, this vibe that seemed to capture the exact essence of the night. it was the kind of track that made you feel like anything was possible, like the night was endless and full of promise.

as the music pulsed through the car, i felt a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me. there was a sense of calm as i settled into the backseat, but also a quiet excitement-something about being in this space with them, with sienna, with mason, felt... different. like there was a story i didn't fully understand yet, but one that was unfolding before me. i wondered if this would be the kind of night that would stay with me, lingering in my thoughts long after it was over.

as the music filled the car, a warmth spread through me, and i found myself sinking into the rhythm of the night. the quiet excitement i had felt earlier was still there, but now it was mixed with something else, something softer. there was something oddly comforting about being here, in this moment, surrounded by people i didn't fully know yet, but who were somehow already becoming part of the puzzle.

sienna, laughing at mason's teasing, felt like a lifeline. the way she moved so effortlessly between the playful banter with mason and the casualness with cooper-it was all so familiar to her, and yet, it was new to me. i couldn't help but wonder if i'd ever feel that comfortable with them, or if i'd always be an outsider looking in, just trying to piece together the dynamics of their friendship.

the song continued, each beat pulsing like a heartbeat, and i let it wash over me. the car was warm, the air outside cool, but somehow, in this small, closed space, the night felt perfect. i glanced out the window, watching the city lights blur by, and for a moment, i thought about everything that had led me here. to this point. to this car, with these people. it felt like the beginning of something, but i couldn't quite figure out what yet.

"you okay?" sienna's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. i hadn't realized i was lost in them until now. she was looking at me through the rearview mirror, her eyes soft with concern.

"yeah, just thinking," i said, trying to sound casual, even though i felt a little exposed.

she smiled, a quick flash of warmth, and turned her attention back to the front, her hand reaching for the stereo to adjust the volume. "don't overthink it. it's just tonight. enjoy it."

her words hung in the air for a second, and i nodded, a small smile pulling at the corners of my lips. maybe she was right. maybe i needed to stop overanalyzing everything and just let the night unfold, whatever it was meant to be.

once we arrived at the party, the place was packed, but there was a nice energy about it. we stepped in, and it felt like everyone knew sienna.

"okay, miss popular," i said, laughing.

she just grinned, the familiar playful spark in her eyes, and led the way to the bar.

"what are you going to drink?" she asked me.

"what's on the menu? is there anything with mango?" i asked, feeling a little uncertain about what to pick.

"let me check," sienna said, turning to the bartender. "do you have anything with mango?"

the bartender nodded and mentioned they had mango daiquiris.

"okay, give us two," sienna said, her voice confident as she placed the order. then she turned to me. "how are you feeling?"

i paused for a moment, taking in the scene around us. "honestly, now that we're here, i feel a little more free. i like the vibe, everyone seems so relaxed, and there's this easy energy in the air."

"perfect," she said with a smile, grabbing our drinks. "then you're going to get along with everyone here."

her words settled into me, like a promise of something simple yet comforting. maybe this night would be just what i needed. maybe, for once, i wouldn't have to try so hard to fit in.

as she handed me my drink, i could feel the cool glass in my hand, the weight of it grounding me in the moment. i took a sip, the sweetness of the mango mingling with the rum, and it was like a burst of warmth spreading through me. the music in the background had a steady beat, and the hum of conversation filled the space, but in that instant, it felt like i was in my own little bubble with sienna.

"so, what's the deal with mason?" i asked, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of my mouth as i glanced at her.

sienna rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips. "he's just being his usual self. always teasing, always flirting, but nothing serious."

"uh-huh, sure," i teased, raising an eyebrow. "you're not fooling anyone."

she laughed, the sound light and easy, and for a moment, i could see the tension leave her shoulders. "honestly, i don't know," she admitted, her voice a little quieter now. "i like him, but it's complicated."

i nodded, not pressing further, knowing how hard it could be to untangle feelings, especially when they were mixed up with the people around you. as we made our way through the crowd, i couldn't help but feel a little more at ease. maybe it was the music, or maybe it was the drinks, but the more i let myself slip into the night, the more everything seemed to fit. sienna's easy confidence, the way she made friends with everyone, and the genuine smiles she shared with the people around her-i was beginning to see why she felt so at home here.

we found a spot to stand, and as the night stretched on, i felt myself relax, the earlier unease melting away. for the first time in a while, i could just be here, in the moment, without thinking about what came next or how i fit into all of this. and for once, that felt pretty damn good.

a few minutes passed, and mason asked sienna if she wanted to dance, to which she happily agreed. she got up from the sofa where we were sitting and walked toward the dance floor with him, their movements fluid and effortless. they looked so cute together, like they belonged in this moment. i stayed behind, feeling the music, letting the rhythm wash over me as i continued to vibe alone. my drink was long gone, and i was ready for another.

i got up and started walking toward the bar, my steps slow as i was still lost in the music. that was when someone bumped into me, and before i could react, their drink spilled all over me. the cold liquid hit me with a sharp chill, sending a wave of goosebumps over my skin.

"oh my-sorry!" the guy who spilled his drink on me apologized quickly.

"no, it's fine," i said, trying not to let the frustration show.

"no, no, it's really not fine," he said, his voice full of concern. his gaze finally met mine, and when our eyes locked, i felt a sudden wave of calm wash over me. it was strange-this sense of peace, as though everything had slowed down in that moment.

"no, really, i'm fine," i said, offering a smile to reassure him.

"at least let me help you dry off and get you another drink," he said, a little relieved, his smile returning.

"okay, sure," i replied, following him to the bathroom as we tried to figure out how to dry off my dress.

"are you from around here? you don't have the accent," he asked, glancing at me curiously.

"no, i'm from santa barbara," i answered. "i came to visit my cousin. and you? you don't have the accent either."

"no, i'm from maine. i came here to get away from los angeles for a bit," he explained, his voice softening.

"wow, same here. well, mostly to get away from my ex," i admitted with a quiet sigh.

"seriously? me too," he said, his eyes widening in surprise.

there was something about that moment, the shared understanding, that felt so comforting. it was like we were two strangers who had both been running from something and somehow ended up here, together. it wasn't something i expected, but it felt like the beginning of something new.

he looked at me with that same quiet smile, the one that made me feel like we were both in on something. "small world, huh?" he said softly, as if still taking in the coincidence of it all.

"yeah, it really is," i answered, my voice lighter now. there was something in the air, something between us that felt too easy, too right for it to be just a random meeting.

we were still standing there, working together to dry my dress, when i finally looked at him properly. "i'm isla, by the way," i said, offering my hand. it felt natural, like it was time to make this moment feel a little more real.

he smiled and shook my hand, his grip warm. "tucker pillsbury," he replied, his voice steady but with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"nice to meet you, tucker," i said, giving him a small smile. something in his name felt familiar, but i didn't know why. maybe it was the way he carried himself, so grounded and easygoing.

"you're from