Harley pulled up at the entrance of the international airport. When his car came to a complete stop, I thanked him.
He stepped out of the car and walked around to the trunk before I had the chance to open my door.
The moment I stepped out of the car, the loud hum of travelers and rolling suitcases filled the air.
"Thanks Harley," I said, taking the suitcase from him. "I will see you at the wedding in a couple days."
He nodded.
We stared at each other longer than intended. I cleared my throat before wrapping my arms around him.
My eyes widened when Harley wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. My cheeks burned when I noticed people staring at us as they walked into the airport.
"Harley… people are staring," I whispered, trying to break free from his hold.
"Let them."
He held me in place a little longer before finally releasing me.
"Text me when you land."
I nodded.
After bidding him farewell, I grabbed my luggage and walked into the building.
Loud hums of conversation traveled across the terminal, mixing with the intercom announcements overhead.
"Sophie!" a familiar voice called from across the terminal.
I looked toward the sound and saw Amy waving at me while Isabelle chatted with someone on the phone.
"Where is Daisy?" I asked as I reached them.
"Bathroom," Amy replied casually. "She said she needed five minutes before fans start recognizing her."
Right on cue, Daisy appeared moments later wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap pulled low over her eyes.
"Alright ladies," Daisy said, adjusting her cap. "Let's get on this plane before someone asks me for a selfie."
After going through customs and securing our luggage, we headed toward Terminal One and joined the line to board the plane.
The captain introduced himself over the intercom before takeoff.
My favorite part of traveling is takeoff and landing. The adrenaline rush you get is intoxicating.
I dug my earphones out of my purse and placed them in my ears before putting on a medical podcast. I closed my eyes and relaxed as the hum of conversation and the engines slowly faded into the background.
The plane suddenly jolted, pulling me from my thoughts.
My eyes snapped open as the aircraft shook slightly before steadying again.
Amy looked over at me from the window seat. "Relax, Sophie," she said with a laugh. "We're not even in the air yet."
I exhaled slowly and leaned back into my seat.
The plane began accelerating down the runway, the engines roaring louder with every passing second.
I looked out the window as the aircraft lifted into the sky, Seoul growing smaller and smaller beneath us.
I leaned back into my seat and closed my eyes as the clouds swallowed the city below us. Soon after, everything faded into darkness.
A soft chime echoed through the cabin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing shortly in Honolulu. Please fasten your seatbelts and return your seats to their upright position."
My eyes fluttered open as the captain's voice pulled me from sleep. For a moment, I forgot where I was.
Then the steady hum of the plane and the warm sunlight streaming through the window reminded me.
Hawaii.
Amy stretched beside me and let out a dramatic yawn. "Finally," she muttered.
Daisy leaned forward from the seat behind us. "I swear if I had to sit in that seat for another hour, I would've lost my mind."
I chuckled and looked out the window.
The deep blue ocean stretched endlessly beneath the plane, sparkling under the bright sun. Small islands dotted the water like scattered emeralds surrounded by white waves rolling toward the shore.
The aircraft slowly descended, the runway growing larger as we approached the island.
Moments later, the wheels touched the ground with a soft thud.
Amy clapped her hands excitedly. "We made it!"
Passengers around us began reaching for their bags as the plane taxied toward the terminal.
As soon as the seatbelt sign turned off, Daisy stood up and stretched her arms above her head.
"Vacation officially starts now," she announced.
After grabbing our carry-on bags, we followed the crowd through the airport terminal.
The moment the sliding doors opened, warm tropical air brushed against my skin.
Palm trees swayed gently outside, and the faint scent of saltwater drifted through the breeze.
Amy inhaled deeply and smiled. "Okay… I already love it here."
I adjusted my purse on my shoulder as we walked toward the luggage carousel.
Somewhere in the distance, I could hear the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore.
For the first time in a long while, everything felt light.
This weekend was going to be unforgettable.
After collecting our luggage, we stepped outside the airport where a black SUV waited near the curb.
A driver wearing a white linen shirt stepped forward and gave us a polite nod. "Miss Yang? The car is ready."
Amy clapped her hands excitedly. "That's us."
We loaded our suitcases into the trunk before climbing into the vehicle. Daisy immediately claimed the seat by the window while Isabelle sank into the seat beside her with a tired sigh.
The drive along the coast felt surreal.
Palm trees lined the road, their leaves swaying gently in the warm breeze. The bright blue ocean stretched endlessly beside us, waves crashing softly against the shore.
Amy pressed her face against the window like an excited child. "I can't believe we're actually here."
I smiled quietly as the salty ocean air drifted through the slightly opened window.
About twenty minutes later, the car slowed as we turned onto a private road.
Tall palm trees lined both sides of the driveway, their shadows dancing across the pavement as the sun began to dip lower in the sky.
The vehicle finally stopped in front of a large beachfront house.
My eyes widened.
The beach house sat on a small rise overlooking the ocean, its wide glass windows reflecting the golden sunlight. White stone walls and dark wooden accents gave the house a modern but relaxed island feel.
A large balcony stretched across the second floor, and beyond it the ocean rolled endlessly toward the horizon.
"Wow," Amy whispered.
Daisy stepped out of the car first and removed her sunglasses. "Okay… this is insane."
Isabelle climbed out more slowly, stretching her arms above her head. "Sophie, you definitely knows how to plan a bachelorette trip."
I stepped out last, the warm sand brushing softly beneath my shoes as a gentle breeze carried the scent of saltwater and tropical flowers.
The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air.
For a moment, none of us spoke.
Amy suddenly grabbed my arm. "Come on," she said excitedly. "Let's see the inside!"
We grabbed our bags and walked toward the entrance.
The front doors opened into a spacious living room filled with natural light. Floor-to-ceiling windows faced the ocean, allowing the late afternoon sun to flood the room.
Soft beige sofas surrounded a wooden coffee table, and light curtains moved gently with the ocean breeze drifting in from the balcony doors.
Daisy walked straight toward the glass doors and stepped out onto the balcony.
"Oh my god," she said loudly. "You guys need to see this."
We followed her outside.
Below us, a private stretch of beach curved along the coastline, the water shimmering beneath the setting sun.
Amy placed her hands on the railing, staring out at the horizon.
"This might be the best weekend of my life," she said softly.
I leaned against the railing beside her, letting the warm breeze brush across my face.
For the first time since arriving, it truly sank in.
We were in Hawaii.
And Amy's bachelorette weekend had only just begun.