Amy leaned against the balcony railing, staring out at the endless ocean. The golden sunset painted the water in shades of orange and pink.
"This might be the best weekend of my life," she said softly.
Daisy suddenly clapped her hands. "Alright, sentimental moment over."
Amy turned around. "What?"
Daisy grinned mischievously. "You didn't think we came all the way to Hawaii just to stare at the ocean, did you?"
Isabelle sighed dramatically. "Here we go."
Daisy grabbed Amy's hand and dragged her back inside the house.
"Follow me," she said.
Curious, we followed her into the living room. The moment we stepped inside, Daisy flicked on the lights.
Amy gasped.
Pink and gold decorations hung from the ceiling. Balloons floated near the windows and a banner stretched across the wall that read:
BRIDE TO BE
A table near the couch was covered with drinks, snacks, and small party boxes.
Amy covered her mouth. "You did all this?"
Daisy placed her hands on her hips proudly. "Of course I did."
Isabelle walked over to the table and picked up one of the small boxes. "Please tell me these are not embarrassing party games."
Daisy shrugged. "Some of them are."
Amy burst out laughing.
I walked over to the table and picked up a sparkling sash that read Bride to Be.
"Well," I said, holding it up. "Looks like someone has to wear this."
Amy groaned. "Absolutely not."
Too late. Daisy and I grabbed her arms and quickly slipped the sash over her shoulder.
Amy looked down at it and shook her head. "You guys are the worst."
Isabelle poured everyone a drink from one of the bottles on the table.
"To Amy," she said, raising her glass.
"To Amy!" we echoed.
Amy smiled, her eyes shining with excitement.
Daisy suddenly pulled out her phone. "Okay, first order of business."
Amy narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What are you doing?"
"Group photo," Daisy said. "Proof that this weekend happened."
We gathered together in front of the decorations while Daisy held up her phone.
"Alright," she said. "Everyone say… future Mrs. Lu!"
"Future Mrs. Lu!" we shouted.
The camera flashed.
For a moment, the room filled with laughter.
Amy leaned back on the couch, still smiling. "I can't believe I'm getting married."
I sat down beside her and nudged her shoulder. "You're going to make a beautiful bride."
She smiled softly. "Thanks, Sophie."
Daisy suddenly leaned forward with a mischievous grin.
"Oh, we're just getting started," she said.
Amy blinked. "What does that mean?"
Daisy lifted one of the party boxes from the table. Inside were cards labeled: Bachelorette Challenge.
Isabelle groaned. "I knew it."
Daisy's grin widened.
"This weekend," she said dramatically, "is going to be legendary."
Daisy set the box down on the coffee table and pulled out a stack of colorful cards.
Amy narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "I don't like that look."
"You should," Daisy said sweetly. "This is called Truth or Drink."
Isabelle groaned. "Of course it is."
Daisy shuffled the cards dramatically before placing them in the center of the table. "The rules are simple. You either answer the question honestly… or you take a drink."
Amy folded her arms. "And who goes first?"
Daisy grinned.
"The bride."
Amy's mouth dropped open. "Absolutely not."
Too late.
Daisy picked up the first card and cleared her throat. "Alright… Amy Yang—soon to be Amy Lu."
Amy sighed dramatically. "Fine. Ask the question."
Daisy read the card. "What was the first thing you thought when you realized Nicholas liked you?"
Amy froze for a second before slowly smiling. "That he was an idiot."
We burst out laughing.
Isabelle leaned forward. "That is actually accurate."
Amy shook her head, still smiling. "He kept following me around in high school like a lost puppy."
Daisy clutched her chest. "That is adorable."
"Annoying," Amy corrected.
Daisy placed the card down. "Okay, next victim."
Her eyes landed on me.
"No," I said immediately.
"Yes," Daisy replied cheerfully.
She pulled another card and read it silently before grinning like a villain.
"That smile is illegal," I said nervously.
Daisy ignored me and read the card aloud. "Sophie… do you love Harley?"
The room went silent.
Amy slowly turned her head toward me, while Isabelle raised her eyebrows.
I stared at Daisy. "That question is rigged."
Daisy shrugged. "Answer… or drink."
I grabbed the glass on the table and took a large sip without hesitation.
Daisy gasped dramatically. "Wow."
Amy leaned forward with interest. "That was fast."
I wiped my mouth and set the glass down calmly. "Next question."
Daisy burst out laughing. "You didn't even hesitate!"
"That's because the answer is obvious," I said.
Isabelle tilted her head. "Is it though?"
I shot her a warning look.
Amy suddenly stood up and stretched. "Okay, enough interrogation. I want to see the beach."
Daisy jumped to her feet immediately. "Finally."
Within minutes we were running down the wooden steps behind the house.
The sand was cool beneath my feet as the ocean breeze brushed against my skin.
The moon hung low over the water, casting silver light across the waves.
Amy walked straight toward the shoreline and dipped her toes into the water.
She laughed softly. "This is perfect."
Daisy kicked off her shoes and ran farther down the beach.
"Last one in the water is boring!" she shouted.
Isabelle shook her head. "She's thirty and still acts like a teenager."
Amy turned to me, her expression soft.
"Thank you for coming," she said quietly.
I smiled. "Of course I came."
She looked back toward the house, where the lights glowed warmly through the large windows.
"Next time we're here," she said thoughtfully, "I'll be married."
I nudged her shoulder gently. "You sound nervous."
She sighed.
"A little."
The waves rolled onto the shore and retreated again.
Amy looked at me. "You know," she said slowly, "marriage is terrifying."
I frowned. "That's encouraging."
She laughed softly.
"But when it's the right person," she added, "it's worth it."
Her eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary. I pretended not to notice.
Behind us, Daisy suddenly shouted.
"GUYS!"
We turned to see her waist-deep in the ocean.
"This water is freezing!"
Isabelle burst out laughing.
Amy grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the shoreline. "Come on," she said.
Within seconds we were all splashing through the water, laughing like teenagers.
For a moment, everything felt easy. There was no pressure or expectation—just the sound of the ocean and the laughter of friends.
And for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to simply enjoy the moment.