The sound of waves crashing against the shore stirred me awake.
For a moment I forgot where I was. The room felt unfamiliar, and sunlight poured through the wide glass windows, painting the floor in warm golden light.
Then it came back to me.
Hawaii.
I stretched beneath the soft white sheets and turned my head toward the balcony. The ocean shimmered beneath the morning sun, calm and endless.
A loud scream suddenly echoed through the house.
"WAKE UP EVERYONE!"
I groaned and buried my face into the pillow. Only Daisy could sound that energetic this early in the morning.
Footsteps thundered down the hallway followed by Isabelle's irritated voice.
"If you don't lower your voice right now, I swear I will throw you into the ocean."
I pushed the blanket aside and climbed out of bed, tying my hair into a loose ponytail before stepping into the hallway.
Daisy stood in the living room wearing oversized sunglasses and a bright yellow sundress, holding a phone in one hand.
She spun around when she saw me. "Good morning sleepyhead!"
I squinted at her. "Do you know what time it is?"
"Vacation time," she replied proudly.
Isabelle shuffled into the room behind me wearing pajamas and looking half asleep. "If my children ever wake me up like that, I'm putting them up for adoption."
Amy appeared from the kitchen carrying a tray of coffee mugs.
"Relax," she said. "I made coffee."
That immediately improved everyone's mood. We gathered around the kitchen island while Amy handed out the mugs. The rich smell of coffee filled the air.
Daisy leaned against the counter and took a dramatic sip.
"This," she declared, "is the beginning of the greatest bachelorette weekend in history."
I rolled my eyes. "Yesterday you nearly froze to death in the ocean."
"That was a strategic sacrifice," Daisy said.
Isabelle snorted.
Amy shook her head with a laugh. "Come on," she said. "Let's go to the beach before it gets too hot."
Within minutes we were walking down the wooden steps behind the beach house.
The sand was already warm beneath my feet, and the ocean stretched endlessly before us in shades of deep blue.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of saltwater and tropical flowers.
Daisy immediately ran ahead.
"I call first dive!" she shouted.
Isabelle crossed her arms. "If she goes into that water again this early, she deserves whatever happens to her."
Amy laughed and nudged my shoulder. "You look relaxed," she said.
"I am," I admitted.
For the first time in weeks, my mind felt quiet. No hospital shifts or stress. Just the sound of waves and the warmth of the sun.
My phone suddenly buzzed in my hand.
I glanced down at the screen and saw a message alert from Harley.
My heart skipped slightly.
Harley: Did you land safely?
I stared at the message for a moment longer than necessary.
Amy leaned over my shoulder.
"Who is that?"
I quickly tilted my phone away. "No one."
Amy narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Nothing ever escapes this girl, and I am still debating whether it's a good or bad thing.
"Sophie."
I sighed and showed her the screen.
She immediately smirked.
"Oh look," she said casually. "Your 'just friend' texted you."
I rolled my eyes. "He's just checking if we arrived safely."
Amy crossed her arms. "At eight in the morning?"
I typed a quick reply.
Me: Yes. We landed last night. The beach house is beautiful.
A moment later my phone buzzed again.
Harley: Good.
Amy was practically vibrating with curiosity.
"Is that it?" she asked.
"Yes."
She looked deeply disappointed. "I was hoping for something dramatic."
I slipped my phone back into my pocket. "You watch too many romance movies."
Daisy suddenly came running back toward us from the shoreline.
"Guys!" she shouted.
"What now?" Isabelle asked.
Daisy pointed toward the water. "There's a boat rental place down the beach."
Amy's eyes lit up immediately. "Oh my god."
Isabelle sighed. "I already know I'm going to regret this."
Daisy grabbed Amy's arm and began dragging her toward the shore.
"Come on bride-to-be! Adventure awaits!"
Amy laughed as she was pulled away.
I watched them disappear down the beach before turning toward Isabelle.
She shook her head. "I'm too old for this chaos."
"We are the same age," I said.
Isabelle rolled her eyes.
We began walking slowly after them.
The waves rolled onto the sand beside us, leaving thin trails of foam behind.
Isabelle glanced at me.
"So," she said casually.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"That tone means you're about to ask me something dangerous."
She smirked.
"I just wanted to say… that hug at the airport looked suspicious."
I groaned. "Not you too."
Isabelle laughed. "Relax. I'm not judging you."
She nudged my shoulder.
"But if you keep pretending you don't love him, Amy might explode."
I stared out at the ocean.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"Because it's obvious."
Before I could respond, Daisy's voice echoed across the beach.
"SOPHIE!"
I looked up.
She was standing ankle-deep in the water waving both arms wildly.
"You're driving the boat!"
I blinked. "What?"
Amy stood beside her laughing. "She said you're the responsible one!"
I sighed dramatically.
"Of course I am."
Isabelle patted my back.
"Good luck."
As I walked toward the shoreline, the warm sun reflecting off the ocean, I couldn't help smiling.
Maybe Amy was right.
Maybe this weekend really would be unforgettable.
And somehow, even thousands of miles away from Seoul…
Harley was still on my mind.