The ferry ride to Haven Bay Island took just under three hours, long enough for the mainland to shrink into a thin gray line and the open water to feel endless.
Jade and Rose sat together on the upper deck near the railing, jackets zipped against the cool sea breeze.
Rose had claimed the spot first, then patted the bench beside her without a word.
Jade had sat down immediately, their shoulders touching every time the boat rocked gently.
They didn't talk much at first—just watched the water, the occasional gull wheeling overhead, the horizon shifting from pale blue to deeper sapphire.
Rose pulled her knees up, resting her chin on them.
Jade offered her a ginger candy when Rose's face paled slightly from the motion of the waves.
Rose accepted it with a small, grateful smile.
About halfway across, two figures approached their bench.
"Hey—mind if we join?"
The girl speaking had curly dark hair tied in a messy bun, freckles across her nose, and a bright, easy grin.
She wore a denim jacket covered in colorful pins.
Beside her stood a tall boy with glasses and a small sketchbook tucked under one arm, curly hair half-hidden by a beanie.
Rose glanced at Jade, then nodded.
"Sure."
The girl sat down cross-legged on the deck in front of them.
"I'm Maya Torres.
This is Noah Hayes."
She jerked her thumb toward the boy, who gave a small wave and a quiet "Hey."
Jade smiled.
"Jade Anderson.
This is Rose Archer."
Maya's eyes lit up.
"Rose and Jade—cute.
You two always sit together in class, right?
I've seen you in the library a lot."
Rose's cheeks pinked faintly.
"Yeah.
We… study together."
Noah adjusted his glasses.
"You're the one who played guitar in the talent show last year," he said to Jade.
"Really good.
Quiet, but good."
Jade felt a small flush of pride.
"Thanks.
Just messing around."
Maya laughed.
"Don't be modest.
Half the juniors still talk about it.
Noah here sketches everything.
He's probably already drawn you two in his notebook."
Noah rolled his eyes but didn't deny it.
"I draw what I see.
You two have… good energy."
Rose looked surprised, then pleased.
"Thank you."
The four of them fell into easy conversation after that.
Maya talked about how she had been begging her parents for this trip since freshman year.
Noah admitted he mostly came for the lighthouse—he wanted to sketch it at sunrise.
Rose shared that she liked the idea of quiet beaches.
Jade mentioned she just wanted to hear the ocean without any deadlines hanging over her.
By the time the ferry docked, the four of them had naturally fallen into step together.
They grabbed their bags and walked down the gangplank as a small, unspoken group.
The island welcomed them with warm sand, salt air, and the low roar of waves.
Cabins were assigned in clusters along the beachfront—wooden structures with shared porches and bunk beds inside.
Jade and Rose ended up in Cabin 7, along with two other girls who were friendly but quickly claimed the top bunks and disappeared to explore.
Rose chose the bottom bunk on the left.
Jade took the one across from her.
They unpacked in comfortable silence—Rose neatly folding clothes into drawers, Jade tossing hers into a pile.
When their eyes met across the small gap between bunks, they both smiled—small, private, happy.
That evening the school held a welcome bonfire on the beach.
Maya and Noah found them almost immediately, dragging them toward a spot near the fire.
Maya passed around marshmallows; Noah sketched the flames in quick, loose lines.
Rose sat close to Jade on a driftwood log, knees touching.
The firelight danced across her face, turning her eyes warm and bright.
Maya told a terrible ghost story that made everyone laugh more than it scared them.
Noah added dry commentary that had Rose covering her mouth to hide her giggles.
Later, when the fire died down and most students headed back to the cabins, the four of them lingered on the beach.
Maya and Noah eventually wandered off to look for shells, leaving Jade and Rose alone with the sound of waves.
Rose leaned back on her hands, looking up at the stars.
"I didn't expect to make new friends here,"
she said quietly.
"But… Maya and Noah are nice."
Jade nodded, lying back beside her.
"Yeah they fit."
Rose turned her head to look at Jade.
"So do we."
The words were simple, but they landed softly.
Jade felt that familiar warmth bloom again—deeper now, more certain.
She reached over and brushed a strand of hair from Rose's face, tucking it behind her ear.
Rose didn't flinch.
She just watched Jade with quiet trust.
They stayed like that for a long time—side by side on the sand, stars above, waves whispering against the shore.
No need for more words.
When they finally walked back to the cabin, their hands brushed once, twice—then stayed linked for the last few steps before letting go at the door.
Inside, they climbed into their bunks in the dark.
Rose's voice came soft from across the gap.
"Goodnight, Jade."
"Goodnight, Rose."
Jade lay awake a little longer, listening to Rose's breathing even out into sleep.
She felt Maya and Noah settling into their own bunks nearby, the quiet sounds of a shared space.
This trip was only beginning.
But already, it felt like something had shifted—something small, steady, and very real.
Jade closed her eyes.
She smiled into the dark.
Haven Bay Island had only just welcomed them.
And already, it felt like home.