Aria's POV
It had already been a few days since we arrived, and somehow, it felt like time had flown by in the blink of an eye. We'd spent every day doing something fun swimming, exploring, laughing around bonfires, and sharing stories that made my stomach ache from smiling too much.
For the first time in a long while, I felt something I hadn't in years peace.
Maybe even happiness.
I'd gotten to know everyone at their best selves. Caleb wasn't just the class clown; he had this way of making everyone feel at ease. Aubrey was pure sunshine, the kind of person who reminded you what kindness looked like. And Liam… well, Liam wasn't nearly as bad as I once thought. He was surprisingly thoughtful, steady, and had this habit of noticing things most people wouldn't. I'd also noticed how Ethan had changed over the past few days. He wasn't as distant as before quieter, yes, but there was something softer in him now. The way he looked at Aubrey sometimes, how he tried to have a conversation with her even when she barely respond to him . It was obvious he still cared about her. Maybe more than he wanted to admit.
Tomorrow we'd be heading back to the school, and though part of me missed my usual routine, another part wished we could stay here a little longer.
I was heading down to meet the others for breakfast when a familiar voice stopped me mid-step.
"Aria?"
The sound of my name froze me. My pulse quickened before I even turned around. When I did, there he was Ryan. The last person I ever wanted to see again.
He looked almost the same, though his hair was shorter now and his smile had that same easy charm that used to fool me.
"Didn't expect to run into you again," he said, slipping his phone into his pocket. "You look… different."
I forced a polite smile. "Yeah, it's been a while."
He nodded, his eyes flicking past me toward the path that led to the beach. "So, you and the guy with the attitude—Liam, right? You two seem… close."
I felt my jaw tighten. "If you're trying to make a point, don't bother. You lost the right to care a long time ago."I said
Ryan's smile faltered. "Come on, Aria. Don't be like that. You and I, we were good together. You can't tell me you've moved on already. I know you."
"I did move on," I said firmly, trying to step past him. But before I could, his hand shot out and wrapped around my arm.
"Ryan—" I struggled, pulling back. His grip tightened. "Let me go."
"Aria, listen to me," he said, his voice low, pleading. "You don't mean that. We're better off together. You know it. You still feel it, don't you?"
Before I could reply, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"She said let go."
Ryan barely had time to turn before Liam's fist connected with his jaw. The impact sent him stumbling backward, landing hard on the gravel path.
For a second, no one spoke. The air between them crackled with tension. Liam's eyes were darker than I'd ever seen, his chest rising and falling as he stepped between us.
"If you ever touch her again," he said coldly, "you'll regret it."
Ryan pressed a hand to his face, glaring up at him. "You don't know what this is about."
"I don't need to," Liam shot back. "Now get lost."
Ryan hesitated for a moment, his gaze flicking to me before he finally stood and walked off without another word.
I stood there, my heart pounding, watching until he disappeared from view. When I finally looked up at Liam, he was still breathing heavily, his jaw tense.
"Are you okay?" he asked, softer now.
I nodded slowly. "Yeah… I think so."
His eyes lingered on me for a moment longer before he said quietly, "Let's go back."
And as we walked side by side, I couldn't help but glance at him wondering when his presence had started to make me feel safe.
When Liam and I finally reached the table, the others were already halfway through their breakfast. Caleb looked up, grinning like he'd been waiting just to tease us.
"What took you guys so long?" he asked, his tone playful.
"Relax, we're not late," Liam replied as he pulled out a chair beside me.
Caleb chuckled. "Sure, sure. You missed the best part of the pancakes, though. I might've eaten the last one."
I rolled my eyes, taking my seat. "You always eat the last one."
He shrugged with a smug smile. "Perks of being first."
The smell of warm waffles and freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and for a while, everyone was too busy eating to talk much. The sunlight spilling in through the open windows made the place glow, soft waves crashing faintly in the distance.
Once breakfast was over, Caleb pushed his chair back and stretched. "Alright, boys," he said, looking at Ethan and Liam. "Let's go check out that surf shop down the road. Maybe grab a few things for later."
Liam raised a brow. "Surf shop?"
"Yeah," Caleb said with a grin. "You know, guy stuff. You ladies enjoy yourselves."
"Guy stuff," I repeated with a small laugh. "Right."
He winked before heading off, Ethan and Liam following him out the door. Ethan paused briefly, glancing back at our table, but didn't say anything before leaving.
Once they were gone, the restaurant felt quieter just the sound of clinking dishes and the hum of the sea breeze through the open windows.
I turned to Aubrey, who was absently stirring what was left of her drink. "You've been acting kind of weird these days," I said softly. "Everything okay?"
She sighed, setting her glass down. "It's… Ethan. He's been trying to talk to me since we got here. Keeps saying he wants to explain that he wants us to try again."
I tilted my head. "And what do you think?"
"I don't know," she said honestly. "Part of me still cares, but the other part just… doesn't want to get hurt again. I thought I was over him, but every time he talks to me, I feel everything come back."
I watched her for a moment before speaking. "You know, I've noticed how he looks at you. He really does care, Aubrey. I can see it even when he's quiet. Maybe you should hear him out. It doesn't mean you're forgiving him. Just… listening. Maybe that'll help you figure out what you really want."
She looked thoughtful, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe you're right."
I smiled back. "I usually am."
She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"Only sometimes," I said, grinning.
For a moment, it felt easy again just the two of us, like it used to be. But even then, I couldn't shake the feeling that things between everyone were starting to shift in quiet, unexpected ways.