“You haven’t gone in yet,” he muses, his arms crossed.
“I haven’t changed into my swimsuit.”
Then his eyes grin along with his mouth, and I watch as he runs toward the waves fully clothed, the water growing deep around him until he dives below. He emerges and shouts, “What are you waiting for, Bookworm? Do it for the plot!”
I laugh, the sound velvet as it travels up my throat. Then I run toward the ocean, the water splashing up my legs and soaking my clothes until I let it pull me under, the salt stinging my eyes and the roar of the waves filling my ears—fully embracing it.
32
SADIE
This hotel boastslarge windows that overlook the ocean, beds with quilts made of cotton, and a bathroom with three shower heads, all of which seem to care whether you like their temperature and pressure.
I stand by the window, letting the breeze from the balcony tease my hair, and for a moment, I swear I can still taste the salt on my lips from the beach.
It's at this moment I choose to turn on my phone and open the group text from my sisters but choose not to read through everything they’ve sent me the last two days. Instead, I snap a photo of the waves changing to a darker hue as the stars and moon replace the sun, and I send it.
The replies come immediately, as if they’ve been holding their phones waiting for me to confirm I’m still alive.
Sophie
WHAT?! Not fair.
Emma
It’s beautiful.
Sophie
Where are you?
I smile before I reply.
Sadie
South Carolina.
Sophie
I’m so proud of you.
Emma
Same.
Sadie
Love you both.
Sophie
Loves!
Emma
My stomach drops slightly when I click over to my text with Grant and he hasn’t replied even though he’s read it, but I push the worry away, remembering the girl in the yellow swimsuit floating on the ocean. Right now, this moment is mine.
“That shower isn’t even related to the shower at the motel,” Milo says as he emerges from the bathroom in athletic shorts, his chest bare. He’s drying his hair with his towel.
