The beach bar buzzed with a happy, sun-kissed energy. Laughter bounced off the string lights as Ela, Miel, and Liza, practically glowing with vacation vibes, cornered Elijah. “Your turn, Elijah. Truth or dare?” Ela chirped.
Elijah, halfway through her icy watermelon shake, grinned, feeling the carefree spirit of the trip bubble up. “Dare, of course!”
Miel leaned in, her voice light. “See that dude at the counter? In blue shirt?”
Elijah’s gaze drifted over. Tall, tousled hair catching the warm light as he ordered a drink. “Yeah, the one you were interested with earlier?”
“Go say hi and get his number!” Liza giggled.
Elijah rolled her eyes, a playful smirk on her face. “Oh, you guys really know how to torment me, don’t you?” But the dare felt… fun. She hopped off her stool. “Fine, but if he’s weird, you’re buying me all the fruity cocktails.”
The beach bar thrummed with music and chatter. Her friends gave her encouraging nods. Elijah took a breath and walked towards the counter, trying to look like she was just surveying the scene.
She sat on a stool near a guy who was leaning against the bar, nursing a drink and looking out at the crowd. After a moment, she offered a casual observation, her voice light and easy. "It's pretty lively here tonight, huh?" It was a general comment, not directly flirtatious, but a way to open a neutral line of conversation.
The guy turned his head, a relaxed smile on his face. "Yeah, it's definitely got that vacation energy going on." His eyes met hers briefly before he turned back to scan the crowd, then back to her. Strangely, he somewhat felt like he’s already seen this girl before. "You enjoying the atmosphere?"
Elijah nodded, mirroring his casual demeanor. He seemed approachable and open to a brief chat. “Definitely. It's nice to just... unwind." She paused for a beat, then added, "I'm still trying to decide what to drink."
He chuckled softly, a warm sound. "I can give you suggestions if you can tell me what you usually enjoy,” He paused, extending a hand. "I'm Erik, by the way. While we're both in beverage deliberation mode."
"Elijah," she replied, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you, Erik."
The name sparked a jolt of something familiar, like hitting a forgotten memory. “Elijah,” he repeated. His eyes widened a fraction, a playful glint in them. “Wait… are you that Elijah? Elijah Knightley?? The one obsessed with her romcoms?”
Her breath hitched, a smile already spreading. “Oh my god, Erik Harrison?!”
His grin widened, full of genuine surprise.
Elijah’s laughter spilled out, light and joyful. “Erik! No way, it’s actually you!”
A flurry of excited exclamations filled the air. They couldn’t believe it—years of online chats, a connection built on shared teenage angst and goofy humor, had just materialized under the palm trees.
“This is officially the most insane vacation plot twist ever,” Erik declared, shaking his head, still grinning.
“Seriously!” Elijah agreed, gesturing wildly back at her equally stunned friends. “They have no clue they just orchestrated this epic reunion.”
“So, how are you these days? It’s been a while since we last talked,” Erik asked. As junior high schools, they talked to each other all the time without missing a day. However, they soon got busy with their own lives as they prepare for college that they eventually drifted apart and lost touch with each other.
“I’m good, it’s really nice to see you, Erik,”
The next day felt like a bonus summer day, painted with possibility. They grabbed ice cream—Elijah a mint chocolate chip ice cream, Erik a classic vanilla. Sitting on a sun-drenched bench, Elijah licked her cone happily. “Ah, pure vacation bliss.”
Suddenly, a cheeky seagull swooped with lightning speed, snagging the top of her ice cream. “Whoa! Hey, you feathered bandit!” she yelled, then dissolved into laughter at the sheer audacity of it.
Erik was cracking up. “Still a magnet of misfortunes, I see,” Elijah shot him a glare as he offered her a bite of his, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Later, strolling past stalls overflowing with colorful beachwear, the smell of sizzling seafood drew them in. “Lunch?” Erik suggested, gesturing to a lively restaurant.
Over plates of buttered shrimp and grilled squid, Elijah happily digging in, Erik raised an eyebrow. “Hold up. Last I checked, anything that swam was public enemy number one for your tastebuds.”
Elijah grinned, a smear of butter on her chin. “University happened, I’m staying at a dorm and unfortunately, there’s not much option for food. Plus, this stuff is seriously good. Can’t believe I refused to eat them before.” They laughed, “You still quoting all those cheesy horror movies?”
Erik chuckled. “Only the truly iconic lines. They’re really fun to watch tho, you still hate them?”
“It’s boring,” she said, popping a piece of squid into her mouth.
“No, they’re not!”
Later, sprawled on the warm sand, they were deep in conversation when Elijah suddenly yelped. “Ow! What the hell?”
“Me too!” Erik exclaimed, hopping up and brushing furiously at his legs. Tiny red ants were making a determined march across their beach blanket.
“Oh, come on!” Elijah burst out laughing, despite the itchy bites. “Seriously? First the ice cream heist, now an ant invasion?”
Erik was chuckling, brushing sand off her back. “Looks like we’re the hottest picnic spot on the beach.”
They relocated, still giggling about their string of minor beach mishaps. The sun was beginning its slow descent, painting the sky in hues of fiery orange, soft pink, and gentle lavender.
Elijah and Erik walked barefoot along the shore, the cool, foamy waves washing over their ankles with a soothing rhythm. The air was still warm, carrying the faint scent of salt and the distant murmur of the ocean. Suddenly, a familiar melody drifted from a nearby beachside speaker, a classic, romantic tune. It was "You'll Never Know" by Dick Haymes.
A soft smile bloomed on Elijah's face.
"Oh, wait," she said, turning to Erik, her eyes reflecting the warm colors of the sunset. "That song… Do you still enjoy these kinds of songs?" She remembered him mentioning his fondness for old-school crooners during one of their late-night online chats years ago.
Erik's eyes softened, a genuine warmth spreading across his features. "Enjoy them? Elijah, you won't believe it. This song... this is actually my absolute favorite." He paused, a tender smile gracing his lips as he looked at her, the setting sun casting a golden glow on his face.
Without saying another word, he gently reached out and took her hand. "Would you... would you care to dance?" His gaze was earnest, his invitation simple and heartfelt.
A wave of emotion washed over Elijah—a mix of surprise, joy, and a touch of something deeper. "I... I would love to," she whispered, her smile widening.
He led her a few steps closer to the water's edge, where the gentle waves continued to roll in and out. They stood facing each other, their hands clasped, the soft sand shifting beneath their bare feet. As Dick Haymes's smooth voice filled the air, they began to sway.
It wasn't a practiced dance, just a slow, gentle swaying in time with the music. Their feet occasionally dipped into the cool water, sending soft ripples outwards. They held each other loosely, their eyes meeting every now and then, sharing a silent language of rediscovered connection and the magic of the moment. The setting sun blazed behind them, a breathtaking backdrop to their impromptu dance, casting long, intertwined shadows on the wet sand. The years of distance melted away with each sway, replaced by the tangible reality of finally being together.
“This day was… the best unexpected surprise in my life,” Erik said, his gaze warm.
“Totally,” Elijah agreed, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. “Like a crazy, fun summer dream.”
“So, the girl who used to communicate solely in sarcastic memes now eats squid and battles seagulls with me,” Erik grinned, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “Summer’s full of surprises.”
“Maybe,” Elijah replied, meeting his gaze, “some summer surprises are worth holding onto, even after the tan fades.” She paused for a while, “Will… will I ever meet you again?” Asked Elijah.
“Please don’t be a stranger, Elijah,” Erik said, kissing the back of her hand, his thumb tracing lazy circles on her skin.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Elijah promised, her grip light but firm. The goodbye felt less like an ending and more like a “see you later” under the endless summer sky.
