-In 2023, not all parents hold their children to traditional standards for love and marriage, but modern lifestyles are still not always accepted. Especially not when your younger sibling is getting married first and your parents are practically jum...
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That weekend you finally take your excursion to the beach with your friends. Kotonoha rented a small house right on the sand which absolutely blew Faye's mind the second she looked out the back window.
"So it's like our own private beach?" she gasps as she opens the back door.
"Pretty much even though it's not blocked off. Think of it kind of like having an open backyard," Kotonoha explains to her.
"So then what about beach parties?" Faye continues as she continues to look out the window.
Kotonoha shrugs. "Guess we'll have to go somewhere else for that."
Faye gasps as she turns around. She smirks as she looks at Kotonoha who tries to avoid making eye contact. "You already know where, don't you? You knew we'd ask but you're holding out because you don't want to go. Y/N, help me out here."
You, not too far away filling up a glass of water in the kitchen, turn around to face the two of them who both have puppy dog eyes. They're both silently begging you to take their side against the other.
"Of course, Noha knows. She probably booked us this place 'cause it's close to the middle of the town where everything happens. But we've got three nights. We don't need to go out tonight. We could just chill here if you want," you shrug, playing both sides as best you can.
"Actually, you're right, Y/N," Faye nods. "Let's just hang out the three of us today. We've got time. Tonight isn't our only night here!"
"So then, are we going to the beach?" you smile.
"Let's change and be ready in thirty?" Kotonoha suggests.
"Yes, that's perfect. We'll meet outside on the sand," Faye agrees.
After that, you go back to your room. It's a miracle the house Kotonoha found has three rooms, so you don't even mind the small size considering the fact.
When you walk in, you put your duffle bag on your twin-sized bed and open it. You take out your bathing suit and an extra change of clothes for afterward. Then, once you change, you grab your towel and your beach blanket and walk out of the room.
Once you open the back door and step onto the warm sand, you spot Faye standing quietly with only her feet in the water. Her long pink hair sways with the wind and you just watch for a moment until the door opens behind you again.
When you turn around, Kotonoha steps out. She's got her staple small black oval sunglasses that she always wears too low for them to even be useful. You suppose that's how she can even wear them inside or in the dark, too.
"Is she alright?" you ask Kotonoha regarding Faye. "You've been with her more than I have so I haven't gotten around to checking up on her the past week."
"She's doing what she can. I think the whole reason she wanted to go out so bad was so she can get over him but she's still in the depression phase of grief," she says quietly to you. "I do what I can to help her but I know it's best to let her grieve. Putting too much pressure on her won't help either."
"This vacation will be good for her," you add. "It hasn't even been a month yet. If it was me I'd still be pissed off."
"She was pissed off when she broke up with him. I guess those first few stages went by fast because of that."
"I'll help keep an eye on her this weekend," you hum as you look back out to your pink-haired friend who is still standing in the same spot as she was five minutes ago. But when Kotonoha doesn't respond, you look over at her. She nods quietly and stares out towards Faye just as you had, but with sadder eyes. Eyes that long to run up to that pink-haired girl and tell her everything will be alright because "I'm here."
"How are you doing, Noha?" you then ask her.
"Hm?" she repeats as she nearly snaps herself out of the daydream she was in. "Fine, I'm fine," she shakes her head, tossing two of her black braids behind her shoulders. "I can't really complain seeing as how I'm standing in sand."
Just as you're about to open your mouth again, Faye finally turns around and spots the two of you standing by the house. She waves and calls you both over, to which you can't really say no.
"Come on," you say to Kotonoha as you nudge her slightly. "Let's go."
The two of you then walk over to Faye and place your things down on the sand beside hers. "What were you two doing?" she then asks. "I thought we were meeting down here?"
"Yeah, we just stepped out of the house when you saw us," Kotonoha tells her. "Want to go in the water? Is it warm?"
"Mhm. It felt amazing to put my feet in," she smiles.
The three of you walk into the water together and you feel a wave of relief rush over your shoulders. The sun beating down feels so good on your skin. You truly needed this. A break away from planning a wedding that isn't even yours. A break from your crazy father and even more insane mother.
Being with your two best friends means the world to you. And even though you can sense that something is stirring beneath the surface, you don't yet want to know what it is. Your life is crazy enough as it is. Hopefully, whatever the lurking surprise is, will wait until after the wedding.
