"Riding the Waves of Us"

**Part Two: The Boys**

The next day, Arienna found herself staring at her reflection, feeling unsure of what to wear. She pulled on a faded T-shirt and some old shorts, not wanting to look like she was trying too hard, but still wanting to be comfortable for whatever today might bring. There was something about the place—the heat, the endless horizon, the feeling of everything being brand new—that made her want to shed the awkwardness she felt and just... be. At least for a little while.

When Cam texted earlier about taking her to a "secret spot," she'd been hesitant at first. She wasn't exactly the adventurous type, but she couldn't deny the curiosity gnawing at her. It was something different, something that might give her a chance to breathe away from the unfamiliarity that was already starting to suffocate her. So, despite her nerves, she grabbed her things and headed out the door.

Cam was already waiting for her when she stepped outside. His truck sat parked on the street, the engine rumbling low, and there he was, leaning against the side of it with the ease of someone who belonged here. His hair was tousled, his skin darkened by the sun, and the faded tank top he wore clung to his broad shoulders in a way that made Arienna feel a sudden tightness in her chest. There was something so effortlessly cool about him—like he had stepped straight out of a surf magazine, all laid-back charm and a quiet confidence that radiated from him in a way that made it impossible to ignore.

"Ready to go?" he asked, his voice easy, like they'd been friends for years. He gave her that lazy grin again, the kind that made it feel like he was in on some secret, and for a moment, Arienna wondered if that secret was *her*.

"Yeah, sure," she said, her voice sounding a little shakier than she'd intended. She tossed her bag into the back of the truck and slid into the passenger seat, trying not to overthink every tiny detail—like how close his hand was to hers on the gear shift, or how his arm flexed every time he adjusted the wheel.

The drive was quiet, the world outside shifting from city streets to winding roads that cut through dense trees and rocky cliffs. Arienna didn't talk much, but Cam didn't seem to mind. He asked a few casual questions—about Virginia, her family, what she thought of the island so far—but there was no pressure to answer, no expectation to share more than she wanted to.

"I come out here when I need to clear my head," Cam said after a while, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "It's a place where you don't have to think. Just... be."

Arienna nodded, looking out the window at the scenery. She could feel the tension in her chest loosening the more she let herself focus on the drive, on the feeling of being taken somewhere that was off the beaten path, something just for her. A part of her, though, couldn't help but notice how at ease Cam seemed with everything. Like this world—this life—was something he'd been living in for a long time.

When they reached the beach, Arienna's breath caught in her throat. It was more beautiful than she could've imagined. The sand stretched out, untouched, the water sparkling in the sunlight, with only the sound of waves crashing in the distance. No tourists. No crowds. Just pure, untouched paradise. It felt like she was stepping into another world, one that hadn't been tainted by anything familiar.

"This is it," Cam said, pulling the truck to a stop. He hopped out and grabbed his surfboard, moving with that same natural ease that made everything about him seem effortless. "This is where I come when I need to be alone. Or when I want to get away from everything."

Arienna stood there for a moment, taking in the scene. She had no idea how to even begin to process how perfect this place felt—how it made everything else fade into the background.

"I can see why," she said, her voice softer than she expected. "It's... amazing."

"Yeah," Cam agreed, tossing her a grin over his shoulder as he made his way to the water. "It kind of feels like a secret. Just for people who know it exists."