LOVE UNSCRIPTED

The final bell rang, echoing through the school halls like a victory anthem. Students poured out of classrooms, laughter and cheers erupting as the weight of exams lifted off their shoulders. Among them, Diana and Krystal emerged from their classroom—Diana with her usual calm smile, and Krystal practically bouncing beside her.

“We’re finally free!” Krystal whooped, twirling in the hallway.

Diana chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You act like we were in prison.”

“Because we were. A math prison, Di. With no windows and way too many numbers,” Krystal said dramatically, before looping her arm through Diana’s. “But now, it’s trip time. You packed, right?”

Diana nodded. “Last night. Clothes, snacks, camera. You?”

“Obviously. I even made us a playlist for the road,” Krystal grinned. “Only good vibes allowed. No sad songs.”

The girls made their way to the parking lot where Krystal’s older cousin waited in the car, ready to drive them to the beachside cabin they'd rented for the weekend.

The drive was filled with music, the windows rolled down and the wind in their hair. Krystal sang at the top of her lungs while Diana laughed, occasionally snapping candid photos of her best friend being her wild self.

By the time they arrived, the sky was painted in orange and pink hues. The cabin stood quietly between tall trees, just minutes away from the ocean. They threw their bags onto the beds and kicked off their shoes without a care in the world.

Later that evening, they sat by the shore, toes buried in cool sand. Krystal leaned back, gazing up at the stars. “We should make a pact.”

Diana raised an eyebrow. “What kind?”

“That no matter how hectic life gets after this—we’ll always make time for one trip. Just us.”

Diana smiled softly, the moonlight reflecting in her eyes. “Deal.”

~~

[At night ]

The sky above was a dark canvas, stars scattered across it like glitter. The ocean waves whispered in the distance, calm and rhythmic.

Krystal sighed, resting her head on Diana’s shoulder. “I can’t believe we’re actually done with school.”

Diana sipped her drink, the warmth grounding her. “Yeah. It still feels surreal.”

Krystal hesitated. “Do you think things will change?”

Diana glanced at her. “Change how?”

“You know… us. This.” Krystal’s voice is quieter now.
“We’ll go to different colleges, meet new people. What if we grow apart?”

Diana was silent for a moment before speaking. “I don’t think we will. I mean, I know things will be different. But that doesn’t mean we’ll forget each other. You’re… kind of a part of me now.”

Krystal turned to look at her, eyes wide and soft. “That’s so cheesy, Di.”

Diana smiled, her cheeks pink. “I meant it.”

Krystal laughed gently, then looked back up at the sky. “Promise we won’t lose this?”

“I promise.” Diana linked their pinkies again, like they did earlier. “Even if we’re not always in the same place, I’ll always make space for you.”

There was a pause before Krystal whispered, “You’re my favorite person, you know?”

Diana looked at her, heart skipping a beat. “You’re mine too.”

Krystal turned her face slightly, her eyes searching Diana’s. The air between them stilled—no music, no voices, just the sound of the sea and the quiet hum of something unspoken passing between them.

And then, softly, like it had always been meant to happen, Krystal leaned in.

Their lips met in a sweet, delicate kiss—slow, tentative, and filled with a thousand memories. It wasn’t dramatic or rushed. It was the kind of kiss that said I see you, I know you, and I care about you more than I can say.

And under the starlit sky, with the sea's gushing sound around them, everything felt exactly right.