30: Intertwining Vines

Lena

Since the resort doesn't permit bonfires on the beach, Corey and Chase invited us to a private spot about 10 minutes away. As we ride in the Uber, the vibrant city lights blur past, casting a fleeting glow on the bustling main strip. We leave the energy of the city behind and take a turn onto a tranquil street, where the soft rustle of palm trees line a quiet road, their silhouettes swaying in the evening breeze. The three of us made a mutual decision to disable our location settings before leaving the resort. Given everything that unfolded earlier, I don't want to give Jasper an opportunity to track us down. It feels like the safest choice, especially if emotions become turbulent after a night of drinking; mix that with a desire for resolution and suddenly, more drama will rear its ugly head.

“We’re hereeeee!” Jordan cheers as the car slows to a stop, clapping her hands together in joy while I snap back to the present moment. The Uber driver pulls right up to the gate of a private entrance and we step out, the darkness of the unknown location enveloping us when we do. "Thank you!" Katie says before closing the car door behind us. As we approach the premises, tiny specks of light twinkling in the distance ahead catches our eye, like a supernova burning brightly in the center of the darkened landscape. The flames shimmer with an almost ethereal glow as it bobs and weaves in sync with the wind. “What is this place?” Katie whispers under her breath, as we slip off our shoes to trek through the still warm sand. “I don’t fucking know, it’s too dark to see a damn thing!” Jordan replies with a humph while I giggle and dig my toes further into the millions of tiny grains beneath me.

“LADIES! OVER HERE,” Corey’s pleasantly familiar voice rings out, cutting through the sound of crashing waves. “WELL HALLO BOYS! It’s been a FUCKING day!” Jordan catcalls back with a little whistle. I catch sight of Chase, his tall frame rising from one of the beach chairs gathered around the fire. The soft glow of the flames illuminates his face, and I can’t suppress the smile that spreads across my lips upon seeing him. ““Chase!” my heart and mouth yell in unison before I take off running unconsciously. It feels like my limbs can’t get me to him fast enough, as if they’re caught in slow motion with every step forward. The salty and humid air rushes against my face as I speed up, practically leaping into his arms once close enough. The moment his strong biceps wrap around me, I breathe out a shaky sigh of relief, the weight in my chest lifting as I melt into his embrace.

“Hey Lena,” he chuckles, taking a few steps back to counter the impact of me crashing into him. “I missed you too,” he whispers quietly into my ear before pulling back to look in my eyes. “Alright, ALRIGHT you love birds! Save it for later, let the bonfire COMMENCE!” Jordan loudly interjects, rolling her eyes as she walks past us and plops down in one of the chairs. I glance over and find Katie with her arms clasped around Corey as well, the two of them exchanging a giggle as he grabs the bag off her shoulder. “As you wish, oh impatient one!” Chase chimes before grabbing another block of wood and a small canister of gasoline. Without hesitation, he sets the new wood on top of the burnng ones and splashes a generous amount of petrol on top. He takes a swift step back and the flames shoot upwards like a rocket, sizzling and crackling with rage for a moment before settling and burning more gently.

When the two mentioned having a bonfire, it made me think back to those high school parties I attended where someone would set up a random stack of cardboard and newspaper in the middle of a field to drink by. As if entering some kind of nostalgic fairytale, the boys completely outdid themselves again… Small tables scattered near comfy lounge chairs, encompassed by potted tropical plants and flowers. The tables are topped with glasses of colorful, chilled liquid and a variety of snacks within easy reach. Settled in the center is a giant, lavish bluestone fire pit, directly across from the ocean that stretches out before us endlessly. The surface sparkles hypnotically in the light of the moon, and the water itself is so clear that it almost looks like glass as it crashes along the shore. It feels as if we are right on the edge of the world, nestled in our own little slice of paradise once more.

“Let me guess… another secret spot?” I ask Chase before taking a seat in one of the minimalistic loungers. “Sort of. It’s more of a local spot, less for tourists and more for the ones who live here year round,” he says with a shy grin. “Seems like tonight is just one of those nights where we have it all to ourselves,” he adds while handing me an orange and pink ombre drink. I take a sip before leaning forward into the warmth of the fire, closing my eyes to inhale and truly appreciate the smoky scent. "I’m glad you’re here," Chase says quietly, his voice tender but carrying a hint of emotion I hadn’t expected based on his initial cheerfulness. He settles into the chair next to me, the soft cushions squishing under his movements as he adjusts into a comfortable position. His posture relaxes slightly as he leans back, but his gaze never leaves my face.

The flickering light from the hearth reflects in his jade eyes, catching it’s golden warmth with a mesmerizing glow. I smile in his direction, but my stupid, useless heart is racing because of the kind way he’s looking at me. What a shift from the malicious looks I endured only a few hours ago from Jasper and James. His hand rests on the arm of the chair, fingers curling and uncurling as though unsure what to do with his restless energy. "I was really… worried about you," he expresses after a moment, the vibrato of his voice low and calm but hiding an undertone of vulnerability. The fire crackles in the background, the only sound either of us can hear, as I try to find the right words. It feels like everything around us has quieted, like the world is holding its breath, waiting for me to say something, anything more. But all I can do is stare back at him, still caught in the strange pull of his beautiful eyes. "Are you alright?" he finally asks, breaking the silence while watching me ever so intently.

“I’m okay," I reply slowly, sort of dazed and hazy. "It just... it really didn’t go as well as I thought it would. Not at all." The words feel strange as they escape, hollow, not at all capturing the mess of the events fully. He nods, processing my words, the silent understanding in his face assuring me that he’s trying to make sense of what I’ve said… But even as his head tilts in acknowledgment, the crease in his eyebrows doesn’t fade. It stays, deepening, like a shadow that refuses to lift. He’s waiting for me to open up more, or perhaps hoping that I’ll admit what I’m really feeling beneath the smiling mask I wear. I open my mouth to speak, but before the thoughts swirling can escape from my lips, he interrupts, "do you want to walk along the beach?" His eyes meet mine, searching them for obvious secrets, for hidden truths.

"Yes," I vocalize barely more than a whisper. It slipped out effortlessly, like a subconscious release, as if he and the beach itself are calling me, encouraging me. He inches forward, holding out his hand as the sand beneath his feet shifts with his steps. I slip my fingers between his, intertwining them like the vines that have bound our hearts together since the moment we met on this trip. “We’ll be back,” I say to Katie and Jordan while standing up to join him. Katie nods with a empathetic smile, then turns back to Corey to continue their hushed conversation. “Awwww, don’t take too long! The night is still young and we have some drinking to do!” Jordan shouts before knocking back two of the mixed drinks sitting on the table next to her. Chase chuckles, shaking his head. “I swear, she’s a bottomless pit when it comes to alcohol.” I giggle and nod, following him as he leads us toward the water, while Jordan curses him under her breath.