A Year's End at the Beach

Bernard pushed his fluffy white head against my hand. “Stop being silly, you big goofball,” I whispered, rubbing behind his soft ears. After giving him one last pat, I opened the screen door and walked outside into the sunny weather. I squinted as I wrapped my gauzy white cover-up more snugly around me, trying to ward off the goosebumps on my skin caused by the cool ocean breeze.

I walked over to Chandler’s Jeep, my sandals slapping against the pavement. Emory and Maekynzie were already in the backseat, laughing with the windows down. I sat in the passenger seat, feeling the cool vinyl against my legs. Chandler held my hand, giving me a small comfort as I felt uneasy in my stomach.

Chandler greeted me with a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. The knot in my stomach eased a bit.

“Hi,” I responded, leaning closer to him.

“Where’s Stetson?” Emory inquired, leaning forward.

“He’s driving his own car,” Chandler answered, pointing to the sleek black Trans Am behind us. Stetson arrived with Noelle, Tinsley, and Ashton in tow, flashing a grin.

As Stetson approached our Jeep, his confidence stood out against my own jumbled emotions. My twin brother was always carefree, unlike me, who struggled with inner turmoil.

“Ready to go?” Stetson asked, leaning on the Jeep.

“Let’s head to the beach,” Chandler said, starting the engine. With a wave, we drove off, the Jeep’s familiar rumble calming my nerves.

While we headed to South Beach, the wind rushed by my exposed head, pulling at my cover-up. I looked at Chandler, his gaze fixed on the road. I followed the curve of his jaw, the stubble a stark difference to the softness of my fingertips. His hand in mine, the hum of the engine, the excitement of the beach day to come... for a second, I let myself ignore the concerns that had been bothering me.

Arriving at the South Beach parking lot, the ocean’s salty scent enveloped us. I quickly removed my cover-up, feeling the cool air against my warm skin. A wave of self-consciousness hit me as I adjusted my lavender bikini, doubting my choice. However, when I saw Chandler’s approving look, my nerves settled. Perhaps this beach day was exactly what I needed.

As we exited the Jeep, the warm sand squished between my toes, a welcome change from the cool vinyl of the Jeep seat. Laughter and chatter filled the air as our group spread out beach towels and claimed a prime spot near the water.

“Let’s race to the water!” Stetson shouted, already running towards the waves. Noelle laughed and followed closely behind.

“I’ll sit this one out,” I said, settling onto a towel. My energy had waned after the car ride. Emory and Maekynzie joined the race, their long legs pumping as they chased Stetson and Noelle.

Chandler sat down next to me, a mischievous look in his eyes. “Scared of the water?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I’m saving my energy for something else.”

He grinned, leaning in. “Like what?”

I reached out, tracing his bicep with my finger. “I’ll figure something out.”

Chandler chuckled, sending shivers down my spine. He leaned back, hands behind his head. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

I relaxed on the towel, the sun warming my skin. The sound of the waves, my friends’ laughter, Chandler’s breathing beside me... it was all so familiar and comforting. I closed my eyes, letting the warmth and sounds envelop me.

But the knot in my stomach returned. The carefree atmosphere seemed distant from the turmoil inside me. I opened my eyes, meeting Chandler’s gaze. He smiled gently.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

I hesitated, then nodded. “Just thinking.”

Chandler reached out, cupping my cheek. “Whatever you’re thinking about, you don’t have to face it alone.”

I looked into his eyes, feeling the warmth in them contrasting with the chill in the air. “I understand,” I murmured. “Thank you.”

He gently squeezed my hand, then got up and extended his hand to me. “Come on. Let’s create some memories.”

I took his hand, allowing him to help me stand up. Walking towards the water, the tension in my stomach eased once more. Maybe this day at the beach wouldn’t fix everything, but having Chandler with me made me feel like I could handle anything.

The sun was shining brightly on my head as we walked towards the beach. Holding Chandler’s hand made me feel safe and happy. Stetson and Noelle were playing in the water ahead, their giggles filling the air. Emory, Maekynzie, Ashton, and Tinsley were busy building a big sandcastle together.

Chandler and I ran into the cool water, the gentle waves lapping at our ankles. “Last one to the sandbar’s a rotten egg!” Stetson shouted, challenging us.

A smile spread across Chandler’s face, and he playfully pushed me. “Game on!” he yelled back.

We dashed forward, racing each other through the surf. The refreshing water felt good against my skin, washing away my worries. I giggled as Chandler splashed me, sending saltwater droplets into the air. For a few moments, I was just Sloane, not Sloane the cancer patient, not Sloane the girl with the tangled emotions, just Sloane having fun at the beach with her friends.

We reached the sandbar, breathless and laughing. Stetson was already there, grinning triumphantly.

“Looks like I win,” he gloated.

I rolled my eyes, pushing a wave of water towards him. “You cheated,” I accused playfully.

Stetson let out a whoop of laughter as he ducked under the wave. Noelle joined us, her cheeks flushed from the exertion. “That was so much fun!” she exclaimed.

The rest of the afternoon flew by in a whirlwind of excitement. Laughter echoed through the air as they chased each other in the water, competed in races, and surfed the waves on boogie boards.

I flopped down on the beach towel next to Chandler, feeling the warmth of the sand against my skin after being in the cool ocean. “I’m so tired,” I said, my voice hoarse from all the yelling and laughing.

Chandler laughed, teasing me, “You sound like a walrus on its last breath.” His eyes crinkled at the corners, making my heart flutter.

“Shut up,” I replied, pushing him lightly. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close. I rested my head on his shoulder, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Stetson interrupted, throwing a frisbee to Chandler. “Ready to play?”

Chandler gave me a quick hug before getting up. “I’ll be back,” he said, kissing the top of my head.

I watched him join the other guys - Ashton, Emory, Killian, and Izick - feeling a sudden pang of loneliness. Even with friends around, my inner struggles always lingered.

“Sloane,” Noelle sat down next to me, her hair damp from the ocean. “Want to help with the sandcastle?”

I agreed, putting on a smile. I wasn’t going to let my worries ruin this perfect day. Maekynzie, Tinsley, Alainna, and Gracie were already busy building a sandy village.

As I shaped the sand into a wall, I noticed Maekynzie stealing glances at the frisbee game, a dreamy look on her face.

“Hey, Mae,” I nudged her. “Focus on the castle.”

She blushed, looking embarrassed. “I was just... admiring the view.”

Noelle and I shared a knowing look. Maekynzie’s crush was so obvious. Alainna suggested adding a moat to the castle, while Gracie worked on tiny seashell people for our village.

Stetson’s frisbee flew by my ear, narrowly avoiding a collision with my head.

I shot him a look, feeling annoyed by his reckless throw. “Are you trying to give me a concussion?”

He just grinned, clearly enjoying the chaos. “Just trying to keep you on your toes, sis.”

Killian jumped in, trying to diffuse the tension. “Let’s not reenact a war scene from a movie, guys.”

Izick, adjusting his camera, chimed in, “Yeah, I’m here for fun beach photos, not a historical reenactment.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, grabbing a handful of sand. “Game on.”

And just like that, the beach turned into a battlefield as we engaged in a full-on sand war. In that moment, all worries and frustrations melted away, leaving behind only the carefree joy of being a teenager with my favorite people by my side.

Stetson’s eyes sparkled mischievously as he exclaimed, “Time for a dunking!” and hurled a handful of wet sand at me. The icy grains hit my cheek, making me shiver.

“Game on!” I yelled, grabbing some sand to retaliate. Laughter erupted as a sand war broke out. The air was filled with playful aggression, the sun casting a golden hue on the flying sand.

I managed to dodge Emory’s sneak attack, his sandy blond hair covered in sand as he laughed like a hyena. Tinsley’s braid was disrupted by a piece of seaweed, causing her to fake outrage. Ashton, being the athlete, used his height advantage to bombard us with sand from afar.

In the midst of the chaos, I locked eyes with Chandler. A playful smile appeared on his face, making my heart skip a beat. He winked at me before pouncing, tackling me to the sand. We rolled around, wrestling and laughing, surrounded by a cloud of sand. The smell of the sea and the sound of his laughter filled my senses.

The air turned chilly as the sun set, casting a beautiful mix of pink and orange across the sky. I pulled my big cream sweater tighter around me, feeling the cozy fabric against the cold metal chair. The salty breeze brushed against my head, a feeling I knew well. My denim skirt swirled around my legs, and my silver hoop earrings sparkled in the dimming light. My chunky white sneakers tapped quietly on the old pier.

The smell of fried dough and funnel cake mixed with the salty ocean breeze, causing my stomach to growl. We had just finished eating burgers and fries at the pier’s cafe, joking around and talking about the intense sand battle.

“Wow, you guys were ruthless,” Uncle Jake laughed, wiping a bit of ketchup off his face. “It reminded me of my college days.”

Stetson chuckled, nudging me. “Sloane was the one who started it all.”

“No way!” I argued, grabbing a handful of his curly fries. “You’re the one who tried to bury me in the sand!”

“It’s all fair in love and sand wars,” he smirked, stealing a fry from me.

I rolled my eyes, a grin forming on my face. Teasing my brother always helped ease my worries.

As Chandler’s hand found mine across the table, our fingers intertwined, sending a comforting warmth through me. It was a silent reminder that I had someone by my side in this chaotic world. His touch was my anchor in the turbulent sea of my mind.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Noelle’s voice interrupted, breaking the moment. “What’s the secret?”

My cheeks turned red, but Chandler just squeezed my hand tighter, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Just enjoying the company,” he replied, echoing Maekynzie’s earlier comment.

Maekynzie, seated beside Emory, laughed and playfully hit his arm. “Smooth move, Chandler.”

Emory grinned, his dimples showing. “I learned from the best, Mae.”

The banter continued, fueled by the sugary treats and the excitement for the fireworks display. I felt at ease, surrounded by the warmth of our group’s friendship.

The pier suddenly became quiet when a voice came over the speakers, “Hey everyone, the fireworks show is about to start in ten minutes! Make sure to find a good spot to watch and have fun!“.

A surge of excitement swept through our group. We packed up our belongings, the thrill of the fireworks enhancing the already lively atmosphere. Chandler’s grip on my hand tightened as we navigated towards the pier’s edge, seeking a quieter spot away from the bustling crowd.

As the initial fireworks shot up into the night sky, exploding into a cascade of vibrant colors, a collective gasp filled the air. The spectacle was awe-inspiring, each burst painting the dark canvas above with dazzling shades of gold, emerald, ruby, and sapphire.

“Make a wish, Sloane,” Chandler murmured in my ear, his words barely audible amidst the fireworks’ roar.

I shut my eyes, feeling the warmth of his breath on my skin. My thoughts raced, blending into a single desire. A year full of joy, I silently wished, the sentiment resonating within me. A year brimming with laughter, love, and new experiences with those closest to my heart.

When I opened my eyes, Chandler was looking at me with a gentle smile. His gaze reflected the vivid colors of the fireworks, conveying a depth of emotion beyond words.

“What did you wish for?” I inquired, intrigued.

He drew closer, his voice a soft murmur. “I wished for us, Sloane. For a future overflowing with happiness and love.”

My heart skipped a beat, a rush of warmth enveloping me. The fireworks continued to illuminate the sky, but all I could see was the affection shining in Chandler’s eyes. In that moment, I realized that no matter what obstacles the upcoming year might present, with him beside me, I could overcome anything.

The fireworks display peaked, ending with a stunning finish that filled the sky with a mix of colors. When the final sparks disappeared, the audience burst into applause, their cheers blending with the distant sounds of the fireworks.

We faced each other, the brilliance of the fireworks still shining in our eyes. “That was amazing,” I murmured, feeling a mix of amazement and admiration.

Chandler gripped my hand tighter, a silent connection passing between us. “It really was,” he concurred, his eyes locked with mine.

As we headed back to our friends, a sudden commotion caught my attention. Maekynzie, usually composed, was embracing Emory, sharing a passionate kiss.

Our friends let out a collective “aww,” amusement and support evident on their faces. When they finally pulled away, Maekynzie’s cheeks were flushed, a beaming smile lighting up her face.

“Emory,” she started, her voice barely audible, though we all knew she had liked him since middle school, “would you like to go out with me? Officially, I mean.”

Emory, clearly expecting this, grinned widely. “Are you serious? I’d love to!”

Cheers erupted from our group, a sense of joy enveloping us. We were all thrilled for Maekynzie and Emory, knowing how much they meant to each other.

As the night came to a close, the pier emptied out, leaving us alone with the gentle sound of the waves. We walked back to our vehicles, laughter and conversation filling the air. The memory of the fireworks, Maekynzie’s bold move, and the comfort of Chandler’s hand in mine created a tapestry of happiness that I knew I would treasure for years to come.

The evening marked a beautiful conclusion to the year, filled with hope for love, friendship, and countless opportunities in the upcoming new year. I was eager to discover what lay ahead, but I was confident that with my friends beside me, I could tackle any challenge with a grin on my face.