"It glows… because of you."
The words hung in the air like a charm cast upon the night, as though the sea itself had paused to listen. Lisa didn't respond immediately. She turned her gaze from the starlit sky and looked at Lloyd, her eyes wide—reflecting both the firelight and the shimmering constellations above.
"Sometimes," she said softly, "I feel like I see more of you than anyone else does."
"And I feel the same," Lloyd replied, his voice barely louder than the murmur of the waves.
"You're not trying to be charming… and that, in itself, is incredibly charming."
His heart skipped a beat, but he masked the tremor with a gentle smile. Reaching for his cup of juice in a bid to calm himself, he accidentally picked up hers.
"Oh—sorry," he murmured, hastily returning it.
Lisa laughed, a sound like wind chimes caught in the breeze. "A drink stolen… must be paid for with a wish."
"A wish?"
"Yes. Since you took my cup, I get one wish from you."
Lloyd feigned deep contemplation, then turned toward her, eyes glinting with that quiet spark he was becoming known for. "Then I wish… you'd smile like this—every single day."
A soft blush colored her cheeks once more. Instead of replying, she reached up, took the sea-flower from his hair, and tucked it into her own.
**
Just a few feet away, Elliott lay sprawled across the sand, reading aloud from a page in his ever-present guidebook: "Romantic Proximity in Recreational Environments." Before he could finish the paragraph, he noticed one of their classmates watching him with curiosity.
"You're… peculiar," she said, an amused smile playing on her lips.
"Thank you… I think?" Elliott answered, flustered.
"I mean it as a compliment. The others pretend. You don't. That's rare."
She sat beside him uninvited, eyes lifting to the night sky.
"You know something?" she said after a moment.
"What?"
"I think I'll stargaze beside you tonight… Everyone else seems to be watching each other."
Elliott swallowed hard. Words failed him—but he smiled.
**
Meanwhile, Kyle had thrown himself into a dramatic contest with three other students: who could devour the most grilled fish without drinking water.
"Kyle, this is madness!" cried Danny, who had spent most of the afternoon fleeing from the sun.
"It's the honor of a warrior! Do not interfere in the arena of titans!" Kyle roared, then proceeded to swallow an entire fish—bones and all.
"I'm pretty sure you'll be visiting the infirmary tonight," someone muttered under their breath.
"I shall visit no one but glory!" Kyle declared heroically.
**
Later, as the sky darkened into deep velvet and the stars began to glimmer more boldly, the group gathered around a small fire. A wooden table had been dragged near, now bearing cups of chilled juice, freshly grilled fish, and a mountain of golden fries. The earlier frenzy had faded into the comfortable rhythm of crackling flames and soft laughter.
Lloyd sat cross-legged in the sand, truly relaxed for the first time in weeks. He chuckled quietly at Kyle's ridiculous jokes, his black hair ruffled gently by the sea breeze. Beside him, Lisa reached over and placed a delicate sea-blossom in his hair.
"You'll look great with it," she said with a teasing smile.
"Aren't you afraid I'll grow fins next?" he quipped.
"Only if you turn into a beautiful fish." She leaned in a little, whispering, "But you look more like a knight… one who's just walked out of a long, aching love story."
Lloyd met her gaze, his tone gentler than ever. "Maybe… I'm just looking for a new story."
**
Night fell softly. Stars littered the sky like glittering confessions, and all around them was laughter, storytelling, and the sort of joy that didn't demand explanation. It was a rare moment of peace—pure, unfiltered, and unforgettable.
Lloyd turned once more to Lisa, who now lay silently watching the sky.
"Do you see them?"
"The stars?" she whispered. "Yes. They look like hearts… burning slowly."
"Exactly… And I think mine looks like one of them tonight."
"Burning?"
"Glowing… because of you."