The live band was crooning something mellow and vintage—an old OPM ballad Rue didn't quite recognize, but the guitar was warm, and the drums kept a steady, lazy beat. The open-air beach bar twinkled with fairy lights, casting a soft gold shimmer over the scattered groups of people lounging on bean bags, bamboo benches, and the sand itself.
Rue sat cross-legged on a low stool beside Charlotte, both of them flushed from heat and just a few shots too deep. Jason was off talking to one of the locals near the dock—fireworks run, Rue recalled vaguely. She was meant to keep Charlotte distracted, but at this point, Charlotte was too preoccupied singing along with the band like a half-siren, half-drunk aunt at karaoke night.
Rue's phone buzzed in her lap. She glanced at it, half-expecting an update from Jason. Instead, it was her aunt.
"Your father's fever spiked again. They're admitting him. We need to settle a deposit by morning."
Her fingers paused mid-reply.
No greetings. No pleasantries. Just a line item request for a man she hadn't spoken to in over a year, who hadn't opened his eyes in even longer.
Without a word, she opened her banking app and sent the money from the trust fund she rarely touched. Then she closed the app, slid her phone face down on the table, and reached for another shot.
Charlotte didn't notice. Or maybe she did, but she knew better than to ask. Life always had a way to catch up to her, no matter how far away she goes. A quiet ache lodged it her chest which she downed with another shot of gin.
The next song started—something upbeat and ridiculous—and Rue leaned back with a wry grin. "Do you remember the bucket list I made for a perfect beach getaway?''
Charlotte tried to lift her head but was too drunk to do so. "Ah, skinny dipping hurray."
"Oh yes," Rue replied, standing up and wobbling slightly. "I need to complete my beach bucket list."
In reality it was just an excuse to get a fresh air and maybe sob a little, if her tear ducts still worked.
"Hey, wait for me." Charlotte said and tried to get up but failed.
Jason reappeared from the shadows just in time to catch Charlotte before she tripped over a sour mango bag. Rue gave him a lazy salute, then turned and walked toward the beach, a half bottle of gin in hand and her sandals in the other.
Elijah spotted her veering toward the shoreline. He'd been standing by the bar, nursing a soda and watching her carefully all evening.
"Hey—Rue, wait up."
She turned, barefoot in the sand, wind tousling her hair. "I am on a quest."
"You're also on your eighth shot."
"That's slander. It's… six."
He caught up to her in two strides, gently prying the bottle from her hand. "What kind of quest?"
"If I tell you," she said, beaming. "You have to take a shot."
"We have a proposal to put together remember?"
"So you will let a lady drink by herself then?" Rue said and turned dramatically. Elijah snatched the bottle from her hand and took a shot. "Happy? Let's get you back to the hotel."
"No." Rue stole the gin back, evidently drunk but still within half her senses. "I heard there is a night market nearby."
"A night market?"
"I want to buy ice cream and barbecue."
"That won't be necessary, you will be puking all of that in the morning.
Rue let out a gasp. "Atleast I ticked it off my bucket list."
"Huh?"
"Yes, a bucket list, one you going to help me full fill." Rue put the bottle of gin in her armpit and pulled the unwilling Elijah towards the night market.
They found a night market stall still open a few hundred meters from the bar. Rue insisted on a coconut shell with three scoops of ice cream, rainbow sprinkles, and gummy worms. Elijah paid while she tried to remember a childhood jingle that went with ice cream.
"This is incredible," she mumbled, dipping the barbecue in the ice cream like a hormonal pregnant lady with weird cravings.
Elijah chuckled, adoring the way Rue beamed as she enjoyed the weird food combination.
Then Rue suddenly went quiet.
"You know," she said softly, watching the spoon circle her coconut bowl. "We were supposed to study in Baguio together."
Elijah's hand stilled. "I know."
Rue looked up at him, eyes sharp but heavy-lidded. "You just… vanished. Like the plan didn't matter anymore."
Rue shook her head, and slapped her mouth realising she's getting out of line. Did he even care anymore? It's been years, it's ridiculous for her to bring it up. She reminded herself never to get drunk again.
They walked on, past souvenir stands and trinket stalls. Elijah was supposed to say something but Rue stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of a ridiculous, blue stuffed octopus.
"I want that," she declared. "My emotional support animal."
Elijah followed her gaze and scratched the back of his head, Rue started becoming more like Charlotte the more she gets drunk. No wonder they get along together.
With a quick chat with the stall owner, Elijah paid for the stuffed animal, it was incredibly oversized. Before he handed it to Rue, he made agree that they should be heading back. Rue promptly agreed but made a last minute chat with the stall owner if they sell any blanket. Luckily they did and she happily purchased 2 pieces. Elijah was oblivious to her plan but it made sense when they made it back to the shore.
Back at the shore, Rue plopped down on a blanket and declared, "Number four: sleep in a hammock under the stars."
"There's no hammock here," Elijah said.
Rue gave him a look. "I wants a hammock."
Minutes later, Elijah had jerry-rigged a makeshift hammock from two sturdy palm trees, a blanket, and some rope one of the event crews had left behind. It swayed slightly in the breeze, and Rue, to her credit, managed to climb in without breaking it—or herself.
She curled up with the stuffed octopus and sighed. "I feel like a pirate mermaid."
"You look like you're about to pass out."
"You're still too sober," she said, wagging a finger. "Two shots. Or I go skinny dipping."
His eyes widened. "That's not how bribes work."
But she was already reaching for her shirt hem.
"Okay! Okay—two shots."
She grinned, smug. "Negotiation queen."
Elijah grabbed the bottle and took two cautious swigs, coughing on the second. "That's enough for both of us."
She was quiet for a moment. The wind rustled the palms, and waves hissed softly on the sand.
He stayed beside her, lying on the spare blanket she bought, hands behind his head, watching the sky. Amused at himself how he enjoyed being with Rue, submitting to her whims. Being under the stars, it felt familiar, just like the night of graduation when he promised he'll always be there for her. A promise he broke and forever weighed him down.
"Hey Eli," she mumbled.
"Yeah?"
"If I ever bring this up tomorrow, deny everything."
He smiled to himself. "Sure, Rue."
A pause.
"And thanks for not letting me skinny dip."
He let out a soft laugh. "Anytime."
Rue shifted slightly in the hammock, her voice just a whisper now, heavy with sleepz
"Number five" she said, eyes fluttering shut. "A kiss under the… skies."
Elijah didn't say a word. He just looked at her— soft, tangled in a blanket, an octopus plush tucked under her chin— and wondered how much more of her he was still in love with.
The sky kept quiet.
And Rue finally, finally slept.