The June bonfire was one of those town traditions that felt like a movie scene and mosquito trap all at once. Every summer, the whole coast seemed to gather on Driftwood Beach with plastic chairs, cheap fireworks, and questionable hot dogs.
Maya picked me up just before 7, blasting music from her beat-up Corolla and singing like the world was her karaoke machine. I tried to match her energy, but my thoughts were buzzing too fast beneath my smile.
By the time we got to the beach, the air was already thick with smoke and sunscreen. Someone had strung fairy lights from post to post, and the fire in the center was massive — alive and dancing. It crackled like it had something to say.
"Come on," Maya said, tugging my hand. "Rey's saving us a spot."
We found him by the log circle near the outer edge of the firelight. He had a thermos of lemonade and an expression that said he'd rather be watching the sky than talking to anyone.
"You showed up," he said as we sat.
"I brought her," Maya grinned. "She needed a little kick in the denim shorts."
"Rude," I muttered, but smiled anyway.
The three of us sat together, trading snacks and half-jokes, watching sparks twist into the sky. The warmth of the fire was comforting, like sitting next to a sun that didn't expect anything from you.
And then I saw him.
Liam.
He was standing by the snack table, holding a red cup, laughing with someone I didn't know anymore. His hair was longer. His hoodie looked like one I used to steal when I was cold. And his smile — it hit me like a flash flood.
Maya must've followed my gaze. "Do you want to leave?"
I shook my head too quickly. "No. I'm fine."
Lie.
He hadn't noticed me yet, and part of me wanted to keep it that way. Another part — the louder part — wanted to walk straight over and ask, Why now? Why text me after everything and say nothing else?
But I didn't move.
Instead, I pulled my knees to my chest and stared into the flames.
"You okay?" Rey asked quietly.
"Not really," I said. "But I will be."
That's when Liam looked up.
And our eyes met.
It was like being shoved backward into a memory. The kind you don't want to return to, but your body remembers anyway. The way his eyes searched mine — not casual, not surprised. Like he was expecting this moment.
He took a step forward.
"Nope," Maya said, standing. "You don't have to do this tonight."
But I stood too.
"I do."