Page 29 of Our Little Moments

Ileave my room lightning fast to join Layla on the beach. I couldn’t say no to her when she offered it this morning.

The warm air feels good on my skin as I run in the streets. The scent of saltwater and blooming jasmine fills my senses as I continue down the streets.

For once, I don’t feel the usual sting of panic that comes with being late because it’sLaylaI’m joining. I sigh internally. I am getting attached to these people way too quickly.

The second I see her, a smile spreads across my face, and I drop my bag on the sand and walk towards her. The sound of waves rolling gently onto the shore fills the air, their rhythmic crash calming. “I’m happy to see you,” I admit as I hug her.

She smiles and hugs me back, as if we didn’t see each other mere hours ago. “I’m happy to see you too.”

A mischievous spark flickers in her blue eyes and, before I can react, her hand twitches, and a powerful jet of water surges out of the shoreline, drenching me from head to toe.

I freeze, blinking in surprise, water dripping from my hair down to my clothes. Layla is struggling to hold in her laughter, her eyes shining with triumph.

I burst into laughter. “You really couldn’t wait another minute?”

She shrugs playfully, grinning ear to ear. “Nope. Had to catch you off guard!”

I chuckle, wiping the water from my face. “Well, congratulations, you’ve done it.”

We lock eyes, and the next thing I know, I’m sprinting toward the water, determined to splash her back. But as soon as I get close, the tide shifts—awayfrom me.

I step closer. The water moves farther.

I step again. It moves farther.

I turn to Layla, finding her holding in her laughter with everything she has.

“Oh, you just wait!” I chase after her. I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun in my entire life.

Our laughter fills the air, echoing across the beach. The golden light from the setting sun bathes everything in a warm glow, and for a moment, I forget everything else.

We spend hours in the water after that—splashing, swimming, racing. Finally, we’re both soaked down to our bones and out of breath from laughter, the cool evening air sending shivers down my spine. The sun begins to sink lower in the sky, painting the horizon in shades of pink and orange.

Eventually, the laughter fades, and a peaceful silence settles over us as we pack up.

“Hey . . .” Layla starts shyly. “I just wanted to say . . . this has been the best day I’ve had in a long time.”

I smile. “Me too.”

She nods, looking down at the sand for a moment. “It’s been so long since someone’s come out here with me. The beach . . . it’s my favorite place in the world.”

“Then I’m happy I spent my day here with you.”

I grab my phone to pack it away, but notifications on it grab my attention. Layla’s voice fades away, and my heart pulses in my ears.

No, no, no, no.

Everyone in the city, and I meaneveryone, is wondering where I’m at. News articles are coming out, full of absurd ideas to justify why I left the city.

My blood runs cold as I continue reading dozens of article titles. My stomach twists, and tears fill my eyes. I want to throw my phone into the ocean

I’m letting everyone down. My family, the people who supported me, everyone who once believed in me, my fans who cheered me on since my first tournament.

God, why can’t I just keep it together? Not be such amess?

Why can’t I just be enough?

The ringing in my ears grows louder, drowning out the world around me. Just when I feel like I might suffocate from it, a gentle hand lands on my shoulder.

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