Location: Avalon Beach – That Night
The waves rolled in like whispers.
The stars were scattered like secrets.
And the bonfire crackled in the center of a soft, sandy circle of friends—warm, golden, familiar.
Everyone was barefoot.
Hoodies replaced dresses. Sand clung to skin and hair like glitter.
And the high from the day's competitions was still buzzing through every heartbeat.
Scene: Back at the Firepit
Zaria was curled up with a blanket and coconut water.
Isla had her sketchbook open again—doodling everyone by firelight.
Jace was shirtless, roasting a marshmallow with way too much dramatic flair.
Noah leaned back on one elbow, calm and quiet beside Liora, who was softly humming something he couldn't quite place.
Selene stood with her arms crossed, close enough to Caelan to hear his breath—but not close enough to call it anything yet.
Azra, of course, broke the silence.
"Truth or Dare. Again. No debate."
Jace (grinning): "You're addicted to chaos."
Azra: "I am chaos."
The Game Begins – Round One
Zaria to Noah: "Truth. When did you last cry?"
Noah: "Two years ago. A movie. About a dog."
Caelan (flatly): "Respect."
Laughter followed. It felt good. Light.
Round Two: Dares & Tension
Liora to Selene: "Dare. Whisper something into Caelan's ear."
Selene's eyes didn't flinch.
She got up, walked over, leaned down—and whispered one sentence.
Caelan's jaw tensed.
But he said nothing.
The entire group watched with the energy of a Netflix original.
Azra (wide-eyed): "If he disappears tonight, we know why."
Jace (deadpan): "Please don't kill him, Selene."
Selene just smirked and sat back down.
Round Three: The Almost Moment
Isla to Liora: "Truth. What's one thing you wish someone here would say to you?"
Everyone turned.
Liora blinked. Looked at her drink. Then glanced—just once—at Noah.
"I guess… I wish someone would just say, 'I see you. Not just the smiles. All of you.'"
The silence was softer this time.
And then, after a long pause—
Noah (quietly): "I see you."
Her breath caught.
Eyes locked.
And everything else—the fire, the music, the sand—blurred into nothing for just one second.
Scene: After the Game – Small Conversations
Azra and Zaria shared a blanket and mock-insulted everyone who tried to sing earlier.
Jace fell asleep mid-story, his head on a spare hoodie.
Selene stood near the tide line, watching the waves.
Caelan eventually joined her.
Selene: "You didn't ask what I said earlier."
Caelan (without looking at her): "Didn't need to. I felt it."
Selene (after a pause): "That's the problem with you, Cael. You feel everything. But you hide it too well."
Caelan: "And you make me want to stop."
She didn't respond.
She just stepped a little closer—close enough that their arms brushed in the dark.
Final Scene: As the Fire Dies
The group slowly drifted off to sleep or back into the house.
Only the soft sound of the waves remained.
And under that sky, on that beach, with those people—
Everything felt like it might just be perfect.
Even if only for a moment.