and we hated

Fact no.6: The sea makes me do the craziest stuff

APRIL

"Welcome, welcome", I say as soon as the car enters through the big gates. The car continues to roll down the pathway to the parking spot in front of the house. The moment I see the building again, I feel all cozy and warm. I've spent my entire life coming here for the summer. I recognize everything again, like a nice photo album taking me back in time. The white walls, the ones Kai and I painted when I was five and he was six. My Mom gasped as she saw what we've done and Kai and I spend the next few days cleaning up. We bought Mom's favorite muffins for her to forgive us, yet she only kissed us on the cheek telling us she forgave us the second she saw us. The little porch in front of the house, where Dad always used to tell us stories at night, sitting on the swing. The small vegetables garden, the one Mom planted as I was ten and it offered us fresh salads and tomatoes every year. I get out of the car and take a deep breath as I see the place better. As if he would feel the same way, Kai comes from behind me and gives me a hug.

"Welcome home", he whispers in my ear. I chuckle and hold him tighter.

Dia and Coin also get out of the car and come stand next to me. They freeze as they take in the whole place. Dia's mouth opens wide and Coin's shoulders stiffen.

"This place is amazing", my bestie whispers.

And for once, Coin doesn't comment, only nods in agreement.

I smirk as I turn to them and let go of Kai.

"You haven't seen the best part yet", I counter. Kai understands what I mean and nods, his eyes glowing with mischief.

I take Dia by her wrist and she chuckles as I make her rush inside the house. Coin follows us, Kai behind him. I open the door with the keys from my backpack and lead them all inside. The space reminds me of other memories. The living room with the big TV, the one Kai and I once used to make a full-time Disney marathon. The kitchen, in which Mom always cooked the best dishes one could ever wish for. The dining table always filled with laughter and talking. I turn to my friends, and Coin, and smile.

"Welcome to the summer house", it's all I say. Dia and Coin start wondering through the open living room, admiring everything. Kai and I remain looking at this place, holding hands. I quickly snap a selfie of us and send it to our parents, with the caption: "Arrived well. Wish you were here. Thousand kisses from Spain."

Mom's answer comes in no time: "Wish we were there too. Have a nice holiday, sweeties."

I chuckle. So does Kai.

"Are you ready to see my favorite place?", I ask. Dia nods excited. Coin makes himself the effort to delight us with a mouth twitch.

I make them a sign to follow me through the big doors that lead to the terrace. They both remain with their mouth wide-open as they see the back of the house. The terrace with a cozy sitting space, fit for more than ten people. The dining table in one of the corners of the terrace. The pool in the garden. The view of the sea.

Dia can't stop a cheer. She rushes to me and gives me a hug. I chuckle and pull her closer.

"It's a nice place", it's all Coin says. I roll my eyes at him. He smirks.

"Let me show you to your rooms", Kai adds, from where he was standing, leaning against the door. "We can head to the grocery shop later, to buy some food."

Everyone nods in agreement and Kai leads Dia and Coin inside. I remain outside, looking at the sea. Mom always used to joke that if I follow the beach and keep looking right, I will see Barcelona. The city is only a thirty-minutes car ride away. We'll probably also go visit it one day this summer. I turn my look back to the beach. And begin running. I run down the stairs from our terrace, along the garden and the small pathway through the trees. I run, and only stop as my sneakers are covered in sand. I throw them off my feet, along with the socks. I smile as I run on the sand. This has always been my favorite part of the summer house. The beach. Our beach. As we bought the house, we also got a small part of beach to call our own. It is perfect, because we are always able to come here, whenever we want. The waters are clear and Kai and I were always allowed to make as many sand castles as we want.

Although I am still wearing my biker shorts and the small black tank top, I run to the sea, until the water washes off the sand on my feet. I can't stop smiling. Finally back here. I run in the sea, until the water reaches two fingers down my knees. I want to cheer again as I hear someone clearing their throat from behind.

I turn around and see Coin, looking at me with his eyebrow raised. I am too happy to mind him though, and don't make any effort to hide my smile. I swear I could see the ghost of a smile appear on his lips, before it disappears, and he goes back to his cold face expression.

"You're crazy", he says, smirking.

I only shrug and continue smiling at the sea.

"Mind if I join?", he asks. I can't stop being surprised. I only make him a sign to come.

He smirks, gives off his sneakers and socks and comes in the water. His jeans get wet, but he doesn't seem to mind. He comes closer, until he's standing next to me. And I do the first thing I can think off. I push him in the water. Being off-guard, he doesn't have enough time to react and he falls inside the sea with a splash. I can't stop laughing. Coin lifts himself up again and I have to laugh harder as I see how wet he is. To tease me, he starts shaking his head like a dog to make me all wet.

"Cruel evil woman", he says as he starts chasing me. I start running through the water, feeling the sand under my feet.

Although I am a runner, the sand slows me down. And allows Coin to catch up with me. He wraps his arms around me from behind and carries me over his shoulder. I can't stop laughing as I shout at him to let me down. He doesn't seem to want to do that, only continues running. I can swear I could hear him laugh once. So close, I can hear how uneven his breathing is and how tense he is. To make him let me down, I start hitting him in the back. He doesn't even seem to feel any pain. Only tenses. With my foot, I hit his ass. If he tensed before, he full-time froze now.

"Oh, precious", he says, his voice trembling, before he throws us both in the water. I get all wet, the sea all around me. As I lift myself back up, I have salt in my hair, my top is all wet and there's water dripping off me.

As Coin is also back up, I rush to him to tickle him. He manages to get out of my way in time to save himself. Still wanting payback for throwing me in the water, I splash him. He looks at me amused for a second, before he splashes me back. We continue splashing each other, me not being able to stop laughing. A smile now also appears on his lips.

We are interrupted by two figures appearing on shore. Kai, who looks at us confused, and Dia, who can barely hide a smirk.

"There you are", Kai says, shock aside. We both turn to him, me immediately stopping laughing and the smile disappearing off Coin's lips. A mistake. This was a mistake. Letting him play with me was a mistake.

"We've been looking all over for you", Kai continues, now smiling. "Let's go, we're hungry."

Coin and I come out of the water, and next to our friends. Kai measures us with his look, before he adds: "Change first. I don't want you to dripping all over my car."

I roll my eyes at my brother and flip him off. I want to head back inside, as Dia catches up with me and takes me by my arm. I can't stop but notice the side-eye she gives me.

"What?", I ask her. She smirks.

"Nothing", Dia answers.

"Nothing?", I ask her skeptical.

"Yeah, nothing", she says, yet she's still smirking.

I look at her with an eyebrow raised. She chuckles.

"Let's get you cleaned up", Dia adds and leads me inside the house.

As we're walking, I dare a look behind us. Coin is also heading to the house, water rolling off him. Our eyes meet, and he smiles. Full-time smiles. Not a smirk. Or a grin. He smiles.

And I try my best not to mind my heart beating faster as I enter through the house doors and lead Dia to my room.