Beneath the Surface

A Serene Slumber

All a girl wants after high school is to enrol in her dream university with her best friend by her side, conquering the world together. And for us, everything seems to be going just fine—until that day at the beach.

My chest tightens, and the air around me thickens as I struggle to breathe. I'm standing there, frozen in place, my limbs refusing to obey, while my mind races to make sense of the chaos unfolding before me. The panicked voices of strangers pierce through the haze, a cacophony of urgency and fear.

Pause... Back in the day.

"Hey, Nat!" I exclaim, a mischievous grin spreading across my face as I turn to my best friend, Natalie. She pulls her gaze away from her Instagram feed, curiosity and excitement sparkling in her eyes. "What if we treat ourselves to a mini spa day, just the two of us, and then hit the beach for sunset?"

Natalie's eyes light up, her love for pampering sessions evident in her widening smile. "Sounds perfect! But when you say 'just us,' it's always us, isn't it?" she teases, a knowing glint in her eyes. Our bond has only grown stronger since our recent high school graduation.

"Well, you might decide to invite Liam," I joke, referring to the undeniably handsome guy from our previous school who had caught Natalie's eye during our senior year.

"Yeah, right! Like he's not completely out of my league," she scoffs, shaking her head in disbelief. "But back to the spa day - I'm totally in!"

We waste no time heading to Sandy's beauty spa. The moment we step through the doors, a welcoming warmth envelops us, sending a wave of relaxation through our bodies. A smartly dressed woman approaches, her genuine smile a testament to the exceptional service that awaits us.

"Hey, Kate!" Natalie chirps, greeting the woman with familiarity, despite having only gleaned her name from the polished name tag pinned to her blouse.

"Hello," Kate replies, a hint of hesitation in her voice before realisation dawns on her. "Oh, you read my name tag! It's a pleasure to have you both here. Please take a seat, and our assistants will be right with you."

We settle into plush armchairs, the soft fabric welcoming us as we sink into a world of comfort. Whiling away the time in our own private TikTok marathon, our laughter punctuates the serene atmosphere of the spa, and I can feel the excitement building within us.

"We should capture some pics and videos for a vlog - 'A Day in the Life of Sam and Nat,'" I suggest, knowing Natalie will be eager to document our experience. After all, she's the social media maven, while I prefer to enjoy the moments as they unfold before us.

"Great idea! Let's do it!" Natalie agrees enthusiastically, her love for chronicling our adventures evident in her beaming smile.

Soon, Kate and her team of skilled therapists usher us into separate treatment rooms. The massage room is dimly lit, with soothing instrumental music playing softly in the background. I undress and slide beneath the crisp, clean sheets on the massage table, feeling a sense of anticipation.

As the massage therapist begins to work on my tense muscles, I find myself drifting into a state of deep relaxation, my mind clearing of any lingering worries or stress. Natalie, too, seems to be in her own state of bliss as her massage therapist works their magic.

The aroma of calming essential oils fills the room, further enhancing the tranquil atmosphere. I can hear Natalie's soft sighs of contentment from the next room, reminding me of our shared bond and how much we need this spa day.

After our massages, we reconvene in the main area of the spa, a renewed energy coursing through us. We're then led to the pedicure and manicure stations, where we sit in plush, comfortable chairs while technicians soak our feet in warm, soothing water.