The Unbroken But Impure

CHAPTER 43 VERGE OF COLLAPSE

Thursday.....

Mae had just stepped inside the house, the strap of her school bag slipping from her shoulder, when she heard a familiar voice.

"Mae!" Liza called, already standing in the living room with an eager grin.

Mae blinked in surprise. "Liza? What are you doing here? You scared me."

Liza laughed and walked closer. "Sorry! I couldn't wait. I came straight here after class. Guess what? Tomorrow's Friday and it's a holiday. So..." She spread her arms wide like she was announcing the best news in the world. "Beach trip! I'm inviting you to come with us. We'll stay until Sunday."

Mae's eyes widened. "A beach vacation? Seriously?"

"Yep! My cousins are going, too. It's gonna be fun. Volleyball, karaoke, bonfire at night, the works." Liza's excitement was contagious.

Mae bit her lip, then glanced toward the kitchen where her mother was preparing dinner. "I'd love to... but you know I need to ask first." She set her bag down and walked over. "Mom? Liza's inviting me to the beach tomorrow until Sunday. Can I go?"

Her mother turned, wiping her hands with a towel. She studied Mae for a moment before smiling softly. "As long as you stay careful, and you call me every night, then yes, you can go."

Mae broke into a smile and hugged her mom. "Thank you, Mom!"

Behind her, Liza clapped her hands together. "Yes! This is gonna be awesome. Mae, you better pack your swimsuit because we are so going to own that beach."

Mae laughed, already feeling the thrill of the weekend ahead. This is the first step in starting a new life. "Alright, alright. But don't blame me if I beat you in volleyball."

"Oh, it's on," Liza teased, pointing a finger at her.

The two friends burst into laughter, the promise of waves and sun already washing away the weight of the school week.

The next day......

The sun was already high when Mae and her friends stepped off the van and onto the fine white sand of the beach resort. Liza stretched her arms wide, laughing as the salty wind tangled her hair.

"This is it, girls! Our gift to ourselves!" she declared.

The sun blazed high, the sea glittered like a sheet of diamonds, and Mae felt the sand warm beneath her toes as laughter and splashes echoed across the beach. Volleyball, swimming, and silly dares had already filled their day with lighthearted fun.

For a moment, Mae forgot everything heavy in her past, until her eyes caught a lone figure walking along the shoreline.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, his skin bronzed by the sun. Every step he took seemed effortless, powerful. Mae's breath hitched. Something about him... the tilt of his head, the strong jawline, the way he carried himself. He reminded her of John.

The memory hit like a wave, sudden and painful. John, the man she had loved, the one she had lost. Mae pressed her lips together, blinking fast as if she could will away the sting in her chest. No, she told herself. Be strong. Start anew. The past can't chain you forever.

But her friends noticed something else entirely.

"Whoa..." Liza whispered first, tugging at Mae's arm. "Do you see what I'm seeing?"

Jenny followed her gaze and gasped, then broke into giggles. "Oh my gosh, is that...?"

The man's swimming trunks left little to the imagination. Something bulging within caught every girl's eye, though only the bolder ones dared to keep staring. Soon enough, the group was stifling laughter.