𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐈 ─────⋆⋅★𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯

𝟏𝟑. 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡?

At dawn, the soft knock on Isla's window stirred her from a light sleep, and she pulled herself up to find Sarah's familiar silhouette peeking through the glass. They didn't need words—Sarah's grin was enough. Isla rubbed her eyes, slipping out of bed as she threw on her fishing cap, a hoodie, and a pair of flip-flops. She tiptoed down the stairs, hoping not to wake her parents, who'd just returned home for the weekend. But the thrill of slipping out, of stolen dawns and sisterly secrets, made her grin as she ducked outside, meeting Sarah in the hazy early light.

The two girls moved in sync, their bare feet padding silently across the sand to the small dock where Sarah's boat waited, the world still and quiet, save for the whispering tide. They climbed aboard, casting off without a sound, slipping out into the gentle current. Kildare lay draped in morning mist, the water a still, silver sheet stretching out to meet the soft pink and gold blush of the sky. Isla pulled her hoodie tight around herself, the chill of dawn making her shiver.

Sarah poured them both coffee from a thermos, and Isla took the cup gratefully, the steam warming her fingers. "Are you out of your mind?" she whispered with a smirk, the thrill of sneaking out making her eyes shine. "If my parents catch me..."

Sarah rolled her eyes, adjusting her own fishing cap to sit just right. "Please, they're barely back for a weekend. They won't even notice. Besides, we need this. Trust me."

Isla laughed, taking a sip of coffee. It was strong, just how she liked it. "Fine, but you owe me if they do."

The boat cut smoothly through the water as they drifted toward the open horizon, the first slivers of sunlight beginning to peek over the edge, casting a warm glow across the waves. They settled into silence for a moment, both girls lost in the beauty of the early morning. Isla stretched out, her hand trailing through the cool water as she looked out, breathing in the crisp air.

"This is what I'll miss," Isla murmured, more to herself than to Sarah. "If I ever actually leave."

Sarah looked over, her gaze soft. "So go," she said simply, her voice light but serious. "You don't have to stay here just to make everyone else happy, you know?"

Isla shook her head, smiling wistfully. "Easier said than done. My parents... they have this image of me. The perfect daughter, to be Kook royalty and all, takeover the Blackwell Empire or marry into another one." She looked down at her coffee cup, swirling the liquid absently. "I don't know, sometimes I feel like I could disappear for a week, maybe even two, and they wouldn't even notice."

Sarah nudged her with a foot, a small frown on her face. "Well, I'd notice. Don't go around talking like that, Isla."

Isla met her gaze, a flicker of gratitude and affection in her eyes. "You're the only one who'd notice, Sarah."

They shared a small smile, the kind only two girls who knew each other inside and out could understand. They were more than just friends—they were sisters in all but blood, bound by the quiet understanding that they'd always be there for each other, no matter what.

"Speaking of which," Sarah said, her tone shifting as she gazed out at the horizon, her expression thoughtful. "I... need advice."

Isla raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is this about Topper?"

Sarah sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she bit her lip. "Yeah. I mean, he's great, you know? He's kind, he's dependable, he always makes me laugh." She shrugged, a hint of frustration creeping into her tone. "But it's all so... safe. I keep waiting for that spark - but with Topper, it's calm, it's easy. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just looking for trouble."

Isla watched her friend, the dawn casting soft pinks and golds over her face. She chose her words carefully. "Love shouldn't be easy. It should make you feel like you're standing at the edge of a cliff with your heart racing. It's supposed to be wild, like a riptide—pulling you in even when you know it's risky."