Last Kiss

Chapter 50: In one ear

Belly sat on the sand, her toes digging into the cool grains as she stared out at the moonlit ocean. It was a peaceful night, the kind that begged for quiet contemplation. She was lost in her thoughts when she heard footsteps approaching, and she turned to see Steven making his way towards her.

"Hey, Belly," Steven said with a warm smile as he settled down beside her on the beach.

"Hey, Steven," Belly replied, returning the smile. She felt a sense of calm wash over her in his presence, grateful for the familiarity of their friendship.

They sat in companionable silence for a while, content to simply enjoy each other's company and the tranquil beauty of the night. But as the minutes stretched on, Belly found herself unable to keep her thoughts at bay any longer.

"Steven, can I ask you something?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course, Belly. You can ask me anything," Steven replied, turning to face her with a curious expression.

Belly took a deep breath, gathering her courage before speaking. "Do you ever feel like...like you're stuck in a place you're not supposed to be?" she asked, her words tentative.

Steven frowned slightly, his brow furrowing with concern. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Belly hesitated, unsure of how to put her feelings into words. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I just feel like...like I'm on the verge of something, but I can't quite reach it. And it's frustrating, you know?"

Steven nodded in understanding, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I think I know what you mean," he said, his tone thoughtful. "Sometimes life throws us curveballs, and we're left feeling adrift, unsure of which direction to take."

Belly nodded, grateful for his empathy. "Yeah, exactly," she said, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "But I guess we just have to keep moving forward, even when it feels like we're stuck."

Steven reached out to squeeze her hand gently, a silent gesture of solidarity. "We'll figure it out, Belly. Together," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination.

Belly met his gaze, feeling a surge of gratitude for the unwavering support of her friend. In that moment, beneath the glow of the moon and the whisper of the waves, she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she would face them with the strength and resilience of those who stood beside her.

As they sat together on the beach, surrounded by the serenity of the night, Belly felt a sense of hope begin to stir within her heart. As Steven wrapped an arm around her shoulders, offering her the comfort of his presence, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of optimism for the journey that lay ahead.