Getaway

02

You open your wallet to pay for your Mai Tai when suddenly a hand stops you, Gojo's hand. You look at him and he smiles before setting down enough cash to pay for both of your drinks. He also left what looked like a huge tip for the bartender.

"You sure?" you ask.

"Positive," he says nodding.

Gojo stood and led the two of you out of the bar, you didn't notice his height until he stood up. He was so tall, unfairly tall, he made everyone around him look pathetically short. He walked with long strides as you followed behind him, struggling to keep up, the two of you now on the boardwalk.

"We're going to have to speed it up, the part of the beach where the party is, it's a bit of a walk. Suguru will kill me if I'm there later than the time I told him."

"Who's Suguru?" you ask.

"You'll find out soon enough," he says a coy smile at his lips.

The two of you begin the long walk and your eyes dart around taking in the atmosphere. The boardwalk was buzzing with people, groups of teenagers chatting, bikers cruising by, and skaters weaving through.

Gojo points his finger at a cute little bakery-candy shop, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "This is my favorite place on the entire boardwalk. The cinnamon buns here are dangerously good, you have to try one sometime."

"Dangerously good? I find that hard to believe," you reply.

"Trust me they are," Gojo insists with a grin. "They're the reason I keep coming back. You'll understand once you've had one."

"Have you considered that you probably just have a sweet tooth?" you tease.

Gojo chuckles, "Okay maybe I do have a sweet tooth. But they really are worth going in for every day."

"Every day? Sounds like you're funding their business. Do they offer you any special perks for your loyalty?"

"Not yet, but I'm working on it," Gojo replies with a wink.

The journey turned out to be lengthier than anticipated, yet Gojo managed to keep you engaged throughout. Along the way, he continued to point at the establishments that lined the boardwalk, sharing a couple of his experiences. As you talked along the way he took a genuine interest in you. The walk was actually pretty chill, you enjoyed his company and he enjoyed yours.

Eventually, you both reached the secluded southern stretch of the beach where the party was in full swing. The sky had now taken a light blue hue as the sun had finally set, revealing the first twinkling stars. The music got louder with each step you took, you immediately saw the huge bonfire and groups of people huddled around it. Small fires dotted the shoreline, as well as mini lantern lights. There were so many people it seemed impossible to navigate through them.

Gojo watched you look around and take in the atmosphere. You look over at him and he gives you a smile reassuring you. You continue to follow him now in the beach party area. He walked around while his head darted from side to side as he looked for someone. The beach party pulsed with life as Gojo led you through the crowd. Suddenly he stopped looking around and began to walk towards the bonfire, you followed.

His friends Geto Suguru and Shoko Leiri sat in front of the bonfire immersed in a conversation. The warm glow of the fire illuminated their faces while they talked.

"Hey, guys!" Gojo calls out, his voice carrying over the loud beats of the music.

Geto and Shoko turned toward the sound of his voice, their expressions brightening as they caught sight of their friend approaching. Geto with his laid-back demeanor, raised a hand in greeting. Shoko with her sharp wit, nodded in acknowledgment.