Castaway Haven

EMOTIONAL CONNECTION

"What are you gonna do after high school?" Harry asked one late afternoon as they lay once again side by side on the beach.

Louis shrugged. "Don't know. I've always had different plans in me head, but I'm not sure."

Harry propped himself up on his elbows, looking at Louis curiously. "What plans?"

"Football player, teacher, that sort of thing. I also like theatre," Louis replied. "And psychology."

Harry nodded, recalling when Louis had landed the role of Danny Zuko. That was probably when his little crush had started, now that he thought about it. Not that Louis knew that. "Ah, different plans indeed."

Louis glanced at him. "What about you? Do you still work at that bakery in your village?"

Harry noticed the sudden shift in focus. For someone who enjoyed theatre and attention, Louis didn't seem keen on being in the spotlight right now. Harry respected that and smiled. "Yes, I do. It's nice. I enjoy it. I'm not sure if I'll stay there after high school, though. It's just a job while I'm in school. I'm not really sure what I want to do."

Louis snorted. "With those curls and those dimples, you'll be able to do anything."

Harry blushed, blaming the warmth he felt in his cheeks on the sun. "Why, thank you." Suddenly, in their safe haven, he felt compelled to share one of his deepest fears. "Sometimes, it feels like everyone around me has their lives figured out. They know exactly what they want to do and where they want to go, while I'm just here, uncertain about my own path." He sat up slowly, bringing his knee to his chest and wrapping his arms around it. Resting his chin on his knees, he gazed out at the waves crashing onto the shore.

Louis mirrored Harry's position, and studied his face. Understanding shone in his eyes, making Harry feel grateful for opening up. "You don't have to have it all figured out right now, you know?" Louis said softly. "High school is just a stepping stone, a place where we're supposed to explore, learn, and grow. We're still young, and there's so much ahead of us."

Harry let out a sigh, his eyes tracing the rhythmic motion of the waves. "I guess you're right. It's just hard not to compare myself to others sometimes. There's this pressure to have a clear direction, to know exactly who I want to be."

He chose not to mention that their future seemed uncertain at the moment.

Louis poised his spear, ready to strike the fish, when a piercing scream shattered the tranquillity.

In an instant, he relinquished his weapon, allowing it to plunge into the water, and swiftly turned his head towards the source of the disturbance on the beach.

Harry .

With determined strides, he cursed the hindrance of the water slowing him down, but swiftly regained his composure, disregarding the sand clinging to his damp feet as he sprinted towards the origin of the scream.

While Louis had been engrossed in his fishing, Harry had ventured along the expanse of the shoreline. Fortunately, Louis located him without delay.

Harry stood at the border of the beach and the forest, his back facing the dense foliage. Louis noticed Harry's hands trembling as they shielded his face, as if concealing a dreadful sight.

Then, suddenly, Harry sank to the ground, prompting Louis to hasten his approach.

"Harry, what in the world is happening?" Louis inquired, his voice laced with panic.

Harry, still keeping his eyes hidden, quivered and gasped for breath. Leaning closer, Louis strained to hear Harry's whisper one single word, "B-Body..."