The second entry of my first love

14. trip

Two weeks had passed since the reunion, and I hadn’t contacted any of them since

Not a single call. Not a single message.

It felt like I had lost them again. I tried to tell myself it was better this way. But a part of me wasn’t happy.

I was lying on my bed, lazily scrolling through my phone, when it rang.

An unknown number.

I hesitated before answering.

"Hii, Thea!"

I instantly recognized the voice.

"Stella?"

"Yup! You’ve been avoiding us, so I decided to call you instead.”

“Well, not really.”

“Actually, we’re planning a beach trip, and we need you to come."

The mention of a trip had me sitting up, excitement bubbling in my chest.

But then the realization hit me.

"Who’s going?" I asked cautiously.

"Kevin, Felix, Arthur, Nick, and me," she listed.

I waited, then asked the question I dreaded the answer to. .

"And Sage… is he coming?"

There was a pause before she answered.

"No, he’s not." She sounded disappointed.

But I was thrilled.

"Are you—" "Yes! Count me in!" I cut her off before she could even finish.

I barely waited for her to hang up before running out of my room to plead with my parents for permission.

To my surprise, they agreed almost too easily.

"Fine, go. It’s not like you’d be of any use at home anyway." Mom said.

Ouch.

That stung.

But as long as I got permission, I didn’t care.

I was going to the beach.

When I arrived at the meeting point, Stella was already waiting for me.

She waved excitedly, and I ran up to hug her.

She led me toward the cars where the boys were standing, deep in conversation.

Kevin, Felix, and Arthur were laughing with someone.

I didn’t recognize the person—

Not at first.

But then he turned around and my feet froze.

"Stella."

My voice came out almost panicked.

"You said Sage wasn’t coming. Then why is he standing right there?"

She blinked.

"Yeah… I am surprised too. Let’s ask him." Before I could protest, she dragged me forward.

"Hey, Sage, you said you were busy and couldn’t come. So… what changed?"

Sage’s deep brown eyes flickered to mine before he answered.

"I finished my work early. And it’s been a while since we all met, so… I thought I’d join."

His gaze lingered on me.I immediately looked away.