Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 13: Kaia and the Quiet

Jackson wasn't one to wear his heart on his sleeve. In fact, the boys often joked that he probably didn't have a heart at all. So, when he started sneaking off on their vacation in Hawaii, none of them really thought anything of it at first. It was Jackson, after all—grim, serious, and always craving solitude. They assumed he was off exploring remote trails or reading under a tree somewhere. But by the third day, his nightly disappearances started to get... suspicious.

It all started when Jackson discovered a quiet, secluded beach on the far side of the island. While the rest of the boys were either chasing down tiki bars or fighting waves on paddleboards, Jackson wandered away, eventually finding a stretch of sand that seemed untouched by tourists. There were only a handful of people there—locals, mostly—and that's where he saw her.

She was sitting alone, her toes buried in the sand, watching the sunset as the waves crashed gently against the shore. There was something about her, something unspoken but powerful, that immediately captivated him. Maybe it was the way the soft, golden light framed her face, or the peacefulness she radiated just by being there. He didn't know how or why, but Jackson felt drawn to her in a way that surprised even him.

At first, Jackson kept his distance, content just to watch the sunset and steal glances in her direction. But as the days passed, he found himself returning to the same beach, hoping to see her again. And she was always there, sitting in the same spot, staring at the ocean as if she were in on some secret the world didn't know.

On the third night, Jackson gathered enough courage to approach her.

Her name was Kaia, and she was a local, born and raised on the island. She was everything Jackson wasn't—open, carefree, full of laughter. Where Jackson was reserved and serious, Kaia spoke with the kind of easygoing warmth that put everyone at ease. They struck up a conversation that first night, talking about the ocean, the stars, life on the island. She wasn't like anyone Jackson had ever met.

Every night after that, Jackson would sneak off from the hotel, making excuses to the guys about needing some quiet time, and he'd find himself walking to that remote beach to meet Kaia. They'd sit together on the sand, watching the sunset, talking about everything and nothing. Jackson didn't tell the boys. He didn't need to. This was something he wanted to keep for himself, something quiet and sacred in a world where his friends always seemed to know everything about each other.

Of course, the boys weren't stupid. Ryan was the first to notice Jackson's strange behavior.

"Have you guys seen Jackson sneaking out at night?" Ryan asked one morning over breakfast.

Alex, sipping his coffee, shrugged. "Maybe he found a bar he likes. Or a library. Who knows with that guy?"

But Judah raised an eyebrow. "Nah, it's something else. Jackson doesn't drink, remember?"

Jamie, always awkward and uncomfortable in situations like this, shifted in his chair. "Maybe we should... ask him? Or... not? I don't know."

They didn't press him, though. As the days passed, they started to piece things together—Jackson would come back from his outings with a different kind of energy, lighter, almost like he was happier than usual. He wasn't grim or brooding when he returned. There was a softness to him, a quiet contentment that was impossible to miss.

Judah eventually brought it up one night, casually, while they were all sitting on the hotel balcony, looking out at the ocean. "Hey, Jacks, what's up with you disappearing every night? You got a secret hobby we don't know about?"

Jackson, to everyone's surprise, didn't dodge the question. He gave a small, almost imperceptible smile and said, "I met someone."

The group went silent for a moment. Alex was the first to break it. "Wait... seriously? You? Like... a *person*? Who is she?"

Jackson didn't say much, just shrugged. "Her name's Kaia. She lives here."

The boys exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and disbelief, but none of them pressed further. They didn't need to. Jackson had clearly found something, or someone, that made him happy. And for once, they figured, maybe Jackson deserved to keep this part of his life private.

By the end of the trip, Jackson knew what was coming. He'd have to leave, and the idea of saying goodbye to Kaia weighed heavier on him than he'd anticipated. On their last night together, they sat on the beach like always, the waves rolling in and out as the sky turned from blue to orange to deep purple.

"I wish I could stay longer," Jackson admitted quietly, staring at the horizon.

Kaia smiled softly, her hand brushing his. "You don't have to stay to remember this, Jackson. Sometimes it's better to leave the memories where they start."

He looked at her, feeling the weight of her words sink in. She was right, of course. Hawaii was her world, not his, and as much as he wanted to, Jackson couldn't uproot his life to stay in this temporary paradise. But that didn't make leaving any easier.

The next morning, the boys packed up their things, ready to head back to New York. Jackson didn't say much as they loaded their bags into the car, but the others could tell something had shifted in him. He wasn't the same Jackson they knew from before the trip—something in him had softened, even if just a little.

As the plane took off, Jackson stared out the window, watching the island grow smaller and smaller until it was just a speck on the horizon. He didn't tell the boys much more about Kaia after that. They didn't ask, either. But they all knew that something important had happened on that beach, something that Jackson would carry with him long after they were back to their normal lives.

Sometimes, Jackson realized, you just have to leave the memories where they started.