𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐓 ― rafe cameron

σαράνταπέντε ; 45

song of the chapter:
CLOSE TO YOU ; rihanna

The morning light streamed through Margarita's bedroom window, illuminating the soft dust particles that danced in the air. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, a lingering heaviness in her chest that wouldn't dissipate. The echoes of the night before replayed in her mind—her conversation with Hermés, the weight of his promises, and the deep longing for connection that had become a constant ache.

Sitting up, she glanced around her room, taking in the familiar surroundings. The walls, painted in a soft cream, held memories of laughter and late-night confessions. But today, the space felt suffocating, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep and the emotional fog that clung to her.

With a sigh, she rose and padded to the window, pulling back the curtains to reveal the world outside. The beach was just a short walk away, the waves crashing rhythmically against the shore. It was a comforting sound, one she had grown up with, but today it felt distant—almost foreign. She longed to feel the freedom that the ocean represented, to let the salty breeze wash away the weight of her thoughts.

"Maybe a walk would help," she mused to herself, glancing at the clock. It was still early, the sun barely rising above the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape. She quickly changed into a comfortable outfit, throwing on a loose-fitting t-shirt and shorts, and slipped on her favorite sneakers.

As she stepped outside, the fresh morning air hit her like a gentle embrace, invigorating her senses. She took a moment to breathe deeply, letting the scents of the ocean and the soft rustle of leaves ground her. It was a beautiful day, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was still off.

Margarita made her way down the familiar path to the beach, her mind drifting to the conversation she had with Hermés. The weight of his words hung over her, and she felt the pull of her insecurities tugging at her heart. Would he really be there for her when it mattered most? Or would he vanish like everyone else?

As she reached the shoreline, she kicked off her shoes and let her toes sink into the cool, wet sand. The waves lapped gently at her feet, sending shivers up her spine. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sounds of the ocean wash over her, hoping it would cleanse her worries away.

But as she stood there, the tide began to rise, the water creeping closer to her. It mirrored her own inner turmoil—a constant ebb and flow of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. She needed clarity, a moment to gather her thoughts and reflect on what she truly wanted.

"Margarita!" a voice called out, pulling her from her reverie. She turned to see Sarah jogging toward her, a bright smile lighting up her face. "I was hoping I'd find you here!"

"Hey, Sarah," Margarita replied, forcing a smile as she wiped the saltwater from her feet. "What are you doing out this early?"

"I needed some fresh air," Sarah said, catching her breath. "And I wanted to check on you. You seemed a little... off yesterday."

Margarita felt her heart flutter with gratitude at the concern in her friend's eyes. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind," she admitted, the vulnerability creeping back in. "But I'm okay. Just trying to figure things out."

Sarah stepped closer, tilting her head to study her. "You know you can talk to me, right? I know things have been crazy with everyone, but I'm still here for you."

"I know," Margarita replied, her heart swelling with warmth. "It's just... hard sometimes. I feel like I'm floating between two worlds and not really belonging to either."