Hurricane Summer

6

The next few days flew by, each one a blend of sun-soaked fun and new friendships. Tilla felt the heaviness in her chest slowly lifting as she began to embrace the changes happening around her. The beach became a backdrop for laughter and adventure, and she found herself looking forward to each day with renewed excitement.

Mia was a constant whirlwind of energy, always planning the next activity. "Can we build another sandcastle today?" she asked one morning at breakfast, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "We can invite the new friends over!"

Tilla smiled at her sister's enthusiasm. "That sounds like a great idea! But maybe we can also go for a swim first? I want to show them how fast I can dive!"

Their father nodded, a proud grin on his face. "I think that's an excellent plan. Let's enjoy the water before it gets too hot!"

After breakfast, they headed to the beach, the sun shining brightly overhead. Tilla felt a rush of energy as they approached the shore, the waves crashing rhythmically against the sand. The anticipation of seeing their new friends made her heart race with excitement.

Once they arrived, Tilla spotted the group of kids from a few days ago, their laughter ringing out like music. They were splashing in the water, completely absorbed in their fun. Tilla's stomach fluttered nervously, but this time, she was determined to approach them without hesitation.

"Hey! Want to join us for a swim?" Tilla called out, waving her arms as she walked over with Mia and their father.

"Sure!" one of the boys replied, splashing water in their direction. "Come on in!"

As they plunged into the waves, Tilla felt a sense of freedom wash over her. The cool water enveloped her like a comforting blanket, and she let herself laugh and play with the group. They chased each other through the shallows, the sun glistening on their skin.

But amid the joy, a small voice in her head whispered doubts. Would they continue to accept her as part of their group? Or would it all disappear like the tide? Tilla tried to push those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the laughter and camaraderie.

After an hour of swimming, they took a break, lounging on the sand to catch their breath. "You're really fast in the water!" one of the girls said, nudging Tilla playfully. "You should definitely join our swim team!"

"Yeah! You'd be awesome!" another kid added, giving her a thumbs-up.

Tilla's heart swelled at the compliment. "Thanks! I'll think about it," she replied, feeling a mixture of pride and nervousness.

As they settled into a game of beach volleyball, Tilla's confidence soared. With each laugh and playful banter, she felt more at home among the group. Her father and Mia cheered them on from the sidelines, and Tilla felt grateful for the support.

But just as the game reached its peak, a shadow passed overhead. Tilla glanced up to see dark clouds rolling in, ominous and heavy. The wind began to pick up, rustling the leaves of the palm trees nearby.

"Looks like a storm is coming!" one of the boys shouted, his excitement mingling with apprehension. "We should pack up!"

Tilla felt a knot tighten in her stomach at the thought of the storm. The laughter faded as everyone started gathering their things, and Tilla's heart sank. It felt like the fun was slipping away too quickly.

"Don't worry, Tilla! We can still hang out later!" Mia said, sensing her sister's disappointment. "We can have a movie night!"

"Yeah! A beach party movie night!" one of the girls chimed in. "We can watch something fun and eat snacks!"