Summer Nights (Book 1)

The final farewell

Chapter 35

The sun was just beginning to rise when Yeon Jun found himself standing in the camper's tiny kitchenette, packing up the last of their things. Diana was outside, waiting for him by the door, her backpack slung over her shoulder. She didn't look back as he handed over the camper keys to the manager but he could feel her presence—tense and ready to leave.

Once the paperwork was done, he joined her outside, and they walked back to the beach where they had first met. The sand was cool beneath their feet, and the waves lapped gently at the shore. It was almost like everything had come full circle.

Yeon Jun broke the silence first, kicking at the sand. "I should get a new phone."

Diana's laughter was soft, almost like an echo of the past few days. "Me too."

For a while, they stood there, just watching the waves. It felt like the ocean was both calming and mocking them—beautiful, endless, but impossible to hold onto.

Diana sighed, her voice tinged with resignation. "You know, I just realized... all beaches are the same. Everywhere we went."

"Yeah, that's true." Yeon Jun nodded, staring at the horizon. "It's the people that make them different. On their own, they're just sand and water."

Diana processed his words, her eyes distant. "Well then, I guess this is it."

She turned to face him, holding out her hand with a bright smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Kim Yeon Jun from Michigan. It was a great pleasure meeting you and being your roomie."

Yeon Jun couldn't help but laugh softly. "Diana from—" He paused, feigning confusion. "Wait, where are you from again?"

She laughed, the sound more genuine this time. "Botswana, you idiot!"

He grinned. "Ah, Diana from Botswana. It was lovely meeting you. And being your roomie."

He took her hand, and they shook, but neither of them let go. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Take care of yourself."

"Need a ride?" He couldn't resist asking, trying to prolong the moment. She smiled sadly, and shook her head. Before he could say anything, before he could process the kiss and everything it meant, she turned and walked away. He watched her go, his chest tightening with every step she took toward the bus stop.

Yeon Jun stood there, fighting the urge to call her back, to say something—anything—that could change the outcome. But he knew it was pointless. They were done. She was now just another stranger he had met and spent a week with. Not a permanent fixture in his life.

He stood, staring out at the sea, the waves crashing like they were mocking him. He turned and walked away, both of them heading in opposite directions, neither looking back.

It was all over. An anti-climatic end to the greatest summer of his life.