Beneath the stars

Homecoming

The salty breeze whipped through Ethan Matthews’ hair as he drove down the familiar winding road to Windmere, the small coastal town that had once been his entire world. A decade had passed since he left for the city, leaving behind childhood memories intertwined with laughter, heartache, and the bittersweet scent of the ocean. Now, he was returning to a place he had long ago sworn he’d never revisit, but the recent loss of his mother had brought him back to the shores of his youth.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the landscape. Ethan could see the familiar silhouette of the lighthouse in the distance, its beacon a reminder of home. He inhaled deeply, the scent of saltwater and pine flooding his senses, and felt a mix of nostalgia and anxiety swirl within him. His art supplies packed neatly in the backseat, he hoped that this trip would reignite the spark of creativity he had lost in the fast-paced city life.

As he pulled into the driveway of his childhood home, Ethan’s heart raced. The old, weathered house stood proudly against the backdrop of the sea, its blue shutters faded but still charming. He stepped out of the car, the gravel crunching underfoot, and took a moment to soak it all in—the sound of the waves crashing, the call of seagulls overhead, and the soft rustle of the wind through the trees.

“Home sweet home,” he muttered to himself, a hint of sarcasm lacing his voice.

He picked up a box of supplies and walked toward the front door, hesitating for a moment before turning the handle. The door creaked open, revealing the warm, inviting scent of cinnamon and vanilla lingering in the air—a remnant of his mother’s beloved baking.

Inside, the living room was just as he remembered: the cozy couch covered in a patchwork quilt, family photos lining the walls, and the old piano in the corner gathering dust. Memories flooded back—playing there as a child, singing silly songs with his mother, the laughter echoing through the hallways. But the warmth felt hollow now, overshadowed by the absence of her presence.

Ethan dropped the box on the couch and wandered through the house, each step stirring memories that made his chest ache. He paused in front of the window that overlooked the beach, where he and Noah had spent countless hours building sandcastles and dreaming about the future.

Noah. The thought of him sent a familiar flutter through Ethan’s stomach. They had been inseparable as kids, but life had pulled them in different directions. Ethan had left, chasing a career as an artist, while Noah had stayed behind, taking over the family bakery after his mother’s passing.

Ethan picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts, pausing at Noah’s name. The impulse to reach out battled with his anxiety. Would Noah even want to see him after all this time? Would he remember the boy who had once been his best friend—or had he moved on, left their past buried like the shells they used to collect on the beach?

Just as he was about to put the phone down, a sudden knock on the door made him jump. He rushed to open it, and there stood Noah, taller and more handsome than Ethan remembered, with a broad smile and an apron dusted with flour.

“Ethan! You actually came back!” Noah’s voice was warm and welcoming, cutting through the uncertainty that had settled over Ethan like a fog.

“Hey, Noah,” Ethan replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me.”

Noah stepped inside, the door swinging shut behind him. “Of course I do! It’s been too long.” He looked around, his eyes sweeping over the familiar surroundings, and then returned his gaze to Ethan. “I’m really sorry about your mom.”

“Thanks,” Ethan said, the weight of grief threatening to overwhelm him. “I—um—just needed some time to process everything.”

“I get that. Want to grab a coffee at the bakery?” Noah suggested, his enthusiasm infectious. “I’ve been experimenting with some new recipes.”

Ethan hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “Yeah, that sounds good.” He grabbed his jacket and followed Noah out the door, his heart racing at the thought of spending time with the one person who had always understood him.

As they walked side by side, Ethan felt a mixture of warmth and apprehension. The years apart had changed them both, but the easy camaraderie was still there, waiting to be rekindled. Noah filled the silence with stories about the bakery and the changes in town, his passion evident in every word.

“Jake and Ryan still hang out at the old pier,” Noah said with a chuckle. “They’re as annoying as ever. I swear, some things never change.”

Ethan forced a smile, recalling the friends he had once shared laughter with. But the memories were tainted by the realization that their views had never aligned with his. “Sounds about right,” he said, his tone more reserved.

When they reached the bakery, the warm, sweet scent of freshly baked bread enveloped them. Noah pushed open the door, and a bell jingled overhead, announcing their arrival. The bakery was cozy and inviting, filled with colorful pastries and loaves of bread cooling on the counter.

“Welcome to Sullivan’s Bakery! What can I get for you?” Noah said playfully, putting on a mock customer service voice.

Ethan chuckled, feeling the tension ease slightly. “I’ll take your best coffee and whatever that is,” he pointed to a frosted pastry that looked dangerously delicious.

“Good choice! One coffee and a blueberry scone coming right up!” Noah turned to grab the items, his movements fluid and confident. Ethan watched him, a fond smile creeping onto his face. It was as if no time had passed at all, yet everything had changed.

As they settled into a booth, sipping their drinks and nibbling on pastries, Ethan felt a flutter of hope. Perhaps this trip home would not just be about nostalgia and loss but about rediscovering connections he thought he had lost.

But deep down, he knew that the real challenge lay ahead—confronting the feelings he had for Noah, feelings he had buried for far too long. As they laughed and shared stories, the stars above began to twinkle through the bakery window, illuminating a path toward something new, something that could change both their lives forever.