Echoes of Forever - psh

Chapter 4

The final bell rang, signaling the end of midterms, and relief washed over Nabi like a cool breeze. She could hardly believe they had made it through the stress and sleepless nights. As she gathered her things, she spotted Sunghoon leaning against the wall, a mischievous grin plastered across his face.

"Hey! You survived!" he called out, waving her over.

"I barely made it," she replied, shaking her head, but a smile crept onto her face at the sight of him.

"Forget barely. You conquered! And to celebrate, how about a trip to the beach? You haven't been there in ages, right?" His eyes sparkled with excitement.

Nabi hesitated for a moment, still feeling the weight of exams pressing down on her shoulders. "But it's been such a long day... Don't you think we should just rest?"

Sunghoon stepped closer, his grin widening. "C'mon, it'll be fun! The weather's perfect, and you deserve a break. Plus, I heard the sunset is going to be amazing tonight. Trust me; you won't regret it!"

His enthusiasm was contagious, and she couldn't help but feel drawn to his energy. With a reluctant sigh, she finally nodded. "Okay, fine. But only if you promise not to embarrass me too much."

"Deal!" he laughed, and they made their way to his car.

As they drove to the beach, the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. The world outside felt like a blur, filled with the sound of music blasting through the speakers and Sunghoon's playful chatter. He cracked jokes and made silly faces at the traffic lights, each moment making Nabi feel lighter, as if the stress of the past week was finally starting to lift.

When they arrived, the beach stretched before them like a canvas, the golden sands glimmering in the twilight. Nabi couldn't help but feel excitement bubble up within her. "This is beautiful," she whispered, awed by the sight.

"See? Told you it would be worth it!" Sunghoon beamed, parking the car.

They hopped out and rushed toward the sand, the cool breeze greeting them like an old friend. The waves crashed gently, leaving a frothy lace along the shore. "Let's walk for a bit," he suggested, and they strolled along the water's edge, the sand soft beneath their feet.

"What did you think of the exams?" Nabi asked, glancing sideways at him.

"Honestly? I think I just doodled my way through history," he chuckled. "I hope Mr. Kim doesn't grade on creativity!"

Nabi laughed, shaking her head. "Same! I definitely wrote an entire essay on my love for pizza instead of focusing on the French Revolution."

As they walked further into the water, the waves splashed against their ankles, the coolness refreshing after the heat of the day. Sunghoon's laughter echoed around them, each chuckle infectious and filled with joy.

"C'mon! Let's see who can splash the other more!" he challenged, suddenly darting deeper into the waves.

"Wait, where are you going?" Nabi shouted, running after him.

Before she knew it, Sunghoon was splashing around, the water spraying everywhere. "Join me! Don't be a wuss!" he called, and she couldn't help but laugh at his antics.

"Okay, okay! I'm coming!" she said, wading into the water. The moment the waves hit her legs, she gasped, the coolness catching her off guard.

As they played in the water, laughter and splashes filled the air, and Nabi felt the stress of the week slip away with each wave that crashed against them. Sunghoon was so carefree, so full of life. It was impossible not to smile.

"Take that!" she yelled, flicking water at him, but he countered with a wave of his own, drenching her completely.

"Now you're just asking for it!" he grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Sunghoon, no!" she squealed as he charged toward her, and in a flash, she was swept off her feet.

"Hold on tight!" he laughed, carrying her deeper into the water. Nabi clung to him, half-laughing, half-screaming.

"Are you crazy? I can't swim that well!" she protested, her heart racing as he waded deeper.

"Don't worry, I've got you!" Sunghoon said, effortlessly carrying her as if she weighed nothing. They ventured deeper until the water reached their waists.

"Okay, okay! Put me down!" Nabi gasped, laughing and clinging to him. "I can't handle this!"

Sunghoon finally set her down, and they both stood there, the water swirling around them. She was surprised by how much fun they were having, the cold forgotten as laughter filled the air.

"You okay?" he asked, looking at her with that warm smile of his.

"Yeah, just a bit cold!" she replied, trying to shake off the water. He grinned and suddenly splashed her again, sending her into another fit of giggles.

"Get ready for round two!" he announced, and she prepared herself for the incoming splash.

As they continued their playful banter, Sunghoon couldn't help but steal glances at Nabi when he thought she wasn't looking. The way the sun set behind her, casting a golden halo around her figure, made his heart flutter. She was laughing, completely carefree, and in that moment, he couldn't help but think how beautiful she was.

"Okay, let's build something," he declared, snapping himself out of his daze. "I challenge you to a sandcastle competition!" He jumped to his feet, brushing the sand off his legs.

"A sandcastle competition? You're on!" she laughed, joining him.

As they settled onto the sand, Sunghoon caught her eye again, and the way he looked at her made his stomach flutter. Was it just the excitement of the day, or was there something more?

They built their castle together, filling their creation with seashells and bits of seaweed, chatting and joking as the sun continued its descent. Each moment felt magical, a beautiful blend of laughter, creativity, and the soothing sound of the waves crashing around them.

"Look at this! I think it's perfect!" Nabi exclaimed, admiring their slightly lopsided yet charming castle.

"Perfectly chaotic, just like us," Sunghoon said with a chuckle, glancing over at her. The way the sunlight danced in her hair made him want to reach out and tuck a strand behind her ear, but he held back, savoring the moment instead.

As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, Nabi realized that this beach, with its golden sands and endless waves, was more than just a place. It was theirs—a sanctuary of laughter, friendship, and beautiful moments that they could always come back to.

In that soft twilight, with the ocean stretching endlessly before them and the sky painted in breathtaking hues, Sunghoon felt a sense of peace. But there was something deeper—an undeniable pull in his heart. As he watched Nabi admire the colors of the sky, he found himself captivated. He wished for this moment to last forever, to always have her beside him, sharing laughter and joy.

Nabi, lost in her thoughts about the beauty surrounding them, didn't notice the way Sunghoon was staring at her, completely entranced. The way the light illuminated her face made him realize he was falling for her in ways he hadn't anticipated.

"Hey, Nabi," he finally said, breaking the spell. "Let's make a sandcastle together."

The moment felt like a dream, and she nodded eagerly, happy to build memories as beautiful as the sunset before them.

"Just wait until you see what I can create!" she replied, grinning.

As they continued their sandcastle project, the laughter, the warm breeze, and the sound of the waves filled the space around them, creating a perfect bubble of happiness. Sunghoon couldn't shake the feeling that this was where they were meant to be, and maybe—just maybe—Nabi felt the same.