The secluded cove was hidden by cliffs, the white sand untouched and the water impossibly blue. I had stumbled upon it during the free time of our school retreat, desperate for some solitude away from the crowded group activities. The retreat was supposed to be reflective and serene, but I hadn’t felt that way—until now.

I slipped off my sandals, letting my toes sink into the cool sand. Closing my eyes, I inhaled the salty breeze and let the sound of the waves calm me. That was when I heard footsteps crunching on the sand behind me.

“Didn’t think anyone else would find this spot,” a familiar voice said, smooth and teasing.

I turned, startled, to see him—the boy from my class who always seemed so put together, with his easy smile and the kind of confidence that made people naturally gravitate toward him. His shirt was slightly damp, clinging to his chest, and his hair was tousled, as though he’d just walked out of the water.

“You followed me?” I asked, crossing my arms but unable to suppress a smile.

He grinned, holding up his hands in mock innocence. “Hey, I needed a break from all the awkward icebreakers and trust falls too. Looks like you had the right idea.”

We talked as we wandered along the shore, skipping rocks and laughing about the awkwardness of the retreat activities. He teased me about how I zoned out during the lectures, and I fired back by bringing up the time he almost fell asleep during meditation.

After a while, we found a flat rock to sit on, watching the waves crash against the shore. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the cove. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

“You know,” he said, breaking the silence, “I’ve always noticed you in class. You’re quieter than most, but there’s something about you that’s... hard to ignore.”

His words caught me off guard, my cheeks flushing as I glanced at him. “You’re just saying that,” I muttered, looking away.

“No, I’m not,” he said, leaning closer. “You don’t realize how amazing you are, do you?”

Before I could respond, he reached out, his fingers brushing mine. The electricity of the small touch made my breath catch. He leaned in closer, his eyes flicking to my lips and back to my eyes.

“Can I?” he asked softly, his voice barely audible over the sound of the waves.

I nodded, and the next thing I knew, his lips were on mine. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but quickly deepened as his hand slid to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. His other hand rested on my waist, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

The world around us seemed to fade—the sound of the waves, the golden glow of the setting sun, the soft breeze—it all felt like a dream. For that brief moment, nothing else mattered.

When we finally pulled apart, his forehead rested lightly against mine, his smile soft and sincere. “Best part of the retreat so far,” he murmured, his voice tinged with amusement.

I laughed, still breathless, and leaned against his shoulder as we watched the sun dip below the horizon. For the first time during the retreat, I felt truly at peace—and maybe, just maybe, excited for what the rest of the weekend would bring.