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It had been a year since the tragic winter that almost shattered their friend group forever. But the unexpected miracle that somehow saved Hannah and Beth after they fell that night changed everything. The twins, though battered and shaken, had survived against all odds, eventually forgiving everyone. In the aftermath, they insisted on a fresh start, and they made the whole group promise to move forward.
And things had definitely... shifted. Emily and Jess were kind of friends now—friends who occasionally flirted or kissed when the moon and the vibes were just right. Chris and Ashley were officially together, proving that the "will-they-won't-they" tension finally had a sweet conclusion. Josh seemed to be developing a crush on Sam, who seemed clueless but also didn’t mind him lingering around her. But there was a much deeper secret in the group, one only two of them knew: Matt and Mike had somehow, against all their past drama and unexpected tenderness, fallen for each other. It was strange and confusing at first, especially with all their history, but it turned into something that neither of them had planned but both couldn’t get enough of.
The group’s decision to spend their summer getaway at a secluded beach was exactly what everyone needed. A beautiful escape, far from memories of snow and mountains, where waves could drown out the weight of last year’s trauma. And so, here they were, with laughter, surfboards, and way too much sunscreen.
Matt had spent half the morning trying to figure out how to wear his shirt without drawing attention to the small, dark patches Mike had left on his neck the night before. They’d had a quiet, intense evening under the stars by the beach house, and Mike had gotten... more passionate than usual. Matt hadn’t minded at all, but he had completely forgotten about how noticeable the marks were.
While Mike, smooth as ever, had expertly covered his own with concealer, Matt hadn’t been as lucky. Every glance at his reflection showed it—the dark purple marks peeked out like little signals to anyone paying too much attention.
"Yo, Matt!" Jess’s voice interrupted his thoughts as she sauntered over in her beach outfit, shades perched on her head. "Are you ready to help me haul the cooler down?"
"Uh, yeah. Sure," he said, throwing on a loose tank top that he hoped would cover most of it. But his nerves were on high alert as he walked out to join everyone by the sand. He couldn’t help but steal a quick glance in Mike’s direction. Mike, with his usual sun-kissed charm, looked impossibly casual, somehow effortlessly blending in. But Matt knew better.
As they began to settle down on the beach, Jess tilted her head, her eyes narrowing at him. "What’s up with you, Matty? You seem... tense."
He forced a smile, hoping she wouldn’t notice the slight shift as he adjusted his shirt. "Just, uh... really hoping I don’t get burnt again this year."
"That’s a poor excuse, but I’ll let you slide," Jess teased, before slipping off to reapply sunscreen.
The day progressed with sun-soaked hours of volleyball, impromptu surfing attempts, and lazy lounging. Matt managed to dodge suspicion most of the day, but Mike’s barely-hidden smirk didn’t make it any easier. They hadn’t dared to be too close, exchanging only passing glances and half-hidden smiles, but it was enough to keep Matt on edge.
Finally, as the afternoon began to wane, the group gathered around for snacks and drinks by the shore, with everyone stretched out on towels. Mike slid in beside Matt, casually leaning close, his voice just low enough for only him to hear.
"How’s the... evidence holding up?" he asked, the hint of mischief in his voice unmistakable.
Matt shot him a look, biting back a grin. "I should kill you for how visible they are."
"Hey, I did offer my concealer. You just didn’t think it’d be that obvious."
Before Matt could respond, Emily’s voice broke through. "Matt, what is that on your neck?"
Time stopped. Matt felt his face heat up, and he quickly moved his hand to his neck as if he’d suddenly developed an itch. "Oh, uh... mosquito bite?" He forced out a laugh, feeling like the worst liar in the world.
"I'm not stupid, Matt. Mosquitoes don’t make that kind of shape," Emily replied, raising an eyebrow. "It’s, like, dark purple." She exchanged a glance with Jess, who suddenly looked a little too intrigued.
Mike, the absolute jerk, kept a completely neutral face but subtly shifted his body between Matt and Emily, casually drawing her attention away. "Hey, speaking of insects, has anyone noticed those weird jellyfish things in the water?"
Emily, predictably fascinated, launched into a whole explanation of jellyfish behaviour. Jess and the others were momentarily distracted, and Matt let out a sigh of relief. Mike brushed his shoulder, the silent gesture grounding him, just before pulling his hand away.
As the evening wore on, the soft glow of the sunset cast warm colours across the sand. People began to drift back to the beach house in groups, but Matt and Mike lingered by the shore, watching as the last few rays sank below the horizon.
Mike leaned back on his hands, stretching his legs out, and gave Matt a knowing look. "You’re, uh, handling this all pretty well. Honestly, I thought you’d have run off by now."
"Very funny." Matt nudged him, then relaxed back, letting his shoulder brush against Mike’s. "I dunno... something about being here, with everyone... it’s kind of nice. Peaceful, almost."
Mike nodded, his gaze softening as he glanced over at Matt. "Yeah. Though I’m kind of enjoying this extra layer of mystery."
"Oh, yeah?" Matt turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "How’s it feel to keep this big, dramatic secret?"
"Thrilling," Mike replied with a wink. Then his expression softened. "Nah. It’s just... different. Being here, being with you... it feels like we’re not hiding anything. Even if they don’t know, I don’t feel like I’m lying. I’m just... with you."
The words, simple as they were, made something in Matt’s chest swell. He leaned in a little closer, letting his head rest on Mike’s shoulder.
"Maybe we’ll tell them... someday," he murmured.
"Yeah," Mike replied softly, resting his head against Matt’s. "Someday."
For now, the quiet, endless waves were enough.