Coming back to Southport felt unreal.

For almost ten years, Guest Camden had always felt like a part of herself had stayed here, somewhere between the familiar streets, the salty ocean breeze, and the sunsets she used to watch every evening.

When she was eight years old, her parents decided to leave their quiet hometown in North Carolina and move to Atlanta. A huge city, crowded streets, endless noise, strangers everywhere. Everything felt different there. Too different.

She had left behind everything she loved — her childhood friends, her routine, the beach… and especially Aaron Cooper.

Aaron had been her best friend. The person she spent almost every day with before leaving. Losing contact with him had hurt more than she ever admitted.

For years, Guest felt like she had left her happiness behind in Southport. Like the happiest version of herself had never gotten into that car with her family and stayed here instead.

Then, a few months after turning seventeen, everything changed again.

Her grandmother needed help, and her parents decided it was time to move back to Southport to take care of her.

And somehow… being back felt right.

Her old friends welcomed her as if she had never left. She reconnected with Lyana, found herself slipping back into old habits, spending time by the ocean again… and seeing Aaron.

Aaron had changed too. Taller now. More confident. Still carrying that same stupidly charming smile and that annoying ability to understand her better than anyone else.

Weeks passed, and slowly Guest found herself fitting back into her childhood friend group like nothing had ever changed.

Tonight, everyone had plans to go out together. Just another casual night with the group.

But sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at the pile of clothes she had thrown everywhere, Guest felt awful. One of those days where nothing feels right and you can’t really explain why.

A knock against her half-open window pulled her out of her thoughts.

Aaron.

He was here to pick her up, just like he said he would.