beach day [8]

The car hummed along the winding road, the sound of the engine blending with the idle chatter among friends. The sun was bright, warming the interior of the car, and the windows were cracked just enough to let in the cool breeze. Soren, who was behind the wheel, was navigating the drive with his usual relaxed energy, occasionally glancing at the others in the rearview mirror.

Lukas sat in the front seat, one arm resting lazily against the door. He was relaxed, talking with Soren as they headed toward the beach, anticipating the fun they would have once they arrived. The usual banter between the two was easygoing, a natural rhythm they had developed over time.

Behind them, Claire was fidgeting in her seat, clearly restless. She'd been quieter than usual, her eyes darting to Lukas every now and then. Though she didn't want to admit it, the sight of Ivy in the back seat, kept her on edge. She couldn't help but ask him repeatedly if he was okay, even though he had assured her multiple times.

"Lukas, you sure you're alright?" Claire asked again, her voice slightly tinged with concern, though she tried to mask it.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lukas said with a grin, looking over his shoulder to meet her gaze. "Stop worrying so much. It's a beach day, not a medical emergency."

"You just seem... off," Claire muttered, her arms crossed as she leaned back against the seat.

"Claire, he's fine," Ivy chimed in, her voice sweet

Lukas turned to give a small shrug, "I really am fine, Claire. Just... trying to enjoy the ride."

They drove on, the conversation shifting to lighter topics as Soren and Stephan began teasing each other about the weird thing Stephan had done on a recent group call.

"You seriously didn't realize you had your mic on the entire time, Stephan?" Soren snickered, glancing in the rearview mirror at the guilty-looking Stephan.

Stephan groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't realize it, okay? It's hard to keep track when you're too busy playing that game!"

"You were singing!" Soren burst out laughing. "You were just... belting out some random ass song. It was hilarious!"

Lukas chuckled, glancing back over his shoulder at Stephan. "Man, that was brutal. You're lucky no one else heard that."

"I swear, it wasn't that bad," Stephan defended, though his cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.

"Dude, you literally sounded like you were auditioning for a role in a musical," Ivy teased, her tone light but still managing to poke fun.

Claire smirked, trying not to laugh at Stephan's expense. "Honestly, You should apologize for how badly You singed that."

Lukas laughed too, a low chuckle that rumbled through his chest. "Definitely not your best moment, Stephan," he added, nudging him with his elbow.

Stephan shook his head, pretending to be upset, but a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Alright, alright. Let's just focus on the beach, yeah? I'm gonna make sure I don't embarrass myself today."

The laughter and teasing continued as they neared their destination, the conversation shifting to plans for the day. But in the back seat, Claire couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort she'd been trying to push down. Despite her playful exterior, the sight of Lukas enjoying the time with everyone especially Ivy left her wondering if this trip was going to be as fun as she had hoped.

The car rolled to a stop, the crunch of gravel under the tires marking their arrival at the beach. Everyone was already excited, stepping out of the vehicle with eager energy. Soren and Stephan were the first to rush forward, already making their way toward the water. They laughed, called out to each other, and moved with an almost childlike excitement. The sand beneath their feet was warm, the salty breeze tossing their hair and making the day feel perfect.

Claire was the next to move, albeit with less enthusiasm. She lingered by the car for a moment, adjusting her hoodie and making sure it sat comfortably over her body. She hadn't been planning on wearing it when she left the house, but the closer they got to the beach, the more self-conscious she became about her chest. Her insecurities seemed to creep up every time she thought about how exposed she might feel in her swimsuit. Even though she was here to have fun, it was hard to ignore the uneasy feeling that settled in her stomach.

Ivy, however, seemed completely carefree. She stepped out of the car next, and without hesitation, joined Lukas, walking beside him. She was constantly nudging his arm, leaning into him just a little too much for Claire's liking. Her chest brushed against Lukas's arm as they walked, and Claire could feel her teeth grind together as the jealousy began to build, but she kept her expression neutral. She acted like she didn't care, tried to make herself seem as unbothered as possible, though the feeling of frustration simmered beneath the surface.

Lukas, for his part, didn't notice a thing. He was happily chatting with Soren and Stephan, completely oblivious to the tension in the air. Ivy, with her bubbly nature, was engaged in conversation with him as well, making the occasional light comment that had Lukas chuckling. The group was moving toward their spot by the beach, and after a few more steps, they finally found a spot to set up their things. The umbrella was placed in the sand, towels and bags scattered around.

Claire stood aside for a moment, watching them as they settled in. Ivy quickly made herself comfortable by Lukas, sitting next to him on one of the beach chairs. Her body was a little too close for Claire's liking, but she said nothing, just pretending it didn't bother her. She pulled her hoodie tighter around her, not ready to expose herself just yet.

Lukas, though, didn't seem to have any reservations. He stood up from his chair, stretched his arms above his head, and then pulled his shirt off in one swift motion. The way his muscles flexed as he moved made Claire's breath catch. His body was lean, yet defined—every inch of him sculpted from the hours he spent in the gym. The tan of his skin contrasted against the faint marks of old scars, and the way his abs rippled with movement made Claire's heart race.

Soren, noticing Lukas's sudden shift, couldn't help but ask, "I thought you stopped going to the gym?"

Lukas chuckled, giving a light shrug as he glanced at Soren. "i did" he said casually, then added with a teasing grin, "but guess my body didnt know that"

Claire felt her stomach tighten, a mixture of frustration and something else. As much as she tried to ignore it, the feeling of her jealousy was hard to suppress. Lukas had that effect on her, and seeing him so effortlessly steal the spotlight without even trying made her heart thump a little too loudly.

But she pushed those feelings aside. She wasn't here to let her emotions take control. She was here to enjoy the day. Slowly, she pulled off her hoodie, revealing her swimsuit underneath, though she made sure to keep her arms crossed in front of her chest. She wasn't sure if anyone noticed, but Ivy was still too absorbed in Lukas to care, and for that, Claire was thankful.

Ivy, now standing beside Lukas, looked over at Claire with a soft smile. "You coming in, or are you just going to stand there all day?" she asked, her tone playful but with a hint of something else Claire couldn't quite place.

"I'll be there in a second," Claire muttered, though it was clear Ivy wasn't going to let her get away with just standing around.

Lukas, already getting ready to head into the water, glanced over at Claire. "You coming in with us?" he asked, his voice warm and inviting. He had no idea how much it meant for Claire to hear him ask, and yet, all she could do was nod in response.

"I'll come," she said, her voice quieter than she wanted it to be. "Just give me a minute."

It was clear that Lukas wasn't really waiting for an answer, already beginning to walk toward the water with Soren and Stephan, who were now ankle-deep in the waves, splashing each other and having fun.

Ivy, with a mischievous grin on her face, followed Lukas's lead, nudging him again and walking a little too closely. It was hard for Claire to ignore, but she forced herself to take a deep breath and follow after them. She hadn't planned on going in, but the thought of sitting by the shore while everyone else had fun didn't sit right with her. Plus, maybe the water would help her cool down, not just physically, but emotionally too.

As Claire stepped into the shallows, she felt the cold rush of the ocean against her feet, the sand shifting beneath her with each step. The waves were gentle, though they occasionally broke against her legs, sending a shiver up her spine. She wasn't the best swimmer, had never really taken to the water, but today seemed like the right day to at least try.

Lukas, noticing her hesitation, turned around and saw her standing there in the water, staring at the waves. He walked back toward her, his movements graceful as the water lapped around his feet.

"You alright?" he asked, his voice gentle, though he was still grinning.

Claire gave a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, just not really... good at swimming," she admitted, her eyes avoiding his.

Lukas's smile softened, and he took a step closer to her. "Don't worry about it," he said with confidence. "I'll teach you. It's easy once you get the hang of it."

Claire hesitated for a moment before nodding. She hadn't expected him to offer, but it was comforting to know he was willing to help. She felt both nervous and excited as Lukas stepped closer, reaching out to guide her.

He placed his hands lightly on her arms, steadying her. The warmth of his touch spread through her, making her heart skip a beat. His fingers brushed against her skin, and for a moment, Claire thought she might lose her composure. She had to fight to focus on what he was saying, though it was hard with the proximity of their bodies.

"Just let me guide you," Lukas said softly, looking at her to make sure she was okay. "Don't worry, alright?"

She nodded, though her voice was barely a whisper. "Okay."

Lukas led her further into the water, his hands still on her arms, the warmth of his touch somehow calming her nerves. She felt his strong hands guiding her movements, teaching her the basics. With each step, she felt herself becoming more comfortable in the water, but what really made her flustered was the way his body was so close to hers.

They continued moving through the water, Lukas giving her instructions, and Claire followed as best as she could, trying to focus on what he was saying. Every time his hand touched her skin, she couldn't help but feel a rush of heat, as if she were hyper-aware of every little movement he made. It wasn't just the water she was trying to keep steady—her emotions were running wild too.

They spent what felt like hours out in the water, laughing, trying to stay afloat, and teasing each other along the way. As much as Claire tried to act unaffected by the constant contact, she found herself unable to ignore the way Lukas made her feel. It was as if he was the calm in her storm, and she didn't mind it. She was having fun—despite the undercurrent of emotions swirling beneath the surface.

By the time they made their way back toward the shore, the sun was higher in the sky, casting everything in a warm, golden glow. Everyone was in high spirits, laughing and joking, but Claire felt a little lighter than she had all day.

Lukas, his arms still holding her steady as they returned to the sand, flashed her a reassuring smile. "See? I told you it was easy," he said, his voice filled with that quiet confidence that always made her feel safe.

Claire smiled back, though she was still flustered. "Yeah, yeah. You're right."

And as they walked back to the others, Claire couldn't help but feel that maybe today wasn't so bad after all.

The sun was high above, casting a golden glow on the beach as the group settled into their spot. The salty ocean breeze tugged at their clothes and hair as everyone began to relax, the weight of the day's excitement turning into a laid-back vibe.

Soren, still full of energy, was the first to grab a volleyball from the bag. "Alright, let's play! I'm not losing to you guys today!" he called out, challenging lukas, passing the ball at his feet.

Lukas stood up, dusting sand off his legs as he grabbed the ball. "Sure, I'll play, but don't say I didn't warn you. I'm terrible at volleyball," he said, half-joking.

Ivy laughed lightly, still laying back on her beach chair. "I don't know, Lukas, you're good at everything else. Volleyball might be the one thing you're not great at." She winked playfully, though her tone was teasing.

Lukas laughed, shaking his head. "Guess we'll see." He tossed the ball to Stephan, who caught it effortlessly.

Claire, not particularly invested in volleyball but eager to stay engaged with the group, stood up and brushed sand off her legs. "I'm in," she said, pulling her hair into a quick ponytail.

They moved the beach chairs and towels to the side to create a makeshift court. It wasn't anything professional, just a fun way to kill time and make the most of the sunny day. Soren and Stephan were on one side, and Lukas and Claire took the other. Ivy watched from the sidelines, content to cheer everyone on.

The game was lighthearted and full of laughter. Even though Lukas claimed to be terrible at volleyball, he had decent coordination, and Claire, surprisingly, wasn't too bad either. Stephan and Soren's competitive nature made the game fast-paced, their spikes and serves strong enough to challenge the others. Still, the team of Lukas and Claire managed to hold their own, mostly because of luck and a few fortunate hits.

"I thought you were terrible at volleyball!" Soren teased Lukas after a particularly well-placed serve that earned them a point.

Lukas grinned, shrugging. "Guess I got lucky," he replied, tossing the ball to Claire, who was getting ready to serve.

Claire took her turn with a smile, though she wasn't exactly sure what she was doing. With a determined swing, she sent the ball flying over the net. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to keep the game going. The ball came back quickly, and the match continued with more laughs, some accidental slips in the sand, and a few missed volleys. Eventually, they all agreed to call it a draw, all too tired from the friendly competition.

"Okay, I'm done for now," Stephan said, sitting on the sand with a playful groan. "I need a break from running around."

Soren, looking equally worn out but still smiling, plopped down next to him. "Same here. Let's just chill for a bit." He turned to Lukas and Claire. "You two are surprisingly good at this. Who knew?"

Lukas laughed, sitting down in the sand and wiping the sweat off his forehead. "It was just luck. We were on the receiving end of some terrible serves," he joked.

Claire couldn't help but smile at how easygoing the whole situation felt. The pressure from earlier was gone, replaced with a warm, easy camaraderie that made her feel good. It wasn't about impressing anyone. It was just about having fun with friends.

After catching their breath, they all decided to head toward the small beachside shop that sold ice cream and drinks. It wasn't far, just a short walk along the beach, and the idea of a cold treat sounded perfect under the afternoon sun.

As they lined up at the stand, everyone took their time picking out their ice cream flavors. Soren immediately went for his usual chocolate and mint combination, while Stephan tried something a little more adventurous: cookies and cream with a drizzle of caramel. Lukas went with a classic vanilla cone, though he couldn't resist tossing a glance at Claire when he saw she was debating between strawberry and coconut.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, grinning.

Claire hesitated, then shrugged. "I guess I'll go with strawberry. Can't go wrong with it."

Ivy, having joined them at the stand, smiled at her choice. "I'll take the chocolate chip cookie dough," she said, her eyes glinting playfully as she waited for the vendor to hand her cone.

They all paid for their treats and wandered back to their spot on the beach, the cool ice cream a refreshing contrast to the heat of the day. They sat on the sand in a loose circle, enjoying the breeze as it ruffled their hair and the sounds of the waves crashing in the distance.

"I'm glad we did this today," Claire said, licking her ice cream slowly, savoring the sweet taste. "It's nice to get away from everything and just relax."

Stephan nodded, enjoying his own cone. "Yeah, it's been a while since we've just had a chill day. Since i got work and everything, it feels good to just forget about all that stuff for a bit."

Soren, always the optimist, grinned. "Exactly. This is the best kind of day—the kind where you don't have to worry about anything, just enjoy the sun, the water, and good company."

Lukas, leaning back on his hands, looked out at the ocean for a moment. "It's definitely been nice. I don't think I've had a day like this in a while."

Ivy smiled, content to just sit quietly. "It's good to spend time with everyone. We should do this more often."

The conversation continued in a casual flow, with everyone sharing thoughts on school, upcoming plans, and other random topics that didn't require any deep thinking. The mood was light, and as the afternoon wore on, the group found themselves laughing more and more. They all took turns dipping into the water again, cooling off as they took breaks from chatting.

At one point, they tried a small sandcastle-building contest—though it was more about fun than any real competition. Lukas ended up with the biggest, most intricate sandcastle, though Soren insisted that his had "better structural integrity" despite the obvious lack of detail.

They played beach frisbee for a while, with Ivy showing off some surprising skill with throws, and Stephan nearly tripping in the sand every time he tried to catch it. The frisbee game ended in a hilarious mess of tangled limbs and laughter, no one really caring who won.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting an orange glow over the water, they all packed up their things, ready to call it a day. The last few hours had been filled with more laughter than any of them had expected, and no one was eager for the day to end.

"I guess that's it, huh?" Lukas said, picking up his towel and folding it. "We should do this again sometime."

"I'm down," Soren agreed, giving Lukas a thumbs-up.

"Same here," Ivy added, already putting her sandals back on.

Stephan, too, seemed pleased with how the day had gone. "It's been fun," he said, offering a rare but genuine smile. "We should definitely plan more days like this."

As they left the beach, everyone felt lighter, their faces flushed from the sun and smiles still wide from the carefree fun of the day. The ride home was quieter, but there was an underlying sense of satisfaction, the kind that only comes from spending a perfect day with good friends.

After a fun-filled day at the beach, the group made their way to the car. Soren and Stephan dropped Ivy off at her place first, then drove Claire and Lukas back to their home. The car ride was peaceful, a comfortable silence settling over them as they reached their destination.

Once inside, Claire and Lukas dropped their bags by the door, both feeling content after the day at the beach. The evening was calm, with the faint sounds of waves still echoing in their minds.

As they moved into the living room, Lukas turned to Claire. "That was fun, huh? I can't believe Stephan tried to make that insane serve in volleyball and completely missed." He chuckled, remembering the way Stephan had tripped over his own feet, sending the ball flying in the opposite direction.

Claire laughed softly, feeling the warmth of the memory. "Yeah, that was hilarious. Soren couldn't stop teasing him after that. But hey, I didn't do too bad, right?" she grinned, remembering how she'd managed a few decent hits, even if it wasn't her best game.

Lukas nodded. "You were great. Better than Stephan, at least."

They shared a comfortable silence for a moment before Lukas turned serious. "Hey, if you're tired, I can take the couch tonight. You can have the bed."

Claire blinked in surprise. "Oh, it's fine," she replied quickly. "I don't mind."

"I insist. You need rest," Lukas said, his voice calm and considerate. "Besides, it's not like I'll mind the couch."

Claire hesitated, but then nodded. "Alright. Thanks, Lukas."

With a small smile, Lukas headed toward the couch, while Claire made her way to the bedroom, the events of the day settling into her mind.

In the end they didnt sleep at all and had a group call with soren ivy and Stephan.