talesbyrebecca

Gemini visits the coastal town for a break from city life, expecting a boring summer. But everything changes when he meets Fourth, a hardworking boy with a secret love for music. As they spend time together—exploring night markets, watching fireworks, and sharing late-night talks on the beach—a quiet but undeniable connection forms. However, as summer nears its end, they must face the reality of their different lives.

Summer Night!

Days passed, and Gemini found himself visiting the café more often.

He told himself it was the coffee—rich, smooth, and made just the way he liked it. Or maybe it was the ocean view—the way the waves shimmered under the morning sun, the way the salty breeze drifted through the open windows.

But deep down, he knew the real reason.

There was something about the quiet barista that made him pause, made him stay a little longer than he planned. Fourth didn't talk much, but his presence was steady, unshaken, like the waves that always returned to the shore. And somehow, that made Gemini feel at peace.

It was a strange feeling—a kind of comfort he hadn't realized he needed.

That weekend, the town held its annual summer festival.

The streets came alive with colors—lanterns swayed in the warm night breeze, casting golden glows on the cobblestone paths. Food stalls filled the air with the scent of grilled seafood and sweet coconut desserts. Laughter and excited chatter echoed as families and friends wandered through the lively crowd.

Gemini had been to summer festivals before, but there was something about this small-town celebration that felt different—warmer, more intimate.

He strolled through the festival, taking in the sights and sounds. Children ran past him, clutching candy apples and tiny paper lanterns. A group of teenagers played a ring toss game, cheering loudly every time someone won a prize. Street performers strummed guitars, their melodies blending with the murmur of the ocean in the distance.

And then, near the beach, Gemini saw him.

Unlike everyone else, he wasn't in the middle of the crowd, enjoying the festivities. Instead, he sat alone on the sand, his arms resting on his knees, gazing out at the horizon.

Gemini hesitated for a moment, then made his way over. The sand was cool beneath his feet, the sounds of the festival fading as he neared Fourth.

Fourth looked up, his dark eyes reflecting the distant glow of lanterns. "Hey."

Gemini dropped down beside him, stretching his legs out in the sand. The waves rolled gently before them, the tide glistening under the moonlight.

"Not a fan of crowds?" Gemini guessed.

Fourth shook his head. "Too loud."

Gemini chuckled. "Yeah, but that's part of the fun."

Fourth hummed in response but didn't say anything. He didn't need to. The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was easy, unspoken, like the lull of the ocean.

A firework exploded in the sky, bursting into a thousand golden sparks.

Gemini glanced up just as another firework followed, this time a brilliant shade of blue. The night lit up with color, reflections dancing across the sea.

Beside him, Fourth tilted his head back, watching the display in quiet awe. His usually calm eyes shimmered with the glow of the fireworks, and for a moment, the flickering lights made him look almost unreal—like something out of a dream.

The fireworks, the festival, the noise—all of it faded into the background.

And in that instant, something shifted.

Something he couldn't quite explain.

This summer was about to change everything.

Fireworks and First Glances