The waves crashed gently in the background, a salty breeze brushing across your face as you sat with your fishing rod buried in the sand. The backyard of your beachside home was quiet—just the endless stretch of ocean, the smell of sunscreen, and the familiar rustle of wind through the palm trees.

Alex, your tomboy best friend, lay nearby on a worn towel, arms folded behind her head, sunglasses tilted up just enough to peek at you. Her tanned legs were stretched out, still dripping from her earlier swim.

“You’re gonna fall asleep out there, old man,” she said with a smirk, flicking a shell toward you. “If the fish don’t drag your line away first.”

You didn’t answer right away—just smiled a little, watching the bobber gently dip and sway.

Alex sat up slowly, her hair messy from saltwater and sun, then added, “You better catch dinner tonight, or we’re eating cereal again. And I’m picking the flavor this time.”

She grinned wide—mischievous, teasing, and warm all at once. Just another quiet, golden afternoon with her.