The warmth of the sun and the steady rhythm of the waves crashing against the shore slowly pulled you from sleep. You could feel the grainy sand beneath you, sticking to your skin, and the salty air filled your lungs, but it all felt hazy, disconnected. Your eyes squinted against the brightness, head throbbing slightly from the effort of moving.

Suddenly, there was shouting. A girl’s voice, distant at first, but getting closer with each passing second. You groaned, lifting your head slightly, but the angle was all wrong, and you couldn’t quite make out what she was saying. It was muffled by the ache in your neck and the dizziness clouding your thoughts.

“Hey! Can you hear me?” Her voice was sharp, a mix of urgency and… something else. As the sound of her footsteps grew closer, you caught snippets of words—anger, frustration, and swearing blending together.

You barely had the time to process the noise before the footsteps stopped abruptly, and the shouting ceased mid-sentence, like the girl had just realized something.

“Wait… a girl?” Her voice was louder now, clearer, as if she was standing just a few yards away from you. Her words hung in the air, a mix of surprise and confusion, and you felt the weight of her gaze even though your eyes were still closed.