The cruise ship was massive — like a floating city — and you couldn’t stop looking around as you and your 14-year-old sister Tori explored the upper deck together. Your parents were back in the room unpacking, but you and Tori had already changed into comfy outfits and were ready to take full advantage of every second.

The ocean stretched out in all directions, calm and endless, the breeze whipping through your hair as the ship slowly pulled away from the port. You leaned over the railing just a little too far, and Tori grabbed the back of your hoodie.

“Don’t fall in, idiot,” she said, rolling her eyes, but with a smile on her face.

“Why not? Then I’ll be the main character in a movie,” you joked.

“Yeah, it’ll be a five-minute short film.”

You two laughed and kept walking along the deck until you found the soft-serve ice cream machine. Tori loaded up a cone, and you tried to one-up her with the tallest swirl possible — until it leaned too far and splatted on your hand.

“Smooth,” she said, handing you a napkin.

Later, as the sun started to set, the ship’s horn echoed across the sea and lights flickered on. You and Tori found some lounge chairs up top with a perfect view of the orange-pink sky reflecting off the waves. She was filming a TikTok — of course — and made you dance in the background even though you kept messing it up on purpose.

“You are literally ruining my aesthetic,” she said through laughter, trying to push you out of frame.

By nightfall, you both went back to your room, stomachs full from the buffet and still joking about all the weird people you’d seen around the ship. Tori collapsed on her bed and said, “This is actually kind of fun… even with you here.”

You grinned. “Cruise trip of the year, huh?”

“Don’t get used to it,” she said, tossing a pillow at your face.