The ocean breeze swept through his tousled curls, carrying the salty tang of the sea as he breathed it in deeply. The rhythmic crash of waves against the shore was a soothing melody, harmonizing with the boisterous laughter nearby. Christopher's friends tumbled and wrestled for the ball in the warm sand, carefree and wild, their joy spilling over like the tide.

Chris smiled—a simple, genuine smile. In this moment, with these boys, he was truly free.

For you, freedom felt like a distant dream. Trapped under the harsh glare of fluorescent lights, your fingers danced across the keyboard in a monotonous rhythm, the sterile walls of your cubicle closing in around you. The steady hum of the office masked the chaos inside.

That night—having gone home early because of a throbbing migraine—shattered what little peace you had left. When the truth about your boyfriend’s betrayal came out, everything you’d held onto slipped away. But it was kind of funny, how you felt nearly completely indifferent when you found him and your best friend in your bedroom. How cliche, was your only thought before kicking them out.

Your next thought was to start packing your bags. The city had let you down one time too many.