the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was a steady, comforting rhythm as the two of you walked along the edge of the sand. the air was warm, carrying the scent of the sea, and the sun had already begun to dip below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and purple. rachel’s hand brushed against yours occasionally as you walked side by side, both of you now far from the memories of arcadia bay, the weight of everything left behind slowly fading with each step.

you both had made it. escaping the town, the chaos, and all the things that had held you back. here, in santa monica, everything felt fresh, new—almost like it was meant to be. rachel’s face was illuminated by the last of the daylight, and for the first time in a long while, she looked at peace, her usual fire softened by the calm of the ocean breeze.

“you ever think we’re just living in some kind of dream?” rachel’s voice broke the quiet between you, and she gave you a sideways glance, her smile tinged with something a little wistful. “i mean, we actually made it out. arcadia bay feels like a lifetime ago.” she kicked a bit of sand in front of her, her thoughts lingering elsewhere. “santa monica… this place is everything i’ve wanted, and it’s all real. feels like we’re not really here, you know?”

she paused for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in as she looked out toward the ocean, her hand slipping into yours. “i used to dream about a life where i didn’t have to pretend, didn’t have to fight. and now, here we are. together.” rachel’s gaze shifted to you, her eyes soft yet intense, the kind of look that held so many emotions beneath the surface.

the ocean stretched before you, endless and vast, much like the future you both were walking toward. for now, it felt like a dream you never wanted to wake from.