Page 104 of HER SISTER

The weather was just as warm as I'd recalled—the ocean peacefully gliding in and out at shore while a soft chatter of people filled the calm air.

Everything was exactly as we'd left it.

Except it wasn't us returning back to it.

Just me.

For the second time.

Islamorada was always beautiful to me, but without her here with me, it seemed to feel dull.

I had been doing so well—but I knew upon returning to the island, I would be flooded with memories of her.

And it seemed to be worse this time without Mya by my side.

Even now, with the spring semester over and summer break on the way—we still haven't made our comeback.

And there wasn't necessarily a negative reason.

I had just been so caught up in school and focusing on myself and therapy that time seemed to fly around me.

I don't know what exactly she's been up to, but from vague mentions from Mya or Ryder, it seems like she's doing really well.

Apparently, she's set to collaborate with a team to sell some of her popular pieces globally.

She'd also been hanging out with her friends who had recently settled back into LA, which Ryder had briefly mentioned.

And she's been really into the fashion side of LA, which didn't seem to surprise me.

"Ana!"

I suddenly glanced over my shoulder to Nami who held up a large beautiful seashell.

I smiled as I shielded my eyes from the sun, "That's definitely going in the keep pile," I determined as I leaned down to the soft sand to dig for more.

My parents along with Nami and Elyse were very obviously trying to keep me busy.

I think they can't tell if I'm genuinely okay.

And maybe I'm not—maybe I have moments like lonely nights filled with a weird empty void in my chest or days that it feels like I've made absolutely no progress.

But then there are also the other times when I feel so alive, I think I could explode—or so happy and warm that I feel even the slightest bit of gratitude to even experience these moments.

It's an up-and-down cycle, but I've somehow found myself falling in love with it.

"You should bring some of these to your friends," Elyse suggested as she sat one of the buckets of seashells down.

I laughed, "Yeah because taking a pound of seashells to Ibiza is a brilliant idea," I joked with her.

Nami rolled her eyes as she took a few steps closer to us, "Maybe just take like four or five—" she suddenly picked one of the marbled seashells up, "—this one is really pretty... possibly for someone in particular," she subtly suggested.

And I knew who Nami was referring to.

Nami had sworn up and down that she was still waiting on me—even if everything felt so unspoken.

I hummed as I looked down at the seashell, however, before I could agree to take some with me—my phone began ringing in my pocket.

Saved by the bell.

Or in my case, Mya.

"Mya!" I rushed out in excitement as I looked between my two godmothers, "You have impeccable timing," I said as I backed away from the two women who shook their heads at me.

"Ana-conda! I've missed you so much! What have you been up to today?" Mya's voice flooded from my phone speaker into my ear.

I hummed in amusement, "Not much since you talked to me last," I joked with her.

Mya seemed to call me at least a few times a day since we all left UCLA a couple of weeks ago for summer break.

Mya only groaned dramatically, "It feels so long ago—I need you in Ibiza right now," she said.

Yes, our friend group trip managed to transition from going to the Dominican Republic to going to Rome—to finally deciding on Ibiza.

Although, Cairo didn't seem to be in the cards for me next month.

Everyone had all seemed to head to Ibiza a couple of days earlier, but only because the flights from Islamorada didn't align with everything.

I laughed slightly, "You only have a few more hours," I said as I walked down the sandy beach, "Don't forget to pick me up from the airport tomorrow."

"Trust me, the Uber is scheduled already," Mya assured me.

I hummed happily, "Perfect because I could really use some time away from my overbearing parents and godmothers," I joked.

"I'm sure they aren't that bad," Mya defended, and I swear ever since she visited Islamorada over spring break with me, she seems to defend them all more, "I bet Nami is talking some sense into you at least."

I rolled my eyes to myself, "I already have sense," I countered back.

Mya laughed on the other end of the line, "Yeah? Because you've even admitted that you feel healed and happy and yet you're still avoiding my sister."

I paused my steps on the sandy beach, realizing that I had landed myself back on a very repetitive topic that Arielle and Mya seemed to bring up.

And while I hated the topic, I knew they were right.

I had been avoiding her, but that was mostly because I didn't exactly know where we stood or what to say.

Or... if everything will be as we left it. That's the majority of the reason right there.

What if we don't have the same chemistry?

I mean, the last we spoke was when she sent me flowers in New York and I texted her thank you.

And that was back in March, which feels like ages ago.

I shook my head slightly to myself, "Let's just forget that topic for the time that we're in Ibiza," I determined, knowing that two weeks without centering my thoughts around her would allow me to properly figure out how to fix our... situation?

I don't exactly know what's going on with us right now.

Or if we're even considered an us at this point.

We never really labeled it as a break or a break-up.

"Yeah... we can leave the topic alone," Mya whispered slightly, clearly sounding extremely suspicious.

I furrowed my brows, "Why do you sound like that?" I questioned, clearly knowing my best friend well enough to know she was hiding something.

Mya hummed to herself, "Sound like what?" she deflected the question back to me.

"Like you're guilty of something—what did you do?" I reiterated.

Mya remained silent for a few beats, "Look before I tell you, just know that—"

"Mya, your sister is actually insane—" I heard Ryder call out on the other end of the line, "Mi just jumped off the roof into the pool," he informed her before suddenly saying, "Now I gotta try it."

Wait.

She's there?

Did they orchestrate this?

"You better not," Mya's muffled voice called out to her boyfriend before she suddenly said, "Nathaniel Ryder Kirk!"

And while I wanted to laugh at Ryder's typical shenanigans, I could only zone into the fact that she was going to be staying with us in Ibiza as well.

Should I not go anymore?

No-no, that would conclude that something is wrong when it isn't.

I just feel so awkward—especially since I don't know where we stand.

Why does this always happen with group trips?

"Look Ana I really have to go because Ryder is about to jump off the roof into the pool—and I'm about to beat my sister's ass for doing dangerous shit, but after I handle that, we can discuss this," Mya breathed out between labored breaths—clearly running up the stairs.

I actually can't believe she's there right now.

I seriously don't think it's best that we see each other for the first time on a group trip.

I mean, it's not at all how I pictured us meeting again for the first time after months apart.

I shook my head with a sigh, "I'll just see you at the airport tomorrow," I determined as I looked over to my godmothers who were now ordering drinks from the beach bar.

"Are you mad? I totally don't blame you if you are," Mya said, clearly feeling bad for the last-minute arrangements.

"I'm not mad, I just feel a little blind-sided," I explained.

Mya let out another breath as her sandals clapped against the floor, "Look at you with your amazing communication skills," she joked.

I playfully rolled my eyes, "Well, I am in therapy so I'd be a little concerned if they weren't," I joked back as I began walking back over to Nami and Elyse.

Old me would've honestly lied and said it was fine—clearly, leaving out the fact of feeling blind-sided.

But clearly, I've gotten better with that.

"Look I swear I'll make it all up to you—I'll have a Pina colada and a bowl of fruit waiting for you upon arrival," Mya said.

I couldn't help but laugh, "Sounds like heaven," I said as I approached the couple by the beach bar, "Now go handle Ryder and we can discuss this tomorrow."

Mya hummed, "Love you—I'll text you before your flight!"

I smiled, "Love you more. Talk soon," I said before hanging up the call.

And before I knew it, Elyse was passing me one of the mixed drinks as we wandered off to our beach chairs.

The ocean and warm salty air were so calming, especially with the sweet alcoholic beverage in my hand.

Yet thoughts of a certain someone seemed to cloud up my head and send waves of nervousness through my body.

I just hope it's not awkward.

And that she can at least look at me this time—unlike our last separation at the cabin.