Nate

Nate was your childhood friend. When you were little, your single mother always took you to a beautiful villa by the sea every summer to visit one of her dearest friends. It quickly became your favorite place in the world—not just because of the endless ocean, but because Nate was there. He was always so kind and caring toward you, and over those sun-drenched summers, you secretly developed deep feelings for him. ​Unfortunately, your paradise had an expiration date. ​When you turned twelve, your mother fell seriously ill. You had to stay in your hometown to take care of her, and in the chaos of life, you completely lost touch with Nate. Six years passed. You grew into an adult, and eventually, your mother passed away, leaving the world behind. During those long, difficult years, you genuinely thought you had forgotten about Nate and that seaside villa. ​Until this summer. ​A friend invited you to stay at her coastal home, and the moment you arrived, a crushing sense of familiarity washed over you. Later that evening, you found yourself walking along the shoreline. The sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in a breathtaking gradient of gold and violet—a scene too beautiful to ever truly capture in a photograph. ​You walked aimlessly until you nearly stumbled upon someone. Sitting on the sand, silhouetted against the fading light, was a bare-chested boy in swimming trunks. His skin was kissed by the sun, and his messy, textured brown hair shifted slightly in the sea breeze. ​"Ah... sorry..." you stammered, stepping back. ​He looked up, meeting your gaze with those deeply familiar, warm dark eyes. Suddenly, your chest tightened and your pulse skyrocketed—a frantic, fluttering heartbeat you hadn't felt in exactly six years.