very second leading up to Jordan's flight is spent together. It's terrifying to know that tonight he'll be on a plane to Chicago, but terrifying in a good way. My mom would say that sometimes a leap of faith is all you need, and maybe she's right. Maybe instead of worrying about the future, I need to trust that things will work out.

We spend the day exploring the island, starting with the turtle sanctuary, where Jordan insists on feeding the turtles one last time.

"I'm going to miss these little guys," he says, handing out the seaweed.

I smile as I watch him, finding it hard to believe that this is the same boy who'd turned up on the island a few months ago. The same boy who'd been terrified to feed the turtles the first time I'd brought him. The same boy I'd hated. He looks up now, still smiling as the turtles nibble away.

"What?" he asks.

"Nothing," I say, "I just never thought I'd see you so excited about turtles. It's cute."

"I'm a cute guy," he says.

Don't I know it.

We push on with our tour, cycling down the streets toward the ice cream shop. We get the usual before taking a seat on the bench outside overlooking the ocean. It's quiet at this time, most of the tourists having gone home before the hurricane hit, so it feels like old times.

We're quiet for a little while, falling into a comfortable silence as we finish our ice creams. The view before us is like something from a postcard: pristine white sands, turquoise waters, and a horizon lined with fishing boats.

"Look," Jordan says, grabbing my hand, and he points to a spot in the ocean with it. That's when I see the slight rippling of water, the fin of a dolphin as it bobs along the surface.

"Come on," I say. "We still have one last stop on our tour."

I take his hand and lead us back to our bikes, where we cycle the rest of the way to Mom's secret beach. Though ever since the fundraiser, it hasn't been so secret. There are a few familiar faces dotted around, and the kids that once played on the harbor are now splashing in the ocean, basking in the sun.

But I don't feel disappointed. Instead, I have that same feeling I'd get when I'd watch them on the dock, leaping from boat to boat. This sense of nostalgia that comes with watching others live your happiest moments. For so long I'd kept this beach to myself, afraid it would be spoiled by everyone else, but it's not spoiled at all.

It's even better.

"I'm not going in the ocean," Jordan warns. "I can't swim in my boxers in front of all of these kids."

"Well, it's a good job I got you a present."

He looks at me suspiciously. "What present?"

I pull from my bag a pair of trunks I'd bought last minute at the beach hut. He stares at the black material in horror before reluctantly taking them from my hands. "If you're going to live on the island," I say, "you need to get over your aversion to shorts."

He looks like he's about to argue before thinking better of it. "Fine," he says, "but you owe me."

I peel off my dress, folding it up before slipping it into my bag. "You can have anything you want."

His eyebrow arches as he takes in my body. The tiniest smile crosses his lips. "Anything?"

I ignore his suggestive tone and grab his hand, leading him over to the public bathroom to change. Ten minutes later, when he still hasn't appeared, I knock on the door. "Jordan, have you fallen into the toilet?"

"No." His voice comes out muffled, and I try not to laugh. "I just don't want to come out."

"Pretty please?"

Suddenly, the door unlocks, and out he steps. He's shirtless now, using his t-shirt to cover his trunks, so I grab it and move it from his hands. "I haven't worn swimming trunks since I was a kid," he says. "I feel like an idiot."

My eyes roam over his tanned, rippled chest before falling on his shorts.

"My eyes are up here, Evvy."

"Ha ha. Race you to the ocean." I turn around and head for the water without waiting for his response.

He's suddenly charging past me, hot-footing it across the sand and darting into the ocean, where he dips below the surface. I follow after him, relishing the feel of the clear, warm water. It's the perfect day, the sun shining down for us one last time, at least for now. After tonight, Jordan will be on a plane to Chicago, and I'll be getting ready for college.

Jordan breaks the surface now, shaking his head in a way that sends a flurry of water droplets at me. Grinning, he wipes the last few drops from his face and says, "There are fish nibbling my toes right now."

I look through the water, spotting the thin, white fish around his toes. "That's disgusting."

He laughs and pulls me in by the waist before kissing me gently. I hook my arms around his neck, drawing him closer. We just stand like this for a moment, surrounded by waves that gently rock us closer.

The weight of him leaving suddenly hits me out of nowhere. I've tried not to think about it, tried to focus on making our last few days happy, but now that the end draws nearer, it's impossible not to worry.

"I can't believe your flight is tonight," I whisper. There's a lump in my throat that I'm trying to swallow back, but it keeps getting bigger.

"I know," he says back, his voice a low whisper, "but I'll be back, Evvy. I promise."

"That's what the sailor said to the mermaid."

He smiles a little, lifting my chin with his thumb. "You worried you're going to turn to stone?"

"I'm worried you're going to get home and realize you miss Chicago."

"Even if that were the case," he says, "which it won't be, I could never miss Chicago as much as I'd miss you."

My heart warms as I plant a kiss on his cheek. We spend a little longer just floating in the water, hands held as I lean against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

When it starts to get late, we head back home to grab his things before Dad drives us down to the airport. My chest feels tight, my heart about to break through my chest. Despite the fact this is only goodbye for now, it still feels overwhelming.

"Are you sure you've got everything?" Dad asks as we pull up. "Do you need any cash? Food? A hug?"

Jordan smiles and says, "I think I'm all set."

Dad nods and climbs out before opening the trunk to get his case. He gives Jordan a hug anyway, telling him we'll see him soon, and then Jordan and I head into the airport alone. I'm reluctant to say goodbye just yet, so I walk him all the way to check in before finally turning to face him.

"I guess this is it," I say, and I hate that my voice breaks.

His eyes soften. Voice low, he says, "Come here," and pulls me into his arms.

I sink into his body like it's the most natural thing in the world. In some ways, despite the fact I haven't know him that long, it is.

"It's harder to say goodbye than I thought," he says against my neck. His arms are tight and secure around me, holding me close to his chest. I'm scared that the moment I pull away, I'll crumble.

"We're being silly," I say. "You'll be back in a few weeks, right?"

"Right," he says, but neither of us moves to let go. "I'll message you as soon as I land."

I nod, because it's almost impossible to speak. If I speak, then I'll cry, and crying is the last thing I want right now. "You should go," I say finally, stepping back, but he's reluctant to let me go.

His hand drops from mine as he takes a step back. Eyes dark, he says, "I'm coming back, Evvy. Don't forget me, all right?"

I nod as he turns, my throat feeling thick with emotion. Not once did I think it would be this hard to say goodbye to a boy I'd once hated, but it is.

He gets halfway to check in before stopping again and turning around. His eyes flit to mine, and I imagine my expression must look as broken as I feel, because quick as a flash, he's closing the distance and giving me one last hug. Then, with a rough, final kiss of my forehead, he's gone again.

❤️