The next morning was filled with uncertainty. Shirley had no recollection of the previous day, nor did she understand why her head throbbed so intensely. Meanwhile, Riley was anxious about what Larra might be thinking after their realization from the day before. Larra herself was equally confused about her feelings.

However,

She was acting as if nothing had happened. This only heightened Riley's fear of what might come next. The trio got ready to go to Stacy's that morning, planning to enjoy their last day of the trip. They had spent their time partying, surfing, and enjoying various beach adventures, so they decided to shop and relax for the remainder of their time at the beach.

“Let’s go, babies!” Larra exclaimed, appearing overly excited. Shirley noticed that Riley had been unusually quiet since waking up.

“What? Cat got your tongue?” Shirley teased. Riley was watching Larra apply sunscreen in front of the mirror and flinched when Shirley poked her arm.

“Huh? I... I have a killer headache,” Riley replied, rubbing her temple. It wasn’t a total lie, after all.

“Ugh. Me too. I don’t remember what happened after dinner,” Shirley said, scratching her head.

“Oh yeah. You had a bottle of beer and then got totally wasted,” Riley added, giving her a disappointed look. Shirley smiled sheepishly at that.

“I’m going to buy something for my colleagues. See you two at Stacy’s,” Larra said as she picked up her bag.

“Huh? Where are you going?” Shirley asked, confused.

“They want some Miami-special vapes. I’m going to get it. You two can head to Stacy’s; I’ll be there soon,” Larra said, already heading for the door.

“But what about breakfast?”

“I’ll grab it on the way. See ya!” With that, Larra left. Riley sighed heavily, already aware of the implications. Shirley groaned, supported her head, and walked toward the bathroom.

When Riley and Shirley met Tyler and Ron downstairs, Ron looked back, expecting Larra to join them.

“Oh, Larra left already. She had to buy something for her colleagues. She’ll meet us at Stacy’s,” Riley explained, forcing a tight smile. Seeing Ron so eager to see Larra only intensified her inner turmoil.

“Hey babe, you okay?” Tyler asked, noticing something was off after giving her a peck.

“Yeah, I just can’t shake this headache,” she shrugged. Tyler chuckled and hugged her.

“It’s okay. I’ll give you a head massage at the beach,” he reassured, patting her head. Riley nodded and smiled.

“Ugh, I miss my Rayan,” Shirley pouted, watching them be all lovey-dovey. They left for Stacy’s together, and a silence enveloped the car throughout the drive.

After grabbing a drink from Stacy’s, they settled into sun lounges near the restaurant. As promised, Tyler gave Riley a head massage, easing her headache.

“Is that Larra?” Shirley asked when she saw Larra running towards them with a beaming smile. Riley opened her eyes and looked in that direction.

Larra seemed very happy.

“Did she win the lottery?” Shirley asked, glancing at Riley, only to earn an eye roll in response. Ron chuckled, watching Larra's excitement. Although she was wearing a short sleeveless dress and looking attractive, he could only see an excited child rushing towards her friends to share something thrilling.

“Hey, guess what?” Larra kneeled between them and asked, panting with excitement.

“You got 10 million dollars?” Shirley asked, equally excited.

“Huh?”

“Okay. Your story got the Booker Prize?” Shirley tried again.

“What the fuck, Bassey?” Riley said, irritated. Larra made a gagging face in response.

“Then what?”

“You guys remember that cute guy we met in Korea?” Larra asked expectantly. Riley and Shirley thought for a moment.

“Yeah. What was his name? Hygiene?” Riley pondered.

“Haejun!” Larra exclaimed with a look of exasperation.

“Okay! What about him?” Shirley narrowed her eyes.

“He’s here! I met him,” Larra said with enthusiasm.

“Of course! What else could excite McLaren other than a guy's D?!” Shirley clapped her hands sarcastically. Tyler chuckled, but Ron unknowingly gritted his teeth. He didn’t like the fact that Larra was so excited about another guy. Why? He didn’t know!

“I’m going to meet him and his friends. Can you believe there are a bunch of hot Korean guys with him? Last time, I didn’t get a chance, but this time, I will,” Larra said excitedly, standing up to leave.

“Did you get the stuff?” Riley asked, disregarding Larra’s enthusiasm.

“Yeah, it’s in my bag.”

“Can I see?”

“No. It’s sealed.”

“Seriously, McLaren? How many packets did you get?” Riley asked as she checked her bag, noticing several packets.

“Three vapes and two condoms,” Larra shrugged.

“What?” Riley and Shirley gasped in unison, shocked. Tyler and Ron nearly choked on their drinks.

“It’s some rare flavor condoms for Aron,” Larra said, looking offended.

“Now, who the hell is Aron?” Shirley asked, annoyed, glancing at Riley. She shook her head and looked back at Larra.

“Come on, guys, he’s my friend. He has a fat ass girlfriend—”

“Jeez. Enough! Don't give us the details,” Riley said, covering her ears. Larra and Shirley looked at her in disbelief.

Why is she so angry today?

“Are you on your period?” Shirley whispered.

“No. Why?” Riley replied.

"Then why the hell are you so pissed?" Shirley yelled irritated, making them all flinch.

"It's.." Riley looked at Larra.

"It's my head," she said in defeat. Maybe Larra was all right. She is doing fine, it seems. But Riley could see that she was doing it all in front of Ron purposefully. Maybe it's the right way to give him the message.

"Okay. I will see you at lunch" saying that Larra ran away.

"What's going on now?" Shirley whispered to Riley, confused, gesturing to Ron and Larra with eyes. Riley shrugged even though she had a vague idea of what Larra was up to.

"God. Save that child" Shirley sighed heavily and leaned on the lounge.

"Excuse me." Before they could see his face, Ron excused himself and walked away with his phone. Riley can say that he was hurt. She looked at Tyler apologetically, and for that, he returned a tight smile.

He could see that his friend had something for Larra, something different from other people he had hooked up with.. But Larra was oblivious to his feelings and was all carefree!

Only if he knew!

It was 3 PM when they met at Stacy's house. Ron was secretly hoping someone else would show up. Soon, Larra joined them.

"Wow, you look... exhausted," Winnie said, looking at Larra, who was wet and disheveled.

"Uh, my new friends were teaching me how to surf," Larra replied with a sheepish smile.

"But you already know how to surf," Shirley said, puzzled.

"Of course, I know" she winked at Shirley and Winnie with a smirk. Winnie laughed and high-fived her. Shirley and Riley looked at her in disbelief.

Things she does for the guys!

Ron chuckled and shook his head. What was he thinking about? Of course, Larra was a player just like him. What else could he expect from a girl like her? He felt pity for himself.

"You got it there, Surgeon," Larra raised her glass and said to him with that same flirty smile.

"So, to last lunch together," Tyler made a toast, and others joined him.

"It was worth meeting you guys. Thank you so much for adding more colors to our vacation," Larra toasted the second one.

"To Riler" Shirley raised her glass.

"To the soon-to-be bride." Winnie raised the last one. They all clinked together and tossed down the drink.

"Guys, no offense. But you have to come to my wedding," Shirley said in between munching her pasta.

"Sure, we will"

"I heard Indian weddings are so festive, is it true ?" Tyler asked.

"Of course! The weddings are vibrant and lively. We will all be dressed in heavy, ornamental attire for nearly seven different days," Riley explained, excitedly.

"My wedding is going to be a destination wedding in Udaipur," Shirley said proudly.

"Aahh... I can't wait to experience it!" Winnie exclaimed, filled with excitement.

“I wish I could see you in that huge lehenga,” Larra said, taking a sip of her drink. Instantly, the playful expression faded from Shirley’s face.

“Wait, what do you mean by ‘wishing’?” Shirley asked, confused. Larra gulped, realizing she had been caught off guard.

“Um... it’s...” Larra struggled to find the right words, internally cursing herself for her slip of the tongue.

Riley sensed the tension building between them. Shirley's serious expression cleared up any doubt in Riley's mind. Their other friends at the table fell silent, sensing the escalating situation.

"Shirl—" Riley tried to interrupt, but Shirley cut her off.

"Larra McLaren, I asked you something!" Shirley said, eyes locked on Larra with an intensity that demanded an answer.

"Shirl, wait—" Larra began to speak, but Shirley wasn't having it.

"Shirl, Larra. Wait" Riley tried to stop them.

"Not now, Jenner. Larra?" Shirley’s stern gaze remained fixed.

"Shirl, you know—" Larra attempted to explain, but Shirley's anger boiled over.

"NO. I don't fucking know why you won’t come back home for my wedding," Shirley shouted, frustration evident in her voice. Their friends around the table exchanged confused glances, realizing they were witnessing something deeply personal and gradually got up to give them privacy.

"Shirley, not now," Riley said, grasping the depth of the situation and trying to intervene.

"You just stay out of it," Shirley pointed a finger at her, leaving Riley sighing in defeat; she knew that no one could control Shirley once she hit her threshold.

"I can't believe you'll miss my wedding because of your crazy mind!" Shirley spat angrily.

"Shirl, you know what it is," Larra replied, seemingly losing her composure.

"Yes, I know!" Shirley laughed bitterly.

"I thought you were trying, Larra. But no, you are just a coward, running away from reality. I am your cousin and Rayan is your best friend for God's sake"

"Shirley, Larra, stop it. We are not doing this here. Not in public," Riley pleaded, trying to take control of the situation.

"Grow up, McLaren. Face the truth. Everything is over. You are twenty-nine now. Your parents need you. Leave your ego behind for God's sake!"

"Shirley!" Larra gritted her teeth, clearly hurt.

"Shirley, you have to stop it, now!" Riley's voice rose in frustration, too.

"Did you hear that, Riley? She is planning to not attend our wedding. Can you believe that?" Shirley asked Riley; her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt.

"Yes, I heard that. But you need to calm down now." Riley could see that Larra was looking around, her face becoming vulnerable. Shirley has to stop her outburst before it's too late.

"Calm down? Do you want me to calm down? Can't you see what she is doing around? She has a chance, Riley, and she is spoiling it. She has to face reality and forget her p-"

"I said enough, Bassey " Riley yelled impatiently. Her last string of sanity was just broken.

"You know what? Fuck off. Both of you, do whatever you want, it's your life" Shirley snapped at them, storming away. Larra sighed, defeated, and looked around at the eyes on her.

"Sorry, sorry about that," Riley apologized to everyone, giving an apologetic smile. Larra gulped down her drink in one go, not wanting to go back—not now. When Larra went to pour herself another drink, Riley stopped her.

"Larra. Enough," she said firmly.

Larra swatted away Riley's hand and poured herself more of a drink, gulping it down continuously. Ron and Tyler exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond.

"Do you know what's going on?" Winnie asked Ron, who shrugged in confusion.

"Something sensitive, I guess," Tyler commented, taking a sip from his drink.

"Larra, come on. Let's go," Riley urged her cousin, who appeared a bit tipsy.

"You go and check on Shirl, please," Larra whispered.

"Lar—"

"I need some alone time, please," Larra stated firmly.

"Fine. Don't go anywhere. I will come back" Riley said and went in search of another cousin, who was just like a string-less kite. Larra nodded to no one.

Riley followed Shirley and saw her standing at the far end. Riley stomped towards her and pulled her arm harshly to face her.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing Shirley?"

"Riley, I know, but she has to come out of it. I just pulled a trigger"

"By hurting her this way, that too in public? Is this your idea? We can talk about it in private" Riley said helplessly.

"It will hurt, but she will be ok. Trust me. She has to heal. Ron is the one, I know" Shirley said, determined.

"No, he is not" Riley shook her head vigorously.

"Of course, he likes her"

"He likes her, but, what about she?"

"Didn't you see how she looks in his eyes?" Shirley asked with wide eyes.

"Exactly! Eyes! Only eyes Shirley" Riley stated. Shirley narrowed her eyes, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you see those eyes before? Don't you remember those bluish-grey eyes?" Riley shook Shirley as her actions would remind her of everything. Shirley furrowed her eyebrows when she tried to remember, soon, it went wide open.

"N-Noah" Shirley stuttered when she pronounced that name after years. Riley sighed heavily and nodded.

"Oh God!" Shirley covered her eyes in realization.

"She is seeing Noah in Ron, nothing else. She should like him for being only Ron, not by being a monument of Noah. And it's not good, the man will be left heartbroken "

"Oh no Riley."

"Now, because of your brilliant idea, she will drink and spill something to him that she will regret later. We have to stop her before doing that" Riley dragged Shirley to their friends.

"God, what did I have done" Shirley said guiltily.

"Where is Larra?" Riley asked Tyler; she looked around; there was no trace of Larra or Ron.

No.no.

"Um, she went that way. Don't worry, Ron is with her" Tyler patted her shoulder to comfort them. Shirley ran her fingers through her hair, a frustrated groan escaped from her. Riley sat on a bench, defeated.

"I will call him" Riley nodded in return, internally praying that she shouldn't have told him anything.
______________

"Fine. Don't go anywhere. I will come back" Riley said and went in search of another cousin, who was just like a string-less kite. Larra nodded to no one.

When Larra closed her eyes, she saw those galaxy eyes in her mind. She immediately opened her eyes in agony only to meet with another pair of eyes, bluish-grey eyes. She blinked her eyes a few times and moved closer to those eyes, like searching for something.

Are those the pair she lost a long time ago? It looks similar.

"You okay?" She came back to reality when she heard the voice. She backed off and looked at the face in front of her.

Ron.

She chuckled, amused, and nodded.

"I'm fine, totally fine," she said a bit loud and took the bottle again. She stood up from the bench and walked towards the beach, her steps were not steady. Ron rolled his eyes and followed her.

"Ms.Editor, you are not in a state to walk by yourself. Come, I will take you to the hotel" Ron followed her and shouted from behind. Larra didn't listen to him and continued walking while drinking, away from the crowd. She continued drinking while swaying in her steps, her bare foot covered with wet sand.

"She can only see my ego," Larra mumbled and Ron heard it since he was just behind her, ready to support her in case she fell.

"Why can't she see my love," she asked, looking up.

"Please sit somewhere; you will fall down" Ron came in front of her and pointed towards a stone.

"Why can't she see my love?" Larra asked him, who was taken aback by the sudden question.

"Why can't she see my love?" A whimper escaped from her lips.

Why is she talking about love? Does she love Shirley?

Ron was confused by her words. He became terrified when Larra grabbed his collar and pulled closer. She was looking at him with intense eyes, making him more confused.

"Your eyes always make me crazy; it's beautiful," Larra said, looking at him intently.

"Huh?"Ron was out of words by now.

"Your eyes seem so alike, just like those galaxy eyes that held so much love for me." Her voice cracked when she said that. A tear dropped when she loosened her grip on his shirt. Her legs felt jelly and she was going to fall.

"Larra." Ron was fast enough to grab her waist to make her steady; he didn't know how her name slipped from his tongue. She looked at him again with those longing eyes.

"You are an amazing person, Ron" Tears dropped continuously.

"You deserve the best." Ron nodded as he understood. Before he could say something Larra leaned on his shoulder.

"I am a sinner" she mumbled, but Ron couldn't hear her properly.

"Larra"

"Larra"

When he didn't get any response, he just peeked into her face and saw she was passed out. Those brown orbs were hidden under her puffy eyelids, keeping a big secret within. A small smile escaped from his lips when he took her in his arms, in bridal style, and walked towards their jeep.

"Shit! Larra" Riley came running towards them when she saw Ron coming with her in his arms.

"She is fine. Just passed out" Riley nodded in return. But, she caught that fire in his eyes.

"You okay?" Riley asked Ron.

"Yeah. I am good"

"Did she say something?" Shirley asked worried. Riley glared at her stupid cousin, angrily.

"No. Nothing much. She is just wasted," Ron said with uncertainty.

"Don't worry. She won't remember anything when she wakes up" Riley assured. Ron looked at her confused.

"Oh! She will do crazy things when she becomes wasted. But doesn't remember anything when she wakes up"

"Oh!" Ron was a little bit disappointed to hear that. That means she won't remember anything she just said to him.

"Shall we go?" Riley asked Tyler, who nodded looking at Ron. They went to the jeep,and  Ron carefully placed Larra in the back seat.

It was their last day of the trip, and it had the most unexpected ending!