The sun rose gently, its golden light slipping through the curtains, when a sudden knock broke the quiet morning.
"Lukas? Lukas!"
The door creaked open as Lukas' mother stepped in.
"Oh, hello, Heath," she greeted warmly, a soft smile forming on her lips.
"What brings you here so early? It's only seven."
"I came to see Lukas!" Heath replied, his voice bright and full of excitement, as if the morning itself lived inside him.
"Oh… Lukas is still asleep right now."
For a brief moment, Heath's expression fell—like sunlight hidden behind clouds.
But she noticed.
"It's almost breakfast time," she added gently. "Would you mind waking him up while I prepare the food?"
And just like that, his smile returned—quick and radiant.
"Of course!"
He made his way upstairs, his steps light with anticipation. As he passed by the kitchen, Lukas' sister spotted him.
"Oh? Heath?" she called, raising a brow. "What brings you here so early? You can leave your sand toys there."
Then, with a knowing smirk—
"You came for Lukas, didn't you?"
"U-uh… yeah…" Heath murmured, his ears warming.
"If you're planning to steal my cute little brother away," she teased, leaning slightly closer, "make sure he stays happy."
"S-sure…" he stuttered, completely flustered.
She laughed softly.
"It's so fun teasing you. You're adorable, you know that?"
Then she waved him off.
"Go on. He's in his room, still asleep."
"O-okay!"
Heath climbed the stairs, his heartbeat oddly louder than before. When he reached Lukas' room, he pushed the door open gently.
There he was.
Sleeping peacefully, as if the world had no right to disturb him.
"Wow… sleeping like a dead man," Heath whispered with a quiet laugh, though his voice softened without him noticing.
He stepped closer.
"Hey… sleepyhead. Wake up."
"Mmm…"
"Lukie… wake up…"
"Wait…" Lukas murmured, barely conscious. "Just… one more minute…"
Heath smiled faintly.
"Stop acting cute, Lukie."
"…Fine…" Lukas sighed, slowly pushing himself up.
But the moment his eyes landed on Heath—
He froze.
Then, just as quickly, he dropped back onto the bed and pulled the blanket over himself.
"I must be dreaming…" he mumbled. "Let me sleep again… bye…"
Heath blinked—then let out a soft laugh, warmth blooming in his chest.
Lukas slowly opened one eye.
He wasn't dreaming.
"W-why are you here, Heath?" he asked, his voice quieter now… softer.
"I came to play with you by the shore," Heath said, his tone gentle, almost careful. "But you were still asleep… so your mom asked me to wake you up."
There was a brief pause—one that felt longer than it should have.
Then—
"Hey! Lukas! Heath!"
Lukas' sister's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Breakfast is ready! Come down and eat!"
Heath stepped back slightly, though his eyes lingered.
"Let's go, Lukie."
Lukas nodded, still a little dazed.
"…Mm."
And for a fleeting moment, the quiet between them felt warmer than the morning sun.
As they walked downstairs, Heath offered his hand to help Lukas.
Lukas looked at him, confused.
"Why are you offering your hand…?"
"Did you *coincidentally* know my bruise came from falling down the stairs?" Lukas asked.
Heath laughed.
"Yeah, your sister told me when I went to wake you up."
Lukas felt embarrassed… but still took his hand.
And somehow, they didn't let go.
As they walked to the terrace to eat breakfast, their hands were still held together.
While eating, Lukas' dad asked,
"How's your day, buddy?"
"Pretty good! I get to play with Lukas!" Heath said happily.
"Let's go to my house and play there. I have so many toys!"
Lukas nodded, his mouth full.
"Mmm!" His eyes lit up with excitement.
After a moment, Heath leaned closer and whispered,
"Hey… let's build a sandcastle there. I left my sand toys."
"Sure!" Lukas smiled.
"Mom! Me and Lukas are going to build a sandcastle at the shore!"
"Don't go too deep into the sea!" she warned.
"Okay!!" they both said in sync.
As they were making a sandcastle…
"Hey, Lukas, wanna swim?" Heath asked.
"Uh… I don't know how to swim."
Heath smirked.
"I can teach you, Lukie."
"…Okay."
Hours passed, and the two kids became tired.
They went back and fell asleep in Lukas' room.
The sun had already gone down when a sudden knock came from the door.
"Hi, is Heath here by any chance?" his parents asked, worried.
"Yes, they were playing at the shore earlier," Lukas' mom said.
"Thank you, Ms. Smith."
"Oh, don't go yet. Let's have dinner here," she insisted.
"We're good, thank you—"
"No, I insist. It's our last day here."
After a moment, Heath's parents agreed.
"Heath might cry seeing his friend leave."
"Heath and Lukas really became close," Lukas' mom smiled.
While the parents prepared dinner, Lukas and Heath woke up.
"Hey, Heath… I was wondering something," Lukas said.
"Oh yeah? What is it?"
"Do you have any other friends?"
"There are some… why?"
"It's just… it feels quiet at the shore. You can only hear the waves."
"Well… yeah. Most people here are old."
After a moment, Lukas' sister came in.
"Oh, you two are awake. Come downstairs, dinner's ready."
Dinner was loud, fun, and happy.
Morning came.
Lukas and his family were preparing to go home.
"Luke, you need to say goodbye to Heath," his parents said gently.
Lukas' heart suddenly felt heavy.
"But Mom… why can't we stay?" he asked, his voice shaking.
His parents comforted him until he calmed down.
After a while, Lukas gathered the courage.
He walked to Heath's house and knocked.
"Heath! Heath!"
The door opened.
"Oh, Lukas. Come in. He's still asleep. Can you wake him up?" his parent said.
"Sure, ma'am."
Lukas went upstairs and entered Heath's room.
"Hey, Heath… wake up. Hea—Heath, wake uppp," he said playfully.
He stopped.
He stared at Heath's face…
Peaceful. Quiet.
Handsome.
"Wake up, or I'll lie beside you," Lukas teased.
He lay down next to him—
and noticed something.
Heath was pretending to sleep.
Lukas smiled.
"You know, Heath… do you have a sibling?"
"…."
"I guess you're an only child then," Lukas chuckled softly.
Silence filled the room.
"Heath… do you know why I'm here?"
No response.
"…I'm going home today."
Suddenly, Heath sat up.
"What?! You're leaving?!" His voice cracked, tears forming.
"I'm sorry…" Lukas said softly.
"Can't you stay?" Heath asked.
Lukas hugged him tightly.
"Mom said I can't…"
Heath stayed quiet… then nodded.
"…Then promise me you'll come back," Heath whispered.
Lukas nodded.
Soon, it was time.
They said their goodbyes.
As Lukas' car slowly drove away, Heath stood outside, waving.
Lukas pressed his hand against the window, waving back—
tears falling silently.
And as the distance between them grew…
so did the pain in their hearts.