The night air was crisp, carrying the salty scent of the ocean as I walked along the familiar stretch of beach. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the gentle waves that lapped at the shore. This place held so many memories—some beautiful, some painful—but tonight, it felt especially heavy with the past.

As I approached the old driftwood log where we used to sit, I saw a figure already there, silhouetted against the moonlit sea. My heart skipped a beat when I realized who it was.

Renz.

He turned at the sound of my footsteps, and our eyes met. The moonlight reflected in his dark eyes, making them shine with a softness I hadn't seen in a long time. He looked different—more mature, perhaps—but there was an undeniable familiarity that made my chest tighten.

"Liv?" he said, a hint of surprise in his voice.

I struggled to maintain a poker face, but just seeing his face like that, devoid of pain and worries, made me smile despite myself. "Hey, Renz. Didn't expect to see you here."

He chuckled lightly, gesturing to the log. "Same could be said about you. Couldn't sleep either?"

I shrugged, moving closer and taking a seat beside him. "Something like that. This place always helps clear my head."
...