Khian's POV
The beach was perfect, the sun shining bright, the waves crashing softly, and the sand warm beneath our feet. I had to admit, it was a welcome change from the usual chaos back home. But more than anything, it was nice to see Ella having such a good time.
We’d spent the morning swimming and lounging, with Sophie and Lily being their usual energetic selves. Sophie was running around, trying to organize beach games, while Lily was more laid-back but still joined in. Ella was right in the middle of it all, her laughter and smiles becoming more genuine as the day went on.
I’d mostly been observing from the sidelines, keeping to myself. My focus had been on making sure Ella enjoyed her time here, but something unexpected happened: I found myself slowly drawn into the fun.
“Khian, come on!” Sophie shouted, waving me over to their beach volleyball game. “You can’t just sit there all day!”
I hesitated, watching as Ella spiked the ball with surprising energy. It was rare to see her so carefree, so unburdened. For a moment, I thought about how things used to be when we were kids, how we’d all play together without a care in the world.
“Fine, fine,” I said, getting up and walking over. “I’ll play.”
---
The game was a blast. I wasn’t exactly a volleyball pro, but I had a decent shot at it. Ella and Sophie were a great team, and Lily was surprisingly competitive, cheering us on with enthusiasm. I found myself laughing at their antics, feeling a bit like the old me, the one who used to enjoy these simple moments.
Ella caught me off guard when she made an incredible save, diving into the sand and laughing as she popped back up. Her joy was infectious. Without thinking, I jumped in and played harder, actually getting into the game. The others seemed shocked to see me so engaged, especially when I started cracking jokes and laughing along with them.
“You’re actually having fun!” Sophie said, her eyes wide as she watched me. “Is this the same Khian?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Don’t get used to it. It’s just today.”
Ella grinned at me, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of surprise and happiness. “It’s good to see you like this. I forgot you could laugh.”
That stung a bit, but in a good way. It reminded me of how long it had been since I let myself truly enjoy something without worrying about responsibilities or expectations.
---
After the volleyball game, we decided to have a sandcastle-building contest. I was hesitant at first, but when Ella and Sophie teamed up and started building an elaborate sand fortress, I couldn’t resist joining in. I ended up working with Lily, and to my surprise, it was a lot of fun.
Ella and Sophie were yelling out commands, and we all laughed as our sand creations took shape. It felt like we were kids again, back when we didn’t have so many worries or responsibilities. I even started getting into the spirit of things, making a few goofy additions to our sandcastle and getting into the playful banter.
“Look at that!” Sophie said, pointing at our somewhat lopsided creation. “Khian’s actually smiling!”
Ella laughed, her face lit up with genuine amusement. “I haven’t seen you like this in ages.”
The shock on everyone’s faces was clear. It wasn’t every day that I let go like this, and seeing their reactions made me realize how much I missed these kinds of moments.
---
As the sun began to set, we gathered around a bonfire on the beach. The sky was a canvas of warm colors, and the fire crackled softly. We roasted marshmallows and talked about everything and nothing, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other’s company.
Ella sat next to me, her eyes reflecting the firelight. There was something peaceful about the evening, and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. For once, I wasn’t the serious older brother. I was just Khian, having fun with the people I cared about.
“You know,” Ella said quietly, “today was really nice. I’m glad you joined in.”
I looked at her, smiling. “Yeah, it was. I forgot how much fun it could be.”
Sophie leaned in, grinning. “Looks like we’ll have to make this a regular thing if we’re going to see this side of you more often!”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
The night went on with more laughter and stories. I felt a sense of contentment that I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was moments like these that reminded me of the importance of letting go and just enjoying life.
As we finally headed back to the cabin, I realized how much I’d missed moments like these, and how important it was to reconnect with the people I loved. Seeing Ella happy and relaxed was worth everything. And maybe, just maybe, I’d start making more time for these simple pleasures in life.
---
As the bonfire’s glow painted our faces in a warm, flickering light, the mood was electric. We roasted marshmallows and stuffed them into graham crackers, trying not to burn our fingers. Sophie was busy giving everyone her “special” technique for making the perfect s’more, which involved way more marshmallow and chocolate than anyone else would consider.
“Look at this,” Sophie said, holding up her s’more, which was practically dripping with melted chocolate. “The secret is in the gooey mess!”
Ella laughed, trying to balance her own s’more, which was far less messy. “Sophie, that’s going to fall apart before you even take a bite.”
Sophie rolled her eyes dramatically. “It’s not about presentation, it’s about flavor. Trust me!”
Lily, sitting cross-legged next to me, chuckled at the exchange. “I think we’re going to need a mop for the sand with that kind of mess.”
The banter was light-hearted and infectious, and I couldn’t help but get caught up in it. It felt like we were all kids again, just enjoying each other’s company without a care in the world. I found myself laughing at Sophie’s antics, her enthusiasm and goofiness breaking down my usual reserve.
---
After we finished our marshmallows and stories, we decided to take a moonlit walk along the shore. The sky was clear, and the stars were bright, creating a serene backdrop for our late-night stroll. Ella walked beside me, her face relaxed and content.
“Thanks for today,” she said softly, glancing up at me. “It really meant a lot.”
I looked at her, feeling a mix of warmth and pride. “You’re welcome. I think I needed it as much as you did.”
Sophie and Lily were ahead of us, still talking about their plans for the next day. Sophie was ranting about how she wanted to explore every inch of Baguio, while Lily was trying to convince her to take it easy and enjoy the last day of the trip.
“You know, Sophie, there’s a limit to how many places you can visit in one day,” Lily said, shaking her head.
Sophie, with her usual bravado, responded, “There’s no such thing as too much adventure!”
Ella and I exchanged amused glances, knowing that Sophie’s boundless energy was both impressive and exhausting. It was one of those traits that made her so uniquely Sophie, a blend of enthusiasm and stubbornness that was impossible not to laugh at.
---
When we reached a quiet spot on the beach, we all sat down, the cool sand beneath us. We were quiet for a moment, simply enjoying the peaceful sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The night was perfect, and for once, everything felt right.
Ella leaned back, her eyes closed as she listened to the rhythm of the ocean. I could see the contentment on her face, and it made me realize how much we had missed moments like these. 
Lily, always the practical one, pulled out a small flashlight and began to read from a book she’d brought along. “I thought I’d share a little bedtime story,” she announced with a smile.
Sophie groaned, “Not another fairy tale. We had enough of those since last year!”
I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound of it mingling with the night air. Lily gave Sophie a playful nudge and continued reading, her voice soothing and rhythmic.
As the story went on, I found myself relaxing more than I had in a long time. I watched as Sophie pretended to be a drama critic, giving exaggerated reviews of Lily’s storytelling. “This is a masterpiece!” she declared theatrically. “I’m going to write a review for the school paper!”
Ella, who had been quiet for a while, let out a genuine laugh, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Seeing her like this, so carefree and happy, made me appreciate how much we needed moments like these. It wasn’t just about escaping our daily lives; it was about reconnecting with each other and finding joy in the simple things.
---
As we finally made our way back to the cabin, the sky starting to lighten with the first hints of dawn, I felt a deep sense of contentment. Today had been different, joyful, unburdened, and full of laughter. Seeing Ella and everyone else so happy reminded me of how important it was to let go and embrace the moment.
When we got back, I caught Ella’s eye and saw that same soft smile she’d had all day. It was a smile that spoke of relief, happiness, and maybe even a little hope. 
“Let’s make sure we do this again,” she said softly, her voice full of sincerity.
I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility lift just a little. “Definitely. Let’s not wait too long.”
As we headed inside, I felt a renewed sense of connection with everyone. It was moments like these that made everything worth it, and I was grateful for the chance to be a part of it all.