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Chapter 12 - Chapter 12*Tides of Feeling*

As the bus pulled up to the beach resort, the group was greeted by a friendly attendant who welcomed them with a warm smile.

"Welcome to our beach resort! I'm here to show you to your rooms. The girls will be staying in room 301, and the boys will be in room 302, just across the hall from each other."

The girls - Lylah, Sophia, Griselda, and Luna - gathered their belongings and followed the attendant to their room. Meanwhile, the boys - Marco, Elara, and Kael - did the same, heading to their own room.

As they entered their respective rooms, the group couldn't help but let out excited sighs. The rooms were spacious, clean, and had a beautiful view of the ocean.

The attendant handed out the room keys and smiled. "You're all set! If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We're here to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible."

With that, the attendant left, and the group began to settle in, eager to start their two-week beach vacation. Marco and Elara tossed their bags onto their beds, grinning at each other.

"Time to chill out and enjoy the sun," Marco said, flopping down onto his bed.

Elara nodded, doing the same. "Definitely. I'm so ready for this."

Kael left Marco and Elara in the room, stepping outside into the bright sunlight. As he turned a corner, he nearly collided with Lylah, who was standing there in a swimsuit, looking stunning.

Kael's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly turned his face away, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Just then, Marco walked out of the room, a curious expression on his face. "Kael, why is your face turning red, dude?" he asked, chuckling.

Griselda, who was standing nearby, piped up with a mischievous grin. "It's like he has... Kael has a crush on Lylah!"

Lylah's face turned bright red as she quickly turned away, her eyes cast downward. "Griselda, don't say things like that!" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Marco's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at Kael with newfound interest. Kael, meanwhile, looked like he wanted to disappear, his face still flushed with embarrassment.

Marco teased, "Kael, if you have a crush on Lylah, tell her. I think it will be lovely to have you as a boyfriend."

Lylah's eyes widened in embarrassment and annoyance, and she hit Marco's arm with some force, telling him to shut up.

Elara, sensing the awkwardness, intervened, "Guys, I think it's time we go to the beach. Who's ready to soak up some sun and have some fun?"

The group's attention shifted, and they began to head towards the beach, the tension momentarily broken. Kael's face still looked a bit red, while Lylah seemed relieved to change the subject.

As they walked to the beach, the group couldn't wait to start playing in the water. Lylah, Sophia, Griselda, and Luna ran ahead, laughing and shrieking as they hit the waves.

Marco joined in, splashing around with the girls. Elara and the others followed suit, having a blast in the ocean.

Kael, however, stood at the water's edge, refusing to enter. "I'm good," he said, shaking his head.

Marco swam up to Lylah and started talking to her, laughing and joking around. Meanwhile, Elara, Sophia, and Griselda snuck up behind Kael.

"Time to get wet, Kael!" Elara exclaimed, as the three of them grabbed him and dragged him into the water.

Kael struggled and shouted, but it was no use. They tossed him into the waves, and he emerged spluttering, his hair dripping wet.

The group cheered and clapped, and Kael couldn't help but laugh along with them. "You guys are impossible!" he exclaimed, shaking his head.

As the day wore on, the group continued to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. They played games, built sandcastles, and took dips in the ocean. Kael, despite his initial reluctance, seemed to be having a good time.

Lylah and Sophia had a splashing contest, trying to see who could make the biggest splash. Marco and Elara joined in, and soon the whole group was competing.

After a while, they decided to take a break and grab some snacks from the cooler. As they sat on their towels, munching on sandwiches and fruit, Kael caught Lylah's eye and smiled slightly.

Lylah smiled back, and for a moment, they just looked at each other. The group's chatter and laughter faded into the background, and it was like they were the only two people there.

Then, Griselda broke the spell, asking for someone to pass the sunscreen. The group continued to chat and enjoy their snacks, the moment between Kael and Lylah passing unnoticed by the others.

As they finished their snacks, Marco suggested they try their hand at surfing. "Who's up for it?" he asked, eyes shining with excitement.

Elara and Sophia eagerly agreed, and soon they were lining up to take their turns on the surfboard. Lylah and Griselda cheered them on, offering words of encouragement as they paddled out and rode the waves.

Kael watched from the shore, looking a bit skeptical. "You think I should try?" he asked Luna, who was sitting beside him.

Luna grinned. "Definitely! It's a blast. I'll go with you."

Kael raised an eyebrow but seemed intrigued. "Okay, sure."

Together, Kael and Luna paddled out to catch some waves. With Luna's help, Kael managed to stand up on the board for a few seconds before tumbling into the water.

As they emerged from the ocean, laughing and dripping wet, the group cheered and clapped for Kael's efforts. "Nice try, Kael!" Marco called out. "You're a natural!"

Kael smiled, looking pleased with himself despite the wipeout.

As the day went on, the group continued to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. They took breaks to rest and rehydrate, but mostly they just had fun, playing and laughing together.

As the sun began to set, they decided to build a bonfire and make some s'mores. Marco and Elara took charge of gathering firewood, while Lylah and Sophia worked on setting up the fire pit.

Kael and Griselda went off to find some rocks to make a ring around the fire. As they worked, Kael couldn't help but steal glances at Lylah, who was smiling and chatting with Sophia.

When the fire was lit, they all gathered around, roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxed, with the sound of the waves and the crackling of the fire creating a soothing background noise.

As they sat around the fire, passing a bag of marshmallows around, Kael found himself sitting next to Lylah. Their arms touched, and he felt a spark of electricity run through his body.

Lylah didn't seem to notice, but Kael couldn't help but feel a little more aware of her presence. He snuck glances at her, taking in the way the firelight danced across her features.

As the night wore on, the group chatted and laughed, sharing stories and jokes. Kael found himself feeling more and more at ease, enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of the group.

Lylah, sensing his gaze, turned to him and smiled. "Hey, Kael, tell us a story," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Kael's heart skipped a beat as he met her gaze. "Uh, what kind of story?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

"Anything," Sophia chimed in. "We're all ears."

Kael thought for a moment, then launched into a tale of a childhood adventure, regaling the group with stories of mischief and mayhem. Lylah listened intently, her eyes shining with laughter.

As Kael spoke, he couldn't help but notice the way Lylah's hair fell in loose waves down her back, or the way her smile lit up her entire face. He felt himself getting lost in her eyes, and he had to force himself to look away.

The group laughed and cheered, and when Kael finished his story, they all applauded. "Bravo, Kael!" Marco exclaimed. "You're a natural-born storyteller!"

Kael grinned, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. He glanced over at Lylah, and for a moment, their eyes locked in a silent understanding.

As the night wore on, the group continued to chat and laugh, enjoying each other's company. The fire crackled and spat, casting a warm glow over the beach.

Lylah turned to Kael and asked, "Hey, Kael, what's your favorite song?"

Kael thought for a moment before responding, "I don't really have one, but I love music."

Griselda piped up, "Oh, come on, Kael! Everyone has a favorite song!"

Kael shrugged, "I guess I just like whatever's playing at the moment."

Lylah smiled, "I think that's sweet. I love discovering new music."

The group continued to talk and enjoy each other's company, the sound of the waves and the fire creating a soothing background noise.

As the night drew to a close, Marco stood up, "Who's ready for a nightcap? I have some amazing hot chocolate mix in my bag."

The group cheered, and Marco began to brew the hot chocolate. As they sipped their drinks, Kael found himself sitting closer to Lylah, their legs touching slightly.

The atmosphere was cozy and intimate, and Kael couldn't help but feel a flutter in his chest. He glanced over at Lylah, who was smiling at him, and his heart skipped a beat.

As they sipped their hot chocolate, the group continued to chat and laugh, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the beach at night. The stars were shining brightly above, and the sound of the waves was soothing.

Kael found himself stealing glances at Lylah, who was sitting beside him, her eyes sparkling in the firelight. He felt a sense of comfort and closeness with her that he couldn't quite explain.

As they finished their hot chocolate, Marco stood up, "Time to call it a night, guys? We don't want to get too much sunburn... or should I say, moonburn!"

The group laughed, and they began to pack up the remains of their beach party. As they said their goodbyes and headed off in different directions, Kael found himself walking beside Lylah.

They walked in silence for a moment, the only sound being the crunch of sand beneath their feet. Then, Lylah turned to him and smiled, "Thanks for today, Kael. I had a really great time."

Kael's heart skipped a beat as he met her gaze. "Yeah, me too," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

As they reached the parking lot, Lylah turned to him again, "I'll see you around, okay?"

Kael nodded, feeling a sense of longing. "Yeah, okay. See you around."

As they parted ways, Kael couldn't help but wonder if he'd see Lylah again soon, and if maybe, just maybe, something more could develop between them.

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