PRIME APEX

The next evening, the sun set over the ocean, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.

Laughter and music drifted on the salty breeze, blending with the rhythmic crash of the waves.

A bonfire crackled nearby, sending flickering sparks into the warm night air.

This was Jane's idea—a farewell party, a final celebration before graduation and her return home to her family.

I sat on the cool sand, knees drawn up, watching the tide roll in and out. The steady rhythm of the waves was oddly soothing, their vastness making everything else seem momentarily small.

For the first time in days, I felt something close to normal.

Jane plopped down beside me, pressing a cold drink into my hand.

"You okay?" she asked, nudging my shoulder lightly.

I took a sip, letting the chilled liquid cool my throat.

"Yeah. Just… taking it all in."

She stretched out her legs, leaning back on her hands.

"It's nice, huh? No stress, no deadlines. Just good vibes."

I chuckled. "For once."

We clinked our drinks together in a silent toast, but before we could continue, a familiar voice called out behind us.

"Leighton!"

I turned to see Keanu weaving through the crowd, his easy grin as confident as ever. The ocean breeze tousled his brown hair, making him look effortlessly carefree.

"I've been looking for you," he said, dropping onto the sand beside me.

"I couldn't reach you these past few days..."

I hesitated.

"Yeah, my phone was, uh… out of commission for a bit."

Jane gave me a look, then she sipped her drink, then stood.

"I'll leave you two to talk," she said, and disappeared into the crowd.

I turned back to Keanu. "So, what's up?"

He smirked.

"Well, you know I work part-time at Daily Life, right? The magazine company?"

I nodded.

"They're looking for a new part-time writer, and I thought of you. So… I pulled a few strings."

I blinked, my mind racing.

"Wait. Are you saying—you recommended me for a job?"

"Yep."

He stretched his legs out in the sand, watching my reaction.

"It's a part-time gig, but if you're good—and I think you are—it could turn into something permanent. Hopefully for me too."

I barely hesitated. "Yes! Just let me know when I can start!"

Keanu laughed. "Wow. That was fast."

"Well, you didn't give me much of a reason to say no," I teased, grinning.

He grinned back.

"Mind if I sit with you for a while?"

I nodded, gesturing for him to get comfortable.

"Start whenever you're ready, but report to the office first. It's a first-day thing," he said.

"Since it's part-time, you won't be in the office much. They'll call if they need you."

"Okay," I said. "I'll report soon."

"Great. Even next week's fine," he said.

"But you'll need a place to live, right? We're not students after this week."

I sighed.

"Yeah… That's my next problem. But I have a few places in mind."

Keanu sat up straight.

"I can help you find one if you want."

I shook my head, offering a grateful smile.

"No, you've already done so much. I appreciate it, though."

He shrugged.

"Well, if you change your mind, just say the word. I'd be happy to help."

"Thanks, Keanu. Really."

His expression softened.

After a brief pause, he asked, "So… what exactly happened to you?"

"Nothing serious," I replied quickly.

"I wasn't feeling well, ended up in the hospital, and then my phone broke. It's been a mess."

Keanu didn't look entirely convinced. I could tell he had more questions, but instead of pressing, he simply nodded.

"Glad you're okay now," he said finally. "That's all that matters."

The night carried on, laughter and music blending with the ocean's gentle roar. The bonfire flickered, casting golden light across the sand, and for a moment, everything felt simple.

Then, at 10:45 p.m., nature called.

I made my way to the nearest public restroom alone.

The dim path between the beach and the facilities was quieter than before, and as I walked back to the crowd, a strange sensation prickled at the back of my neck.

Someone was watching me.

Or following me.

Panic flared in my chest. Could it be the ferals?

I quickened my pace.

The feeling didn't fade. If anything, it grew stronger.

I spun around.

A towering figure stood a few feet away, broad-shouldered and solid as a boulder.

His massive build, thick arms, and muscular frame immediately brought to mind Maui from Moana. 

His skin was a warm, sun-kissed bronze, and waves of thick, dark, straight hair fell around his shoulders.

Tattoos swirled across his forearms, partially concealed by the rolled-up sleeves of his lifeguard uniform.

My breath caught—but then recognition clicked.

The lifeguard.

Relief mixed with lingering unease.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said, raising his hands slightly. "Did I scare you?"

I exhaled sharply.

"No, it's fine. I just… overthought things."

But something about his gaze unsettled me. The way he looked at me—steady, assessing—sent a shiver down my spine.

"It's a little dark here," he continued.

"Some of the lights went out. I saw you heading this way alone, and, well… I was concerned. Don't get me wrong, my intentions were good."

"I know. Don't worry," I assured him.

He walked beside me as I rejoined the crowd, his sheer presence making me feel even smaller in comparison.

"Thanks for the concern," I said.

"Of course. It's part of my job, I guess," he replied.

Then, suddenly, he held out his hand.

"I'm Dylan."

I hesitated before shaking it. "Leighton."

"Nice meeting you, Leighton."

"Same, Dylan."

And just like that, he was gone, disappearing back toward the beach.

It was nearly midnight when Keanu offered to drive Jane and me back to the dorm.

The car ride was filled with easy chatter, mostly Jane teasing me about my mysterious disappearance.

Keanu played along, but I could tell he was holding back from asking too many questions.

When we finally reached the dorm, Keanu leaned against his car.

"So, next week then?"

"Hopefully," I replied.

"Good. I'll be expecting you."

He flashed a grin. "Goodnight, ladies."

"Night," Jane called back, already tugging me toward our building.

Back in our dorm room, she flopped onto her bed, stretching her arms overhead before propping herself up on one elbow.

"Look at you," she mused. "Career woman already."

I rolled my eyes, kicking off my shoes.

"It's just a part time job."

"But it could turn into something permanent," she reminded me with a grin.

Then, with a teasing glint in her eyes, she added, "And I think he recommended you, so he could see you more often."

I scoffed, tossing a pillow at her. "He's just being nice, that's all."

"Uh-huh." Jane smirked but let it drop.

I stretched out on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Excitement buzzed in my chest, but beneath it, something else lurked—a tiny, nagging voice whispering doubts.

Would I even get to have a normal job? A normal life?