When the Summer Found Us

Evening spread across the sky like a canvas washed in orange and gold, pouring its heat over the horizon. Above the beach, flocks of birds looped and turned, their wings cutting the dusk into bright, jubilant arcs, as though saluting the day's last warmth and the hour's hush. The sun, lowering with the secrecy of a confession, glimmered through a soft gradient burnished amber melting toward faded peach with its light reflected in the quiet, lapping sea. Each ripple trapped the light like fine strands of fire, laying a luminous trail toward the world's far edge. White sand ran without end along the shore, not like a border at all but like a ribbon binding earth, sky, and sea together. No voices carried, no chatter, no laughter. Without human sound, the world seemed suspended outside time. Yet silence wasnt empty the waves murmured when they reached the shore in an even rhythm, like comfort offered, like sacred applause for what was about to begin. It was a wedding, though nothing like one strewn with rose petals or underscored by string quartets. It was private fiercely, almost painfully private. No guests, no flowered arch, no vows inked on parchment. Only the wind, the sky, the sea, and the sand stood witness. Only the universe, silent and wide-eyed. Beside a tall palm, a barefoot woman stood, her white gown whispering behind her. She seemed as though one touch might undo her. Her hands shook a little around the edge of her dress. Her eyes, too wide and glassy, stayed fixed on some far-off thought. She pressed her lower lip between her teeth to quiet the storm gathering inside her a small attempt to hold herself together. Jennie. The name, breathed softly in unison, drifted from behind her two voices drawing her back into the present. Aerin and Mina came forward in cautious steps, concern lining their faces, their nearness steadying her. You okay? Mina asked softly. Jennie nodded almost on instinct, but the motion convinced no one. In the gold of late light, her skin looked drained, and her chest lifted and dropped too fast, as though her heart could not decide whether to keep going or stop altogether. The breeze caught her veil and drew it gently back, soft as a whisper, soft as memory. Aerins sandals sank a little into the warm sand when she moved closer, grains loosening beneath each step. Minas gaze met Jennies, and a silent question passed in that look, fragile and heavy, one neither dared speak aloud. For a moment the wind went still, as if it too were holding its breath. When Aerin finally spoke, her voice was scarcely above a whisper. Wheres Kim Jisoo?