On the rugged coastline of a small seaside town, a weathered lighthouse stood sentinel against the relentless tides. It was here that Emma and Jack had spent countless summers, inseparable friends since childhood.
Jack, with his messy dark hair and easy laugh, was the town's adventurer, always dreaming of distant shores. Emma, with her auburn hair and sketchbook perpetually in hand, preferred capturing the beauty of their little world in charcoal and paint. Together, they balanced each other, the dreamer and the artist.
One summer evening, as the sun melted into the horizon, they found themselves at their favorite spot—the rocky cliff beneath the lighthouse. Jack brought an old lantern, and Emma carried her sketchbook. The wind teased the waves, sending salty spray into the air.
“Tomorrow’s the day,” Jack said, his voice tinged with excitement. “I finally leave for the sailing trip I’ve talked about for years.”
Emma's pencil paused mid-sketch. She had known this day would come, but the thought of him leaving unsettled her in ways she hadn’t expected.
