Today, we want to do lots of sightseeing. However, instead of running from one sight to the next, we really take our time. This will be the only day that we go sightseeing because, according to the internet, there's not much to see here. Additionally, Nadja and I planned this holiday for relaxation. Even though we've been here for almost three days, we didn't have time to just lie on the beach and enjoy the sun. Well, at least we found lots of new friends.

"Has Mr Sunglasses texted you yet?" Nadja asks while looking up at a statue.

"No, why would he? He knows we're coming this evening."

"Well, I'd expect him to check in on his 'princess'." I roll my eyes at Nadja's remark and she giggles. “It was kind of cute how nervous he was yesterday when he talked to you, I didn’t expect that from someone who seems so confident.” Was he really that nervous? I didn’t even notice that but maybe that’s just because I was nervous as well.

“What about you? Has anyone caught your attention yet?” I ask to turn the focus on her. 

She just shakes her head, “No, they all seem to be in happy relationships with their perfect match. The few ones that are still single didn’t seem to be interested at all.” Nadja almost sounds disappointed that nobody tries to flirt with her. “At least one of us gets some action for now,” she adds with a smirk. Exactly at this moment, my phone rings. I look at the screen, feel my cheeks getting red and quickly pick up.

“Hey, where are you two right now?” Ayden asks. I tell him the name of the statue that we’re standing in front of. “If you’re looking for something authentic for lunch, try the little green restaurant behind the statue. Tell them that I sent you!” Nadja points at the restaurant before grabbing my wrist and pulling me with her.

“Alright, we’ll give it a try! Thank you,” I quickly reply while almost running behind my best friend.

“You’re welcome. See you tonight, princess!” he says before hanging up, leaving me wondering again if Nadja was right and this isn’t a silly joke. However, before I can try to get any clear thoughts about why he calls me princess, Nadja shoves me into the small restaurant and gets us food. When we tell the owner that Ayden sent us, which makes me stutter and blush, we surprisingly get another dish that’s supposed to be the group’s favourite. In the end, they tell us the food is on the house.

The afternoon passes quickly without any more calls or messages from Ayden. After seeing the last sight on our list, we head back to the hotel to get a few relaxing hours. Normally, relaxing inside without anything to do would make my mind start overthinking again but this time I manage to stay calm. Maybe it’s because I’m looking forward to seeing the others again this evening. Maybe it’s because I’m just tired from all the social activities in the past few days.

***

However, before the sun goes down, Nadja and I are already on our way to the beach again. Ahead of us, we can already see the others starting the fire. Nadja found out that they’ll have dinner here and they promised her to make sure that there’s something for us as well. Some of them already wave at us and Nadja waves back enthusiastically. It really seems like she fits in perfectly with the group.

Getting closer, Nadja starts running towards them while I keep my pace. The group seems bigger this time. Hopefully, Lea is among them, she somehow managed to make me feel like I belong to this group just like Nadja. With more people around, there are also more people who can judge me if I say something stupid. What if they don’t like me and I just sit there in silence all evening? They wouldn’t laugh about me not wanting to go kitesurfing, would they?

While I’m about to get lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice Ayden coming up to me. Only when something inside of me makes me feel like I’m pushed towards him do I look up at his blue eyes and greet him. For a moment, I stop walking to identify where this new feeling is coming from. However, I quickly notice that this probably looks as if I’m frozen by the sight of him, so I continue walking. It takes me another moment to notice that he’s shirtless for the first time which makes me almost freeze again. Trying to avoid staring at him, I look for Lea among the others. Of course, the other guys are shirtless as well but they don’t have the same effect on me as Ayden does. Not staring at him really is a challenge.

A challenge, that I lose right after sitting down next to Lea in the sand. She’s telling me something about her boyfriend and that he’ll be a bit late but I don't manage to keep all my attention on her. My eyes wander over the group until they find Ayden. For the first time, I can see all the mandala tattoos on him. They go from his hand to his shoulder, some even covering a part of his back. Honestly, they look amazing.

“You’re drooling,” Nadja whispers into my ear, making my head turn to her. Even though I roll my eyes at her statement, I know that I’m blushing. She asks Lea something about Marco so the girl doesn’t feel too bad about me not paying attention. That’s what best friends are for!