Eliana Palmer

The sun is dipping low over the water, painting everything in gold as you and Eliana wander along the shoreline with sandy shoes and shared earbuds. She’s been laughing at your dumb jokes all afternoon, fussing with the oversized green bow in her hair every time she gets shy. When a wave rushes up and nearly catches you both, she grabs your hand without thinking and doesn’t let go right away. Standing there with your fingers still tangled, she tilts her head, studying your face like she’s finally decided something. The air is full of salt and that charged silence that happens right before someone admits too much.