The weekend after the island trip passed in a soft, golden haze.
Jade spent most of Saturday replaying moments from Haven Bay in her mind while she lay on her bed, guitar resting beside her.
By Sunday afternoon she couldn't hold it in anymore.
She opened her laptop, clicked on Linda's name, and waited for the video call to connect.
Linda's face appeared almost instantly, curly hair tied up in a messy bun, sunlight streaming through the window behind her in Los Angeles.
She was mid-bite of a sandwich when she saw Jade and grinned.
"Well, well, well," Lin said, swallowing quickly.
"Look who finally remembered she has a best friend.
I was starting to think you'd eloped with Rose on that island and forgotten to send me a postcard."
Jade laughed, pulling a pillow into her lap.
"Shut up.
I texted you every day."
"Texting is not the same as spilling details, Anderson.
I want the full report.
Did you two share a bunk?
Hold hands under the stars?
Kissed yet?"
Jade's cheeks burned instantly.
"We didn't kiss.
Not… like that."
Linda's eyebrows shot up.
"Not like that?
Oh, there's a story here.
Spill, Now!"
Jade took a deep breath and began talking, the memories tumbling out in a warm rush.
"The first night we just unpacked and talked until late , Nothing huge.
But on the second day, when we were kayaking… Rose got nervous in the water.
I stayed right beside her the whole time.
Later on the beach we built this ridiculous sandcastle together,
Our hands kept brushing while we patted the sand down.
Neither of us pulled away.
It was so simple, but my heart wouldn't stop racing."
Linda was grinning like an idiot.
"Go on."
Jade continued, voice softening.
"On the third night we played Truth or Dare around the bonfire.
Maya dared me to kiss on the cheek the person sitting to my right,That was Rose...
Everyone went quiet.
I looked at her… and she gave me this tiny nod.
So I leaned in and kissed her cheek.
It wasn't fast.
It lingered.
Her skin was warm from the fire.
When I pulled back, she touched the spot like she couldn't believe it happened.
I swear the whole world slowed down for a second."
Linda clutched her chest dramatically.
"I'm living for this.
Keep going."
Jade's voice grew quieter, almost reverent.
"Later that same night we were sitting on the beach under a blanket.Just the two of us.
Our hands found each other underneath it.
We didn't say anything.
We just… held on.
For almost an hour.
Her thumb kept tracing little circles on the back of my hand.
I didn't want to let go, I still don't."
There was a long pause.
Jade stared at the ceiling for a moment, then looked back at the screen.
"Lin… I think I'm in love with her."
The words hung in the air, simple and true.
Linda's face lit up with pure joy.
She actually clapped her hands once, beaming.
"YES!
Finally!
I told you, you dummy!
I told you weeks ago that you were head over heels and you kept saying 'she's just a friend.'
Look at you now, all soft and lovesick after one island trip."
Jade groaned, covering her face with the pillow for a second before peeking out again.
"I know, I know.
You were right.
I just… didn't want to admit it because it felt too big.
But after the trip… after holding her hand under that blanket, after kissing her cheek and seeing the way she looked at me… I can't pretend anymore.
I'm in love with Rose.
Like, actually in love."
Linda's teasing softened into something warmer and proud.
"I'm so happy for you, Jade.
You deserve this.
She makes you light up in a way I've never seen before.
Even through a screen I can tell how much she means to you."
Jade smiled, small and shy.
"She does.
She really does.
I don't know what's going to happen next, but… I'm glad it's her."
Linda leaned closer to the camera, eyes sparkling.
"So what's the plan, lover girl?
You gonna tell her?
Or are you going to keep writing secret songs about her until she figures it out herself?"
Jade laughed softly.
"I don't know yet.
But after everything on the island… I feel like maybe I'm ready to stop hiding it from myself."
Linda raised her sandwich like a toast.
"To you finally admitting you're whipped.
And to Rose, the girl who stole my best friend's heart without even trying."
Jade rolled her eyes, but she was smiling so hard her cheeks hurt.
"You're the worst."
"And you love me for it," Lin shot back.
"Now go text your future girlfriend and stop pretending you're just friends.
I expect daily updates."
They talked a little longer—about Linda's latest crush, about silly moments from the trip, about how Jade's parents had already noticed she was glowing lately.
When the call finally ended, Jade closed her laptop and lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling with a quiet, joyful smile.
She was in love with Rose Archer.
And for the first time, saying it out loud didn't feel scary.
It felt right.