The rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore filled Aria's ears as she sat cross-legged on the sand. The salty breeze brushed her face, carrying with it a sense of tranquility she had been seeking for days.
Her notebook lay open on her lap, pages fluttering in the wind, but they were blank. The story she wanted to tell refused to surface, and for the first time in a long while, she felt stuck.
She stared out at the endless expanse of water, hoping the sea would whisper ideas to her, like it always had. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. It was beautiful, but her mind remained clouded.
"Aria?"
The familiar voice startled her, pulling her out of her thoughts. She turned, her heart skipping a beat as she saw Ethan standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, a warm smile on his face.
"Ethan?" she said, her voice a mix of surprise and disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," he replied, stepping closer. "I come here sometimes to clear my head. Didn't expect to run into you, though."
Aria looked away, embarrassed. "I was hoping the sea would help me find inspiration. But so far, it's not cooperating."
Ethan chuckled and sat down beside her, keeping a respectful distance. "Writer's block?"
She nodded, sighing. "It's frustrating. I have all these ideas, but none of them feel... right."
For a moment, they sat in silence, the sound of the waves filling the space between them. Then Ethan spoke, his voice soft.
"Maybe you're trying too hard. Sometimes the best ideas come when you're not looking for them."
Aria glanced at him, surprised by the insight. "Do you always give advice to strangers sitting on beaches?"
He grinned. "Only the ones who write books that change lives."
Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked back at the ocean. "You give me too much credit."
"Not at all," he said, his tone earnest. "Your stories have a way of making people feel seen. That's a rare gift, Aria."
They fell into an easy conversation after that, talking about everything from their favorite books to the strange quirks of life. Ethan shared a story about getting lost during a road trip, making Aria laugh until her sides ached.
As the sky darkened and stars began to appear, Ethan stood and offered her a hand. "Come on. Let me show you something."
Curious, she took his hand and let him lead her closer to the water. They walked along the shoreline, their feet sinking into the cool sand.
Ethan stopped suddenly and pointed to the horizon. "There. Do you see it?"
Aria squinted, and then she saw it—a tiny flicker of light far out at sea.
"It's a lighthouse," Ethan explained. "I come here to remind myself that even when things feel dark, there's always a light somewhere. You just have to keep looking."
Aria felt a lump form in her throat. She looked up at Ethan, his face illuminated by the moonlight, and felt a warmth she hadn't known she needed.
"Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"For what?"
"For reminding me why I write," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Ethan smiled back, and for the first time in weeks, Aria felt a spark of inspiration. Maybe, just maybe, her next story had already begun.