'ono grinds - that's right!

Emerson isn't a fan of ice cream. His choices regarding the dairy treat are very limited. Smoothies, he likes even less than that.

So that's why he doubts very highly that he will be vert fond of açaí bowls. Yet Rosalind finds it extremely necessary to have everyone taste what Hawaii has to offer. And, apparently, the açaí shops and booths is one of her favorite things about the islands.

"My personal favorite thing to do is to get an extra tropical bowl with açaí, coconut milk, apple juice, bananas, and mangos. What you get on top is your choice too." Rosalind explains excitedly, rubbing her hands together as they stand outside the store.

Traveling from place to place with a pack of teenagers can draw a lot of attention which is why, as other people walk pass, their eyes seem to gravitate to them. This makes Emerson extremely uncomfortable. Attention isn't exactly his favorite thing to receive.

"Everyone ready?" Rosalind grins, looking around the group. After everyone nods, she turns around and opens the door, holding it open for each and every person.

Once Emerson steps through, he mumbles a "thank you" awkwardly and stands at the end of the line. There's nothing more nerve wracking than waiting in a line to order food from a grumpy employee, especially when you have no idea what you want. Emerson doubts any of his friends feel the same way considering they're all laughing and talking happily as they wait for their turn.

"I can help you figure out what you want? You know, since you've never been here before." Rosalind chuckles slightly as she stands behind him patiently.

Looking back, he spots her smiling face, her usual blue baseball cap atop her head except today her blonde wavy hair was left down to frame her thin face. "I'm good." He replies, eager to avoid any conversation.

"The wrong order can ruin your opinion of a food establishment and I'd hate to think that you could make the wrong choice when there was something I could do to steer you in the right direction." Rosalind says lightly behind him. He remains facing ahead, trying his best to decipher his friends' conversation and why Gwen is laughing so hard at something Claire said.

He swallows, his jaw clenching slightly, before turning around again, "How about you just order for me then?" His tone is flat but he doesn't bother changing it.

She pauses before replying, "Okay, I will."

"I was joking." He chuckles darkly, shoving his hands into his shorts pockets as he takes a step, the line moving in front of him.

Rosalind comes to stand behind him, looking up slightly with a satisfied smile, "I know. But I'll do it anyway because I'm guessing you're the type of guy who's too prideful to ask for help. So I'll do you a favor and not wait for you to." She finishes.

Emerson says nothing in response, keeping his mouth closed the entirety of the time they stand in the line. It seems like an hour passes before they make it to the register but it must have been no more than five minutes.

As Rosalind orders for herself, Emerson stands half a foot behind her and even further as she orders for him, feeling awkward and out of place.

After retrieving their bowls, Rosalind and Emerson find everyone else standing outside, some sitting on a bench outside of the building, as they laugh at Alex who has his own smoothie bowl spread across his upper lip.

"You know you're supposed to use your spoon, right?" Rosalind chuckles as the door closes behind them.

Alex looks up, embarrassment crossing over his face before laughing it off and rubbing his napkin over his skin, "Claire bet me three bucks that I couldn't eat it without utensils." He explains with a shrug.

"And you thought that was worth it?" Emerson laughs, holding his still uneaten snack in his hand.

"Now I'm three dollars richer than I was so...yeah it was worth it. Plus, it was delicious." Alex directs his crooked grin at Rosalind who looks down at her smoothie bowl as she takes a slow bite.

Emerson clears his throat, "Well make room because I haven't even tasted mine yet."

Gwen and Claire scoot over on the bench before Emerson takes a seat carefully. Everyone's eyes are on him as he takes his first bite. The sweet flavor mixed with the crunch of the granola on top is surprisingly pleasant. He holds a thumbs up as everyone claps and he chuckles lowly.

"He usually hates smoothies." Isaac explains when he notices Rosalind's confused expression as to why everyone seems so pleased by Emerson's reaction.

She nods with understanding, "Well I'm glad I made a suggestion that was to your liking." Her slightly teasing smile gives Emerson a twist of remorse in his stomach. He hasn't exactly treated the tour guide with explicit kindness.

"Thank you for your suggestion." He expresses his gratitude with a small smile before digging back into the smoothie bowl.

"You're welcome, Emerson." She chuckles before turning to everyone else, "So, since there's not much sunlight left, I have an idea for something to do tonight if you're all up for it?"

"What do you have in mind?" Gwen asks, standing up before tossing her bowl into the garbage can.

"Well..." Rosalind grins, "How do you guys feel about camping on the beach?"

"Like...sleeping? All night?" Alex asks with his mouth full.

She furrows her brows at him as she nods, "Yes, all night. You could have a fire, roast marshmallows, and even swim if you want to. I can bring glow sticks?" Her folded hands in front of her tense as she awaits their answer.

Claire smiles, nodding once, "I think it's a great idea. And anyone who doesn't want to stay all night can just go back to the hotel...that way we won't waist a paid night." She chuckles.

"I volunteer as tribute." Alex states, "A bed all to myself sounds pretty nice after two nights squished up against Isaac."

"Hey!" His brother exclaims.

"Okay, sounds good." Rosalind cuts in with a light laugh, "It's settled then. Do we want to go get the supplies now before it gets dark?"

"We don't have anything better to do." Rhyme kicks off the wall, tossing his trash into the can, "I say let's do this."

"Oh there is one other thing." Rosalind mentions as everyone begins to convene and make their way towards the vehicles, "No alcohol on the beach." She holds up a finger, looking pointedly at Alex who holds both hands up.

"Why are you assuming that I drink?" He defends just as Emerson walks past with a flat accusing expression. Alex rolls his eyes, "It was one time and I didn't know how much vodka was in those Jell-O shots!"

Rosalind laughs at this, shaking her head before following the rest of the group.

"Come on, guys, tell her! It was the Fourth Of July, I got carried away!" Alex calls after them as they all laugh at his defensive attitude.

"Okay Rhyme, you can drive the guys and I'll take Claire and Gwen." She smiles at the girls as they high five each other.

"I'm okay with that." Gwen shrugs, moving away from Isaac's grasp to stand next to her.

Her boyfriend's mouth drops open, "You don't want to ride with me?"

The brunette shakes her head, "I love you but you never let me have aux."

"I will gladly offer you the aux chord." Rosalind offers jokingly, "Let's go, ladies."

Once the girls have driven off and the guys have been informed of their destination, they all settle into the rental car and follow closely behind.

"I do give her aux." Isaac mumbles from the backseat, his own phone connected to the car and shuffling his music.

"No you don't." Alex replies, Isaac glaring at his reflection in the rear view mirror.

As soon as they pull into the parking lot of the Walmart, they're all given an item to retrieve, "We'll meet at the self checkout." Claire tells them before walking off to catch up with Gwen.

Turning around to find the rest of his friends, Emerson's face takes on a puzzled expression when he finds them all gone.

"A lighter and roasting sticks." He mumbles to himself with sigh, "Got it."

Navigating his way through the store, Emerson finally locates a wide selection of lighters. He stands there uncomfortable as his eyes run through the many options with uncertainty. Forcing himself to push away the itching indecisiveness in the back of his head, he reaches up and grabs the closest one to him and dashes out of the isle before he can change his mind.

After finding the most basic wired roasting sticks, Emerson makes his way back to the front with the needed objects in hand. Looking around for a familiar face, his eyes land on a dark blue ball cap. With a large outputting breath, he approaches her.

He says nothing as he stops before her, praying that one of his friends with show up. Preferably anyone who isn't Alex considering his dibs on Rosalind.

"It seems you're almost as efficient as me." Rosalind comments, clearly making small talk in attempt to make this any less awkward. Emerson can't tell if being around Rosalind on his own is uncomfortable because of the fact that he's made it clear he's not the biggest fan of her or if it's because she seems so comfortable that he's left to deal with all of the discomfort in the universe.

"Almost?" He asks lowly, keeping his eyes out for the rest of his friends.

"I got here first didn't I?" She chuckles with a small smirk.

He forces away his own smile, shrugging, "I had an issue with selecting a lighter."

She presses her lips together as she nods, "Selecting the right lighter is exceptionally important." She says with a serious tone.

This time he can't stop the tiny smile that spreads over his lips, "I couldn't agree more."

ⅼ ❝ to be truly content is one of the greatest gifts to behold. ❞ ⅼ

The smell of a campfire has always brought some sort of comfort to Emerson. The burning wood mixed with the scent of roasting marshmallows warms his senses, bringing back the few fond memories he has of camping with his parents. Back before he started refusing to go camping.

"Want another s'more?" Claire nudges him as Rosalind strums away on a ukulele, Alex sitting next to her trying to get her to play some heavy metal rock song because, apparently, he thinks it'll be entertaining. She's obviously refusing as politely as possible.

"I'm okay, I've already had four." He chuckles, "Thanks though." He follows Claire's line of sight to the blonde laughing at one of Rhyme's stupid jokes.

"What do you think about her?" She asks him lowly, looking up at him as the lights from the fire's flames dance across her curious face.

His jaw tenses as he chews the last of the graham cracker in his mouth, "I don't think about her so there's been no opinion formed."

She laughs lowly, "Alex seems pretty smitten."

"Not because he actually knows her." Emerson mumbles, "None of us really know anything about her."

"I know a little." Claire shrugs, "Then again, I've spent a little more time with her. If you want to get to know her then just try."

"I don't want to get to know her." He immediately replies, watching as Rosalind sets down her instrument in the sand and begins to help Rhyme as he struggles to get his marshmallow onto his chocolate and crackers.

Claire looks over at him, brows raised. "There's no harm in at least being friends with her. Who knows, you might really get along." She smiles softly before taking a large bite of her s'more.

"I highly doubt it." He mutters, his eyes darting back to the girl with tanned skin and a bright smile. She portrays an individual with no worries which leads Emerson to believe there's more to her than limitless adventure and her happy go lucky attitude. It makes him wonder if there's something she's not showing. Something she's hiding.

Her eyes meet his suddenly and her blinding grin falters slightly and lessons to something smaller and warmer. He returns it briefly before looking away at the water, watching the waves roll in.

✭✭✭

I feel like this chapter was very pointless but the beginning foundational chapters are the most difficult.