The word document opened on my laptop had all of two words written on it when I sighed, collapsing onto my bed. Those two words were my name. I was supposed to finish an essay for school, but my motivation levels were at none.

The week had been absolutely dull, consisting of running from class to class, going to the food court for coffee and studying.

Avery was dragging me to the beach later today, since against my better judgement, I agreed to go. But I needed to deserve to go to the beach and have fun, which meant I needed to get my ass moving on this essay.

Sighing, I pulled myself back up, grabbing my laptop. For the next couple of hours, I searched all over the internet for the research that I needed before I would start the essay. I reached multiple dead ends before I found decent websites.

Finally, I set aside my laptop, deciding that my brain was fried and I needed food before I'd head over to the beach.

Out of habit, I picked up my phone and began scrolling through Instagram to check my notifications as I made my way down to the kitchen.

My nose crinkled when I saw the first notification that popped up.

Liam had requested to follow me.

I scoffed as my fingers pressed the button to decline it. As if, I'd already seen enough of him at school, I didn't need to see him all over my feed too.

I set my phone aside as I dug in the fridge for any leftovers, or if the chef my mom hired had made anything. A smile creeped onto my face when my eyes landed on a pulled pork sandwich.

I swiped it off the shelf and shut the fridge, surprised that Jackson hadn't already gotten his hands on it. Within minutes, I had scarfed down the sandwich before I sprinted back into my room to change.

I slipped on my go-to swimsuit, which was a striped, backless one-piece. Ever since I lost my bikini bottoms in the ocean a couple years back, I'd never recovered from the embarrassment. I guess the only thing worse than that was if my whole swimsuit fell off.

I put on a pair of jean shorts and a t-shirt over top before I grabbed my packed bag sitting by the door. It was filled with everything that we might need, from towels to snacks.

With that, bounded back down the stairs to the door. I only stopped short when I noticed my mom standing near it, with her arms crossed. I swallowed, brushing past her.

"Where are you going?" she asked as I slipped on my sandals.

"To the beach," I answered simply.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes, "And you'd only be meeting scoundrels there."

"I'm not going there to meet people," I shot back, pressing my weight against the door. I'd take the first chance to leave. Once she got started, she wouldn't be stopping.

"Well then, you should be going to more of those dinners and events with me so you can meet new boys," she pointed out, raising an eyebrow

I sighed, "What makes you think I want a relationship?"

"All girls have to get married one day, the sooner the better," she laughed, heading into the kitchen, swaying as she walked. Her guffaw echoed throughout the empty house. 

I gritted my teeth, breathing deeply through my nose. I didn't want to have a fight with my mom, especially since I needed to get going fast.

"Well maybe I won't get married!" I shouted after her. My mom ignored it, the sound of the fridge opening and closing was all I heard. I rolled my eyes.

The last thing I needed was some man to tell me what to do for the rest of my life. I was fine on my own and I was capable of taking care of myself. I didn't need anyone's help.

With that, I stepped out of the house.

__________________________

I slid my motorcycle into the first spot I laid my eyes on. The first thing that hit me was the salty and humid air, more so than I was used to. The beach was packed, not that I was surprised. It was bustling with teens, families and couples, all rushing to catch waves, or to sunbathe. I even caught sight of a group playing beach volleyball.

It had taken me a little over half an hour to get to Malibu, since of course, I may have sped all the way there.

I stored my helmet into the compartment and took out my bag before heading towards the beach.

The sun was bright, warming my skin quickly as I walked, my sandals smacking against the pavement. I could already feel the sunburn I was bound to get by the end of today. I slipped on my own sunglasses when the light became unbearable.

Avery had texted me a while back, describing the location she had picked out for us. Immediately as I stepped onto the sand, I spotted her bright pink bikini and towel. She was already sunbathing, with a pair of dark sunglasses, stretched out on the sand.

My eyes travelled to the ocean and my lips curled down in a small frown. I still didn't know how Avery managed to convince me to come. I was fine with laying on the sand and going into the ocean where I could touch the ground, but not any further than that.

I was a decent swimmer, but there was no way anyone could make me go deep into the ocean. I didn't know what could be under my feet at any given time and that was not going to fly with me.

Avery sat up as I approached her, "Finally, I've been here a good half an hour already. I've watched every cute guy here like twice."

"Please, you were just early," I shook my head as I put out my own towel on the sand. I plopped down onto the soft ground, laying down.

"Remember what you promised," she turned to me, a mischievous smile spreading over her lips.

"Ummmm... no," my lower lip jutted out in pretence. I had more than a vague idea of what I had promised Avery.

"You said you'd learn to surf with me!" she nudged me and I groaned. "It'll be fun, and we won't go that far at first."

I turned to look at her. She watched me with large, hopeful eyes and I sighed. I did promise Avery a long time ago, and she really wanted this. It was just that the promise was made so long ago that I wasn't even sure I wanted to learn anymore.

"Fine," I finally said, glancing up at the sky. Not a cloud was visible.

"Good, let's go now!" Avery stood straight up, pulling me with her. "I brought my old board for you to use, and then you can get your own next time."

"But I haven't even had time to lay down yet," I complained in a pathetic attempt to stall for time. I stripped of my t-shirt and shorts, setting them on top of my towel.

"That's what you get for coming late," she snickered as she tossed her surfboard over to me. I caught it just before it smacked me in the face.

Together, we made our way towards the ocean. We weaved around groups of people laying on the sand eating and sunbathing. I skillfully dodged a volleyball that almost smacked my face. The water glistened in the sun, blinding me as it reflected the sunlight.When we reached the ocean, I hesitantly dipped my foot in, only to jump back.

"The water is way too cold for surfing," I turned to look at Avery, who was already making her way in, knee deep. "We'd need a wetsuit."

"Don't be a chicken. I don't own a wetsuit anyways, I outgrew mine," she crawled on top of her board and paddled deeper into the water with her arms, leaving me standing at the shore.

I sighed, grumbling under my breath, "I'm gonna regret this."

I copied Avery's stance, laying on my stomach on top of the board and paddled my way deeper into the ocean.

Don't look in. I thought to myself, that way I wouldn't know how deep the water was, or what could be underneath me.

I stopped next to Avery, clenching my teeth to prevent myself from shivering. I was more than glad I chose a one-piece swimsuit.

"There, see its not that bad," Avery beamed. "Are you ready to try standing now?"

My eyes widened, "What? No,"

Avery laughed at my panic, "Okay, that's fine. I need to watch the waves anyway. I don't want you drowning in a thirty feet wave."

I eyed her from the corner of my eye, swallowing hard. We sat in silence as Avery studied the ocean, and I glanced around, sitting up on my board. It was easier to keep my balance than I thought it was. My legs had already grown sort of numb, and the cold water didn't feel so cold anymore.

My eyes scanned the ocean, and then back at the beach. I couldn't see Liam just yet. Maybe he'd chosen not to come today unlike what he'd said.

"I really don't need to learn how to surf," I told Avery again, for maybe the fiftieth time. If I were to surf, I'd learn myself and I didn't need anyone's help.

"Oh yeah you do," she insisted, beaming as she continued to stare out into the ocean, studying the waves.

I sighed, but kept my mouth shut, knowing that Avery wouldn't change her mind.

"Hey, oh my gosh!" Avery's voice had me jump up in surprise. She pointed further into the ocean, where a strong wave rolled in. Foam crests crashed onto my board, and the residual waves rocked my board. I gripped the edge of the board tightly, my knuckles almost turning white. "That's Liam!"

Liam came out of the wave smoothly, riding on a surfboard himself. Sam was next to him as they began paddling back into the direction of the shoreline.

Sam was in a black wetsuit, which I envied at the moment. He must have been very warm in that. Liam on the other hand, was only in a pair of swim shorts. My cheeks began to warm even in the cold water when I remembered Liam in my bathroom, also half naked like he was now.

"Liam, Sam, over here!" Avery called, waving her arm around like a lunatic.

My head snapped into her direction, my eyes widening, "Avery, no!"

Liam's eyes lit up when they landed on me and a smirk spread over his lips. They paddled over towards us, leaving ripples in the water behind them.

"Why would you do that?" I groaned.

Avery looked at me with wide innocent eyes, "What? You seemed to be close with him last week at your house."

"That was nothing. We didn't even do anything," I scowled, taking a handful of water, splashing it onto her face.

She snickered, rubbing water off of her face, "I'm sure."

"Hey, didn't know you guys would be here," Sam said as they approached us on their boards.

"Liam did," I said flatly.

"You did?" Avery couldn't hide the excitement in her tone, which I eyed her for.

"Yeah, Thalia told me she'd be coming today," Liam explained, sitting up on his board. I shot an unimpressed expression at Liam, my lips pressed flat. He only returned with a Cheshire grin.

Sam glanced between Liam and I, clearing his throat, "I'm gonna head back out there, wanna come Avery?"

"Yes," she nodded, a little too quickly. Together, they paddled deeper into the ocean, leaving Liam and I floating alone.

I turned to look at him, doing everything I could to avoid looking at his upper body. Unfortunately, I failed miserably. Droplets of water glistened on his chest, dripping down to his abdomen. I tore my gaze away from his body to his eyes.

"You actually invited yourself?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Its a public beach," he chuckled, paddling closer to me.

I rolled my eyes, resisting a smile, "Do I even want to know what ideas you have for the day?"

He smirked, "Wanna make a bet?"

★★★

𝐻𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠!! 𝐼 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑖𝑑, 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑒, 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤! 𝐻𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔!

𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑠??

~ 𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝐼𝑛𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑡