The walk to the party along the shore was undeniably beautiful. The sound of waves lapping against the sand provided a calming soundtrack, and the navy sky above, speckled with stars, added to the magic. I should have felt at ease, but I couldn't shake the knot of anxiety twisting in my stomach.

The girls were up ahead, chatting and giggling as if the night was already theirs. Behind me, the guys were laughing and teasing one another, their energy palpable. I stuck to the middle, unsure where I fit in this dynamic, my sandals shifting slightly in the cool sand with each step.

"You always this quiet, or are parties just not your thing?"

The sudden voice startled me, and I turned to see Hailey walking beside me. Her expression was soft, curious but not prying.

"Oh, she's not quiet," Luke chimed in from up ahead, overhearing. "She's the life of the party-if her friends are around, that is."

I rolled my eyes, earning a round of laughter from the group.

"See? You've got it in you," Hailey said with a warm smile. "You'll have fun tonight. We're your friends too, you know."

"Exactly!" Jaden shouted, pumping his fist in the air before sprinting ahead. Luke and Cameron followed, mimicking his antics as they raced along the shoreline.

Hailey and Zoe burst into laughter and ran to catch up, leaving me momentarily alone-except for Mason, who had somehow sidled up beside me, his hands buried casually in his pockets.

Great. My shadow was back.

"What do you want?" I asked, exasperation clear in my voice.

"Me? Nothing at all." He shrugged, his lips curving into that infuriatingly familiar smirk.

"Sounds suspicious," I shot back, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Or maybe... fishy?" He gestured toward the sea, clearly proud of his pun.

I didn't give him the satisfaction of a reaction, keeping my face as neutral as possible.

"Tough crowd," he muttered under his breath, though I could see the amusement dancing in his eyes.

I tried to tune him out, focusing on the rhythmic sound of the waves and the cool breeze brushing against my skin. But, of course, Mason couldn't leave it at that.

"That dress..." he started, his voice low.

I tensed slightly. Was he-?

"I could use the reference," he added quickly, his smirk widening.

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "Let me know if you ever want one in your size."

The party was already in full swing when we arrived. Strings of fairy lights hung between wooden posts, bathing the beach in a warm glow. Music pulsed from speakers set up near the dunes, and groups of people were scattered across the sand-dancing, laughing, or lounging by the fire.

Luke clapped his hands together, grinning. "Alright, split up! Drinks over there, food by the tables, and the music's wherever you want it to be!"

Before I could respond, the girls grabbed my arm, dragging me toward the makeshift bar. I glanced back once, catching Mason's gaze. He wasn't smirking this time, just watching me with that unreadable expression again.

The tequila hit quickly.

After a couple of shots, Zoe declared that it was time to hit the dance floor. The music was loud, the beat infectious, and before I knew it, I was dancing with them under the string lights, trying to let myself loosen up.

"This is so fun!" Zoe shouted, twirling dramatically. "But you know what would make it better?"

"What?" Taylor yelled back, still laughing.

"Making a move!" Zoe grinned mischievously. "I'm going to talk to Luke!"

"Oh, I'm in!" Taylor said, her cheeks flushed from excitement-and maybe a little from the tequila. "Aiden, here I come."

The two of them turned expectantly to Hailey.

"What?" Hailey asked, feigning innocence.

"Cameron, duh," Zoe said, nudging her.

Hailey laughed, shaking her head. "Absolutely not. He's way too direct. I'd need at least four more shots."

"Then let's fix that!" Zoe exclaimed, dragging us all back to the bar.

After the girls made their moves and disappeared into the crowd, I found myself alone. The music shifted to something slower, more intimate, and the noise of the party started to feel overwhelming.

Needing a moment to breathe, I wandered toward the shore, drawn to the quiet rhythm of the waves. The sounds of the party faded behind me, replaced by the gentle whisper of the tide rolling onto the sand. Slipping off my sandals, I let my toes sink into the cool grains, relishing the contrast against my warm skin. The night sky stretched endlessly above, stars scattered like tiny beacons of light.

I sat down, pulling my knees to my chest, and stared out at the water, the breeze tousling my hair. For the first time all evening, I felt a sliver of peace.

"No having fun?"

The unexpected voice startled me, and I turned to find a guy standing a few feet away. His bright pink floral shirt was impossible to miss, clashing hilariously with his dark jeans. His hands were shoved into his pockets, and he wore a sheepish smile.

"Just waiting for the tequila to kick in," I replied, surprising myself with the honesty of my answer.

He chuckled, his grin growing wider. "Fair enough. I'm Caleb, by the way."

"Alyssa," I said, offering a small smile in return.

"Pretty name," he said.

"Pretty shirt," I quipped, gesturing toward the loud floral pattern.

His laughter came easily. "Thanks. First compliment this thing's gotten all night."

"It's... summery," I offered diplomatically.

"Exactly! That's what I was going for," he said, nodding in mock seriousness. "Although, if I'm being honest, it was on sale at a surf shop. First time shopping there. Probably my last."

"You don't say," I joked, my smile widening.

He laughed again and plopped down on the sand beside me. "So, are you from around here?"

"Not far. Just a few houses down," I replied, doodling aimlessly in the sand with my finger.

"Cool." He nodded, looking down at his own hands as if searching for something to say. "So, uh, do you wanna dance, or-oh, Mason!"

My stomach flipped at the name. Why did Caleb have to say that name? And why did he say it like that? I followed his gaze and, sure enough, there was Mason, standing a few feet away with his hands in his pockets, staring down at Caleb.

Caleb shot to his feet like he'd just been caught doing something he shouldn't, his confidence visibly crumbling.

"Mason," Caleb greeted, his voice faltering.

"What are you doing with my girlfriend?" Mason asked, his tone calm but sharp.

"What?" I blurted, whipping my head toward him. My entire body tensed at the word. "Your what?"

"Oh man, I'm so sorry!" Caleb stammered, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't know-"

"Yeah, you thought wrong," Mason said flatly.

"I'm sorry, dude. So sorry." Caleb's apologies tumbled out as he turned to me with an awkward smile, muttered a hasty goodbye, and stumbled off, nearly tripping in the sand.

I turned to Mason, incredulous. "What the hell was that?"

"What do you mean?" He shrugged, his tone maddeningly nonchalant.

"I mean," I gestured toward Caleb's retreating figure, "I was sitting here, talking to Caleb, and then you show up out of nowhere and scare him off!"

"You're better off without him. Trust me," Mason said, his voice low but certain.

"And how do you know that?" I challenged, crossing my arms.

"He works at the surf shop where I get my board wax," Mason replied casually, as though that answered everything.

"So? What does that have to do with anything?"

Mason tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Let's just say there are... rumors about him."

"Rumors?" I raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"He's known for spiking drinks at parties," Mason said.

I snorted, unable to hide my disbelief. "That guy?" I pointed toward Caleb, who was now fumbling his way back toward the party like a newborn deer.

"Yes."

"I seriously doubt that," I said, shaking my head.

"Well, I wasn't about to let you be the first to test those theories," Mason said, his voice steady.

"Fine," I muttered. "But I still don't believe it."

Grabbing my sandals, I stood and brushed the sand from my legs, deciding I was done with this conversation. I turned and started walking along the shoreline, the water lapping gently at my feet.

The quiet stretched out again, but it didn't last long. I could hear footsteps behind me-soft but deliberate.

I turned to find Mason trailing a few paces back, his expression calm but unreadable.

"Do you need something?" I asked, stopping to face him.

"Nope," he replied simply, but he didn't stop walking.

I groaned internally and resumed my pace, trying to ignore the fact that he was still behind me.

"Are you sure?" I asked again, stopping once more.

"Positive."

"Then why are you following me?" I demanded, spinning around to glare at him.

He shrugged, the moonlight catching the faintest smirk on his lips. "I'm just walking along the shore. Same as you."

"You're acting weird," I said, crossing my arms.

His brow arched. "Weird? How so?"

"The way you've been talking to me, the way you're always... there. It's different."

"I've always been like this," he said evenly.

"No, you haven't," I argued.

"Maybe you're just noticing it now," he said, taking a small step closer.

"See? That! That's exactly what I'm talking about!" I said, my voice rising. "You're always... getting closer."

"Does it bother you?" he asked softly, his voice dropping to an almost-whisper.

My breath hitched as he stepped closer again, the space between us shrinking until it was practically nonexistent. His face was inches from mine, and I could feel his breath against my skin.

"What happens," he murmured, his eyes locked on mine, "if I get really close, Alyssa?"

My heart pounded violently, my chest tightening as his gaze flicked down to my lips. My voice betrayed me, caught in my throat, and I could barely think over the chaotic drumming in my ears.

"I-"

"What will you do?" he asked, his voice laced with both challenge and amusement, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

My lungs refused to cooperate, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn't sure if I was terrified-or exhilarated.