Kimberly's POV:

"Aw, I'm gonna miss you so much!" It was the chorus of the last day of school, each goodbye another reminder that summer was finally here. As for me, I already knew what was waiting: a Malibu trip that my best friend Kenna had dragged me into. She and her boyfriend, Jace, had been planning it for weeks, and she wasn't taking 'no' for an answer.

The line up? Me, Kenna, Jace, his cousins—Jessica, Jade, and Tori—and a bunch of Jace's guy friends I didn't even know. A beach trip with a crew of mostly strangers didn't scream relaxation, but I'd been so worn out by school that maybe a change of scenery wasn't the worst idea.

After school, Jace dropped Kenna and me at my place. She was so excited that she practically ran to my room, tossing her bag onto my bed.

"Oh no, Kenna. You're not packing that," I said, grimacing as she held up a short, flowy dress I'd only worn once.

"Come on, Kimmy, you'll look gorgeous! Just pack it!" she said, waving it like a victory flag.

"Ugh, fine," I said, rolling my eyes but giving in.

She dug deeper into my closet, emerging with a triumphant grin as she pulled out a swimsuit. "And this!"

I shook my head. "A swimsuit? Nope. Hard pass."

Her face fell into a pout that she knew always worked. "Kimmy! It's Malibu! There's going to be swimming. And waves. And cute guys. You need it."

"I don't like swimming. At all," I said, crossing my arms.

"Pretty please?" she pressed, practically pinning me with those hopeful eyes. "It's summer vacation, Kim. Live a little!"

I sighed, finally taking the swimsuit from her. "Fine. But if I pack this, I'm also packing my tank top and shorts."

Kenna grinned, clapping her hands. "Deal! I mean duh, of course you'll pack that—and this cute sunhat. You'll thank me later."

"Four hours later" turned into the packing marathon of the century, as she somehow managed to talk me into half the closet. By the time Jace swung by to pick her up, I was drained. With the house finally quiet again, I took a quick shower and crashed into bed, half-dreading and half-curious about what this trip would bring.