When we arrive at the beach, couples stroll by the ice cream shop, enjoying treats or lying on the sand gazing at the stars.

I say, "I didn't bring a towel or money."

Brandon replies, "Don't worry, I have a towel and money in my bag."

I get out of the car and stretch, and then Brandon joins me.

He suggests, "Let's grab a drink at the mini bar."

I respond, "I don't drink alcohol." He takes my hand, sending butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

As we walk to the mini bar, I notice girls eyeing Brandon's muscles.

The waitress asks, "What can I get you, handsome?" ignoring me completely.

Brandon rolls his eyes and asks, "So, babe, what do you want?"

I blush and say, "A fruit punch smoothie."

He orders, "Two fruit punch smoothies, please." The waitress hands us the drinks, giving Brandon a flirtatious glance before moving on.

As we sip our smoothies, I ask, "Do you have any siblings?"

Brandon stiffens and replies, "Yeah, one older brother, same dad, different mom." I nod, saying, "I'm an only child."

He suggests, "Let's go for a swim," and I nod, setting my cup down.

We hold hands and run to the ocean. I stop to take off my dress while Brandon strips to his boxers, drawing the attention of nearby girls who admire his six-pack.

He lifts me up bridal style and walks toward the water, asking, "Ready?"

"Ready for what?" I start to ask, but he tosses me into the water.

Laughing, I emerge and say, "Haha, very funny. Help me up!"

I stretch my arms out, and when he grabs them, I pull with all my strength, causing him to fall in. I land on top of him.

He groans, "What do you eat, rocks?"

I laugh and lightly push him, saying, "Let's get some ice cream, please."

"Anything for you, Ana," he replies, kissing my cheek, making me blush.

******

Two hours later, we're driving back to my house. I wonder what the guys are up to.

Brandon parks two houses down and says, "Go home, change, and pack. You're staying with me tonight; you can't sleep with that noise." I nod.

I walk into my house and find it worse than before—people are completely drunk.

Inside, I see Jordan, Justin, Jacob, and Carlos passed out or making out. Kyle is probably by the pool, so I look for Luke. I find him in the kitchen, ignoring a drunk girl.

I grab his hand and say, "I'm not staying here. Make sure my place is clean by tomorrow lunchtime."

He asks, "Where were you? Probably with Brandon?"

I blush and hit him, "No, we didn't even date yet." He shrugs, saying, "I'll make sure it's clean."

I move past Stephanie, who is making out with Daniel, relieved I didn't date him. I push through the crowd to my room.

After bathing, I put on sweatpants and a big jersey and pack my bag with my toothbrush, hairbrush, lip gloss, jeans, a tank top, and Converse for my visit with my mother at 10:00 AM.

I lock the door and text Justin, asking him to clean up when he wakes up.

I head downstairs, grab a slice of pizza, and step outside. Brandon says, "Let's go; if the police come, you're not involved." I nod.

___

When Brandon pulls into his driveway, I'm impressed. His house is the same size as Justin's.

He says, "No one's home; it's just us tonight. You can sleep in the spare bedroom next to mine; the bathrooms on the opposite side."

I get out with my bag while he parks in the garage. He opens the door to the kitchen area.

I yawn, and he says, "Come on, Ana, let's get you in bed." I follow him up the stairs, and he leads me to the third door on the right, with the bathroom on the left.

"I'll see you in the morning; I'm going to bathe and watch a show," he says.

I enter the room, which is a nice size, painted blue with white curtains, a good bed, a closet, and a mini-TV.

I lock the door, drop my bag on the floor, switch off the lights, and lie down.

Sighing, I think, "I'm seeing my mother tomorrow, just great." I take out my phone and text Luke, the only sober one.

Lukey: I'm going home; the party is wild, and it's weird being the only sober one.

Me: Okay, just clean up early. I'm seeing my mother in the morning with Jessica since Justin will be knocked out.

Lukey: Okay, see you in the morning. Night.

Me: Night.

I turn off my phone, tuck it under my pillow, cover up, and close my eyes, drifting off to sleep.