“Shut up old man!” she finally yells and I chuckle at the evil glint in her eye. Thea jumps onto the bed and grabs all of my pillows, launching them one by one at Liam. Her aim is fairly impressive.
“Woah, Thea,” he protests, picking the pillows up and launching them right back.
Mason appears in the doorway with a raised eyebrow, watching the strange pillow fight.
Sam speaks loud enough to be heard over the chaos. “Luz says beach. She wants to explore the boardwalk.” Sam’s words are followed by a squeal from Thea and a cheer from Liam, pillows completely forgotten in an instant. They both simultaneously break out into their own version of a happy dance. They are more like brother and sister than should be possible for two unrelated strangers.
“I have to shower first, then we can make plans. Thea and I need to shop for some clothes really fast too,” I warn them, before grabbing a clean outfit to change into. “I have no swimsuit and I want to get in the water.”
“I can join you, if you’d like?” Mason offers innocently.
“Nice try, lover boy,” Thea snorts, throwing a pillow at him this time. “I want to leave sometime this century.”
Laughing, I slip into the bathroom. It’s quick since no one interrupts and I throw my boring black clothes on. I really need to get some color in my wardrobe for occasions like this. After our visit to Drekavac’s realm though, I have a new appreciation for our standard reaper black.
By the time I walk back into my room, everyone is ready and waiting. I can’t blame them, we’re all eager to get a break from the insanity gripping our realm lately.
“Ready?” Thea squeals. Her enthusiasm is practically radiating through us all.
“Did we pick a beach?” I ask the group. Liam smiles like a kid on Christmas morning and grabs my hand.
“Santa Cruz, California,” Liam says, summoning a portal. “It has the best boardwalk.”
As soon as I step through, I’m in love. Santa Cruz is beautiful, lively, and I can see a roller coaster in the distance. Thea, of course, points out a row of clothing boutiques.
“If I tell you to hurry, will it actually happen?” Sam asks with a playful groan.
“No!” Thea yells as she pulls me into the closest store. We spend the next two hours trying on clothes and our stack of finds is towering. By the time Liam manages to drag us away, I have fully embraced the tourist look. I’ve got a new bikini, sandals, a swimsuit cover-up, and huge sunglasses. My wide brimmed hat completes the look.
“How is it that you make that hat look good?” Sam asks with a chuckle. I strike a pose for their benefit. Thea has a similar look, but she said my hat was dorky and refused to buy one.
“I think I saw an ice cream shop up the boardwalk a bit,” Mason announces and Thea and I pick up our pace.
“Tacos first?” I ask, hoping we can find at least one place that sells them.
“We’re on the beach and you want Mexican food?” Liam asks incredulously.
“Fish tacos?” I amend with a smirk and Liam barks out a laugh. It’s a nice sound to hear again. Things have been way too tense lately.
“I think you broke them, Luz. I’ve seen smiles all around,” Thea stage-whispers and Liam snorts.
“Don’t tease, or there will be no ice cream for you, little girl,” he jokes.
“I’m seventeen, I’m not a little girl. Plus, this girl has her own credit card,” she says with a grin, walking up to the stand.
Twenty minutes later we settle in at a shady picnic table with enough food to feed an army.
“Tacos are the best. One point for Luz for this choice,” Mason says, holding up his half eaten lunch to clink against mine.
“Cheers,” I say around another bite. “I vote we go for ice cream after the beach, since I’ve never been swimming in the ocean.”
“I second that. I’m ready!” Liam shouts, finishing off his food like it’s his last meal. “Race you!”
Thea screeches and runs after him. She tries to push him over and take the lead a few times, but he inevitably wins their race. Sam is next to take off after them with a shout. Mason looks at me and winks, gathering our trash and throwing it away before crouching down to offer me a piggyback ride. I giggle and jump on his back and he takes off running after the others.
“I can’t swim,” I warn him as he runs into the water. I hear him chuckle as he throws me into the water with no mercy. I start to panic when strong arms catch me.
“We wouldn’t let you drown, silly girl,” Sam says in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.