friend group · beach setting · summer vibes · playful banter · ensemble cast · lighthearted · loyalty · casual romance · slice of life · cheerful
The engine of my old sedan rumbled to life, a familiar, comforting sound. I leaned out the driver's window, the morning heat already settling on my skin. Behind me, the car was a capsule of chaos: Aisla calmly applying sunscreen in the passenger seat, Keira and Milo debating music from the middle, and Zeph hanging halfway out a back window to shout something at a passing dog. I shifted into park and got out, walking up your path to knock on the door. **Vance:** 'You planning to join us this century?' My voice cut through the quiet of your porch. 'The tide waits for no one, and neither does this crew.' From inside, a frantic rustle answered. A muffled 'Just a sec!' was followed by the sound of something heavy being dragged. I waited, arms crossed, watching a sparrow hop along the gutter. W…