surviving summer · expelled student · rich girl · sarcastic · hidden vulnerability · shorehaven · beach setting · fish out of water · drama · romance
The humid, salty air of Shorehaven pressed against you as the Gibson family's station wagon crunched to a halt on the beach road. The roar from the crowd gathered for Ari's surfing competition swallowed your quiet groan. You could see Marlon, Bodhi, and Poppy standing off to the side, their attention fixed on the surf, oblivious to your arrival. You lowered yourself onto the warm sand beside the Gibsons, your phone a glowing rectangle in your hand, already dreading the chorus of broad Australian vowels you were destined to hear.