The funny thing about being in the Outer Banks only for the summer is that they’re all only in the Outer Banks for the summer. The rest of the year they’re scattered throughout the mid-Atlantic and the South, but they’ve all been coming here summer after summer since they were in swimmy diapers. It’s clear this party is the traditional catch-up night, when Keisha tells everyone about her first year at Georgetown and Brea shares the latest about her hippie mother and Jack and Derek (Jerek?) show everyone pictures from their junior prom. On the one hand, I’m the obvious outsider. On the other hand, it’s a perfect opportunity to slide right into the group—made distinctly easier when Owen brings us a platter of Jell-O shots.

“So, where are you from, new summer girl?” he asks as I help myself to a cup of cherry.

“New York. I live in a suburb outside the city.”

He tosses back a cup of bright green. “And you’re staying with Jas? How do you two know each other?”

An inevitable question, but ugh. It sounds so sad to say “We’re staying in her house like indentured servants because my mom is her dad’s secretary.” I’m not ashamed of my mom’s job or the fact that we don’t have a lot of money, but I don’t need people here treating me like I’m the hired help or whatever.

Luckily, Jasmine thinks much quicker on her feet than I do, answering while I down my Jell-O shot. “Our parents work together,” she says, and I’m grateful for the non-lie. “Now, where the hell is Carter?”

“Someone call my name?” I look up and see a tall, muscular Black guy with close-cropped hair and dark, laughing eyes ambling over, the smile on his gorgeous face too perfect to be real. Turns out Carter’s got waaay more than the house going for him. Yowza. “Hey, babe.” He wraps an arm around Jasmine and kisses the top of her head in a way that’s nowhere near as paternal as it sounds.

Of course she’s got a guy here. So much for having someone to hang out with this summer. But that’s probably a good thing. I was supposed to be making money to put toward college, and I had to give up my job to come here. I should be spending my time finding a new one.

I wonder if any of these kids have ever worked a day in their lives.

“Carter, this is Larissa,” Jasmine introduces us. “Larissa, Carter. Now, how does a girl get a s’more around here?”