I walk through the crowd until I find the dunk tank. Kavya used her undeniable charm to arrange it so that I could be the dunkee just before sunset. I think she told the guy running the booth that we’re pulling some big #Fishing stunt, and that since we’re the duo that started the craze, it’d get his dunk tank some free press. Either way, he lets me up, no questions asked, to sit on the rusty red ledge hovering over hundreds of gallons of water. My feet dangle just an inch above it, and my heart races knowing what will happen if I fall into that chlorinated tub.

No. Not if.

When.

     Sean     

Kavya’s so excited for whatever they’ve planned that she screeches into the pier parking lot. I’m sure she’s left tire marks on PCH, and she’s barreling through the lot pretty fast. But it’s the pier on the night of the Pre-Prom Fundraiser, ten percent of all ticket sales going to fund next year’s prom, so this place is packed. Finally, Kavya slams on the brakes, making me lurch forward.

“Dammit, there’s no time,” Kavya says, hitting the unlock button and literally pushing me toward the door. “Just go. They’re waiting for you at the end of the pier. You’ll know it when you see it.”

“What are you—”

“JUST GO!”

I fumble with my seat belt and stumble out of the car. A glare of light reflecting off the ocean makes me squint and shield my eyes. The sun’s getting closer and closer to the horizon. It’s nearly sunset. Ross will have to jump back into the Blue in minutes. If I want to find out what they’re up to, I’ve got to run.

But running through this crowd is tough. There are people everywhere, loaded with stuffed animal prizes, waiting in line to get churros, pointing at people screaming on the roller coaster at the end of the pier.

After slogging through the throngs of people, when a kid holding the largest cone of cotton candy I’ve ever seen finally moves out of the way, I see them. My heart pounds like it’s trying to fight its way out of my chest. Ross is poised over a dunk tank, their head whipping back and forth, their orange hair snapping left and right as they anxiously look through the crowd. With the sinking sun framing them from behind, they’re stunning. The light catches the thin golden hairs trailing their arms, and their freckles seem to dance.

What was I ever thinking pushing them away these last few days?

“Ross!” I scream, and wave my hands over my head.

Their eyes meet mine, just as a hand hits my shoulder and knocks me forward.