Page 61 of The Summer of Everything

“At least it’s a nice night,” Anna comments, standing next to Wes.

The outline of the crescent moon is sharp as the blade of a scythe. In the distance, the pier’s still-lit Ferris wheel spreads its colors over the inky-black ocean. The wind rips its familiar whine; some of the people laugh while others seek shelter under heavy blankets.

Cooper runs up beside Anna. “It’s gonna be great.” He giggles, a clear indication he’s partaken of a shared joint with Anna on the drive over.

“That’s what all the white guys who know they’re going to survive a horror movie say,” Zay points out. Against the chill of another breeze, he tugs down the cuffs of his orange hoodie and hugs himself.

Cooper rummages through his backpack. “Dude, I brought rolling papers and some of Laguna’s finest,” he says as a peace offering.

Zay high-fives him. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

“We don’t even know anyone here,” Wes argues.

“What? I knowloadsof people here,” Cooper says.

That doesn’t comfort Wes.

“I do too.” Kyra pops her head between Wes and Anna’s shoulders. “Few of Trojan’s coolest. I know two girls from the coffee shop are here.” The light from her phone shines blue across her face. She’s wearing a denim jacket over a pink crop top.

“They seem harmless,” Ella says.

Wes loses all his allies before they set foot on the beach.

Bits of the party spread out across the sand. A new fire sparks a few feet away; people gather around. Embers pop through the flames to float upward like fireflies.

Nico nudges his way into their line. He bumps Wes’s shoulder. “We don’t have to stay long,” he promises. “An hour, tops. After that, we can vacate if you want.”

It’s hard for Wes to deny Nico’s offer. He wants to, badly. But he doesn’t. Besides, Ella drove. The walk back to the loft isn’t long, but there’s no good lighting around here, and he’s wearing a navy blue hoodie with dark jeans. It’s not ideal for strolling alone at night near the Pacific Coast Highway.

He concedes with a soft, “Okay.”

As the group begins to shuffle toward the manmade dirt path to the beach, Cooper hops in front. “Wait!” He holds his phone high. “We have to get a groupie to commemorate tonight.”

“Nice SAT word, dude,” Zay says through a laugh.

“Thanks.”

“What did he just call me?” hisses Ella.

Wes snorts, elbowing her back. Before he knows it, they’re all crowded around him and Zay, the tallest of their group. Cooper, sans selfie stick, tries to angle his phone to capture everyone in the frame. But Cooper’s arms, like him, are short. Anna intervenes. She snaps off a few shots that are all awful.

“No, turn off the flash,” Kyra instructs.

“Everyone shift to your left,” Cooper shouts.

“Oh my god, I look like a vampire,” Ella groans.

“Accurate.” Wes receives a hard elbow below his ribs.

“Over here.” Anna swings the phone around. Their heads follow like a hawk tracking its prey. “With the moon in the background.”

“Yessss. Natural lighting,” Kyra cheers, head resting on Anna’s shoulder.

“Here.” Nico reaches up, cold fingers holding Wes’s chin. “Tilt that way.”

Nico’s wedged into Wes’s side. Unconsciously, Wes’s left arm hangs limp across Nico’s shoulders. Then, their warm cheeks are pressed together. All Wes can hear is the wind and Nico breathing near his ear and Anna’s manic countdown.

It’s an out-of-body experience when he looks at the final photos.

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