The cicadas are screaming.

Maya winces when she steps out of the house, immediately heading over to the beach, where she can see the silhouettes of her friends moving around.

Waves lap at the shore as she steps onto the sand, and the sound of the ocean coupled with the crackling of the fire is enough to mask the screeching insects.

She almost bumps into Zay and has to reach out to catch the log that slips from his arms. “Watch it, buster,” she says, grinning through the words so that there’s no bite to them at all.

Zay just smiles back, slow and warm in the evening light. “The pile’s over there,” he says, gesturing with his head. They both head over and drop the wood onto the ground, enough to last the night.

“She’s down by the shore.”

Maya glances up in surprise, one eyebrow raised in question. She follows Zay’s gaze to where the sea is lapping at the sand, and realization dawns almost immediately.

“Thanks,” she says quietly. “We’ll probably wander around a little before coming back.”

“Anytime.” Zay reaches out to tousle her hair, laughing when she ducks away. “See you guys later.”

The sand is soft beneath her toes as she makes her way over to the shore, where Riley is standing, dress billowing in the wind. She’s looking out toward the horizon, where the sun is slowly setting.

“Hey, honey.”

Riley turns slowly, smiling when she sees that it’s Maya. She opens her arms, an invitation for a hug, and of course Maya takes it, squeezing tight before turning around, back to Riley’s front as they both gaze across the sea.

“What are you doing out here?”

“Just … thinking. I like the waves.”

Maya hums in acknowledgement. “I know.”

They stand in silence for a long while, enough for the sun to set and stars to blink into existence. The sound of Farkle yelling as he falls over causes them both to turn, then laugh as they watch a dark shape crawl away from the fire.

“You wanna go back? I think Zay brought marshmallows, and I know for a fact someone’s got chocolate. We can make s’mores.”

Riley’s face is almost indiscernible in the darkness, but as close as she is, Maya can see the gentle smile that curves across her lips. “Can we stay just for a little while more?”

And, oh, she could never deny Riley anything, much less this.

“Of course, whatever you want.”

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