“Come on,” Scarlett insisted, tugging my hand clasped in hers. Her green eyes were huge and sad-looking, her best tool for persuasion. No.

“No, Scarlett. I don’t want to go in the ocean,” I said nervously, wriggling out of her grasp. And true, the sunset was absolutely gorgeous, and sure, the water looked nice and cool after a long, hot day. But—I shivered. I wouldn’t go in.

She relaxed. I could practically see the gears working her in mind, and predictably, she shifted tactics. “Okay, suit yourself.”

Scarlett sauntered away. At the edge of the ocean, she turned around and smiled sassily at me. “Wimp,” she taunted. “Just come on.“

Do it now or forever regret it. If there was one thing I hated, it was being called a wimp.

And so, I closed my eyes, took a running start, and leapt—straight into the salty water. I let loose…and here I was.