Page 13 of HER SISTER

Even after the tense conversation with Mili that night, it felt like everything still fell into place.

When I didn't want it to.

I wanted Cam to stop being so perfect and not write songs for me—or give me flowers on the first day of classes.

I wanted to not be so deep into what felt like I should be happy with—when instead I wanted more.

I hate to even say it, much less think it, but I wanted to try things out with Mili.

"You ready, Ana?" Mya called out as I adjusted my cover-up on my body.

Classes had just finished for the day, and we were planning on heading to the beach to watch the sunset.

But all I could think about was Mili—and the time we spent at Laguna.

Luckily, we were going to Venice Beach so it would at least be a change of pace for me.

"Yeah, I'm ready," I said, spraying myself with perfume before I exited my room into the kitchen.

Mya was already dressed in a yellow bikini and denim shorts with her dark hair tied up, holding a beach bag and a bottle of vodka in her hands.

"Thank God tomorrow's Friday," Mya said as she slid her sunglasses on top of her head.

I laughed, "Classes just started a couple of weeks ago," I retorted.

Mya shrugged, "And I'm already stressed. I have so much to design—" she held the vodka bottle in her hand up, "—But that's what this is for."

I smiled at her as we walked toward the door, "Inspiration?" I questioned, opening the apartment door.

Mya nodded happily as she exited the apartment behind me, "Yes ma'am—not everyone can be an Ana to a Cam," she joked, knowing I had somewhat inspired Cam.

I forced out a laugh, even if laughing was the opposite of what I wanted to do.

Especially when all I could think about was Mili and how well the beach shoot went with her.

It felt different with her and there was no denying that.

"I kind of have an idea of what I want to do, but I'm not too set on the details," Mya admitted, easily snapping me from my thoughts.

I nodded as we stepped onto the elevator—an elevator that I couldn't quite see the same.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out—and if you need any help I'm always here," I told her as she clicked the lobby button.

Mya gave me a gracious smile, "I really appreciate that, Ana," she said warmly.

—

"I brought chasers!" Damon called out, running through the sand with bags dangling in his hands.

Ryder continued focusing on the bonfire he was building, "Don't tell me you got cranberry again," he joked.

Damon flicked him off, which easily earned a laugh from both Mya and me, "Cranberry is fucking amazing so fuck you," he said.

Ryder looked up from the wood he had piled up, "So you did get cranberry again?"

Damon gave him a deadpan look, "No fuck face, I got pineapple too," he retorted, taking the mini juices from the plastic bag.

"Pineapple will pair perfectly with the vodka," Mya chimed in and I couldn't help but agree.

Damon gave us both a narrowed look, "Don't tell me you agree with him?" he questioned, easily making Mya and I grow silent.

And luckily before we could say anything, the rest of the group emerged from the parking lot—walking through the sand toward us.

Sadly, Marco and Arielle couldn't make it due to the assignments they already had due—but I didn't really expect much less from a biology major.

I smiled, watching as Willow, Frankie, and Cam walked toward us with bags and blankets in their hands.

Willow held the blankets up, "I brought blankets," she announced as they approached us.

"And I got the snacks," Frankie said, holding the bags in her hands up.

Mya laughed, "Of course, Frankie got the snacks," she joked as Cam walked over to me.

"Don't tell me you let her get weird snacks again," Ryder said, snickering to himself.

Frankie gave him a narrowed look, "Don't act like you didn't eat the snacks last time," she retorted as Cam slid her arms around me.

I smiled shyly, sliding my arms around her neck as she pulled me into a deep hug.

"I've missed you," she murmured, easily sending a warm glow through me.

She was always so warm.

I hummed, "I'm pretty missable," I joked with her.

Cam pulled away slightly, meeting my eyes with her own amused look, "You know you're supposed to say I missed you too?" she teased me.

I laughed slightly, "Yeah, I just wanted to mess with you," I admitted, allowing my smile to grow, "But I missed you too—so so much," I said, knowing I missed her comforting presence.

With classes started, I've really only seen her before or after classes for coffee or studying. That, or group hangouts that we seemed to have every couple of days.

Everything felt consistent—like I knew what to expect out of each day.

Cam raised a brow, "So so much?" she reiterated, her tone still light and teasing.

I leaned up into her, "So so so much," I emphasized with a loose smile.

Cam's light eyes naturally glanced down to my lips, "That's a lot of so's," she murmured, leaning down and easily meeting me halfway.

I felt my smile grow as she finally pressed her lips to mine.

The kiss was warm and gentle—and it managed to send millions of tingles throughout my body.

"Okay, newlyweds—we're taking shots so come join in," Ryder said, easily making Cam and I pull away from the kiss.

I felt my face grow hot as I looked over Cam's shoulder, noticing the group had already set up the blankets with drinks and snacks lined up.

Damon passed me the speaker as Cam and I got seated on the blanket, "Show us what your music taste is about," he said as Mya poured shots into the plastic cups.

I smiled shyly, hoping I didn't disappoint anyone, "What's the vibe?" I asked, knowing that would help me choose a playlist.

Frankie leaned back, "Something chill."

"Oh for sure," Willow agreed, passing a filled shot to Ryder.

I hummed, connecting to the Bluetooth speaker before shuffling one of my playlists.

Cam instantly looked over to me, "Brent Faiyaz?" she questioned, clearly proud of the song that had begun playing.

"Now this is the right vibe for tonight," Mya concluded, passing both Cam and me a shot.

I smiled, feeling grateful that I had proven I had good taste in music.

It would've been embarrassing otherwise.

"To a new semester—and junior year," Willow held her shot up.

We all followed suit, holding our glasses to hers and clinking them together before throwing the burning liquid back.

I scrunched up my nose as I swallowed the liquid, allowing the burning sensation to travel down into my chest.

"Okay, I say it's time for mixed drinks," Frankie determined as we all set the shot glasses into the grocery bag, converting it into a makeshift trash can.

I nodded a few times, "I second that," I said as everyone else nodded in sync.

A few mixed drinks later, we all seemed entirely loose—especially with the sunset and bonfire glowing beautifully.

"Are they good?" Cam asked, laying beneath me while I remained straddled over her body.

I hummed contently, chewing on the peach ring gummies, "So good," I admitted, pulling another from the bag and feeding it to her.

Everyone else seemed to venture off into the ocean, leaving Cam and me to do our own thing.

"Mm those are good," she deemed, chewing on the gummy I had fed her as her hands ran up and down the tops of my thighs.

I unconsciously leaned down into her, pressing a short kiss to her lips.

Maybe it was the alcohol buzzing through my body, but I felt like I couldn't possibly get close enough to her.

Cam smiled, pulling me back down into a deeper kiss before I could pull away fully.

I smiled against her lips, "You taste like peaches," I giggled as we pulled apart.

Cam hummed in amusement, "Maybe I'll eat a peach ring each time before I kiss you," she said, smirking up at me.

I felt my smile grow, staring into her light eyes as our noses brushed against one another.

The moment suddenly felt entirely intimate.

Cam looked between my eyes, tucking a piece of my dark hair away from my face, "I really like you," she whispered, easily sending my brain into a frenzy.

It sucked because suddenly Mili popped into my head, and it threw me for a loop—especially with how the thought of her snuck up on me.

"I really like you too," I whispered back, even if I felt myself saying but... in my head.

Cam smiled slightly, pulling me back down into a warm kiss that easily grew deeper with each second that passed by under the beautiful sunset.