Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 29~

~Raelyn~

~Tuesday March 25th~

The moment Isa set foot in LA, beach day became non-negotiable. So, when the morning sun peeked through the curtains, our apartment was already alive with the kind of energy that could only mean one thing—chaos.

Blake, in his Star Wars swim trunks, was in full battle mode, wielding his plastic lightsaber like a true Jedi, darting around the apartment making dramatic
whoosh noises.

"Alright, little Skywalker, let's dial it back before you take out an eye," Isa warned, dodging as he swung at an invisible enemy.

Blake paused, squinting up at her. "You mean before you lose?"

Isa gasped, clutching her chest. "Oh, you wish you could take me down, tiny Sith Lord!" She snatched a throw pillow and bonked him on the head.

"Mom! Auntie Isa is attacking me!" Blake cried dramatically, running to hide behind me.

"You started it, bud," I teased, holding up the bikini I'd finally decided on. "Now, who's ready for some waves?"

"Me! Me!" Blake jumped up and down. "I'm gonna make the biggest sandcastle ever!"

"And I'm going to look absolutely iconic while supervising it," Isa announced, slipping on a chic green sundress over her swimsuit.

"You always look iconic, we get it," I said, rolling my eyes playfully as I adjusted my sunglasses.

Just then, 'Never Grow Up' by Taylor Swift started playing, and Isa's confident smirk faltered.

"This song makes me so emotional," she whispered.

I pulled her into a hug. "No tears today, okay? Today's for beachy vibes only."

Blake, still in full Jedi mode, tapped Isa with his lightsaber. "No crying, Auntie Isa. We have important work to do."

Isa sniffled dramatically. "You're right. There are sandcastles to conquer."

And with that, we grabbed our beach bags and Blake's Star Wars backpack, piled into the car, and set off for the Trap House.

~

When we pulled up, the front door practically burst open as the guys came pouring out, already in their swim trunks.

"Beach day, baby!" Corey yelled, throwing his arms up.

"Y'all look great," Katrina said, eyeing my purple bikini. "Rae, that color is everything on you."

"Isa, you're killing it in green," Tara added, nudging her.

"Obviously," Isa said, flipping her hair like she was walking a runway.

Blake ran straight up to Colby, showing off his Star Wars trunks. "Look at these! Jedi-approved!"

Colby gave him a high five. "Dude, those are awesome."

Jake walked up, rocking SpongeBob swim trunks. Blake gasped. "Jake! SpongeBob is legendary!"

Jake grinned. "That's what I'm saying, B! You wanna help me find hermit crabs today?"

"Yes! Can I name them?"

"Only if you pick the weirdest names possible," Jake said.

Blake's eyes gleamed. "Challenge accepted."

With the car packed and Billie Eilish blasting through the speakers, Katrina put the SUV in drive.

"To Santa Monica!" Isa declared in her most dramatic British accent.