the girls were in the home stretch of the car ride, kailea was now driving, wren in the passenger seat, with angeli in the back, catching a nap.

it was visible in the change of scenery that they had finally reached their destination.

santa cruz, california.

wren's uncle ethan had a beach house just a few miles into town, where the girls would be staying for the next two months.

"i've gotta pee, and i don't think i can hold it much longer. there's a convenient store at the next exit, i say we stop." kailea says.

"i'm down. i'm getting kind of hungry anyways." wren sighs, her energy low.

after a few minutes, kailea makes the turn at the exit, and they pull up to a small convenient store that was painted an old, rustic cream color, so you could tell it had been there a while.

the girls hop out of the car, and make their way into the store, immediately hit with the cold air conditioning.

they separate three ways, kailea heading to find a bathroom, angeli going to the candy, and wren going to the drinks.

"grab me a sprite, wrennie." angeli's voice could be heard from a few aisles over. wren reaches for two sprites, and heads back over to angeli.

"i got some candy for kai, because you know how she gets when we don't get her any candy." the shorter girl holds up a bag of sour patch kids to wren as she nods in understanding.

they walk up to the register, putting all of their items on the counter. behind it sat an older man, looked like he could be in his late 60's. his skin was pale, and his head was covered by a black hat.

he sits up when he notices the girls, giving them a warm smile, which they returned. "this all for you ladies?"

"yes sir." angeli answers, while wren just nods her head.

he rings their food and drinks up, rather slowly, but they didn't mind, since it was clear he was on the older side.

he gives them the total, and wren collects the money, handing it over to him. as he's counting their change, a handful of the coins fall to the ground beneath him, and he sighs in frustration.

he makes an attempt to bend down and grab them, but fails, groaning and holding his back.

"damn this old back of mine." he jokes, making the girls laugh, even though they did both feel sympathy for the man.

"you know it's fine you don't have to—" wren is interrupted when he waves her off.

"no, that's okay. i'll get my grandson to finish your order."

wren's eyebrows furrow slightly at the man, as he steps away from the register.

"jj, come ring these ladies up for me!" the man yells for someone.

after a few seconds, a younger boy walks through the back door of the store, his dark brown hair a disheveled mess.

he resembled the older man in some ways, with the same dark blue eyes, and similar facial structure. he was wearing a muscle t-shirt that showed off his lean arms, and a pair of khaki pants.

"did you call me, pops?" his low voice spoke. it took him a second to realize the girls were standing there, until the older man pointed to them.

"yeah, can you finish ringing these girls up, and pick those coins up for me. i tried but my back wouldn't let me."

the boy walks behind the counter, and over to the older man, giving him a knowing look.

"you know you aren't supposed to do all that moving, pops, come on." he says, picking up the coins, and recounting their change.

he turned towards the girls, giving them a slight smile. wren hadn't noticed, but jj's eyes flickered back to her face for a quick second, before they went back to the money in his hand.

"here's your change, and your stuff." he says, handing the bag to wren.

kailea then returns from the bathroom, standing beside angeli. the two had noticed the mischievous glint in the boys eye, as he leaned forward on the counter, his body pointed towards wren.

"i'm jayce by the way. or jj, whatever works for you." he gives her a charming smile.

kailea's eyebrows raise, as angeli holds back her surprised expression at the boys boldness. wren pushes her glasses up further onto her face, a small smile forming on her face.

"wren. it's nice to meet you." she says with a calm tone. wren had immediately noticed how cute jayce was when he walked in, but wasn't going to bother, until he had grabbed her attention.

"i've never seen you girls around, are you new, or just visiting?" he questions, looking at the other two girls beside wren.

"we're visiting before the school year starts and we go off to college."

"well if you need a tour guide or anything, i'd be happy to help." he shrugs, smiling at her.

"i'll keep that in mind." wren nods her head, before her best friends finally intervene.

"alright, it's go time. we should get in before six, so we have time to unpack." angeli clears her throat, pushing wren along.

"see you around." jayce calls as they exit the store.

"don't count on it." kailea answers before wren, pushing them out of the door.

the girls burst into laughter as soon as they make it to the car, wren playfully rolling her eyes.

"okay, so he was totally flirting with you." angeli says, climbing into the backseat. the girls pull out of the parking lot, and back onto the road towards the beach house.

"that was hardly flirting." wren waves them off.

"oh, my name is jayce, and i would totally love to show you around and make out with you." kailea mocks the boy, making wren hit her arm, as the girls laugh.

"he did not say that."

"his mouth didn't, but his eyes did. he was basically undressing you in his mind." angeli draws out her sentence.

"okay, i get it." wren lets out a small laugh. she couldn't help the small smile that graced her features, at the thought of the blue eyed boy.

✧✦♢✦✧

the girls drove on the sandy path, the beach house in view. they finally pulled up, putting the car in park, and jumping out.

"i can't believe we're actually here!" angeli squeals.

"this house looks so cool" kailea says, looking at the two story, white house.

"yeah, my uncle's had it for like over a decade now."

just as wren says that, a blonde man walks out onto the porch, finally noticing the teenage girls.

"wrennie!"

"uncle ethan!" she squeals, as the man rushes over to her, pulling her into a big hug. he pulls away after a few seconds, fixing the glasses on his face.

"wow, it's so good to see you again. when your dad called, i couldn't believe you wanted to spend the summer here."

"yeah, i thought this was the perfect place. thanks again for letting us stay here." wren smiles at the man she'd known her entire life, he was practically like a second dad to her.

"well, i'll be at work most of the time, so you'll the house to yourselves most of the time. but don't do anything illegal when i'm not here." he jokes.

"you don't have to worry about that sir. i made them promise me no illegal activities, as long as i'm here." angeli comes beside wren.

"go on inside, and i'll get the luggage." ethan says, as the girls head towards the house ready to start their funnest summer yet.

ʟᴇʏ's ᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴀʟᴋ
first chapter!!! and we met our first new local jayce :))

can't wait for this story to really get started ahhhh