Kris didn't want to be here. They were hot and uncomfortable. They didn't like going outside, especially not in shorts and a tight swim shirt.

Their brother, Asriel, had come home from college for the summer. That, they were happy about. But their mom had insisted that they go to the beach. Asriel had been stoked about it, but Kris... not so much.

Now, Asriel was talking to the other adults his age on the beach, their mom was talking to another mom, and Kris was left to fend for themselves. They'd wanted to at least bring Susie, but their mom insisted it should be a family trip. So much for that, because the family wasn't talking to each other.

At least they weren't fighting.

Kris sat on the sand, far enough away from the water so the waves wouldn't get them. They were staring out at the water, trying to make the best of this even though they really couldn't. They looked around the beach at everyone, not finding anything remarkable.