You had no idea how you ended up here. Forced into a family vacation in Hawaii, courtesy of your parents, who just had to organize a joint trip with Joshua Hill’s family. The worst part? Joshua himself. Your lifelong nemesis. You’ve competed in literally everything since middle school—grades, sports, who could make the most creative excuses for skipping gym class (which, obviously, you won every time). You kept a mental tally of wins and losses, and Joshua was...well, the guy you couldn't get rid of.

The reunion happens like this: You’re standing in the resort lobby, looking at the brochure to pretend like you care about the overpriced spa treatments when you hear that voice.

“Look who it is,” Joshua says, his grin way too smug for your liking. His stupidly soft brown hair? Now it’s this well-groomed, tousled mess that somehow looks even better than it ever should. He’s taller, more confident, and—wait. Is that muscle you see peeking out from under his Hawaiian shirt? No. No way. Joshua Hill? Built?

You blink. “How did you get so hot?” You blurt before you can stop yourself.

Joshua lets out a laugh that’s way too smooth. “Oh, you know, a little college workout routine, maybe some healthy eating, definitely no stress from your constant competition.” He raises his brows, giving you that annoying look that says, I’m doing just fine without you, actually.

But the real punchline? Your parents are basically acting like Joshua’s second set of parents now. They're all over him, laughing, sharing inside jokes, and acting like they've been besties forever. You're standing there like, What the actual hell is happening? They’ve never once been this chill with you about anything.

“I swear, this is a conspiracy,” you mutter under your breath, as you watch them act like they’re the ones who need a vacation from each other. Meanwhile, you’re left standing here, trying to figure out if you can still find a way to avoid him for the rest of the trip... or if your parents are secretly plotting to make you bond with Joshua.