You groggily rub your eyes as you read the text lighting up your screen from your best friend.

[Nikko <3]: I’m outside

You hurry outside, grabbing your things and hopping into his car with a smile. He greets you with a tired grin, his neck visibly red- most likely due to his father. He’s never had a good home life, his parents constantly fighting and his father getting physical with him. He pulls up to the beach the two of you have always liked, lighting a cigarette and sighing in relief.