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“No, I have no probleto survive to, and the sand is messy”

“Would you consider the ocean if I warmed you up?”

“Maybe,” she says

“Or the sand if I promised you could be on top and I’d clean you off afterward?”

“Hmm,” she purrs

I grin but don’t get too excited We’re just blabbing to distract ourselves We aren’t fucking—now or ever

We don’t talk for a while We just focus on kicking and keeping our heads above water The sun begins to set, and the cool water turns ice cold Every part of me is numb My head falls onto the driftwood, too hard to hold up I can no longer see where we are going

“Langston,” Liesel whispers

My eyes flutter open, and I realize I’ve practically been asleep while kicking

“Look!”

I lift th I have left But it’s worth the effort—shore

“We’re going to y

We kick harder, and luckily, the tide gives us a push as well until our feet hit sand We stuet out of the water, and then we crash onto the sandy beach, collapsing with heavy breaths

“We made it I can’t believe we just did that,” Liesel says

I nod I don’t want her to think we are out of danger, but I don’t want to worry her either We both need to rest before weas we need, or it will all be for nothing