The beach parking lot was already packed when the Musketeers' black Audi slid into a spot near the dunes, windows down, music still buzzing low from the speakers.

Bennett cut the engine, slumped back in his seat, and sighed like he'd just completed a peace treaty.

"Never again," he muttered.

Jordan jumped out first, slinging a duffel bag over his shoulder. The chain around his neck glinted in the sun, dog tag flashing.

Declan grabbed the cooler without comment. Naomi double-checked the sunblock and beach blankets tucked neatly in the trunk.

Efficient. Quick. Minimal chaos.

Only a few sharp elbows and sarcastic comments along the way.

Across the parking lot, a silver McLaren GT and a black Range Rover rolled in like two parts of a chaotic parade.

The Phantoms had arrived.

Dominic hopped out of the McLaren first, sunglasses perched low on his nose, tossing a bottle of water casually into the air and catching it.

Davina followed, pulling a sleek tote bag from the back seat, pristine as always.

Arya emerged last, barefoot already, hair wild, dragging a beach bag that looked suspiciously overstuffed with contraband.

Tyler's Range Rover door slammed open next, bass thumping loudly enough to scatter nearby seagulls.

Sky was adjusting his designer sunglasses, holding a massive, obnoxiously fancy insulated snack cooler with a level of disdain usually reserved for biohazard material.

Tessa and Daphne spilled out after him.

Daphne cool and unruffled, carrying an actual checklist.

Tessa balancing a volleyball under one arm and a bag full of suspicious energy drinks under the other.

⸻

Jordan watched as the Phantoms started unloading.

And for all their reputation for being pure chaos they were, somehow, disgustingly prepared.

Coolers. Sunscreen. Towels. Two portable speakers. Five types of chips. Umbrellas. Actual reusable water bottles.

Sky caught him looking and lifted the cooler slightly, smirking.

"Don't worry," he called. "The professionals brought snacks."

"I don't eat anything you touch," Jordan shouted back.

"Good," Sky said sweetly. "More for the elite."

⸻

Arya caught Jordan's eye then grinning like she knew something he didn't.

Jordan smirked back without thinking.

Tessa lobbed the volleyball at Tyler's head missing by inches as Dominic and Davina unpacked chairs and an obnoxiously expensive-looking picnic setup.

Bennett folded his arms, surveying the scene with a narrowed gaze.

"They're more organised than I expected," he muttered to Naomi.

Naomi smiled faintly. "You're just mad they look cooler doing it."

Bennett huffed.

"Alright," Sky called across the sand, waving the Phantom flag of war, "who's ready to lose at everything?"

Tessa cracked her knuckles ominously.

Declan, from beside Jordan, muttered darkly, "I'm gonna end up punching someone."

Jordan laughed under his breath, adjusting the straps of his bag. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

Arya jogged forward, volleyball under her arm, daring Jordan with a look as bright and reckless as the sun above them.

Jordan exhaled once, steadying himself.

This day was already over.

And it hadn't even started yet.

⸻

They gathered near the dunes, volleyball thudding between hands as the argument over teams immediately broke out.

"I'm sitting out," Sky announced, stretching like he was warming up for a marathon.

"Someone's gotta keep this mess semi-legal."

"You just don't want sand in your fancy hair," Arya called.

Sky only grinned, unbothered.

Across the sand, Tyler was already dragging Daphne toward the waterline, their fingers intertwined, their heads bowed in quiet conversation worlds apart from the mayhem unraveling behind them.

"Tyler and Daphne are defecting," Dominic reported dryly. "That leaves nine of us."

"Eight," Sky corrected, tossing the volleyball lazily in one hand. "I'm your referee-slash-judge-slash-best-looking authority figure."

"No one voted for you," Tessa muttered.

"I voted for me," Sky said sweetly. "And I count for three."

Jordan grinned and nudged Arya lightly with his shoulder.

She bumped him back, grinning.

⸻

They split naturally, chaotic but somehow efficient, because despite all appearances, the Phantoms and Musketeers were used to organising around each other's disasters.

Team One:

Jordan

Arya

Dominic

Naomi

Team Two:

Declan

Tessa

Bennett

Davina

Sky surveyed the group like a master strategist.

"Looks mostly balanced," he said, tossing the ball up and catching it with one hand.

"Which means it'll devolve into bloodshed within twenty minutes."

"Optimistic," Bennett muttered, adjusting his sunglasses.

The girls had shed sneakers and sandals, toes digging into the hot sand.

Tessa had knotted her flowy top at her waist, eyes already sharp with competitive fire.

Davina was rolling her shoulders back like she was about to ruin someone's day with pure precision.

Arya twirled the volleyball once in her hands, flashing a grin so mischievous Jordan felt his chest tighten.

The boys had kept their T-shirts on for now Jordan, Dominic, Declan, Bennett each of them relaxed on the surface but buzzing underneath.

Ready.

It wasn't just a game.

It never was with them.

⸻

Sky blew the imaginary whistle he was twirling between his fingers.

"First serve goes to the best-looking team."

"That's subjective!" Jordan called.

"Not to me," Sky said cheerfully, lobbing the ball directly at Arya.

She caught it without flinching, spinning on her heel to Jordan with a wicked grin.

"Let's ruin them."

Jordan grinned back. "That's my girl."

Arya's cheeks burned slightly, but she just bumped the ball up once in practice, hiding her smile.

Declan cracked his knuckles ominously across the net.

"You're all dead," he said, voice low.

Tessa popped her gum. "Bring it."

Bennett and Davina exchanged a long, knowing look a silent agreement that they'd be the last ones standing when everyone else inevitably started throwing hands.

Jordan crouched into ready position next to Arya, sunlight gleaming off his dog tag.

Arya spun the ball one more time in her palm, steadying herself and served.

The game exploded into life.