"What do you think?" She spun around and around, her white wavy hair flying in the air, revealing her bare porcelain shoulders. Her ivory two piece had a frilled skirt.

"We aren't here to party," the observer answered bitterly.

"Felicia, you look hot," a young man with spiked black hair interrupted, slinging his arm over the harsh judge. "And so do you, Des. Lighten up."

"I am lightened," Destery argued, lifting his flat, caramel brown hair. "Practically bleached."

"Just because you were lectured by the Ashes doesn't mean it's the end of the world," Felice rampaged, brushing her hair with her long fingernails. "Look around you. It's practically heaven."

Destery took in the landscape of the boiling beach, the white sand burning the bare toes should you dare to abandon the simmering, sparkling sapphire ocean water or ditch the warm beach towels. Even the giant white tents planked heavily above them made little improvement.

Sure, the heat was relaxing and enjoyable. In fact, if there was a place to be, this would be it.

But not for her. There was no way she would be here.

Destery hopped off the towel and walked towards the beach slowly, acting as if the sand was not in the least bit scalding.

"I brought refreshments," a girl in a silver two piece announced with brown and black streaked pigtails. "Though I can't guarantee they're actually refreshing anymore."

"Gimme," Kasey held up a greedy, barely tanned hand, his short black hair no longer withholding his breathtaking blue eyes from view. "Don't hold back on Destery's share, either."

Chloe willingly passed Destery's soda to his partner and delicately laid herself beside Felice's feet, posing in a way that drew all the outsider's attention. All except for Destery and Kasey.

"Let me guess," Chloe began, eyes locked on their friend brooding in the rippling water, "Destery was given the wrist slap by the Ash Order for not finding Number One in Arizona so now it's the end of the world, right?"

"Chlo," Kasey smiled, "see that sunglass hut over here? I heard they sell hearts. You should go buy yourself one."

"I'm just saying he should go easy on himself. Pat himself on the back, actually. If he hadn't killed the girl, the Ash Order would never have discovered her."

"But we haven't discovered her," Felicia joined in. "That's why everyone's been searching for her."

"Yes, I know that," Chloe said irritably. "Still, you think they'd give him some sort of reward."

"Hey," Kasey protested. "I was there, too. I saved her."

Chloe laughed. "You were the first to die!"

"My job is to protect damsels," Kasey explained, taking a sip of his warm soda. "Not kill them."

"I suppose that's Destery's job."

Kasey observed the two girls staring after his partner sympathetically for a few silent minutes before he said, "Your pity isn't helping. If you want to actually do some good, find the girl already."

"We've tried. For over two centuries. Sometimes with you two," Chloe answered bitterly, making Kasey cringe.

"Don't remind me. I still have nightmares over it."

"Without us you would be way in over your heads."

Kasey snorted.

"Really? I remember that the entire time the only thing you seemed to be most concerned for was getting your hair ruined."

"I just got it done. It cost over three Sacrificings! How much did yours cost, huh?"

"This?" Kasey pointed to his short spikes. "Just one makeout session with the hairstylist."

Chloe scrunched her face.

"No wonder it's so tacky."

Kasey shrugged with a smug smirk. "Think whatever you want. I like it."

As the two continued their bickering, Felicia headed to the ocean where Destery stood like a statue.

"You're scary when you're quiet," Felice confessed when she reached his side, facing the ocean with him. "You should try to loosen up."

"How can I?"

"Kasey has managed to-"

"Yeah, well, Kasey isn't me." Destery exhaled heavily. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"This is the first time our ages have been the same since...that time."

Felicia smiled. "So you noticed."

"I guess our rebirth cycles have been off."

"We have just died at different times. You and Kasey," Felicia began carefully, "you two seem to always die together."

Destery winced. "Please don't make it sound so romantic. We do it so we can stay partners. You know that."

"Yeah, but I just want to keep living, you know? In that time." Felice continued to stare forward. "I just don't want to take my life for granted. Even if I can be reborn, I'd like to continue living a life as long as I can."

There was a thoughtful pause before Felice asked, "Did you ever consider how Number One felt when you killed her?"

"Lydiana."

Felicia hesitated. "Lydiana's last thoughts?"

"I think about it all the time," Destery answered aggressively. "And I hate myself. I really thought she was going to be dead forever and I didn't care. All I cared about was taking away something that mattered to that Charcoal..."

Felicia lowered her head.

"I know. And it's admirable that you feel guilty. But you can't hold onto that forever. You aren't a murderer, Destery."

"Aren't I?" He turned and faced her with serious, penetrating green eyes.

With all the confidence Felicia had she answered, "No, you aren't. And I think that if you ever do find her, she will forgive you. I know it. She's not hiding from you."

Destery frowned.

"Then why haven't we found her yet?"

"Maybe she's hiding? From the Charcoals? Or maybe it's not her cycle yet."

"Someone should have found her. Especially the Ash Order. Her and Charcoals are all they think about."

Felicia tugged on Destery's bare muscular arm after some silence and murmured, "Come on. Let's get back to our friends."

When the two returned, Destery asked, "What have you two love birds been up to?"

This comment earned an empty soda can being chucked at his forehead.

"I'll have you know," Chloe began seriously, "that I have a boyfriend I am madly in love with who loves me just as much."

"You mean Ted? Your little Teddy Bear?" Kasey made sloppy kissing noises.

"Shut up! If you had a girlfriend maybe you'd understand."

"Can't. I'm too busy saving the world and comforting hot girls one day at a time." Kasey touched his lips with two of his fingers and aimed at the sunset with his hand in the shape of a gun. "I'm like James Bond."

Chloe rolled her eyes, muttering, "Delusional."

"What do you think Num-Lydiana is doing right now?" Felicia inquired with a smirk. "Fighting with her boyfriend, too?"

"Ex-boyfriend!" Chloe corrected sternly.

"Since when was I ever your boyfriend?" Kasey teased.

"Ugh." Chloe stood and stormed off.

"Good riddance." Kasey mimed sweeping Chloe away with a broom.

"If Lydiana is alive now," Destery began, "no matter what age she's in, I hope she's enjoying the heat."

"What do you mean no matter what age? If we find her, she better be the same age she was the last time we met her," Kasey commented flatly. "Though I wouldn't complain if she was in her twenties..."

"Why?" Felicia looked at Destery in expectation.

"Because she was Phoenix hot." Kasey winked at Destery, who rolled his eyes and looked away.

...

"Perry...Perry!"

Heat, wind, sun, the bright blue sky, and one word: Summer.

Summer in California widens doors to many opportunities: Road trips, jumping off of cliffs into the ocean, racing down roads with the top down, and parties. Lots and lots of parties.

And today, the first day after school, exactly the middle of the afternoon and under direct heat of beautiful full sunlight, Perry is speeding down an abandoned bridge like she's escaping Hell on Earth.

This is just a taste of the summer life Perry is planning for.

Perry laughs, turning her head to her friend in the passenger seat.

She told her to wear as little clothes as possible. One reason is because it'll be so hot, no matter how fast she drives, she'll wish she was naked. Another is because, well, if they got pulled over, Perry will want to either get a warning or the cheapest ticket as possible.

She's gotten away with it before, why not now?

"I'm serious!" Charlie shouts above the wind. "Lydiana Perry! Stop this damn car before you crash it!"

The driver's bluebell eyes widened, as well as her smile. "Now that's an idea."

Charlie swore and called her friend a name that wasn't exactly a trademark nickname of Perry's, but it wasn't unheard of.

"You know, as my best friend, you have full rights to call me whatever you want," Perry retorted generously.

"You..."

Perry pressed hard onto the gas, removing her hands from the wheel, taking pleasure in her friend and the car tires' squeals.

"Perry! Perry, please stop! Oh my God, stop!"

Perry slammed on the breaks, allowing the car to skid until it barely grazed the left side fence of the bridge.

Charlie was instantly out of the spicy red convertible and Perry followed suit, practically dancing.

"I don't even know why I'm friends with you," Charlie confessed, breathless.

Her mousy brown hair was an absolute mess, the freckles on her face jumped out of her flushed face, and her pupils swallowed her chocolate eyes.

"You still look cute," Perry pointed out happily.

Her close friend wore a baggy long tank-top that covered her short shorts with yellow flip flops. Her hair was in a disarray, flailing in the wind.

Charlie forced a small smile. "Thanks. You do too."

Perry wore rolled up jean shorts with a black slinky tank top and sandals. Cheap sunglasses she had purchased from a gas station rested on her raven hair like a tiara.

"Can I drive back?" her friend begged.

Perry smiled, pretending to consider, but they both knew her answer. "Nope."

"C'mon, Perry."

"Charlie, you knew when you signed up to be my friend-years ago, may I remind you-this is how crazy it would get. If you don't like it, I won't force you. We can walk home."

"Seriously? Walk?"

"Well, this is Brad's car..."

Charlie appeared surprised. "You still have a boyfriend?"

"Yeah, so?" Perry asked, defensive.

"Nothing. It's just, against your code."

"My code?"

"C'mon, Perry. Everyone in California knows that you are single all summer. It's not exactly rocket science."

Perry sighed, leaning against the trunk of Brad's sleek car. "I know but...this one's different."

"How?" Charlie folded her arms.

"He's-"

"Hotter? Richer?"

"Yes, yes, but there's more." As Charlie waited, she weakly added, "He likes me."

Her friend snorted. "Everyone likes you, Perry. Your crazy, pretty self."

"Really?" Perry perked, ready to be pampered more.

"Yeah. You're so amazing it's like you're not human." This remark did not please Perry.

"Not human?"

"Oh," Charlie, sensing she upset Perry, added quickly, "you know I didn't-"

"Hold it." Perry held up one finger and wiggled her black and silver smartphone out of her jean pocket. "It's Brad."

Charlie sighed.

Perry swiped right and pressed the phone to her ear. "Brad? Hey. What's up? Yeah, I have it."

Charlie discretely wiggled closer to listen.

"Why?" Perry's voice lowered with concern.

"Well, it's summertime..." a male's voice began cautiously on the other end.

"Yeah?" Perry scratched an itch on the back of her neck, wishing Brad would get to the point.

"And, well, you have that rule."

"Rule?"

Charlie stared at Perry's face, stiffening.

"The rule how you don't date during the summer."

Perry opened her mouth in shock. "Brad, that isn't-"

"No, I get it. I think it's a good thing."

Perry blinked and pulled away, looking at the collar I.D. to make sure she was talking to the right person. "You do?"

"Yeah. I mean, who knows what'll happen."

Perry's knuckles began to pale.

"Is there a girl?"

Her summer....her precious, hot, blistering, awesomely hot summer...was beginning to feel arctic cold.

There was a pause. A consideration of whether Brad should tell Perry or not.

"No."

A lie. Brad lied to her.

"So can I have my car back?"

Perry smiled, the kind that could chill anyone to the bone, and forced Charlie to inch back.

"I'm sorry, Brad, but something awful happened to it."

"What do you mean?" Concern arose in Brad's voice.

"Someone stole the car when I was picking up Charlie. I didn't want to say anything at first but," Perry began her fake crying, sounding so genuine even Charlie believed it, until she remembered that she was with Brad's car.

"Did you call the police?"

"No, not yet. I was going to but..."

Her now ex's tone was bitter. "It's fine. I'll take care of it."

Perry sniffed. "Sorry, Brad."

"It's okay, Perry."

"Bye, Brad?"

"Yeah, goodbye, Perry." Brad ended the call sharply, frustrated.

Perry stormed towards Brad's priceless automobile in malicious determination.

"Perry, what are you doing?" Charlie asked, concerned.

"He's rich. He can easily replace his car," Perry answered, hopping into the driver's seat. "Until then, he can borrow Salena's truck for their dates."

"How do you know it's Salena?" 

I just know.

"Wait for me."

Charlie watched warily as her friend started the car.

Perry smiled, sliding her sunglasses into place. "Too late."

Brad's ex put the car in drive and raced forward like she was in The Fast and The Furious down the bridge again.

"You're so amazing, it's like you're not human."

That's right. Perry wasn't human. She could walk out of her body during Chemistry class, making it look like she was still sleeping, and visit her boyfriend for fun, only to catch him flirting with Salena Trace.

Why she hadn't already dumped him, Perry didn't know. Maybe she did like him, maybe she just wanted a picturesque boyfriend.

It was fun for a while. Out of the other past relationships she's had, theirs was the only one she was willing to make a change for.

Now it was over. Summer was here, school was over, and they were through. But he ended it first. The cheating, conniving little rat had the nerve to cut things off before her, with the excuse of her "rule." 

Rule? What rule?

That's right. Summer was better when you were single. There were no attachments, no strings, just fun. Just the heat. The passion.

She wanted the heat back. She wanted her fun summer back. Brad had no right to take it away, even for a second.

Perry forced the car as fast as it could go, then opened the door and jumped out.

She felt her knees skid across the paved road, and scrambled to her feet.

"Run, Perry, run!" Charlie screamed murder.

She knew she could run faster but she couldn't risk it. Not in front of Charlie.

Perry heard it behind her: The car crashing, echoing it's grotesque demise.

"Do you think it'll take long for them to find his car?" Charlie asked as the two stared at the automobile, appreciating it's demolishment.

Instead of responding, Perry merely patted Charlie's shoulder. 

"Come on. Let's go. We have a whole summer to prepare for."

Charlie moaned and followed Perry like a loyal soldier. 

"Looking forward to it, Psycho."