Intro. ---
Rivals and Ripples
Since birth, Axel and I have been at odds. While our parents shared everything from family dinners to holiday trips, Axel and I couldn’t go five minutes without arguing. He always had that smug look, like he knew how to push my buttons—and he did, constantly.
So when my mom told me Axel’s parents had invited us for a beach day, I almost said no. Almost. But I wasn’t about to let him ruin a perfectly good day under the sun. I got to the beach early, already in my favorite bikini, hoping to soak in some peace before the chaos arrived.
The ocean breeze was perfect, and I was just starting to relax when my mom mentioned that Axel had texted—he’d be late, but he’d come. Of course. Always fashionably late, probably to make an entrance.
I rolled my eyes and went back to sunbathing.
Not long after, I heard it—the low roar of an engine. Heads turned. Sand kicked up as a sleek, black motorcycle came into view, its chrome glinting in the sun. And there he was: Axel, h