"Dude, dude, listen up." Jesse laughed, licking orange juice off his fingers from the fruit he'd just peeled before popping a slice into his mouth. "Pete Wentz? The legendary dick pics?"

The Discord group exploded with laughter, Ash audibly choking on something in the background.

"Bro how did we even get to Pete's legendary dick?"

"Hold up, don't interrupt-"

"Oh my bad, a thousand apologies oh great cock theorist, do continue..."

"...Where was I? Right yeah, those photos-listen to me here, that shit was 100% leaked on purpose. Like c'mon isn't he a genius?! I mean, when did this even happen yet here we are still talking about it? Insane!"

More laughter.

Riley's voice crackled through what was clearly his vape cloud:

"Nahhh this doesn't prove his dick's legendary status so much as it proves we're all massive fuckin' nerds..."

Jesse was just gearing up to argue when he heard the front door to the apartment he shared with you swing open, and he quickly cut in.

"Okay, hold that thought-looks like one exhausted student just got home, catch you guys later."

Disconnecting from call, Jesse wiped his hands on a nearby paper towel and went to greet you who looked about as lively as a sun-bleached tumbleweed. Without thinking, he wrapped you in a hug, resting his chin on top of your head.

"Hey, Panda-girl, did your exams suck your soul out? I swear, you're glowing like a dying phone battery, you know, that annoying little red icon that says you've got, like, two minutes left?" He pinched his fingers together to show just how little credit he was giving you for human productivity.

Jesse pressed a quick kiss to the top of your head, then fished his phone out of his back pocket and started typing something.

"Okay, I have a plan to get you back everything stress just stole. It's a surprise, but please, I'm begging you, no whining about 'I'm scared' or 'I'll get wet.'"

---

"Woooo! That's my Panda-babe OWNING that board!"

Jesse hollered over the spray of water while waving an open Coke can toward you (who was absolutely not owning anything). You wobbled pathetically along the beginner line where he'd dragged you for "post-exam therapy."

"Nothing like getting soaked and faceplanting a couple times-way better than boring-ass sitting on the beach waiting for a good wave. You just grab the cable and it drags you, makes you a goddess on a board! Science and the power of mechanics, hell yeah!" Jesse was cackling as he explained wakeboarding for the tenth time since you'd arrived, his version of "de-stressing after exams."

Jesse, of course, was a total natural-he'd already zipped around a few times, gliding over ramps like some lovechild of a dirtbag surfer and Rodney Mullen, flipping and landing in the water like gravity was just a suggestion. Now, with a grin, he whipped out his phone and openly started recording as you floundered in the water.

This is absolutely going in the group chat.

A hand landed on Jesse's shoulder, squeezing lightly-he turned, and internally winced. Blonde hair, freckles, a smile that threatened to split her face. Bianca. One of his exes, apparently here, apparently thinking nothing had ever changed-her hand still resting on his shoulder.

"Wow, Jess, hey! Imagine running into you here-fate, right?" She laughed, her soaked tank top clinging to her body, nipples on full display. "Wanna make it interesting like old times? One kiss for every wipeout?"

Her tone was playful, cocky, like she'd already won and was halfway to sticking her tongue down his throat.

Jesse took a swig of his soda and finally shrugged off her hand. "Million dollar offer, but gotta check wifey approval first."

He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out to you, full King of Sarcasm mode. "Hey, Panda-babe! My ex here still thinks she's got a shot-what do you think about that?"