the boys continued their teasing of austin about briar, unable to resist poking fun at him.

"come on, austin, just admit it already. you've got a major crush on her," sam teased, nudging him playfully.

austin rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. "yeah, right. like i'd ever fall for someone like her," he retorted, trying to brush off their teasing.

jax smirked, leaning in conspiratorially. "oh, come on, we all see the way you look at her. you can't hide it forever, man."

jonathan laughed, adding fuel to the fire. "yeah, it's written all over your face. you're smitten, dude."

austin sighed, knowing there was no use denying it. "fine, maybe i think she's cool. But that's it."

the boys chuckled, enjoying their banter as they leaned against the railing, still taking in the view of the ocean.

eventually, they decided to change the subject and head down to the store to buy more snacks and drinks for their hangout. with a final round of teasing, they made their way down the path, their laughter echoing through the evening air.

as they walked, they talked about their plans for the rest of the night, making jokes and reminiscing about past adventures. the camaraderie between them was palpable, a bond forged through shared experiences and mutual respect.

by the time they reached the store, they were still laughing and joking, their spirits high as they stocked up on supplies. with bags of snacks in hand, they headed back towards their spot, ready to continue their evening of fun and friendship.

as they made their way back up the path, the boys chatted animatedly, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the evening. the sun had set completely now, and the sky was painted with the colors of dusk.

"hey, remember that time we all went camping and jonathan forgot to pack the tent poles?" sam said, a grin spreading across his face as he recalled the memory.

jonathan groaned, shaking his head. "don't remind me. that was a disaster."

jax laughed, clapping jonathan on the back. "yeah, but it made for a great story."

as they reached their spot overlooking the ocean, they settled back into their familiar positions, the bags of snacks and drinks scattered around them.

"alright, let's dig in," austin said, eagerly reaching for a bag of chips.

they spent the rest of the evening snacking, chatting, and enjoying each other's company. the teasing about briar was temporarily forgotten as they laughed and joked, savoring the simple joy of being together.

as the night wore on, they watched the stars appear one by one in the sky, the ocean waves lapping gently against the shore below.

it was moments like these, surrounded by friends and laughter, that made life feel truly special.

as they finally packed up and headed home, the boys felt a sense of contentment wash over them.

even though their evening had started with teasing and banter, it had ended with a deeper appreciation for their friendship and the bond they shared.

and as they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways, they knew that no matter what, they would always have each other's backs.

[...]

as briar, isla, and her brothers made their way back home, the cool night air enveloped them in a sense of tranquility.

the familiar streets of riverside felt like a comforting embrace, illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights.

"it was so nice spending the day with you, isla," briar said, smiling warmly at her best friend.

isla returned the smile, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "i couldn't agree more, briar. it's been too long since we've had a day like this."

oliver and parker walked ahead, engaged in their own conversation, their laughter drifting back to the girls. briar glanced at isla, a playful glint in her eyes.

"you know, i think they like you more than they like me," she teased, nudging isla lightly.

isla laughed, shaking her head. "nah, they just appreciate good company. and you know they've always got your back."

briar nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over her. "yeah, they do. i'm lucky to have them. even if i'm this close to putting them into a amazon package and shipping them out"

they reached the front porch of their house, the warm light spilling out onto the sidewalk. oliver unlocked the door, and they all stepped inside, the cozy atmosphere welcoming them home.

"i'm glad you're staying over tonight, isla," parker said, flashing her a smile. "we'll make sure you feel right at home."

isla returned the smile, feeling a sense of belonging she hadn't felt in a long time. "thanks, parker. i appreciate it."

as they settled in for the night, briar felt a sense of contentment wash over her. with isla by her side and her brothers close by, she knew that no matter what life threw their way, they would always have each other.

and as they laughed and talked late into the night, surrounded by the warmth of home and friendship, briar couldn't help but feel incredibly grateful for the wonderful people in her life.

the girls pov. 𓇼𖦹

as the night grew quieter and the boys retreated to their own rooms, briar and isla found themselves alone in briar's bedroom, surrounded by the soft glow of fairy lights.

"so, spill the tea, briar," isla said, settling onto the bed next to her friend. "what's the deal with this austin guy?"

briar couldn't help but chuckle at isla's curiosity. "oh, you mean mr. popular?" she replied, rolling her eyes playfully.

isla grinned. "that's the one. i saw the way he was looking at you earlier. spill."

briar sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement. "honestly, i don't even know. he's been... nice, i guess. but then there are these moments where he's just so... annoying."

isla raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story. "annoying how?"

briar hesitated, unsure of how to put her feelings into words. "it's like he's always trying to get under my skin, you know? like he enjoys pushing my buttons."

isla nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. "ah, got it. classic case of a guy who doesn't know how to express his feelings properly."

briar laughed, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "yeah, something like that."

isla nudged her playfully. "well, whatever his deal is, just remember that you deserve someone who treats you right. don't settle for anything less."

briar smiled, grateful for isla's wisdom. "thanks, isla. you always know what to say."

they fell into a comfortable silence, the only sound the soft hum of the night outside. briar felt a sense of peace settle over her as she leaned back against her pillows, her mind filled with thoughts of the future and the possibilities it held.

with isla by her side, she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she would always have a friend to lean on. and as they drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the warmth of friendship and the promise of a new day, briar couldn't help but feel incredibly lucky.