I woke up the next morning to the squawking of Seagulls. We'd all decided to sleep out on blankets last night; the stars were too beautiful to pass up. I looked around to see who else had stirred. Percy and Doug were nowhere to be seen, but everyone else was exactly where you'd expect them to be - sound asleep.

I gazed across the water and saw two figures sitting on surfboards about 200 yards offshore. The waves were 9-10 feet tall. A strong offshore wind hollowed out the waves too. They were perfect conditions for a surfer. I'd never wanted to try something so badly in my life. I sat on the edge of the water with my feet in the sand, watching the two best friends having the time of their lives out there. I was happy for Percy that he was having such a blast, but saddened at the same time. I knew this wasn't a realistic possibility back in New York.

"You're perfect for him," Hazel said, startling me. I wasn't sure how long I'd been watching the boys surf, or how long Hazel had been sitting next to me.

"How long have you been sitting there?" I asked.

"About 10 minutes. You seemed so at ease, I didn't want to disturb you."

I smiled. I wished everyone in New York was this nice - courteous enough to let you enjoy your blissful daydream without interrupting. But no, New York has some of the worst people imaginable. Traveling outside the city is a breath of fresh air, you get to deal with people that actually treat you like a human. "So you really think I'm good for Percy?" I continued.

"I don't know if I've ever seen him this happy. The way you two were last night - it was straight out of a Love Song. I'm not sure how much you know about him yet, but Percy's upbringing was arduous, to say the least. He had a really, really hard life for quite some time. Even being famous now, he still has to deal with the scars and trauma of his past. He's never been truly happy before. But I think you're changing that."

"I just hope things stay this way."

Hazel frowned at me "What, are you expecting things to change?"

"It's complicated. Has Percy told you guys about his new job yet?"

"No, what is it?"

"Percy got cast as Donovan from The Domino Trials. Filming starts in a few weeks and for the sake of our relationship not being as public as possible, we're faking a break-up when we leave LA."

"I see." Hazel responded. She sounded hesitant, almost concerned. However, I wasn't sure, I couldn't get a good read on her.

"I hope we don't regret it. If we manage to throw away everything we have right now, I don't know if we'll be able to forgive each other for it."

"If it goes south, just become public. Better to have him than a secret."

"Agreed."

I glanced back towards the water and saw the two boys making their way back to shore. After stumbling through the shore-break, they walked right past Hazel and me, as if neither of us existed, and went straight for the group of sleeping kids.

"This isn't going to end well." Hazel muttered. I nodded in agreement, not taking my eyes off of Percy.

I watched Percy and Doug slowly pick up one of their sleeping, hungover friends and calmly place them on one of their surfboards. With surprising grace, they managed to walk him down to the shore and push him off into the ocean.

"What if he doesn't wake up?" I asked innocently. I really wish I could remember the poor kids name.

"Well..." Doug began with a grin, "then we are screwed. He'll wake up though, trust me."

My trust in Doug and Percy was put to the test almost instantly as a massive wave flipped their friend off of the surfboard.

Moments later, a small head emerged from the water shouting violent profanities towards the group of us. Percy and Doug were laughing their heads off. Hazel and I were sharing a glance, both wondering the exact same thing - what the hell is wrong with our boyfriends?

All of the commotion seemed to wake everyone else. Slowly, more and more people started joining us at the shore to watch the beautiful sunrise. Oh, and to watch Percy's unnamed friend try and make his way back to shore.

We didn't stay long after. Everyone was hungover, tired, and in desperate need of food and our own beds.

As Rachel, Ryan, Percy, and I made our way back home along the Pacific Coast Highway, I wondered if I would ever see those kids again. Hopefully; that was my answer. It was good to know Percy had great friends in his old home, and a part of me was jealous. As much as I love the vagabonds, I wouldn't mind trading one or two of them for a couple of Percy's California friends.

The rest of the vacation went exactly like you'd expect a dream LA vacation to. We went famous people watching on Hollywood Blvd, we went back to the pier again... and again. I couldn't get enough of the sunsets and happiness that radiated from the boardwalk. Santa Monica truly is a special place.

On our final night in California, I would myself alone with Percy for what seemed to be the first time all break. We'd been so caught up in entertaining Ryan and Rachel, in seeing and getting to know Percy's family, and in having such a great time that we hadn't really taken any alone time to ourselves. Of course we found ourselves sneaking off at every occasion, sneaking a kiss under the boardwalk or behind the vending machines. But we hadn't taken any time for us - just us - uninterrupted, unspoiled, one on one hanging out.

Percy had some more of his obscure music on the radio. How he enjoys that garbage baffles me. We sat on his bed, just enjoying one another's company.

"They announce the Domino Trials cast list soon," Percy spoke abruptly.

I smiled. "I know, and what of it?" I glanced towards Percy and saw a look of sadness, almost pain, had overtaken him. I knew instantly what was on his mind. "The secret relationship," I spoken hesitantly.

Percy nodded. "Yea. Its almost that time." He took a deep, exaggerated exhale afterwards.

I could tell Percy struggled to speak those words, as if he choked on every syllable. "What's wrong?" I prodded.

"I'm nervous. Part of me tells me that we have to do this, that I have to spare you from the lifestyle of the rich and the famous - at least spare you for now. But another part of me tells me I shouldn't. It tells me I have everything I could've ever wanted and more right now, and that I shouldn't do anything that might jeopardize that."

"I'd be lying if I told you I didn't share the same concerns." That much was very true. The thought of change, of fixing something that isn't broken, deeply worried me. If you pretend something special doesn't exist between two people, it will only be so long until nothing truly exists. "Ultimately it is your decision -"

"But it isn't," Percy cut in, "this isn't me or you right now, this is us. As far as I'm concerned, my romantic endeavors aren't mine alone anymore. They are ours. We make decisions about us together. This effects both of us; this is our relationship. Don't make me make this decision alone."

"I don't have a decision to make." I replied softly. "My decision, similar to you, is you. However I can best keep you is what I chose to do."

"And if we choose wrong?"

"We'll manage." I reassuringly squeezed Percy's hand and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "Besides what's the worst that can happen?"

"We somehow find a way to hate each other and never speak again."

"You're such an optimist. I'll tell you what. If we start secret and decide we want to change things we can. That's not the case if we do things the other way around. So start with the secret?"

Percy mulled over my suggestions for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Secret it is. Now get out of my room, I can't be seen having a strange girl in here this late at night."

I laughed before leaning in a kissing Percy. "I'll see you tomorrow. Try not to be too excited to see me, we don't need you ruining the whole thing." I winked and retreated from the room before Percy's had time to respond.

I wasn't sure how I felt now that we were really doing this. On the one hand I was nervous. Percy brought up some serious concerns. There are definitely logistical issues in a secret relationship such as when/where to hang out? Or how much time spent interacting in public is too much?

But on the other hand, I was excited. There was this fire in me I'd never felt before. Something about a secret courting of one of America's most desirable teen stars ignited a passion I've never yet felt before. A challenge - to deceive the world and everyone in it. I was an unnerving mix of worry and enthusiasm. This was going to be fun.