No Better Version of Me Than When I'm With You

Chapter 6

"On one of your impromptu trips? How could it not be?" Newt agreed with a chuckle.

Roughly an hour later, he and Newt strolled along the boardwalk bordering the dunes that led to the beach. The sun was out in full force and despite wearing sunglasses, Thomas found himself still squinting in the bright light. The temperature was rising quickly, and the beach was already full, but as they walked along the boardwalk he was grateful for the crowd. He enjoyed the sense of anonymity that came with mingling amongst groups of people he didn't know. Even more so alongside his best friend, who, when he turned to look over at him, had pulled up short at a small hat stand.

"Here, put this on." Newt handed him a bucket hat with a childish grin. Thomas looked down at it to see it was black with vivid green avocados with smiley faces on it.

"The only way I'll wear that is if you also wear a dumb hat." Thomas snorted. He cast around looking for a suitably stupid one, and reached for one almost immediately.

He pushed it over the top of Newt's head before shoving his own on, fighting down the laughter that bubbled up. The tan bucket hat atop his head read, "birds aren't real" in colorful cursive.

"We look ridiculous, Tommy." Newt rolled his eyes as Thomas began to pull out his phone, and moved to take his hat off.

"No, no wait! We gotta send at least one pic to the group, right?" Thomas pleaded, reaching up to stop him. "Let them know what they're missing by being at work right now."

Newt huffed, but grinned crookedly at him and snatched the phone out of Thomas' hand to take a picture of them both, wearing ridiculous expressions as well as hats.

Within a minute, Thomas had taken his phone back and sent it to the group chat, waiting for the inevitable all-caps reply from Minho first. Sure enough, less than a minute later both his and Newt's phones were lighting up with Minho's name.

[Minho, 11:38am]

?????!!!?!??!?!?!?

are you guys at the BEACH????

It's a THURSDAY

I expect this type of shit from Thomas, but I'm disappointed in you Newt

[Newt, 11:38am]

Blame Tommy, he dragged me out here against my will

[Minho, 11:39am]

suuuuuuuuure he did

[Brenda, 11:39am]

Yeah, you really look like you're having a terrible time

[Thomas, 11:39am]

Nobody said you guys couldn't join us? We'll be here all day.

[Minho, 11:40am]

You know what? I think I will, I get off early today anyway. See you losers this afternoon, I'll bring drinks

[Gally, 11:41am]

Your hat looks stupid, Greenie. And as much as I wish I could join this impromptu beach party, y'all are on your own.

[Brenda, 11:41am]

I'll come in your place, Gal. don't worry lol

[Gally, 11:41am]