Sometimes you just need to get away. For Maya Woods, that time is right now.

Away from the expectations of her being named valedictorian for her graduating class. Away from the pressure of her life at home as the daughter of Lionel Woods, a prominent member of Parliament. Away from the rapidly approaching future in which she’ll be leaving Arowana for university in England. Away from the feeling of anxiety she feels whenever she considers telling Anthony Armitage how she really feels.

Away from the constant flashbacks to a time when her family was complete, and her sister’s room wasn’t empty.

But Maya has the perfect solution: the annual boat trip she takes along the Small Islands with her best friends, Erica, Pearl, and Lystra.

That is, this trip would be the perfect solution if all four of the girls still got along. Once, the four were inseparable. But over the past year, Maya, Erica, and Pearl have become estranged from Lystra. As it stands now, this year’s trip might be the last chance that Maya has to hold the group together before they officially enter adulthood.

Luckily, Maya’s the one friend who always overthinks the itinerary. Here are her current plans for keeping it all together. (Abridged, for the sake of brevity.)

1. Make Sure Everything is Settled at Home

Dad is still angry that you showed up soaking wet to his fancy cocktail, so you should probably feel grateful that you’re still allowed to go on the trip.

Tensions may be high at home, but that’s nothing compared to the nerves you’re feeling after writing the confession letter to Anthony. Thankfully, he won’t receive it until Monday morning, when you’ll be out at sea and out of reach.

2. Stock Up on Snacks

Jub Jubs, candies, and corn curls. Make sure Erica doesn’t wander off to the liquor section of the store. Aunty Inez has a strict no-alcohol policy at her villa.

3. Pump Up the Jams

Starting with “All Aboard” by Atlantik, naturally.

4. Stay Up Late with Aunty Inez

And thank her for letting you stay at her villa the first night of the trip. But really, make the most of your time together. How often do you get to spend one-on-one time with an accomplished software engineering professor at Chaconia University?

Sure, the others might not care to hear about her program that maps currents around Chaconia and the Small Islands and predicts with reasonable accuracy the direction and distance an object would travel in the sea over the course of any specified number of days, but come on, that’s fascinating stuff!

5. Revise Your Scary Story

Part of the annual tradition of sharing original tales of horror each night. This may be the last chance to finally beat Lystra.

6. Keep the Group Tight

Remember, boat trips along the Small Islands are a common getaway for Chaconia University students, even if it is a little early in the season. And you can think of at least one friend who might feel inclined to invite random boys on the boat.

7. Be Careful About Camping

Some of the Small Islands are better campgrounds than others. And there’s at least one we should stay away from.

And no, that’s not because the island Annatto is “haunted,” as Lystra believes. It’s just . . . a little inconvenient to travel to.

Also, make sure that Pearl’s sleepwalking doesn’t cause her to go wandering off in the middle of the night. As if the annoying bells on her bracelet won’t wake everyone up if she gets up anyway. Shouldn’t be an issue.

8. Remind the Girls Why We’re All Friends in the First Place

This year hasn’t been easy for the group. Erica has decided to attend a different university. Pearl has spent nearly all her free time practicing the piano at the behest of her mother. And Lystra really doesn’t talk to any of us anymore.

But we always end the trip feeling better than when we started. And if all goes well this year, perhaps we’ll all decide to continue this tradition next year and into adulthood.

9. Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Or maybe we’ll all end the trip completely hating each other. And Anthony will reject you. And your father will be vindicated after he referred to you as an embarrassment.

But isn’t that already mostly the status quo? Not too far to fall if you’re already near the bottom. So even if this trip turns out to be a complete nightmare, you’ll be able to handle it. Realistically, what’s the worst that could happen?

And if nothing else, if you lose your lifelong friends, you’ll at least have the white sand beaches and crystal-blue waters.

Find out if Maya’s best laid plans come to fruition, or if they end in disaster in the pages of Rick Riordan Presents: It Lurks in the Night by Sarah Dass, on sale now.