A Summer to Remember

amazing.
    “Ava! You ready yet or…Oh!” Lily came around the corner and seen us. “Um, we’ll be in the car whenever you’re ready.” I caught a quick glimpse of the smirk on her face before she turned around.
    “Well, we better go. We don’t want to keep everyone waiting.” We stood up and I grabbed my bag as we headed for the door.
    “Hey, you think maybe you’d want to get dinner or something this week? Maybe tomorrow?” I turned to him and smiled.
    “That actually sounds perfect.” We walked downstairs and went outside to join the others. The guys threw the last of the bags and coolers into the cars as we all said our goodbyes.
    “Hey, we have an end of the summer party here every year. You guys should come back up,” Brian said as he was getting into Adrian’s truck.
    “Sounds like fun! We’d love to. Just let one of us know when it gets closer and we’re in,” Lily answered for the group, without anyone else’s input, of course, which is what she does best.
    “So tomorrow’s a plan then?” Adrian came up behind me.
    “Yes, it’s a plan.” He leaned down to give me a hug. His touch reminded me of what happened on the beach last night. As he let go, I couldn’t stop myself from putting my hand behind his neck and pulling him in until our lips met. I’m not sure what came over me, but I couldn’t leave after all that had happened between us and pretend like there wasn’t some amazingly intense connection between us. That kiss was all the reassurance I needed to prove there was something there. And I wasn’t going to be able to just let that go. Not even for Jason.
     

 
     
    CHAPTER 10

    T he drive home was quiet. I didn’t have a problem with that since I was exhausted from the events of the weekend. I rolled up my hoodie and placed it up against the window. It didn’t take long before I fell asleep. It only seemed like a matter of minutes before Lily was waking me up.
    “Ava, we’re here.” I looked out the window. We were sitting outside my house.
    “Okay. Thanks.” I got out of the car and walked up the driveway.
    “Call me tomorrow!” Lily yelled out Steven’s window.
    “Will do. Bye.” I waved at Jesse sitting in the backseat, he smiled and waved in return. “Thanks for driving, Steven.”
    “No problem,” he said as he backed out of the driveway.
    I watched them drive off in the distance before I went into the house. I opened the front door and was almost bowled over by our two dogs. I rubbed both of their heads and gave them each a treat before we went upstairs to my room.
    I tossed my bag on the floor and collapsed onto my bed. I’ve always loved the feeling of coming back to my own space after being away for the weekend. I don’t know how people that go to college and live in a dorm can be away from their own room for so long. Luckily, we live close enough to the college that I don’t have to stay in the dorms.
    My room is a lot different than other girls my age. Two of my walls are painted a deep blue that match the carpet and the walls have framed photos of my idols from the fifties rather than posters of the latest celebrities.
    I went into my bathroom, started the shower and got in. I couldn’t remember the last time a shower felt this nice. I liked to think of the water running off my body as all my worries going down the drain. If only it was that simple.
    When I finished, I slipped into a tank top and pajama pants because I knew that I wouldn’t be doing anything but lounging around all day. I jumped in bed and glanced at my phone. I’d missed a few calls and two texts. Great! Two missed calls and a text from Jason:
     
    Steven just got here so I know
    you made it home. Please
    call me so we can talk.
     
    Really? It’s only nine in the morning and this is already starting? Then I saw I had a missed call and a text from Adrian.
     
    Just wanted to make sure
    you made it home safe.
    Can’t wait for tomorrow ;)
     
    I smiled when I read this. The memories of last night and the kiss we shared before we left ran through my head. I replied back:
     
    Me either. You better have a
    pretty great plan in mind…
    you only get one chance to
    impress me ;)
     
    His response was quick:
     
    Oh don’t worry.
    You won’t be disappointed.
    Dress to impress babe.
    I laughed and replied:
     
    I always do :)
     
    I set my phone down on the nightstand. Right when I reached for my remote, the phone buzzed. I picked it up and saw Jason’s name across the