Summer At The Store

Hope Springs Eternal

She sealed the lid on her Tupperware of treats she made last night for the road trip down to the springs. Going to float along the natural lazy river in a tube with her friends was exactly the distraction she needed. John had texted her last night apologizing before going to bed. She did know where she stood with him. They hadn't broken up, but they certainly were not in a good place. Baking out her anxiety seemed like the best method of therapy. Everyone could enjoy the cookies & mini cupcakes and take the attention away from why she was there and not in DC.

Her dad came bounding down the stairs. "Hey kiddo. You were up late."

"Yeah. The more treats the merrier, right?" she held up multiple Tupperware containers.

"You'll be home tonight right?" he asked pouring a cup of coffee.

"That's the plan." She nodded. "I made a pot pie for dinner for you and Kitty tonight."

"Did you get any sleep at all?" he laughed.

"A few hours." She lied. She had gotten an hour at best. She wished Margo was around to talk about this. She was at St. Andrews for the summer working on a special research project and would be gone until her fall break. She heard her phone beep, knowing it was Chris telling her they were in the driveway. "Well, I'm off." She smiled.

"Have fun. Be safe. Make sure you wear your sunscreen." Her dad yelled out as she grabbed her bags from the front table.

"Will do. See you later Dad!" she waved and walked out the door.

Chris's head was already out the back window. "LJ! I'M SO HAPPY YOU'RE COMING WITH!"

Lara Jean yelled back, "ME TOO!" she opened the back door of Mrs. Pike's SUV. Peter, Chris, and Trevor were already in the car. She placed her bags behind her and slid along the bench seating to sit next to Chris. "Good morning friends!" she smiled. "I brought snacks." She held up one of many Tupperware containers.

"You never let me down, LJ." Trevor smiled at her from the driver's seat. He held his hand out behind him. Lara Jean slid a cookie into his hand. He gobbled it down, creating a mess on his lap.

Peter shook his head laughing at his friend. His eyes met Lara Jeans for a fleeting moment. Peter had promised to not tell any details of what happened with John. He was just happy she agreed to come. He hated how sad she was last night. He was determined to turn her mood around.

"Let's hit the road!" Trevor exclaimed backing out of her driveway. The springs were about two hours south. Lara Jean had only been to the springs one time before. Josh had taken her and Margo on the busiest day of the season. They could barely get downstream through the floating islands of every type of inflatable you could imagine. She was excited to go with her friends and not feel like the ever present third wheel.

Chris leaned over to her as the boys began to fight about what music to play. "You don't need to tell me the details, but is everything okay?"

Lara Jean shrugged. "I honestly don't know." She tried to smile but felt tears coming up. She sniffled them back. "I don't want to think about him or the horrible time we had. I just want to relax and have fun today."

"Well, I can certainly make sure that happens." She pulled her close and gave her a kiss on the side of her head. Lara Jean giggled. Chris had a gift for lifting the mood no matter what the situation. The girls turned their attention to the boys up front.

"Just give me the Aux cord." Peter pestered his best friend. "The person in the passenger seat is in charge of the music. It's road trip law."

"No. I spent hours curating the perfect road trip playlist. We're listening to it."