After Us

Chapter Five

I hadn't read or done art in a while. Those were the things I enjoyed doing during my free time during the school year. I decided to light a candle and get out my watercolor pens for the first time in ages. The last time I touched them was probably when I brought them to the picnic date with Ben.

The summer was already going so fast. It's already been two weeks and all I've done is earn money gardening with a bunch of gaming boys. I could have hung out with Conner and his friends when he texted me yesterday but I got into an argument with mom that night and I was too upset to go. I told myself I could go another time but I wasn't sure if there was going to be another time.

I finished my last day of gardening and dad was happy when I handed over the money I owed him. That's all he seems to care about these days. Money. Our relationship wasn't great at the moment but I was happy this made him feel a little better. Although I hate the job I was definitely going to miss Travis and Josh. Travis was always super nice and funny, excluding all the times Josh sprayed me with the hose or covered me in mud. He actually could be charming and funny too.

I was starting to worry Miles didn't want to see me because he never texted or came around, but that worry disappeared when a white convertible Mini pulled up in front of our house and my brother yelled to me that I had a visitor.

I quickly brushed my hair and grabbed my favorite light blue converse and ran downstairs. I was so happy to see him but I hope I didn't look desperate.

"Hey," Miles smiled. Luca stood by the door giving me the 'hurry the hell up look' and I tried to tie my shoes faster.

I got up and walked in the door. "You two have fun." Luca winked at me and I cringed back. This was all happening so fast. Why did life suddenly feel that it was full speed ahead?

We walked out to his white Mini. My dream car.  I was speechless, it was perfect.

"It's my moms." he laughed and opened the door for me. It was too good to be true.

"I love it," I said, smiling and thanked him for holding the door.

He got into the driver's side, "She'll be happy to hear that." he laughed. "Hey, by the way, sorry I didn't come sooner or text you, my mom and sister wanted to see me and spend some time since I got back and I never got your number anyways."

"Don't worry about it." I smiled. " I was busy with work anyways." I tucked my hair behind my ear and he started to drive. He was a really good driver and I was honestly surprised he got his license before me. I didn't know where we were going but it seemed like he had a place in mind. He asked me if I was hungry but we both had eaten so we decided to go get ice cream instead and then head to a park.

We have the same taste in ice cream because we both got caramel cones. Caramel ice cream with cone pieces in it that were dipped in chocolate. Delicious.

We pulled into the park parking lot and got out, my ice cream was melting fast. I had to keep whiping the cone with the napkin.

Miles walked us over to a quiet shaded part of the park and we both sat down. "So Ann," he began, "what have I missed all these years? What have you been up to?"

I looked at him and smirked then looked back at my melting ice cream. "Where do I begin?" I say, "It starts with me building my very own rocket for NASA at the begging of freshman year, and then later on I began an actor, which made me famous."

Miles laughed and sarcastically carried on. "Wow, building a rocket all by yourself? You must be rich."

"Yeah I am, I was going to offer to buy us ice cream today but I didn't wanna brag about that all the money I have."