April 27th

Chapter 25

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Twenty-Five

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"So, are we going out or what?" Paige draped her arms over April and Amanda's shoulders, pulling both girls down to her height. April grinned, while Amanda gently pulled her neck free of the grip.

The other vacationers, including their parents had just left, taking Javier and Malia with them. April, Nathan, Amanda and Paige remained, intending to spend the remaining two weeks they had.

"Is there a party?" April asked.

"Who would throw a party at one in the afternoon?" Amanda asked as they trekked back towards the house.

"Remember that time mom and dad weren't home so you, April and I threw a breakfast party?"

"I wasn't involved in planning it, but yes. Nate was still in bed when people started yelling because you forgot to tell them it was BYOB, as in 'bring your own breakfast'," Amanda answered and they all laughed.

"Gosh, it was a mistake, what was wrong with them?" Paige said, still laughing.

"It's what happens when you say 'no food' to hungry teenagers at seven am on a Saturday," April kicked a pebble into Nathan's path.

He kicked it back. "You guys finished all the breakfast food in the house trying to fix your mess, if I remember correctly."

"Well, at least Margot Davis choked on bacon. That was funny. And April spilled someone's coffee all over her head."

Another round of laughter passed, but left April feeling particularly somber. It had been Javier's. She'd bent to pick up a pancake, and on getting up, she had knocked her head into his full cup.

"How're you holding up?" Paige whispered to April when they got to the door.

"I'm okay."

In truth, she was–mostly. As it was, she'd felt better after crying, and she was sure if she didn't see him again, she'd be quicker at healing. The memories would always be with her, but whatever had happened between them had happened and passed away—in theory, that is.

"Why'd you even come out?" Nathan asked, opening the sliding glass door for all of them to get in before him.

She shrugged. "I wanted to say goodbye to Dad and Hannah."

"And see Javier one last time," Paige inserted. "Dude didn't even leave the car."

"I don't think he could," Amanda shrugged. "I mean, step in his shoes...we would've torn him apart for what he did."

April shrugged. She couldn't defend him but she knew she had to let go at some point. "You guys leave it alone, I'm tired."

"It's only noon."

She nodded. "I'm still tired."

Nathan sighed. He knew exactly what kind of 'tired' she meant. "Rest up cause we have a party later. I'm in charge so I'll let you three come."

Paige scoffed. "Yeah, like you'd ever be the reason we miss it. We'd dig a tunnel in the ground if you locked us up."

Nathan grabbed the nearest object—a brown throw pillow— and lobbed it at her. Paige threw it back, accidentally smacking Amanda, who sought revenge immediately. As both girls ran toward the kitchen, April gave Nathan a mock bow and left him to deal with them.