Last Summer

Rafe

I dressed in a casual suit for my first official date with River. My dirty blonde hair was messy on my head. I looked in the mirror one last time before I walked out the front door, securing my black and gold watch.

I pulled up to River's dad's house at exactly six o'clock. Just as I was about to knock, the door swung open, Mr. Maxwell standing on the other side. We were the same height, he was just bulkier than I. His hair was dark brown, mixed with some grey. River got her looks from him. Her dark hair made her look more like him. Her eyes were so bright. Both her parents and her sister had dark eyes, it made me question where she got her green ones.

"Hey, Rafe. River should be down any second." Parrish Maxwell said.

I nodded as he let me in the door.

"River! Rafe is here!"

"Coming!" She called back from her room. Music flowed from the hall her room was in. It was music I assumed she would listen to. The Neighbourhood and Chase Atlantic.

River steps into the living room and my jaw dropped. I covered my mouth to hide my smirk. She had on a red mini dress, that hung on to her curves so well, it didn't leave much to the imagination. She matched the dress with black heels.

"Woah there, champ." Her dad exclaimed, noticeably keeping his eyes off of her.

"Sorry, dad." She laughed, pushing her black hair behind her shoulder. She had it straightened and pinned back.

"You look amazing." I breathed.

"Thank you. You look so handsome." She replied.

"Are you ready?" I asked. She nodded her head while smiling.

"Alright, pops. I'll be back by midnight?" She requested.

He smiled and nodded, then looked directly like me, "Not a minute later."

"Yes, sir." I took River's hand and lead her out to my car, opening the passenger door for her.

"So, where are we going?" She asked, buckling her seat belt.

"It's a surprise." I replied, climbing in the drivers side door.

She looked at me with excitement in her eyes and I couldn't help but lean over and kiss her.

.........................................................

As we walk into the country club, all eyes are on River, but her eyes are on me. It was truly the best feeling in the world.

We sat at a far table in the cafe we first saw each other in. Her smile lit up the whole room.

"This is amazing." She gushed.

"I figured we could go to the beach after. I think there's a kegger tonight. If there's not, we can still go to the beach." I told her. Her smile just kept getting bigger.

Dinner flew by. We sat at the table and talked. Things I had never told anyone before kept flowing out of my mouth. I didn't know what it was about the girl, but I couldn't get enough. Simply being around her was intoxicating.

We walked hand in hand as we made our way down the beach. People were everywhere. Pogues and Kooks, but I didn't care. I didn't care what River was, as long as I could call her mine. I walked her down to the water, as she slipped off her heels.

"There was no way I am walking anywhere in those things." She chuckled and tossed them in the sand. I looked at her, standing in the sand, her hair was being pushed by the wind. She was watching all the party-goers, a huge smile spread across her face.

"River." I called, getting her attention. She turned quickly and walked a couple steps towards me. I began pulling my suit jacket off and loosening my tie, "Let's have some fun."

She laughed as she grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the keg stand. "Beer?" She asked, over the music. She set a red solo cup in my hand, then filled herself up one.

"I have to have you back by midnight, go lightly." I told her, giving her a look.

"It's only eight, I have four hours." She hollered back. I nodded and watched her move through the crowd. She captured everyone's eyes, girl or guy, Kook or Pogue. She was universal. But she chose me.

I rested on one of the many logs that were strewn about the beach, facing the fire. I watched River dance in the crowd. I sipped my beer as I thought. Would I break her heart? Would I cave and do coke again? What if I decided to go back to college so I could take over my dad's business? What if she woke up one day and decided I'm not what she wants?

"Hey! Come dance with me!" River yelled from the crowed, pointing at me. I shook my head, "Sorry, sweetheart. I'm good at everything but that." I laughed. She pouted and shimmied her way over to me.

"Hey, you." She giggled, pushing her hair out of her eyes.

"Hey, you." I replied. She leaned up against me, the back of her head pressed against my pectoral.

I snaked my hands around her waist, landing on her hip bones. She put her hands on mine, intertwining her fingers.

I pulled my right hand up to her neck and rubbed my thumb on her vein.

"River." I whispered into her ear.

"Mmm?" She hummed back.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

She jolted up, turning around so quickly it made me jump.

"Yes!" She smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck in a hug, "Oh my gosh. I have a boyfriend." Her laugh was loud and joyous.

"I haven't had a girlfriend since I was probably 15." I told her, she laughed.

"I've never had a boyfriend." She confessed, drinking what was left in her cup.

"Should you have any more?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. We still have," She grabbed my arm that had my watch on it, "Three hours." She winked at me and walked back to the kegger.

I pushed my hair out of my eyes and rubbed my temples.

This is not going to go well, I thought to myself, following River into the crowd.