Secrets

16 | devon

"Be careful," Mom calls to me as I run back and forth up the stairs, trying to get all of my things together before Kai reaches my house to pick me up for our trip.

"I will!" I promise my mother as I bound down the stairs, trying to catch my breath as I reach the foyer.

"And don't forget to call me every once in a while," Mom adds, crossing her arms from where she stands perched in the doorway.

I shoot her a knowing smile as I set my last bag down by the door. "I will," I repeat with faint laughter.

"And have fun," Mom teases, entering the room to give me one last hug out of departure. "Enjoy yourself. I'll see you soon."

"Thanks, Mom," I murmur into the crook of her neck as I return the gesture, wrapping my arms around her frame in a warm embrace.

I turn to make my way toward the front door when Mom's voice calls me back once more. "Have you told your friends yet?"

I halt my movements. I face my mother shamefully, fully aware she will be disappointed by my answer. "Not yet."

Mom frowns at me slightly. She won't say it out loud, but I know she thinks I'm being selfish–just like Kai does. She's been all about taking my time to decide whether or not to attend Stanford come August, though she doesn't understand why I don't want to tell my friends the truth now that I have officially decided to go.

"Maybe you should think about telling them on this trip," she suggests. "It would be a good time to break the news, honey."

I nod grudgingly, certain I'm going to end up ignoring my mother's advice. "Yeah," I mutter. "Maybe."

It suddenly hits me how much time has already flown by. It's the last week of July already, which means I'm supposed to be leaving in a matter of days now. And I've yet to tell anyone I'll be moving, besides Kai. It feels as though summer break only just started, when in reality it's nearing the end. School will start back in session in just three short weeks for my friends–they'll be completing high school while I begin college. The fact is nearly impossible for me to comprehend.

My thoughts are cut short by the sound of a car horn blaring from the front yard. I snap out of my trance and tell Mom goodbye once more, giving her one last hug before grabbing my bags and exiting through the front door.

I wander down the porch steps hesitantly, the excitement having been drained from my mind with my attention now focused on how soon I'll be leaving. I make my way toward Kai's minivan and try to fake happiness—it was previously agreed upon that Kai should drive all of us to Mason's beach house, as his family owns such a big vehicle. Hadley and Kai hop out of the car to help with my bags, trying their best to shove them into the crowded trunk. I wrap my arms around Hadley in greeting, smiling as she plants a kiss on my cheek. Kai raises his eyebrows as he observes the gesture silently, shaking his head out of disappointment. As if I need reminding of the fact that I should just tell Hadley the truth already.