Across the Pond

Chapter 3

We pull into the dusty pebbled driveway and mom puts the car in park once we're by the garage. She pops open the trunk and we both make our way to the back of the car.

"Isabella, is that going to be enough for the entire summer?" mom asks, scratching her neck and looking on nervously.

"I packed what I'm going to wear," I assure her, but she shakes her head at me.

"Honey, you're 16. I think you've outgrown the frayed shorts phase."

"Frayed shorts is a classic look, mom."

"Let me guess...so are your scoop-neck tank tops and dirty Converses?"

"My Converses are not dirty."

"Honey, I can't even see the logo anymore because they're covered in mud."

"And that's how I like them, thank you very much."

"Well, I guess that's all that matters then."

This is one of the many reasons why I love my mom. She never pushes something that she wants onto me. I know that she rather me dress up in sundresses and wedges, but that's not my style.

"Is that my beautiful granddaughter?" Grandma Ruby calls out from the front porch.

"Grandma!" I drop my suitcases and run towards her as she moves in my direction with her arms open wide. I'm only 5'4, but I'm way taller than her 4'9 frame. I bend down and nestle my head into the crevice of her shoulder.

Cinnamon. Grandma Ruby always smells like cinnamon.

"Hi, sweetheart," she says into my ear.

We pull away from each other and she walks towards mom, embracing her with the same amount of love.

"You look fantastic, Carrie darling!" Grandma Ruby exclaims once she's had a good look at mom. Mom could be wearing a paper bag over her head and Grandma Ruby would tell her she looks amazing - that's just her personality. Always one to compliment the people that she cares about.

Grandma Ruby also looks fantastic. She has so much pep in her step, it's not even funny. Her white blonde hair is pulled up in a jeweled clip and she's wearing her favorite yellow cardigan that she sewed herself.

"It smells delicious," mom says. "Are you barbecuing?"

"Of course I'm barbecuing. And I made my famous smore's brownie for dessert. Your first night here calls for a full-course meal."

"Mom, you didn't have to do all that."

"Oh, hush! Now, let's get you girls unpacked and have a seat in the backyard. You haven't seen it since it's been redone."

We follow Grandma Ruby inside and before I enter, I take in the white, washed out exterior. Wow, it feels good to be back.

I make my way to my room, which is on the same floor as everything else. Suitcases behind me, I push the door open with my knee and roll them in. Grandma might have redone the backyard, but my room is still the same, decorated in its light pink tones. It's simple, with just a worn-out sofa and mini TV.

I glance at the sterling silver picture frame that sits on top of my dresser. It's of me and Nico when I was 10 and he was 12. We're sitting on a wooden bench in front of a roller coaster, each holding an ice cream cone that's dripping down the sides. I remember the day perfectly. Nico had just gotten back from sleep-away camp and mom took us to an amusement park. It was my first time going on a roller coaster, so I was nervous. I remember Nico trying to calm me down once the cart started to ascend the track. He held my hand the entire time.

I've never told Nico how I felt and feel about him - never even gave him an inkling. I guess it's because I'm afraid that he might not feel the same way. Sure, he's gone above and beyond to do things that have made me feel special, but I know that our relationship is simply platonic. I also feel like if I were to ever tell him how I truly feel - how goosebumps form when he touches my skin, how he's the only thing I see in a room full of people - and he didn't feel the same way, that would be it. 9 years of friendship down the drain. Losing Nico as a best friend isn't worth the risk. I've thought about it, trust me I have, and I know with 100-percent certainty that it's not.

"Knock knock, can I come in?" Grandma Ruby asks, peeking her head inside.

"Of course!"

"So...how's it going in here?"

"I think I'm going to wait until tonight to unpack," I tell her when I see her eyes land on my suitcases.

"You sure? Dinner can wait."

"No, it's okay. I don't want to waste any more time. We have so much catching up to do."

"I know! I can't wait to hear all about your year. You know how much I miss you when you're not around."

I don't know why, but I suddenly feel guilty. Of course I call, FaceTime, and even text my grandma, but it doesn't feel like enough. Mom and I have each other back in New York, but Grandma Ruby is here, all by herself.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out, somberly.

"Sorry?" Grandma Ruby chuckles, looking at me in a baffled way. "What are you sorry for?"

"I just wish that we didn't live so far from you."

She smiles as she makes her way closer to me. "Me, too," she says, latching onto my arms. "Thankfully, we don't have to worry about that for the next two months."

"I know. It always feels right being here."

"It always feels right having you here." She takes a few steps back and glances over the space. "Maybe next summer we'll change up your room a bit."

"No way! I love my room just the way it is."

"Yeah?" she asks like she doesn't believe me. "You sure you don't want to add more to it?"

"What for? I have everything that I need in this room." I don't know why but I find myself glancing at the picture of me and Nico again.

"He's excited to see you, you know?" Grandma Ruby says. She doesn't need to clarify who the 'he' is. We both know who she's referring to.

"How's he been?"

"Good, good. I've only seen him a handful of times, but he talks about you every chance that he gets."

"Only good things, I hope," I tease.

"Only good things," she assures me. "It's only ever good things when it comes to you and Nico."