Ivy Grows

Strawberry Letter 23

"Ivy.." Samuel's voice was the first thing I heard that morning. He was leaned over my bed, gently shaking me awake. He smelled like cinnamon rolls. I rolled over and looked up at him. His long brown hair was pulled back into a messy bun, a few strands falling down framing his face.

"I got you a coffee and cinnamon rolls..." he held a Cinnabon bag and an iced coffee in his hand. That explains the smell.

"Thank you. What time is is?" I asked as I sat up and took the bag and coffee from him. I figured he would've left after answering but he plopped down on the end of the bed, lying across the bottom and propping himself up on his elbow.

"Ten," he told me and I only nodded before letting out a yawn. "I've made plans for us today."

"Really? What if I'd been busy?" I smirked as I took a sip through the straw of the iced coffee. It was really good.

"Easy. You'd cancel all of those lame plans and then hang out with me.." he wore an exaggerated smile and I could not help but feel excited about whatever he had planned.

"What are we doing, Kiszka?" I began opening the cinnamon rolls and took a bite. It was also really good.

"That's a surprise.." he wiggled his eyebrows but remained silent.

"How are we getting to said plans? Are you paying for an uber? Are the plans here?" I rambled, asking every question that popped into my head.

"I went home this morning, snuck in while everyone was still sleeping and got the keys to my car..." he laughs, "that I never got to drive."

"Car?" I tilted my head in confusion. I definitely don't remember Sam having a car.

"It was a graduation present. Then I moved to LA, and bought a new car.." he spoke lowly, "so, yeah it's mine but I never got to use it...until today!" He finally stood up, "hurry up and eat so we can get out on the road. We've got a long drive ahead of us. Bring something you wouldn't mind getting wet in.." a wink followed that request and then he was gone down the stairs as fast as a gust of wind.

I sat there for a moment before I actively started digging in. Scarfing down the cinnamon rolls faster than I originally thought possible. I stood to pick out an outfit to wear, still chewing the rolls as I picked through my suitcase that lied on the floor by the window.

I eventually settled on wearing a plain black bikini underneath a orange shirt with a peace sign on it that was partially obscured by overall shorts. I didn't really know what shoes to wear since we were apparently 'getting wet' so I just wore my converse and hope there'd be a place to put my shoes.

I finished the cinnamon rolls and chucked the empty bag in the trash can in my bathroom. Then I brushed my teeth while I was in there. I didn't bother doing my makeup. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand and then my bag from the chair by my door, I was ready to go so I head downstairs.

To my surprise, Sam was literally waiting by the door. Keys in hand and taking in his outfit for the first time; he wore a almost see-through white flowy shirt and then olive green short trunks. He looked positively ready for a beach day. Which I wasn't sure where there even was a beach around here.

"You look adorable," He gestured to my overalls and I felt my cheeks flame at the compliment.

"Thank you. So do you. I like your shirt," I told him as I walked through the threshold he was next to and seen his car immediately. It was old. I wasn't expecting that. It was also red.