During Summer

CHAPTER FOUR

Annelise

We're all in Peggy's. Everyone. Sitting in one booth. It's tight and kind of uncomfortable, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, actually. Not having Athos here would make it better. I can't stop feeling him stare at me. Whenever I look his way, he looks away and then looks right back at me. But everything else is perfect. I've missed them all so much. My night with Cili and Avey was amazing. We talked, we watched a movie, we baked, and took photos. It was all like it was 7 years ago. Just like nothing changed. It was like we still saw each other every year.

"So Annie. What have you been up to?" Luka asks me. This is a question that I was prepared for. I know what to say. "Nothing much, Luka. Finishing school, applying for college, you know the normal stuff." I smile after finishing. Although what I said is true. My life the last seven years has been anything but normal. "How about you, Lukey? How have the last seven years treated you?" I ask him. He shrugs, "It's been pretty good, I guess. Not much to complain about except for the fact that you haven't been around." I give him a sad smile. "WAIT. Why didn't Luka sneer at you," Matt points at me, "When you called him Lukey. He had no reaction. He liked it." He points at Luka, "You always groan or threaten to rip my tongue out if I call you Lukey. It's unfair." Matt finishes slumping back into his seat with a pout. Everyone laughs and Ava gives him a small peck on the cheek which brightens his mood up instantly.

She told me last night that they were an item. I'm happy for them. They always looked cute together when we were younger. Mava, as me and Alice would call them, is afloat and running. The only thing that disappoints me is that I wasn't here to see it happen. But it's ok because I know why I wasn't here. It was my choice and spending the last few years with my mom will never be a regret.

"Lise," Athos shouts. He gets me out of my thoughts immediately. It's like even my subconscious knows his voice and knows we have to respond. I look at him, "Yeah, Athos." He swallows, stares right at me and then looks down to the table and I can see he's about to say something but our food arrives right on time. I'm glad that it does. I don't think I can handle anything Athos wants to say right now. I'm still hurt about what happened all those years ago. I was honestly hoping I wouldn't see him this summer at all but some dreams are too big to come true.

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I'm in bed when I hear a ping from my phone. I groan and reach across the bed to pick up my phone from the nightstand.

207-288-4098

Hey:)

Me

Who is this?

207-288-4098

Athos. This is Annelise right?

Me

Oh. Hi Athos. How'd you get my number?

207-288-4098

I asked Luka for it. He asked Allie.

Me

Oh. k. Well I'm gonna go to sleep now.

207-288-4098

Ok. I just wanted to text you so you'd have my number too. Good night Lise.

Me

Night.

I drop my phone back on the nightstand and roll over to my corner near the wall. I don't know why he got my number but right now I don't care. I'm tired and I wanna go to sleep. I close my eyes and cuddle into my blanket. Soon enough sleep comes.

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207-288-4098

Ok I know I said Good night but I wanted to ask you something well talk to you about something so when you see this maybe text me and let me know if we can meet?

"What do I do?" I ask Ava and Alice. I read this message when I woke up this morning and immediately sent a "SOS" text to our group chat. "So he doesn't know that you've seen it right?" Ava asked. "Yeah, I read it from the notifications I haven't opened it well not on his screen and he's probably still asleep, right? Not worrying if I've seen it or not." I say. I'm panicking. I don't know what to do. I don't want to talk to him or see him but it's Athos I can't not answer him.

"Ok well, you don't want to see him right?" I nod my head and mutter a yes. "Then ignore him." Ava states. I look at her, "True. Your right." I nod. "But," Alice starts, "You don't know what he wants. What if he wants to reconnect and explain what happened between you both. Also, he's awake. He's working today." She finishes with a small smile. I groan and throw myself on my bed. If I go maybe we can fix our relationship or maybe it'll go super bad and I'll never be able to look, think, or hear of him again. If I don't go I will die of curiosity but nothing will be able to get worse. Or better.