LAVENDER HAZE - J. Hughes

One

Meet me at midnight

I had been staring at myself in the mirror for the past thirty minutes, analyzing my appearance and comparing it to what I looked like last summer. Was I prettier? Was I thinner? Do the blonde strips that frame my face look tacky or make me appear sunkissed and cool? Did my lip filler make me look like a duck- it was only half a syringe it can't be too bad right? This purple tank top- were my tits too out? I wanted to look older not like a slut. The shorts I had on-

"Lily, let's go it's time to go! Your shit is already in the car and we got a four hour drive to the lake." My dad yelled up to me from the first floor. I was thankful I was finally taken away from own reflection. I wasn't being vain, I was stressed. I wanted to look good for him. I always did.

God, the thought of him just sent me heart fluttering and my mind spiraling.

I grabbed my purse and shoved my last minute things into it before I headed down the stairs, trying my best to ignore the way my stomach was turning. It was 9 am, that means by 2 pm (adding in gas stops and bathroom breaks), I should be back to my true home. And by 5 pm tonight, I would be sat in front of him at the dining room table in the Hughes family house.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Jackson scrunched his nose at my appearance making my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

"Summer clothes you ass" I responded harshly. He raised his eyebrows, going to say something else before my mother cut him off.

"She looks cute. Leave her be. She's not dressed like a hooker so who cares?" Mom defended, making me greatful everyday she was my mother.

"She's almost to that hooker stage" Jackson grumbled. I sent him a glare as anxiety crept up my spine. I knew it was too much cleavage. I didn't want him to get the best of me but I ran up the steps and threw on a grey zip up, sipping it up a little over half way.

"Are you going with me and daddy or Jackson?" My mom asked once we had locked up the house.

"You guys please" I practically pleaded. I would rather not listen to Jackson's music. It was screamo and that just simply wasn't my vibe. In fact, you would never look at him and think that's his vibe either. 

"Hop in" we all got into our respective cars and within seconds summer had started.

Another summer to make some memories. Another summer to pine over a boy who barely noticed me.

-

"Lily, wake up honey. We're here" I was shook awake by my mom and it was then I realized the car was parked. I felt my body freeze and my eyes shoot open. We were here.

From the windshield I could see our beautiful lake house, from the back window to the left I could see their house. His house. There were lots of cars out front meaning they were there, most likely busy unpacking and setting up. The realization of how close to him I was sent goosebumps throughout my skin. 

I eventually dragged my house after the car to help bring in all the bags and suitcases from both the cars. My eyes kept drifting to the balcony of the Hughes house, waiting to see if they would come out. They did sometimes. Most times really.

I carried my bag inside and unlocked my balcony that overlooked the lake perfectly. And was directly next to Jack's balcony. I threw my zip up on the bed and walked out. The breeze lightly whipped my hair around and made my skin feel warm. I was back.

"Jackson you can carry more than that you pussy!" I heard the voice of my best friend call from a little bit away. Luke. He was followed by other voices, Quinn. And Jack. They were too busy looking down and making fun of my brother to see me peering from around the house on my balcony which is good. Because the second my eyes laid on his perfect smile and pretty curls he hid with a hat he put on backwards I was melting in my own skin.