Summer and May

Chapter Fifty: Summer

The very last quick hum of a zipper barely making it closed echoed through my nearly empty room. Everything was different about my bedroom now, even the sound. It traveled differently when there was practically nothing but a few picture frames, trophies, and nearly empty drawers to bounce off of. With my balcony doors wide open as they usually were, the breeze left with disappointment when there were no longer old notes or loose polaroids to knock off my desk. It was all just empty.

I could pretend to be sad, but that emotion hadn't hid me quite yet. I chose to only keep my eyes looking forward, making plans with Emma and devilishly cooking up schemes for dorm life. Although it felt out-of-body to see my childhood bedroom room barren, it only filled me with an excitement that I hadn't been able to feel before. It was finally time to leave this little town, to make something of myself. Even after everything, I could focus only on that feeling alone. It was exhilarating and unfamiliar at the same time.

When May's name popped up on my phone, that warm, familiar feeling dwindled back down on me like a satin robe. I couldn't believe what my heart was feeling; forgiveness. After feeling seething anger, and betrayal like never before just a week ago... those feelings were replaced with a peculiar sense of understanding. Of grace; something that I hardly ever allowed myself, especially others.

I suppose it was a good thing that all of this happened before we start our lives. Being selfish was becoming a thing of the past, and I could be a better friend now that I can see that. As May made her way over to my house, I wondered how we could possibly get back to where we were. But when her radiant smile and her tan cheeks appeared through my door frame, I instantly realized that there's no point in trying to go back. Only forward.

"Hi," she bit her lip, waiting for me to welcome her in.

My stomach did a dance. It had been a week since I forgave her, sending her into the arms of Jeremy Dawson, who I used to consider mine. That all felt like ages ago, and I hadn't seen her since. I hadn't realized how ready I was to move on until she waited awkwardly at the top of my steps.

I shrugged a shoulder, smirking. "Don't be shy, now. You know your way around this place." I patted my duvet cover, recruiting her help with my overflowing duffle. She managed to fix it in a matter of seconds. "Thanks."

She chuckled, peering around my room like it was all unfamiliar to her. She hadn't seen it this empty since we repainted it a shade of dusty pink, during spring break two yeas ago.. "I can't believe we're here. Just a week away from you leaving for college." I eyed her, wondering when she became such a sap. Maybe this was Jeremy's doing.

May noticed the manner in which I was rustling around my room, organizing the cluttered chaos of bins, duffles, and trash bags. "Have you given yourself a minute to soak it all in?"

When she chuckled, a sad feeling rushed through me. "Nope. Choosing to ignore all that. If I think too much, I'll cry."

"A crime. Summer Hathaway crying." she droned, giggling at herself. Our first interaction since we made up was much more lighthearted than I imaged. It grabbed my comfort level and brought it back to Earth. Huffing, I threw the oversized suitcase on the floor, taking its place on the bed directly beside her.

Finally, I allowed myself to look at her. Her dark brown sugar hair was lightened on the ends from the sun. Her cheeks were rosy, her smile ever-present. She was different in her sundress and the hint of mascara she'd deny using. Even her nails were painted; something I'd done for her for years. She hardly did it herself unless it was for a school dance. This discovery turned my heart into a puddle. I worried this would happen if she was here, but it seems she's processing the same way.

"This is different." She admits, playing with the ring on her finger.

I lightened, a smile grazing across my lips before it vanished again. "It is. You've changed."