Salty Licorice

Chapter 87

Liz's POV

It's Monday, our finals schedule doesn't start till Wednesday so we will not be doing anything today except pray for our final class grades. It's also apparently 'senior skip day' so I'm not expecting Marisa or Avery to be in class today which will only make today that much more sad and boring.

Leo picked me up for school this morning. He parks his car in another seniors spot because he wanted to flex that he can. I just found it annoying and pointless. As I step out of the car I feel the heat of the sun beaming down making it very clear that summer is upon us. It makes me almost sad that we're about to have to waste the day away inside a brick building. I couldn't bring myself to wear long pants today even with the promise that the AC in the school will be cranked all the way up. It's summer and I want to dress as if it is. I follow Leo towards the building in my jean shorts and a tank top. I have one of Avery's hoodies inside my locker that I will have to grab before first period. We're about halfway up the sidewalk, mid argument with Leo about if neon is an acceptable fashion statement, when I feel a hand cover my mouth and another arm wrap around my waist I tense immediately and get a tight hold on their arm ready to make them regret their choice of victim.

"Shh, it's me," I see Avery's face peer from over my shoulder. "It's just me." She flashes me her adorable grin that honestly makes me want to melt.

She relaxes her hold on me and steps back a little, giving me space to turn to look at her. "You idiot," I smack her shoulder. "I almost hurt you."

"But you didn't," She can't stop that smile on her face. "Come on." She grabs my hand and starts walking back towards the parking lot, directly towards her red pickup.

"Avery, where are we going?" I ask, confused.

"It's senior ditch day," She states in an obvious matter.

"Exactly, Senior. I'm not a senior." I explain slowly.

"You will be one day, and besides your dating one so it basically means the same thing." She rolls her eyes. "Look honestly, it's a beautiful day and I would be absolutely bored if I wasn't with you."

I blush at her admission but don't respond to her and just jump into her passenger seat. She turns on her truck and rolls down her windows. Driving out of the parking lot. I send a quick text to my mom telling her I'm skipping class if the school calls. She told me she'd rather know if I was skipping before the school calls than worry about my whereabouts. She sends me back a thumbs up emoji followed by a simple question about academics that I explained that we won't be doing anything important today other than studying for finals which she knows I've been studying for this whole last two weeks.

I look at Avery who has on her sunglasses with an arm out the window making small waves with her hand against the wind. I hear a good song come on the radio and turn it up. I watch out the window as we pass stores till they slowly fade out and the beaches are more visible.

"Avery, where are we going?" I ask over the wind and radio.

"Beach." She smiles at me.

"Um, I don't have anything for the beach," I point out.

"Well that's easily fixed."

With that she stops at a store and lets me pick out my own swimsuit, which I choose a simple green floral one. While we wait to check out I notice she's already in solid dark blue swim trunks and a blue and white Hawaiian style shirt over a black sports bra. I can't help my eyes from wandering over her exposed skin. It's not like It's my first time seeing her toned legs or abs but somehow it makes me feel warm. Finally the old couple in front of us grab their recipe and leave, letting us get to the counter. The girl rings up my suit and Before she even gives the total Avery already has her card out ready to pay. I feel a little self conscious about her paying for my last minute swimwear. I have all the means to pay for it myself but she doesn't even give me a chance to.