What Dreams Are Made Of

7.

*Calvin's POV*

Over the past week, I have fallen in love with New Orleans.

The people, the scenery, The French Quarter.

But I've learned that no where in the world compares to the Sawyers back dock at night when the frogs are croaking, and the crickets are chirping, and the sky is looking like something out of a painting. The starts don't look like that in St Augustine.

I've met Haven's friends Chantel, Darien, and her boyfriend Landon.

Landon's an awesome dude, Chantel, she's a psyscho path, and Darien has now taught me the importance of using proper pronouns even though I've slipped a few times. SHE is great, and very understanding about the slips but I've gotten there.

Brayden has slowly come out of his shell.

Davis scares the absolute shit out of me after I went to work with my dad one day, they were working on hand to hand, and I saw this man pick my father up with one arm and slam him on his back.

Mike, is an awesome guy. He's so funny and welcoming.

But his family. They're amazing.

They call his dad Pappous and his mom YiaYia and YiaYia is such an incredible woman.

She reminds me so much of my mom, taking care of everyone, more than quadruple the amount that my mom used to.

But as for now, it's the night before we leave, and I'm where I've found my self every night since that first night.

Sitting on their dock, feet in the water, looking at the sky.

Just this time, someone sat down next to me.

"You ok?" Haven nudged me.

I sighed. "The truth?"

She nodded.

"I miss my friends, but, I don't even want to go home tomorrow." I shook my head.

She let out a small laugh. "Can I ask why?" 

"Just, at home everyone looks at me like I'm going to break. It's been a year and all the guys are still walking on eggshells. This place has been like, my safe haven for a week, and I don't know if I'm ready to leave it."
She pursed her lips and nodded. "You want to know something?"

"Sure."

"The only time, a boy would come out here and literally look at the stars for hours on end, is if you're thinking about a girl." She nodded.

I pursed my lips and nodded. "Wow you just called me out on that."

"So it is a girl?"

"Yeah. She's." I cleared my throat. "Was, my best friend?"

"What happened?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Honestly I have no clue." I shook my head. "We were literally inseparable from birth, and then, 2 years ago she leaves to go to her granparents for the summer, she comes back, racked up, tan and long legged in a dress and everything is different. I can barely say a word to her, I try but they don't come out, and she just, every time she gets a new boyfriend, she changes. She used to be one of the guys, and we don't even bro down anymore."

"Have you ever gotten a girls opinion on this?"

I shook my head.

"Do you want one?"

"You can give it a go."

"It's sounding to me, like you're the one who changed."

"How so?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Because honestly, the only thing she did was have a glow up. And with the glow up, you didn't see her as one of the guys anymore, and YOU didn't know how to handle it. Do your friends have any problem talking to her?"

"No." I pursed my lips.

"I think, that you like her. You liked her before the glow up, and after, you saw a completely different physical side of her, and you got nervous that she wouldn't like the guy she had always know you to be more than a friend, and you shut down. Did she try to talk to you before your friendship ended?"

I nodded.

"Then yeah dude. All she did was change her appearance, not the girl you knew. You are the one who changed." She nodded.

I sighed. "Am I a dick?"

She laughed. "Well from getting to know you this week, I'm going to say no. Are you a dick for blaming your friend because you felt some type of way, a little bit. But, I've always been told that between friends, a conversation, an apology, and a few kind words can go a long way."

"It's kind of nice." I nodded.

"What?" She scrunched her face.

"Having someone unbiased tell me the truth. Everyone I know loves her. Everyone I know loves me. But, you don't know her. And, you have no problem telling me the truth. So thank you."

"Sure." She smiled. "But for a truth you may not thank me for." She pat my back. "I'm pretty sure my moms been hitting on your dad."

I let out a small laugh. "Yeah, well, pretty sure my dads been hitting on your mom, and your dad has been encouraging it." I nodded.

"I mean personally, I think it's ok. Johns a cool dude. But, are you ok with that?"

"Would it shock you if I said yes?"

"Maybe, unless you explain."

"When my mom got diagnosed, she knew she was going to die. So she and my dad had this conversation like, once a month for a year and a half about how she wanted him to be happy and move on when the time came. That, if he found someone who had kids to treat her kids the same as he does Brayden and I. She told Brayden and I to treat the woman the same way we did her, and her kids the way we do each other. I think without that conversation, I'd be a little skeeved out by it. But knowing it's what she wanted, I'm ok with it. I like Hannah. She's nice. She's funny. I mean, completely out of my dads league but whatever tickles her peach."

"We could be siblings some day dear Calvin." She smiled.

"Dear god." I laughed. "Next time, you're going to have to come down and visit me. So I can show you around St Augustine."

"Honestly, I think that'd be kind of fun." She nodded. "You've got yourself a deal dude."

"Maybe you can help me with that friend problem."

"I mean, I am pretty smooth with the ladies." She shrugged.

"My lady friends, cool. My guy friends, I'm keeping you far away from them. Colten will be so far up your ass he'd be seeing out of your mouth. Ricky and Shay have this weird thing going on. And Tucker, he's just Tucker." I nodded.

"Well I've got to meet them at some point. I did introduce you to the wonders of Chantel."

"Part of me wishes you wouldn't. Maybe if we come up again, I'll meet your friend Kent?"

"Maybe." She smiled. "But, for now, how about we spend your last night not wallowing in self pity, and go have some fun."

"And what do you have in mind?"

"Catch some frogs with me?"

"Girl, you are not normal." I laughed, stood up, and pulled her up with me. "Lead the way."

I feel like Haven Sawyer is going to be a big part of my life.

If our parents get together, we would be siblings.

But a part of me kind of thinks she could end up being my best friend.

She's a great listener.

She's not afraid to call me on my shit.

And until tonight, she has taken my mind off of everything St Augustine related.

Haven Sawyer, is a gem.

And I hope my dad is smart enough to pursue Hannah.