birds of a feather

summer isn't over

I sat on the back patio swing. This beach house had a wrap around porch and a walkway into the beach. I sat here when I just needed peace. I can hear the crashing sounds of the waves hitting the sand. It feels like it doesn't get any peaceful than that. Normally, I'm out here with a book or my journal but it's just me. I had just been thinking about my fight with Paige. I don't even know why it happened. Should I have just kept quiet? That way we'd still be on speaking terms. I rubbed my eyes then put my hands in my hair. It had been 2 days since that fight. She's on her trip with Azzi. While we haven't spoken I've seen all the posts.

I put my phone on do not disturb. I needed to be present. No checking my phone, no more social media for the day, I just need to be here in the moment with everyone else who's here too.

"Bella honey are you participating in the Middlesbrough High Alumni lunch? Kate's going and then they also have that basketball charity event. I believe they want cheerleaders there too." Mom came in with Jill.

"Oh my gosh! It feels like yesterday you two were freshman going into tryouts and practice together." I chuckle at the memory.

"I'm in for lunch and maybe cheering again will be fun." I agreed. This Summer is a good chance for me to just have fun. No stress or worries and cheer will be fun because it doesn't have to be serious. I also know for a fact that Kate is participating in the basketball games.

Kate came striding in with two girls behind her. I assumed they were on the Iowa basketball team because they were both wearing t-shirts that said so.

"Bella! This is Gabbie and Jada. They're my teammates back at Iowa, Gabbie and Jada, this is Bella. Childhood best friend. She goes to UCONN." Kate introduced us. Gabbie has curly blonde hair and fair skin with green eyes. Jada has dark skin and dark brown hair with brown eyes.

"We've seen you before right?" Gabbie pointed out.

"Oh yeah I run the UCONN girls basketball social medias so I've definitely been around." I smiled.

"You know what you girls should go into town!" Jill chimed and my mom nodded in agreement.

"No I wouldn't wanna intrude." I shook my head.

"Oh don't be silly!"

"No come with!"

"You know the more the merrier. Plus we can both play tour guide." Kate put her two cents in. I agreed and went along with them.

We walked around the town. The sky was clear blue with a hint of clouds. It was a perfect 75 degrees. It wasn't piping hot out. I was thankful for it.

"Oh we need to get Stella's Ice Cream!" Kate piped up as the white sign with blue lettering came closer into eyesight.

"Yes! It's the best in town. And the best part? Toppings are free! You pick as many as you'd want." I grinned leading them inside. The inside had pastel pink walls with white trimmings. The chairs were light blue and the tables were white. We got our ice cream and topped it off with whatever we were drawn to before taking our seats.

"Freshman year after long, long practices or even after game days, we'd come here for a sweet treat." Kate shared and I couldn't help but smile at the memory.

"We came here so often everyone who worked here knew us. Sometimes they'd come to games and take us to this ice cream place." I chuckled. Things seemed so much more simpler then.

"Just freshman year high school?" Jada raised a brow.

Gabbie added to the question, "Yeah what made you stop?"

It's silent. We stopped talking after sophomore year, maybe even a little bit during it. Kate has this coat of guilt on her face. We never did talk about why we stopped being friends, it was something we just danced around. Would you look at that, not addressing things seems to be my specialty. I mentally roll my eyes.