Summer and May

Chapter Fifty-Seven: Summer

A very empty bedroom called for a very tall, very full glass. I chose margaritas for tonight for the fun, but mostly because May finally admitted to me that she doesn't like rosé, or bubbly, or just about anything that I've been making her drink for so long. Margaritas were our middle ground. So I grabbed the glasses from my parents' stash, seasoned the rim with salt, and mixed up strawberry margarita mix in Dad's blender. He'd kill me if he knew I used it.

I was so excited to see May that I was giddy. She had only been gone for two days, but in between my preparations for Brown, her work shifts, and her new relationship... it seems my best friend is far away. Just like she would be for the next four years, and who knows however long after that.

My plans after college were set; intern for Dad's company, climb up the ranks, and eventually join him with the executives. I had my choice between CFO and COO, but neither seemed particularly enthralling. What I did know is that I'd be making a ton of money, and that idea seemed alright with me. For now.

I had no intentions of moving back to Shimmer Lake once I hit the Ivy Leagues. How could I? Why go back to catfish after you've had caviar?

I stopped myself, internally removing my last thought. This little town has been everything to me. I've truthfully loved it here. But sadly, it had nothing to offer me. Not like it did for May. Now that she had Jeremy--a concept that I've fully accepted--and her father's shop, she was set. Me, on the other hand, I'm just beginning.

If I'm honest, May doesn't care about the things I do. She doesn't care about marrying rich, becoming a CEO, or even having an upscale home. She needs about five things to live and make her happy, and they're all right here. It was something I envied her for, up until now. I truly believed the grass would be greener once I move to Rhode Island, eventually New York, and wherever else after that. The only things those places were missing is her.

Deep in my gut, in a place that I never let see the light, I knew May wasn't interested in Brown like I was. I also knew that she would miss home the whole time. I also knew that we would inevitably go our separate ways after college, since I had always dreamed of moving to the city, and I could never get her to describe her dreams past working on cars.

My ignorance of her wishes made me chuckle. I had been so blind to who she really was and what she really wanted for so long. I know May blames herself for how everything went down, and I know Jeremy does, too. But the only real person to blame is myself. The other two were caught in the Summer Show, in my selfish cross-fires where my world revolves only around me. I didn't know what life would look like in four years, but it certainly wouldn't be revolving around just me anymore.

May crashed through my doorway with an oversized duffle, a cashmere pillow (a gift from me, of course), a bottle of margarita mix, her cell phone, and a gift bag. My eyes grew wide with excitement as I jumped up to help her.

"I got you a--"

I cut her off with a tight, all-consuming hug. She relaxed against me, dropping her things to the floor, tightly wrapped her arms around me. She sniffled, squeezing me.

"If you start crying, you know I will." she confessed. I pulled away, tears in both our eyes. "Damn it, Hathaway." she pulled me in again, and we stood there for however long. Not only had I missed her from her time away, but I pre-missed her. I missed her in preparation for all the time I'd spend missing her. It seemed she felt the same.

"You got me something," I smirk, eyeing the glittery pink gift bag that was now on the floor. I swiftly retrieved it, sporting a doe-eyed look. She rolled her eyes and nodded, sitting herself at the edge of my bed.

My eyes lit when my fingers danced across the box--two boxes-- inside. I chose the smaller one first, lilting at the velvet material. Inside the navy threshold were two dainty gold necklaces, with a birthstone on each, and a small initial on the other dangling gold piece. Our two initials, S and. M, engraved themselves, paired with one another's birthstone. A pearl for May, and Topaz for me. I removed the jewelry from their places, begging myself not to cry.