When I Met You in the Summer

5

Not one to be defeated easily, Ben found a way to continue communicating with Miranda. Despite the restrictions imposed by her mom, he was determined to maintain their friendship. So, he came up with a plan.

One day while Ben and Cam played basketball with the other kids at the park, his eyes scanned the area until he spotted Miranda and Lana sitting together on a nearby bench. Today was the perfect opportunity to launch his plan he thought to himself.

Waiting for the opportune moment, Ben noticed that Miranda was momentarily alone. Seizing the chance, Ben stealthily snuck away from the basketball game and approached Miranda with a mischievous grin.

"Hey, Mandy" Ben whispered, trying to keep his voice low so as not to attract attention. "I have an idea."

Miranda looked up, surprised to see Ben standing before her. "Oh, hey, Ben," she said, her curiosity piqued. "What's your idea?"

Ben leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if we had a secret journal? You know, like a way for us to communicate without your mom knowing. We could write messages to each other and hide it somewhere only we know."

Miranda's eyes widened with excitement as she considered the idea. "That's brilliant" she exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face. "It could be our own little secret."

Ben nodded eagerly, feeling a sense of satisfaction at Miranda's enthusiasm. "Exactly. So, what do you say? Want to give it a try?"

Miranda nodded, her excitement bubbling over. "Definitely. Let's do it."

With that they decided to use a journal they would leave under a nearby tree for each other. They would write notes to each other, sharing thoughts, stories, and even secrets, knowing that they could trust each other with their deepest thoughts. Their journal became a safe haven, a place where they could be completely honest with each other and share their innermost thoughts and feelings. They talked about everything from their favorite books and movies to their fears and insecurities. And with each new entry, their bond grew stronger, cementing their friendship in a way that nothing else could.

Every day, Ben would carefully sneak a note into the journal, making sure to keep their secret exchange hidden from prying eyes. And every evening, Miranda would eagerly check the journal, her heart racing with excitement as she read Ben's latest message.

Through their secret notes, Ben and Miranda were able to stay connected despite the obstacles in their way, their friendship growing stronger with each passing day.

As Ben and Miranda continued their secret exchange of notes, they couldn't help but steal glances at each other whenever they were outside. Their eyes would meet, and a silent understanding would pass between them.

Even though they couldn't openly talk or spend time together like they wanted to, those stolen glances spoke volumes, conveying their mutual friendship and support. Each glance was a reassurance that they were in this together, navigating the challenges imposed by Miranda's mom while cherishing the bond they shared.

Sometimes, their passing glances would be accompanied by shy smiles, small gestures that spoke of the affection they felt for each other. Other times, their eyes would simply meet, holding each other's gaze for a moment before they went their separate ways, each carrying with them the memory of that fleeting connection.

Cam began to notice the passing glances between Ben and Miranda, he couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and concern for his cousin. One day, as they lounged in the backyard, floating in the pool under the warm summer sun, Cam decided to broach the subject with his cousin.

"So, Ben," Cam began, his tone casual but curious, "I couldn't help but notice you've been giving Mandy some pretty intense looks lately. What's that all about?"