The drive to the summer house had been filled with laughter, music, and that infectious energy that comes with the start of a new adventure. By the time the car pulled up to the beach house, all four of them were buzzing with excitement. The house itself was perched on a hill just above the beach, with wide glass windows that looked out over the ocean, and a wooden deck that practically begged for late-night conversations under the stars. It was the kind of place they'd only ever dreamed about.
"Wow," Holly whispered, stepping out of the car and gazing up at the house. "This is going to be our home for the summer?"
"It's perfect," Alina said softly, her eyes lingering on the waves crashing in the distance. For a brief moment, the weight on her chest lightened, and she allowed herself to take in the beauty around her without worrying about what came next.
Daniel and Jamie hopped out of the car, grabbing bags from the trunk and shouting about who would get to claim the best room.
"Let's just go check it out before you two start fighting over beds," Holly teased, rolling her eyes as she headed for the front door.
Once inside, they marveled at the cozy yet modern design of the house. The large, open living room led into a kitchen stocked with everything they'd need. The bedrooms were upstairs, each with their own charm. Daniel and Jamie called dibs on the room with the view of the ocean, while Holly and Alina excitedly ran to the other room, which had a balcony that overlooked the dunes leading down to the beach.
"This is incredible!" Holly said, bouncing onto one of the beds and letting out a contented sigh. "I can already tell this summer is going to be amazing."
Alina smiled, sitting down on her own bed and feeling the soft sheets beneath her fingers. "Yeah," she agreed, her voice soft. "It really is."
They spent the next hour unpacking, laughing as they folded clothes into the dresser and hung up dresses they hoped to wear to dinners in the small coastal town nearby. The carefree feeling of the summer began to settle in, and for a little while, it felt like any other summer vacation—one where the only worry was what to wear and which beach to visit next.
But as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting golden light through the window, Alina felt the familiar ache return. She could never really forget it—no matter how good things seemed, there was always that shadow of her diagnosis, lurking in the background. She hated that it was there, that it wouldn't leave her alone, even in moments like this.
"Hey, I'm going to take a walk," Alina said, standing up and grabbing her sweater from the back of the chair.
Holly looked up, a curious smile on her face. "Need some alone time already?"
Alina shrugged, giving her a small grin. "Just want to check out the beach before it gets dark. I'll be back soon."
"Okay, but don't stay out too late," Holly called after her as Alina headed toward the door. "I'm thinking we make s'mores tonight!"
Alina waved over her shoulder as she slipped outside, the cool evening air hitting her skin. She made her way down the wooden steps that led to the beach, her feet sinking into the soft sand as she walked. The sky was a blend of oranges and pinks, the sun slowly setting on the horizon.The beach was nearly empty, the only sound being the rhythmic crash of the waves against the shore. Alina walked quietly, her thoughts swirling around her as she watched the sun dip lower and lower. She had always wanted to see the sunset on the beach—to stand here in this very moment, feeling the peace that only the ocean could bring.
But as beautiful as it was, there was a sadness to it too. A longing for something more, something she could never quite have. Alina had always dreamed of watching the sunset with someone—someone who could hold her close, someone she could love without fear. But that dream felt so far away now, like a distant memory of something that would never come to pass.She couldn't do that to someone. She couldn't let someone fall in love with her, only to have their heart shattered when her time ran out. Alina's breath hitched as she tried to hold back her tears, the reality of her situation hitting her hard in that moment.
The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving only a faint glow in the sky. Alina stood there for a moment longer, letting the quiet wash over her, letting herself feel the sadness that she had tried so hard to push away. It wasn't fair. None of it was fair. But she couldn't change it. All she could do was make the most of the time she had left.
A single tear slid down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, not wanting to give in to the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her. She had promised herself that this summer would be different—that it would be the best summer of her life, no matter what.
As she turned back toward the summer house, the lights glowing warmly from the windows, she felt a small flicker of determination spark inside her. If this was going to be her last summer, then she was going to make it count. She was going to fill it with laughter and adventure, with moments that would last beyond her.
No more tears. No more fear.
Alina took a deep breath, the salty air filling her lungs as she started walking back toward the house. When she reached the steps, she glanced back at the horizon one last time, the darkness settling over the water like a blanket.
She wasn't going to let the cancer define her summer. She wasn't going to let it take away the happiness she still had left to find.
With that final thought, she wiped her face, squared her shoulders, and headed inside. Holly was waiting for her with a mischievous grin, Jamie and Daniel already gathered around the small fire pit they had set up on the deck.
"Perfect timing!" Holly called out, waving a marshmallow skewer in the air. "We're about to make some epic s'mores. Get over here!"
Alina smiled, the warmth of their friendship wrapping around her like a blanket. She wasn't alone in this, and for now, that was enough.
"Coming!" she called back, running over to join them.This was her summer—her time to live. And no matter what came next, she was going to make sure it was a summer to remember.
YOU ARE READING
My Last Summer
Teen Fiction"What begins but has no end, and ends all that begins?" A riddle that once stumped me but now I wish I never knew the answer. **************************************************************************************** Alina Doe, a cute, short and curvy...
