The End Of Summer

Chapter 4

Sage
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The next morning Aspen still hasn't woke up. With nothing much to do my mind wonder to my home life yet again.

Everyday I got up at 6, got ready, went to school, did my homework, went to the barn, and then went to bed. It was all so boring I don't know how I didn't realize it before.

It was probably because I didn't have friends. Not since 6th grade.

My best friend all through elementary school was Cally Carpender. She wasn't popular, wore dresses everyday and her hair was so thin it was hardly there. But I liked her, so I kept her with me which made her popular with me, not that it mattered at 9 years old.

Once we reached middle school I felt a shift. She dressed nicely (not in dresses but like skinny jeans and uggs) she wore make up and straightened her hair, she didn't hang out with me as much, she became a cheerleader.

Eventually we didn't speak at all. That's when the rumors started.

I had just started dating the guy she broke up with 3 months earlier and I guess she was mad...

She started saying that I stole him from her and that I threatened her to break up with him she even went as far as to say I had sex with him... In 6th grade. He dumped me for her a week later and dated her all through middle school.

I saw a video of them... No one else did, because despite what she did to me, I couldn't harm her.

For all my middle school years I was known as the boyfriend stealer, the slut, the whore, whatever else.

In high school I avoided her at all costs. And eventually the rumors stopped. But everyone had already heard them and so I had no friends.

That's when I came to camp and realized that here no one knew those rumors.

Im pretty sure a truck just hit me.

Someone here does know. Someone who might tell my only friends the insane rumors. Nathan.

I am out of my seat in seconds and racing through the hall with Scarlett calling after me.

Finally I reach the cafeteria.

I frantically search for him and when I find him, I didn't lose him.

I see Asher punch him lightly and nod towards me as I approach him.

He jumps up, throwing his hands up.

"I don't know what I di-"

"Can we talk?" I cut him off, "follow me," I say and walk away, him trailing behind me.

I finally find a quiet corner.

"You forgive me? Great! Now I can do this." He says leaning to kiss me.

Instinctively my hand flies up and I slap his face, hard.

Shock more than pain, jerks him back from me. I hear Asher gasp far behind him

"What the f-"

I cut him off again. "I did NOT come here to forgive you and have a makeover session... I came here because... Well because of the rumors..." I say quietly.

He looks confused for a minute then it strikes him.

I speak before he can "Please! Don't tell anyone! I'm begging you Nathan." I urge.

His eyes are thoughtful and kinda sad "I won't. But I have a favor to ask..."

I feel my stomach drop.

I guess he sees my frightened eyes, because his eyes soften,

"Hey... I'm not asking for sex, or forgiveness, I'm not even asking for you to go out with me. All I want is to kiss you one more time. Not making out, it doesn't even have to be open mouthed. I just want to taste your lips one more time." His voice is all it took.

It takes me a minute to get the words out. "Ok."

He smiles. "Ok, close your eyes."

I raise an eyebrow but close my eyes. I think maybe this was a prank and he is just going to dump cold water on me. I definitely get what I am expecting, although not literally.

His lips are softer than I remember. All the times we had kissed it had been fierce (except the first time, but I was too shocked to enjoy it) but this is the opposite. His lips hardly brush mine and then press slightly harder, still not even remotely close to the power of before. His breathes are shaky and he kisses me so tenderly, like he is scared I will break, even though he knows I wouldn't.

Our kisses had been fire before, warming until I got burned, and now this kiss eased the burn with cold water, causing me to shiver at his touch.

It is over too soon and the pain of it is overwhelming. But I am not going to cry. I'm not going to beg him to take me back. I want to. I want to cry and smile and laugh and sob and beg, but all I do is stand, eyes closed, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he will kiss me again. Maybe he will touch my arm again, or my waist, or my cheek.

I don't know how long I stand here with closed eyes, but when they finally open Nathan is no where to be seen.

Scarlett is though, and by the look on her face I know she saw everything.

With no more strength, I allow a single tear to fall silently down my face

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#emotional

Hey guys this is Gracie (Neapolitan chocolate) I want to thank everyone that has read our book and thank everyone that voted or commented. You guys are amazing and I speak for all of us when I say we appreciate you! Comment what you think and vote if you liked it!