Never ending summer| COMPLETED

Going back

It was the night before we leave. Beth and Jacob are holding hands at the dinner table. "It's official we're dating," Beth says happily and we all smile. "That's great Beth," I say and turn to Jacob. "Don't break her heart cuz." I finish my meatloaf and put my dish in the sink. "I'm going to go get some fresh air," I announce and walk out to the pool. I take off my socks and put my feet in the water. "Hey," Ben says and sits down next to me. "Hi," I say. "How's the NYC Dance school going?" Ben asks and I smile a little. "I decided I'm not going to go but I am going to go there after college just to see," I say. "You have your whole life planned out but what do you do when something messes up?" Ben asks. "Come up with another plan," I say. "Hey listen-" Ben starts but I cut him off,"The end of the summer is my choice Ben not yours." I stand up and slip my shoes back on. "Tell my aunt and everyone I'm going for a walk," I say and listen for Batman and Baymax. They run though the doggie door and I walk to the dirt path. They follow me and I just walk trying to sort out my feelings.  I'm overjoyed for Beth and Jacob but I still feel a bit of anger at Skylar. Bianca hasn't changed my feelings but Ben has. He just can talk to me and I listen and vice versa. But this week something changed him; he became a little stronger but softer to me. "Danny wait up!" A voice shouts. I whip my head around and Beth is standing there. "May I join?" She asks and I nod. "I'm happy about you and Jacob," I said and she nods. "Last year in December I went to a math camp and meet him. It was for two weeks and we became good friends. I thought that was him when we drove up but to make it not seem weird I introduced myself," Beth explained. "Beth I'm happy for you but I think I need to sort out my feelings for people," I say and she gives me an understanding nod and then walks back to the house. How do I feel about Ben? I check the time and walk back to the house. "Good you're back," Aunt Annie says and tells us to go wash up and go to bed. I walk back to my room and walk to the bathroom. Following Aunt Annie's orders I take a shower and then slip into my pajamas.

I can't sleep that night I'm tossing and turning my brain is confused. One thought echoes in my brain How do I feel about Ben? I lay my head down and be still and I'm out like a light.

"Danielle! Wake up!" A voice yells in my ear. "I'm up," I say. "Good," Beth says smiling and walks downstairs. I yawn and get up. Today we are going back home, Texas is home. I walk to the door but realize I'm still in my pajamas. On my suitcase lays some clothes that I haven't worn. I decide on a dark blue tank with light blue arrows and shorts. I braid my hair into an updo and slip on dark blue sneakers. "Jacob carry my stuff out to the truck!" I order and he comes in and picks it up. I grab  my vintage Mickey bag and hurry downstairs. "Hi Sleeping Beauty," Ben says and I playfully hit his head. "Everyone else is loading their stuff up." Baymax comes barreling in and I pick him up. "Silly boy," I say and scratch behind his ear. "Talking to the dog right?" Ben says and I laugh a little then nod. A plate of eggs sit at the table along with some bacon. I slide into the seat and start eating. "Hungry Hungry Danny," Ben says teasing me. I shoot him a look and he pipes down. "Danny everyone is waiting for you we need to load up," Beth says coming in. Ben and I trade keys and walk outside. Ben whistles and Batman and Baymax get in the car. I climb into the driver's seat and Beth is in the front with me. "Off to home we go," I say and drive out of their driveway.

After a while we stop at a gas station and so does Ben. We fill up the cars and then go inside and buy some snacks. "What I said before I left was true, I like you no matter what," Ben says when everyone went in the store. "I think I know how I feel about you but I can't without Skylar saying it's fine," I say and he frowns. "It would be what happened all over again," I say and he gives me an understanding nod. "Thanks for understanding," I say. he mumbles something I can't hear as I walk inside the convenient store. I  buy some chips, a candy bar, and soda. We return to the car where Ben is waiting for all of us. "Hi Ben," Skylar says climbing into the truck. all four of us get in the truck and Ben gets in my bug.

We return home around 3 and I drop everyone off at their house then I drive to my house and switch off cars with Ben. "Next week Pool Party my house all our friends are going to be there invite people if you want," I say and Batman and Baymax go inside. Ben helps me with my stuff and the dog's. "I'll be there," he says. "See you then," I say and he leaves. I say hi to my family then trudge upstairs and quickly fall asleep.

I'm awaken by my phone going off. "Ugh!" I say and walk over to it. It's Beth wanting to Facetime. I accept and her face appears on the screen. "How's my OTP going?" she asks and then I realize it's Ben and me. "Good?" I say. "What happened when we were in the store?" Beth asks. "I have feelings for him but I won't listen to those feelings until Skylar says that she's over him," I said and Beth frowns. "I can fix that," Beth says quickly. "Don't," I simply respond. "But-But fine," she says and I grin. "I just woke up from a nap," I said and she nods. "Me too want to come over tomorrow and have a NetFlix marathon?" She asks. "Why not I have nothing better to do," I say. "Great," Beth says. She knows NetFlix is my weakness and that if it's marathon I have to say yes. "I know your weaknesses and strengths because we are best friends," Beth says and I finish,"Forever."  "Oh! I need to text Jacob and tell him I'm here and up," Beth says and ends the chat. "Well that was nice," I say and walk downstairs. "There she is," Dad says and I sit down at the table and we eat dinner together as a family with Bruce and me, here for the first time all summer. But hey it's only the first week of my summer, what could go wrong?