Impavid

The Night Before Move-In

     There was a loud thud, causing me to sit up quickly. 

     "Luke." I nudged him. "Wake up." 

     "What?" He sat up, startled. He yawned, stretching out. 

     "Did you hear that noise?"

    "I heard you."

    "I heard my front door." 

     We both turned around, glancing over our shoulders. The grass tickled my legs as my eyes adjusted to just the street light. Falling asleep on his front lawn had never been our intention. 

    "Carson? Are you still out here?"

    "Yeah, I'm over here!"

     I waved my hands over my head, shouting back at my mom. She had her hands on her hips, long, baggy pajama pants covering her legs. I knew I was going to be in trouble. I hadn't intended to be out long. In fact, I hadn't planned on a lot of the things that happened. Luke yawned again, reaching over and checking his phone. I squinted at the bright light coming from it, realizing it was almost two in the morning. 

     "Can you come over here, please?" Her voice was sharp and loud. I was definitely in trouble. 

      I jumped to my feet, leaving Luke in the grass beside where I had been lying. I darted across the street, realizing when I was halfway across that I was barefoot. I tried to hop around the rocks, attempting to avoid injury. I heard Luke laughing behind me. I probably looked ridiculous. 

    "Carson, can you stop messing around?" 

    I stopped moving, in the middle of the street, looking forward toward my mom.

    "It hurt." I spoke loudly, clearly, still facing my mom. 

    "A rock?" she questioned. 

    I turned around slowly, now an equal distance between my mother and Luke. I faced him, his phone lighting his face softly. I only shook my head, staring at Luke. 

    "Carson, what are you talking about?" 

     I turned around before moving the rest of the way, standing in front of her. 

     "I'm really tired," I whispered. "I didn't mean to be out this late. I really didn't. Please don't be mad at me."

    "I'm not mad at you. I just didn't know where you were. I thought you and Luke weren't talking."

   "We weren't, but then he explained things, and I really care about him, and he's so sweet to me, and..." 

   "Carson, maybe you should get some sleep in your own bed," she interrupted. "You're leaving early tomorrow morning. I'll give you a few minutes to say goodnight." 

    Luke was standing, holding my flip flops in one hand when I turned back to face his house. As soon as my mom began to move back inside, he made his way across the street to me. Time felt like it was moving in slow motion, as I watched him walk across the street. 

     "You hurt me," I whispered when he finally made his way to me. 

     He dropped my flip flops onto the driveway, grabbing my face in his hand and kissing me. 

    "I'm so sorry that I hurt you."

    "I know. I forgive you." 

    "Goodnight, Carson. I hope you have a great time at camp and don't forget to text me sometimes."

   "I won't forget," I promised. 

    He leaned forward, pressing his lips against my forehead. My eyes closed in response, and I just wanted to stay there in that moment forever. I had assumed this had meant we weren't trying a long-distance relationship. I had assumed when I had kissed him, we had both mutually decided it was worth a shot. Now, however, I had gotten the friend feeling as his lips only brushed my forehead in a protective way. 

     I smiled, willing myself not to cry, and he smiled in return before making his way home. I waved as he started up his driveway, before I turned around, heading inside myself. 

    I figured Melanie and my dad were already asleep, so I tried to close the door as quietly as possible. I pulled it closed, stopping with just a crack left. Everything was changing again. I would be leaving home for six weeks in the morning. I would be learning new material, I would be exploring new places, and I would be meeting new people. 

    I pulled the door closed the rest of the way as slow as I possibly could, and yet, a thud still echoed through the foyer. I really had no idea how that door worked, but I was thankful that some things would never change. 

    I moved up the stairs, pushing open the door to my room. I didn't bother to turn on my light. The streetlight's glow illuminated the room through my open window. Two large suitcases sat in the corner, my backpack sitting beside them. Almost everything I would need had been packed away. All that remained was the makeup and toothbrush I'd still need to use in the morning and the pillow, blanket, and pajamas I'd be using overnight. 

     I glanced to the window, knowing I'd need to shut the blinds in order to sleep. I thought back to just a few hours before, when I was staring out, looking down to Luke below. I took the few steps needed to close the gap between me and the window. Just as I was about to pull the blinds closed, I took one last glance across the street. It was the last night in a while that I'd hear that comforting sound of him playing basketball. 

    I was surprised to find him staring back at me, basketball in hand. He smiled, dribbled the ball forward, and took his shot. I pulled the blinds closed. Tomorrow would be my time to take my shot.