The Whisper Seekers

Caretaker

The next morning, I immediately roll over and check my phone. I had it glued to my hand all last night, but still not one word from Liam. Seeing that this is the boy who told me he doesn't play games, I'm disappointed to feel like he sure is playing one.

I stay in bed, staring up at the ceiling as my mind races. It's wild how someone I've known for less than three weeks has completely taken over my thoughts. It almost scares me how fast it all happened. The truth is, I don't really know Liam, at least, not the way I thought I did. Maybe I've been rushing things. Maybe I need to step back and breathe, go back to my original plan: no drama, no decisions, not until after homecoming.

My phone finally buzzes and I bolt upright to grab it. The second I see Lily's name on the screen, my excitement vanishes. 

Lily: Hey gurlll. Let's ride together to Derek's. I will meet at your house around 11:45 and you can approve my swimsuit choice! Maybe I can borrow your pretty sheer cover-up that matches my suit? :))) Xoxo!

Ugh, I forgot about the boating trip. However, this actually might work out in my favor. I have a whole day planned without Liam and without Harper talking about Liam.

Hoping to liven up my mood, I roll out of bed and start digging through my drawer for my best tanning swimsuit. I know today's boat trip is going to be blasted all over our socials, and even if I have zero desire to hang with Derek and his friends, I still want to look good in every single post. Image matters, especially when you're pretending everything's fine.

I glance at the clock and realize I have barely half an hour until Lily shows up. I move fast. I toss a cute cover-up on the bed for her and settle on a long, breezy linen button-up for myself. I'm misting my hair with highlighting spray when Lily bursts into my room like a walking summer ad. She's rocking a white retro-style swimsuit that hugs every curve perfectly, her blonde hair falling in soft, beachy waves.

"Hey, Ellie! You look so cute!" She scans my floral two-piece and grabs the cover-up that I tossed on my bed, "Thanks for letting me borrow this! Do you think Adam will like it?" I watch as she secures the cover-up around her waist and then turns in a full circle. I nod and give her an appraising look. I can tell she's eager to be around the boys today, when I couldn't care less.

We trot downstairs and I wave to my mom as we walk out of my garage. We throw our towels and bags inside my trunk and speed off towards Derek's. I don't know the last time just Lily and I hung out and I like the change. A judgmental, rowdy redhead isn't with us and I can feel the calming difference immediately.

When we pull up to Derek's house, I spot three other cars already in the driveway. Brandon is standing outside, throwing things inside the boat and gives me a casual head nod when he catches us sliding out of my car. Brandon's personality is the exact opposite of Derek's, but their facial features are proof that they are related.

"Hey Brandon, long time no see," I say as I swing my car door shut.

"Hey El, I know, right? Today should be fun. Grab your stuff, we can all drive over in my car," Brandon says as he slides a massive Yeti cooler into the back of the boat. I see his big F-150 truck is already connected to the boat's trailer. Derek, Mike, Adam, Aaron, and who I assume are Brandon's friends suddenly yank the garage door open and pile out of the house and into the garage. There are ten of us total and I look back at Brandon's truck, knowing we aren't all going to fit.

"I can just drive separately and meet you guys there," I offer, but Derek immediately protests.

"No, it's fine. Adam's driving separately, so half of us can go with him," Lily says casually. I already know what that means: she's riding with Adam, and I'm stuck with Derek. I try not to frown as he slides his warm palm down my arm before lacing his fingers through mine and leading me toward his truck.