Dear California Summer

Just Arrived

I just got out of the shower and it's only 6:15. I have 20 minutes to get ready. I walk to my room and put on my bra and underwear and then go to the closet. I look through my shirts and decide on my mint green tank top and a blue and black plaid flannel. I grab both and walk out. I put on my tank top and go over to my dresser. I look through my jeans drawer for a couple minutes and pull out my faded blue ripped skinny jeans. I put them on and got out my make up. I just put on foundation, mascara, and lip gloss. It's 6:30 now. I put on my socks and my black boots. I grab my phone and put it in my bag. I grab my keys and say bye to my dad. I walk to my car and put the address to the airport into the GPS and start driving.

*Skip the boring car ride*

I pull into the parking lot and turn off the car. I walk into the airport and take out my phone. I had a missed call and a text from Morgan. I call her back. It rings a few times before I hear her happy voice on my phone.

"CARTER!!!! OMG I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!" I hear my best friend yell.

"Hey Morgan. I miss you too." I say, not as loud as she did, mostly because I'm in the airport.

"How's California?" She asks.

"Good. My dad's house in huge. I'll send you pics of my room when I get back there. I'm at the airport picking up Ethan and Sarah."

"Okay. I can't wait to see it. We have to FaceTime later. I am so jealous. You're in California."

"Yeah I know. We will. And I haven't even done anything yet. I just got here this morning. I spent most of the time catching up with my dad."I say kinda sad about the last part and I think she could tell.

"Yeah. How'd that go?"

"Good. I kinda missed him. I'm still mad at him for leaving and everything. But, it was nice to be able to catch up a little."

"Good. I hope the summer goes well. I have to go my mom wants me but text me okay? I loves you C." She says quickly.

"I will. I loves you too M. Bye" I say right before hearing the little beep telling me she hung up. I miss her. I wish she could have came. She knew my dad before he left. She helped me through it. She has been my best friend forever. I go and sit down while I wait for them to get there. It shouldn't be too much longer. I scroll through Tumblr and listen to music. It's 7:05 and I'm bored.

"Carter!" I hear my little brother yell from across the room. I stood up fast and walked to meet them.

"Hey guys! How was your flight?" I asked taking them into a hug.

"It was really cool. It was scary at first but then I wasn't scared anymore and then it was fun." Ethan said hugging me back.

"I was asleep most of the flight so yeah." My little sister told me hugging me. I smiled and turned to go to the luggage belt. I grabbed their bags and started walking back to my car. They followed close behind. I unlocked the car so they could get in while I was putting their stuff into the back of my Jeep. I closed the back hatch and got into the driver's seat and started the car. I started the GPS and pulled onto the road.

"You two are going to love dad's house. It's huge and beautiful. The view is breathtaking." I said while driving. I looked over at Ethan who was sitting in the seat next to me. He looked so excited. I looked in my rear view mirror at Sarah. She had a tired smile on her face. She could sleep forever if she really wanted to.

"I can not wait to get there!! How close are we?" Ethan said, very impatiently.

"We are almost there. Calm down." I said, checking the GPS. We were right up the road. I could see the house from where we were. I drove down the street and pulled into the driveway. Ethan's eyes got wide and his mouth fell open. Sarah looked up and rubbed her eyes when she noticed that I had turned off the car. She looked surprised, but not as surprised as Ethan. I love them so much.

"Is that dad's house?" Ethan asked pointing to the huge house in front of us. I smiled and rolled my eyes. I looked up and saw dad walking out to meet us at the car like he did earlier when I arrived. I smiled when I saw Ethan and Sarah's faces light up. They got out of the car as fast as they could and ran to hug him. I laughed to myself and got out of the car and walked to the back hatch, opening it up and taking out their luggage. Dad walked over to me and helped me take everything out. He grabbed Ethan's bags and I grabbed Sarah's and we turned toward the house.

"Ethan, can you close that and lock the car for me?" I asked him while tossing him my keys.

"Sure thing sis." He said, catching the keys and doing what I asked. Him and Sarah ran to catch up with me and Dad.

"Dad, this house is huge." Sarah said, while standing next to our dad. Ethan was next to me.

"Yeah, just wait until you guys see your rooms." Dad said, while opening the door. We all walked inside. I followed dad to Sarah's room and set her stuff down in the middle of the room. It was so pink and girly. Just like Sarah. She loves the color pink.

"OMG! DAD, I LOVE IT!!!" She screamed and ran to hug him.

"Good. I was hoping you would." He said, while giving her a kiss on the top of her head.

"Alright, we are gonna let you get settled. Ethan follow me and I'll show you to your room." He said and walked out with Ethan. I gave Sarah a hug and a kiss and then walked out and went to my room. I was standing at the window wall, looking out at the beach. It was really pretty. There was a smell, secluded cove cut off from the rest of the beach by rock. It was so pretty. The water was bright beep blue. The sun was reflecting on the water and it was truly beautiful.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice my dad walk into my room. He walked over and stood next to me at the window. He looked down at me for a second and then looked out at the view like I was.

"It's beautiful."I said without looking at him.

"Yeah it is. That's why I gave you this room. I knew you would love it. You always did love looking out at the lake back home. I remember taking you up there when you were younger and you would just sit on the dock for hours watching the water. It always put a smile on your face. You know, your mother told me that you went there everyday the summer I left. You would wake up and go to the lake everyday. She said you would stay until dark or later." He said, looking down at me. I looked up at him for a second. I gave him a half smile. You know that smile you make when you're trying to act happy when you're actually hurt? Yeah. That half smile.

"Yeah. I did. I would take my journal and write all day. I would draw and sing. I would listen to music and just lay there. Mom would get worried and call Morgan and ask her to find me. The first few times, Morgan didn't even know where to start. I didn't pick up when she would call or text. I just sat there. But eventually she found me in minutes. I was always in the same place. Being there made me feel better. It made me feel like even though you left, I still had a part of you with me." I said. Not looking at him once. I just kept looking out the window.

"I'm sorry, Carter." He said quietly. He had a sad look on his face. I felt bad for making him feel bad. But I wasn't going to act like I was fine. He left me. He was my dad. And he just left. No goodbye. No warning. Nothing. Just up and left.

"Yeah. Well, it happens. I guess." I said turning around and walking towards my dresser.

I opened my shorts drawer. I wanted to go out to the beach. I pulled out my blue jean cut off shorts. I closed the drawer and then opened my top drawer. I looked at my different bikinis and finally chose my strapless white one with the matching bottoms. I walked to my closet and grabbed my black low cut tank top and my long, grey, open front sweater. I walked out of the closet and put everything on my bed. I turned to look at my dad, who was still looking out the window like I left him.

"Is it okay if I change and go down to the beach?"I asked him after a minute. He turned and looked at me.

"Yeah go ahead. I'm gonna help Ethan and Sarah get settled in. Be safe." He said and walked over to me. He gave me a hug. I just stood there for a second, before hugging him back. He kissed the top of my head and walked out, closing the door behind him. I changed into my new outfit and grabbed a towel from the closet outside my room. I grabbed my phone and earphones and walk over the the glass door. I opened it slowly and walked out. I closed the door and walked down the stairs to the beach.