one summer at the lake house | #Wattys2016 #tbpa2016

II. her

h e r t u e s d a y;

I had lost track of time once Edison and I started playing our guessing game but it was nice. I wish I had spoken to him years before this. He was great company to have around. So gentle and kind, the opposite of the men in my family. Though I loved my brothers and Pop very much they could be rough on me, treat me like one of the guys.

"Do you remember the last time you saw me here?" Edison asked nervously. He always seemed nervous and on edge. He probably wasn't used to girls approaching him right away. It wasn't that Edison wasn't good looking, because for someone who seemed so closed off he was definitely a sight to see. Dark hair that he allowed to have a mind of its own, wonderful blue eyes, and a smile that made his face crinkle-in a good way. He was very cute.

"Two or three years ago? I hadn't been here for the last two years so I know it had to have been that long," I responded as I tucked my loose blond hairs behind my ears. My air dried hair had a natural wave to it that was nearly impossible to tame. I smiled before asking, "Okay my turn. Do you remember the first time you saw me?"

My question seemed to throw him off. His jaw clenched and I wondered if my question was too strange. He took a moment to answer but I waited patiently.

"I was six. My Dad left me on the sandbar to take my Mom water skiing and I wanted to see it from the water. You were there too fishing with your Mom, she spoke to me but you were too caught up fishing to say anything," He finally said.

When I didn't respond right away he quickly became flustered as if he regretted his words. He quickly followed with, "You know we were the only kids who came here so I couldn't really forget. Plus you completely ignored me!"

"Yea because I was fishing! I was probably so concentrated! I remember you though, you were so red," I said, stifling a laugh.

Edison chuckled as he shook his head and looked away. He pushed his hand through his dark hair and revealed his red forehead me. "I burn so easily! I have prescription sunscreen it's so bad! When I was little my Mom never put enough on and I'd still burn, I think I got sun poisoning that summer too."

"LO! WE'RE TAKING THE BOAT OUT!" Pop called from our dock.

I turned to see him standing with his hands on his sides, he wore a casual tee shirt and shorts. Dillion stood beside him clinging to his leg a huge grin on his little face, he wore his same shark swimsuit.

"ALRIGHT POP I'LL BE THERE IN A SEC!" I shouted back. I turned my attention to Edison who had just watched the little screaming match between Pop and myself. I reached up placing my hand on Edison's forearm. He jerked slightly but it seemed he tried to keep his composure. "You want to come with? It'd be nice to be on a boat with someone who isn't old, a gorilla, or barely able to form coherent sentences."

"No I have to get back. My parents are probably expecting me, maybe tomorrow," he said as he stood from his chair and began collecting his things.

It was weird but his rejection made me feel strange. I was more upset than I planned but I quickly stood as well and nodded. "You're right. You're on vacation with your family duh," I said tapping the side of my head lightly at my absentmindedness.

We awkwardly stood on the dock glancing around. We weren't sure exactly how to say goodbye. I took the lead and smiled at him saying, "Thanks for playing for me Edison. Hopefully we can do it again."