one summer at the lake house | #Wattys2016 #tbpa2016

V. her

h e r f r i d a y;

   I tossed my crust into the trash bin before relaxing into my seat beside Edison in the shade of the food truck. He was still working on his jumbo slice of pizza and I was slightly embarrassed that I was able to devour mine much quicker but I skipped breakfast to join Edison so it couldn't seem that strange.

   "Thinking about getting your family anything?" Edison asked before taking another bite of his slice.

   I tapped my chin as I thought before I raised my left arm revealing the dark braided bracelet that I always wore. "Hmmm my mom gave me this the last time we came here. I think I should buy them all matching ones," I murmured, fiddling with the ends of my shirt. I had placed my flannel back on getting a chill from sitting in the shade.

   "That sounds like a good idea, I wouldn't know what to get my parents. They like everything," Edison whined slightly, side glancing at me.

I leaned forward to get a better look at his face as I asked, "What do you mean everything?"

Edison chuckled, taking the last few bites of his pizza. Once he had swallowed he spoke, "When I was a kid literally everything I brought home for them they kept-"

"That's not that strange," I interjected.

"And still have. That's twenty years worth of pretty much junk."

I nodded at this, raising my eyebrows as I did. It wasn't uncommon for parents to keep their child's small presents especially from their only child. Pop and my mom had a system; for pictures they had a frame for each of us and added drawings or paintings to them as we grew, trinkets only had a week shelf life, and if unfortunately we baked anything Pop would only pretend to eat it.

"Why don't you get them fudge? My mom always loved the fudge they sold here," I suggested with a laugh.

Edison shrugged saying, "That actually sounds perfect. They love stuffing their faces too."

We stood and continued walking down the strip. Edison threw out his crust before falling in step beside me. It was quiet and calm between us and I couldn't help but smile. I had never been so okay with silence before. It was as if Edison mellowed out my normally haywire attitude. We complimented one another.

   I turned to see Edison glancing into windows. A blush crept over my tan cheeks as I slowly moved my hand towards his own. I would normally never hesitate to hold someone's hand but with Edison it was different. So different.

   Before I could have the pleasure of his fingers knotted perfectly with my own he gently grabbed my wrist and dragged me into a shop. "Come on!" He said, the smile on his face evident in his voice.

   He spun me and raised my hands to cover my eyes. A smile tugged a the corners of my lips and I rose a curious eyebrow. "What's this all about?" I questioned.

   Edison laughed from behind me, his breath on my neck causing me to shiver. "Just keep your eyes closed," he said before stepping away. A slight chill ran down my spine when he moved, a frown threatening to spread over my face because of it.

   I felt something cool and slick flow over my collarbone to rest on my chest. I could feel Edison fumbling behind me as he tried to lock what I assumed was a necklace. "Can I open now?" I questioned playfully, peeking through the sliver my fingers created.