The Reality of Growing Up//Wattys 2k16

ღcoraღ

chapter 18: ღcoraღ

published: 7/29/16

 Luke and I are sitting on one of the benches by the beach, watching Blake and Nico surf when Maeryn herself plops down next to me.

"Whoa, hey," Luke says, his eyes widening. I'm also pretty surprised. Looking at her, you wouldn't have guessed that her sister had just tried to kill herself. She looks great, like she did for the previous summers. Her skin is clear and glowing, hair silky and voluminous, neat and stylish clothes.

Maeryn gives Luke and I a bright smile. "Hey guys. Is that Blake and Nico?" she asks, peering into the Atlantic.

Part of me is waiting for her to blow up and start crying or something, but the other part actually believes her good mood.

"Yeah," I answer, hesitantly.

I guess Maeryn can hear the suspicion in my voice because she turns to me and lets out a breath of the salty air. "Okay, I know you've all heard about everything that happened," she starts, spreading her hands out in front of her.

Luke snorts. "You think? If Kendall had a newspaper, Brandy would be on the cover."

Elbowing him, I nod at Maeryn as a gesture for her to continue.

She wrinkles her nose, but ignores Luke's bluntness. "But honestly, we're okay. Brandy and I talked it out, my dad is back at the house spending the rest of the summer and everything is actually really good right now," she explains.

Giving my best friend a good squeeze, I try not to burst into tears. Seeing her grow up and blossom into the strong person she is today is the best feeling. This summer did make us all who we are. I glance back at Luke and he looks just as happy and impressed as I am.

"Nice job, Mae," he exclaims. He pats her knee with affection.

Maeryn narrows her eyes at him and I. "So a little birdy told me you guys are dating now," she mentions.

Luke turns redder than the horizon and I burst out laughing. "Yeah," I nod, wiping tears from my eyes. "We are."

"Good," she says, nodding. "It's about time you guys got together."

"You know," Luke says, sounding a bit nervous. "I had a giant crush on you for the past, like, ten years."

Maeryn laughs and pats his cheek a few times. "I knew that, Luke. But I was still a Coruke shipper."

Groaning, I put my face in my hands. "Is that our couple name?"

"You bet your ass it is."

We continue bantering playfully until Blake comes up to us, shaking his wet hair like a dog. Nico is right behind him, holding his hand. I smile at how cute they are together. Never before have I seen Blake get flustered by anybody.

"Hey, Maeryn," Blake says, giving her his boyish smile. "Everything good with you?"

She smiles back at him. "Everything's great. You guys are also dating?"

Nico laughs and bumps shoulders with Blake. "Something like that," he replies, looking ecstatic with Blake. Blake looks equally happy.

I nudge my knee with Maeryn's. "Looks like you're the third wheel now," I comment, raising my brows.

"Don't remind me," she groans, tilting her head back. "But between you and me," she says, just low enough so I could hear it. "I spent the night at his yesterday."

I let out an excited shriek that makes everybody stare at me in confusion. Luke and I have been together only for a few days. Normally I would've been jealous of Maeryn and her love life, but honestly, I'm happy to even say I have a love life. If anything, I feel a bit sorry for her and Parker, but they both seem happy with whatever they're doing now. So I guess everything's okay.

"When does he leave for New York?" I ask.

Maeryn shrugs. "He doesn't know yet. I think he may spend the rest of the year here. He loves it."

Spending the year in Kendall sounds weird to me. Sure, there are locals here and some kids who go to school here, but Kendall is more of a summer paradise kind of a thing.

I glance at Blake and see him engaged in an enthusiastic conversation with Luke and Nico that involves a lot of crazy hand gestures and the occasional Nico chiming in and Luke nodding. The both of us are leaving earlier than usual to go to college soon. Luke and I haven't talked us over yet, and that's the only rocky part of our relationship. I want to discuss it with him soon, but I'm afraid of what'll happen after the conversation.

Blake and Nico eventually leave us, saying how they made plans for dinner. Maeryn also leaves, claiming she has to check on Brandy. So it's just Luke and I.

"What?" Luke suddenly asks.

I look at him. "What what?"

Luke rolls his eyes and shifts his position so he's facing me. "You had a look on your face like you ate something sour. What's wrong, Cor'?"

Go time. "I was just thinking about next year," I admit, looking down at my fingers. I see sand between my middle and ring finger.

"What about it?"

It takes most of my willpower not to smack him. Luke, as great of a guy he is, can be denser than a rock. Slowly exhaling, I respond. "You and I. Like, how are we going to do this long-distance thing. I'm in Florida and you're in Connecticut."

Luke lets his shoulders slump down. "I trust you. We'll talk on the phone everyday and Skype and I'll come and visit you whenever," he promises. He even crosses his heart with his finger, which makes me bark out a laugh.

I want to believe it, I really do. "But Luke, things happen. I don't know, I feel like this is a new chapter of our lives."

His brows furrow together. "Are-are you trying to break up with me?" he asks.

"Oh, my god! No!" I answer, quickly. I'm so loud, a couple of people look over at us. "No," I repeat, lowering my voice. "I'm just saying, I want to figure out a plan."

"Then let's figure out a plan," Luke says. "We'll talk on the phone at least three times a week and I'll visit you at least once a semester."

His words give me some ease. "And we'll Skype every Sunday," I add, just to contribute something.

Luke nods, letting out a small laugh. He puts an arm around me and looks into the sunset. "Sounds like a plan to me." 

A/N: hey guys! here's the LAST cora pov! :'( i'm sad to see this end, but i'm even more excited to start publishing the new novel i'm writing. i already wrote, like, eleven chapters and i finished the plot! so that's fun. 

but yeah, enjooyyyy! hopefully this story will reach 500 reads!! 

yay remember to comment, follow, and vote! it makes me really really happy if you do! 

much love to everyone, 

-elizabeth