7 Lessons in 7 (Glorious) Days

LESSON #3: If you're trying to forget someone, don't stalk them on Facebook.

The first thing I noticed when we got off the airplane was no wifi. As we walked through the terminal, I kept checking my phone for wireless access, but there was nothing. I wouldn't be able to see what Carter was up to.

"Lisa, put that thing away," Mom said while juggling her bags and the itinerary. "You're on vacation, for Pete's sake. Take a break from your phone and help me with something."

I rolled my eyes and shoved the phone into my pocket. "I don't think you need a death grip on that printout. We're here already."

"We need to know the name of the hotel." Her eyes looked a little wild.

"Don't tell me you've already forgotten it."

"No, I did not," she huffed."But... I like to be prepared. You never know what could happen in a foreign country."

"Mom, chill. It's Cancun, not Afghanistan." I squeezed her arm before taking the largest bag from her.

"It's going to be fun, honey," Dad added and eased the itinerary from her hand. "Don't worry about a thing. We're here to relax."

At the hotel, I saw a sign for free wifi and immediately parked myself in a lobby chair while my parents checked in. I went to Carter's Facebook page. He and his football buddies were at a car wash fund raiser. It looked like he was having a lot of fun. He looked good. There didn't seem to be anything else after that.

I glanced up to see my parents talking to a front desk clerk now. Back to Facebook. My friend Carrie posted numerous selfies, attempting to find her inner model. My favorite band listed future concert dates. My other friend Monica posted photos of a party she went to. I saw lots of dancing, drinking, and kissing. A pang of regret wormed its way into me for having missed it. I could have been at that spring break party too. That could have been me in those pictures, dancing and—

Was that Carter?

I peered more closely at the photo.

It featured a girl I knew from school making faces at the camera, but in the background... that was definitely Carter's profile. He was wearing his letterman jacket—which he looked great in—and his sandy brown hair was tousled. Probably because Tiffany Waltman's fingers were twined through them. He was looking at her the way he used to look at me. Like I was special. Like I was the only one there. She was laughing. Of course she was. Carter was a funny guy.

A lump formed in my throat and the corners of my mouth tugged downward. I couldn't stop looking at the photo. I even zoomed in on it. Tiffany was perky and cute. With perfect hair. Why wouldn't Carter want her?

My phone suddenly slid out of my hands. "Hey!"

"Hmm." My dad stood next to me, examining the photo on the screen, grim-faced. "This must be Carter."

I said nothing.

He regarded me over the top of the phone. "No more Facebook during this vacation."

"What?"

"I'm confiscating your phone."

"You can't do that!"

He shut my phone off and tucked it into his pocket. "Already done."

"Dad!" I drew out the syllable with exasperation. "How am I supposed to..."

"Keep tabs on Carter? You're not supposed to."

I crossed my arms.

"Pumpkin, anyone who gives you such sad eyes needs to be forgotten. You'll thank me."

Mom appeared, brandishing room keys. "I hope we have a good view!"

Her optimistic face lightened my mood a little, but I was still pissed at Dad. I swiped one of the card keys out of her hand and stalked away, yanking the luggage along behind me.

"Elevator is this way." Dad jerked his thumb in the opposite direction.

I paused and sighed. So much for my dramatic exit.

I turned around and marched past them, not looking at either of them.

"Is she okay?" I heard my mother whisper.

"She'll be fine," he replied as he gathered the remaining bags and followed.

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