It All Began with the Last Summer

Chapter 1

 

            I lay on the couch, my arms above my head. The scorching summer heat caused beads of sweat to form on my forehead. Why don’t we have an air conditioner? I thought as I stared at the ceiling. My fingers fell to my lips; they were really dry. I decided to get up and get a glass of water when I heard my phone vibrate.

            I looked at the caller ID. It was my good friend Cameron. “Hello?” I answered.

            “Hey Sophs,” she said semi-cheerfully, “What’s up?”

            My full name was actually Sophie, but Cameron always liked to make up nicknames. “Nothing really… Just trying to beat the heat.” I cradled my cell-phone to my ear as I poured apple juice into a glass. I decided it sounded better than water.

            “Same here… Do you wanna go swimming?”

            “Sounds good to me,” I said, “The usual spot?” I instantly wondered if he would come. My heart quickened and, feeling foolish, I chided its rapid pounding.

            “Yeah. I guess the others are busy though… it would only be us two.”

            My heart sank just a little. “Okay. That’s fine with me. Is your mom coming?”

            “No she can’t. She said it was fine if we went together though.”

            I took a quick sip of the sweet juice. “Okay. Just let me get changed and I’ll pick you up.”

            “Kay, see you in a bit!”

            “Bye.” I hit the end button and shoved my phone back into my pocket. I picked up my glass, relishing the refreshing cold liquid as it ran down my throat. Dang, I thought, Oh well. We’ll still have fun. The river’s better than being stuck here all day.

            “Hey, mom!” I shouted down the hallway, “I’m going to the river with Cameron!”

            “Okay!” she shouted back, “Just don’t be too late!”

            I dug through my clothes basket and finally found my swimsuit and shorts. I quickly changed into them, shoved my feet into some flip-flops, grabbed my purse and the keys, and then I was off.

            In less than five minutes, I was standing at Cameron’s door. I knocked and looked through the door window to see her waving for me to come in. I turned the knob and stepped inside.

            “Hey,” Cameron said, “Sorry I just have to find my flip-flops and then I’ll be ready.”

            “It’s fine,” I replied, “We’re in no rush.”

            I watched her dig through her closet diligently and finally she found a pair of flip-flops and slipped them on.

            “Okay, I’m ready,” she said, turning to me and smiling.

            We got back in the car and headed to the spot and thankfully, I found a parking spot. We grabbed our towels and headed down a dirt path that descended under a big bridge. We carefully walked along the steep walls around a smaller part of the river and then dropped our towels and flip-flops on a rock.

            “Where should we go first?” she asked.

            “Just the main rock?” I said.