Senior Year

Chapter 1- Summer

Everybody looks forward to the summertime. Summer means no school, beach trips, lemonade, and pool parties. However, that's not what this summer had been for Samantha Field. Yes, Sam had waited endlessly for the summer, but only so that she could get as far away from Oak Woods as possible. Now, the summer was over and after attending a summer intern program at a local cosmetics company in Paris, Sam was returning back home. She walked through the front gates of the airport and looked around her. The bright sunshine blinded her, but it wasn't difficult to spot her best friend leaning against her white convertible. Stephanie always stood out among the crowd thanks to her long blonde hair and fashionable outfits.

"Sammy!", she screamed, as Sam walked towards her and gave her a big hug.

"Hey, Steph"

Stephanie looked at Sam's khaki skirt and black glasses disapprovingly and said, "What did they do to you over there? Look at what you're wearing. It's a good thing we've been friends since kindergarten, Sam, because if I met you today, I would not want to be your friend"

"We had a dress code, Steph."

Stephanie went on rambling about how wrong it looked while Sam put her suitcase into the car. The girls started their drive back to Oak Woods from the airport and Sam thought about how different it felt to be back there and to see Stephanie's overly enthusiastic self. Sam's summer had been really quite and monotonous compared to this.

"So, how was summer?" Stephanie asked.

"It was a lot of hard work."

"You know, Sam, normal people go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower or to shop. Instead, you went to Paris to attend some wanna-be summer program. It makes no sense at all."

" There were four other student interns. There was a lot of competition."

"Well, atleast now you have one more thing to write on your college application. So, did you bring me anything?"

"Actually I did. I've brought you enough make up to last this entire senior year."

"Yay! Can you believe it Sam? Tomorrow, we are officially going to be seniors."

"I know. It feels kind of surreal. Time goes by quickly, huh?"

"Way too quickly. Summer is ending too, but don't worry, I've saved you one last party this evening. It's at Liam's house. That's where we're going now."

"Shouldn't I meet my parents first?"

" Nobody's home. Everybody's at the benefit dinner tonight."

"Well, I just got back and I don't think-"

" No excuses Sam!", Stephanie said waving her hand mid-sentence.

Sam wasn't sure how she felt about going. Junior Year had ended on a really bad note. The rumours had been the worst part of it all. It had taken an entire summer to forget and Sam didn't want to remember again. She looked out the window and let out a big sigh. Stephanie and Sam hadn't talked much about any of it, but at that moment, she was forced to acknowledge the matter.

"It's been a long time. Everybody's going to be there, but nobody's going to remember anything. Trust me. People have new things to talk about now."

Sam soon discovered that Stephanie was right. When they arrived at Liam's house, nobody even mentioned junior year. The host of the party was the first to greet his girlfriend, Stephanie and her best friend.

"It's so good to see you, Sam.", Liam said, smiling a big smile at her.

"You too, Liam."

"You're just in time. Tonight's going to be a blast. Oh, and before I forget, don't take the drinks in the blue cups or take them", he said winking, before he rushed to the other side of the room where people were screaming for him.

Sam couldn't help smiling. It was a typical high school gathering. People were screaming, dancing, pulling pranks, and laughing. One by one,she met all her friends including Ryan and Ethan. Towards night-time, Sam was having a lot of fun, too. She wasn't afraid or nervous about the upcoming year anymore. It wasn't going to be anything like last year. She was glad to be back home. It was a perfect way to end an imperfect summer.