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VIII

It's been exactly a week and a half since Dawson and I first hung out. Since then, we've been on numerous outings. He wasn't lying when he said he was going to make this the best summer of my life. Any other year, I'd probably be relaxing at home and occasionally hanging out with Nicole when she'd be free. This summer was a complete 180 from all the others. So far, I've graduated from high school, gone to a musical festival, been to a zoo and an aquarium, and I've been to at least four parties. It was so much in such little time, I couldn't believe it. And Dawson has been by my side the whole time.

In about four days, I leave with Nicole to Europe for an entire month. Dawson and I both knew this was coming, but we both tried not to think about it too much. I had just introduced him to my parents three days ago, up until then they thought I was hanging out with Nicole when I went out. I waited to tell them about him because I didn't know how they would react to me hanging out with a boy. I've never really had any guy friends and I'm assuming that's all Dawson is.

I haven't forgotten that he told me he had been falling for me the night at my party, but I also didn't want to bring it up. I liked Dawson, I really did. But it wouldn't be fair to either of us to start something so close to the time that I'd be leaving. Plus when I return, there's only a two week gap before Dawson goes off to Fordham for his summer training camp. We've had some intimate moments, but we haven't once kissed. We haven't talked about our feelings for each other either, but I think we both know they're there. We're just having fun.

Dawson and I decided to hang out everyday before I leave. We've gotten to know each other so much and we've had numerous deep conversations. We've talked about everything from religion to our favorite scents to where we'd buy a vacation home. Tonight we're going star-gazing, tomorrow we're going to an amusement park, Saturday we were going to Peter's lake house. Peter and Nicole have been dating ever since the night at my house. I guess they really hit it off. As for Sunday, Dawson told me he had a surprise for me.

"Savannah! Would you come down sweetheart?!" my mom yelled from downstairs.

I was lounging in bed reading Seventeen magazine with my wet hair wrapped in a towel. All I had on was a white robe, so I quickly changed into a tank top and shorts before I ran downstairs.

"What's up mom?" I asked as I strolled into our rather large kitchen. There were french doors that opened up to our back patio and I couldn't help but look out them and watch as our gardener mowed the lawn with a John Deer rider.

"I wanted to talk to you about this Dawson character."

"What about him? I thought you and dad liked him?"

"We do honey, but I was just wondering what you two are doing."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, are you two friends? Or close.. friends?"

There was silence that passed by, since I still had no clue as to what she was getting at. She raised her eyebrows at me as she leaned against the kitchen island.

"Oh mom.." I realized that she was hinting towards a more friends with benefits question.

"I just want to make sure you're being safe sweetie. I know you're eighteen and I can't tell you what not to do anymore, but I want to make sure you're safe. You're still my little girl, you know?"

"Mom, we're just friends. Really. You don't have to worry about it."

"Okay!" she turned around and grabbed a clorox wipe to clean the counters. "If you're not worried then I'm not worried," she smiled genuinely and continued to clean.

"Great mom," I laughed lightly, "I'm gonna go upstairs now!"

"You should get ready for your date!" she yelled after me.