The Ultimate Summer: The sequel to the Ultimate Senior Year Plan

luke

The plane just landed and I was glad to be back home. It was a long and tedious flight. I hate planes in general. I checked my phone to see tons of messages from Mike and Cal but nothing from Ash. Before I had left, I did leave the note but I'm not repeating what the letter did say. I didn't leave a note for Ash. I know that was shady but can you blame me, he cheated on me. I will never forgive him for that. I was waiting and looking around my parents but instead I was greeted with Ben and Mandy. Mandy gave me a small smile, it was awkward beyond words to be honest. Mandy was now wearing a ring and Ben had a big smile on his face. I just gave my brother a hug while trying to hide my hurt and jealous. I left the promise ring back in California but I would never want that ring ever again. "You guys are engaged" I commented to them and Ben just had this grin that I never saw before. Mandy is a good girl and I can't imagine my brother with anyone else. "Come on let's get your baggage and let's go home baby brother" Ben rubbed my head while wrapping his arm around me and Mandy holding his left hand. Ben and Mandy deserved their happiness in general. They were or is a cute couple and that is the truth. Ben helped me with my luggage and we got in the car. i just sighed while leaning my head against the window and I opened the car door when we arrived to my house. It looked different to be honest. I opened the front door  with Mandy and Ben following me close behind. My parents had a huge smile before rushing to give me a hug. Mom was kissing my forehead over and over again. Jack just gave me a head nod, his way of greeting me while he was drinking a beer. It was like a party for me, I had to go to New York for art school in a week. It was strange you know to think about college and how my future was going to be without Ash in my life. Ash meant everything to me and he still does. He was my first everything and it kills me to look at pictures of me and him. I can't look at my phone. I looked at my phone to see Mike was calling, i didn't pick up. Whatever was going on in that moment I didn't care. I had to only care about myself. After the party, mom and dad had to travel to Spain or something. I wasn't paying any attention and Jack left shortly too. Mandy went home I guess and now Ben was sitting with me on my bed. He grabbed my phone and I saw his smile to a frown. "Are you okay" Ben asked me and I shrugged my shoulders. "I can't delete those photos" I told Ben and Ben nodded his head. "You are grieving over the loss of a boyfriend that can't be easy." Ben nudged me and I sighed. "I wish it was but Ben Ash is so screwed up but I can't be there to see him destroying himself." I begged Ben and Ben sighed. "It's going to be awkward at the wedding just saying considering that you are going to be my best man and Mandy wants Ash at the wedding." Ben brought up and I just sighed while leaning back on the bed. I was annoyed beyond words but it was whatever in that moment. "You have every right to be angry Luke but knowing you, you probably didn't give Ash time to explain what happened. Everything is not what it seems" Ben patted my shoulder before leaving me all alone in my room and I just stared at the ceiling. i was missing my cuddles from Ash. I was wondering what Ash was doing in this moment. I was missing all of my friends. I knew I had to do what was right for me and what was right for me in that moment was being free. I looked around the room trying to decide what to take and what not to take to college. It was going to be a new atmosphere in general and I couldn't wait. I also had gotten a job working at a gallery which I was happy about to be honest. I get to produce artwork and still be exposed to art in every different format. I get to see the behind the scenes of what it actually takes to put on a gallery show. Don't get me wrong I had seen a little bit of that. I packed away all of my sketchbooks that I had over the years, the clothes, the stuff that was on the nightstand. one picture stood out from the rest, it was the day that we became free from Andrew Bridges. We all had a big smile except for Mike. 

I knew I had to pack this picture because this picture would keep me humble in every sense of the word. I was happy but sad because I knew things were going to change. I started loading up my car and I just smiled to myself. I closed the trunk and I sat down on the steps taking in the scene of the rain pouring down and letting myself get soaking wet. "stop being weird" I heard Ben shouting out from the window and I just laughed at him. We both sat down on the steps. "Are you ready to take on the world" Ben asked me and i just smiled at him. "Yeah I think so" I replied to him and Ben just smiled at me. "I know that you must think me and Mandy are crazy getting engaged so quickly but I love her more than anyone." Ben commented to me and I was truly happy for Ben. A week later I took of for a new adventure one with Mike and Cal. School started later for them but then everything changed in that moment.