SUMMERTIME SECRET ✔️

Chapter 21- Eighteen

August 29.

Lexi woke up in Zach's bed. That has happened a lot lately.

He woke up slightly after.

"Good morning cupcake."

"Good morning Zach."

"What time is it?"

"Let me check." She reached for her phone. "It's 9am."

"That's good. Are you coming to my party tonight?"

"You're hosting another one?"

"Yeah well it's my birthday today." He smiled widely.

"What?" She asked horrified.

"I wasn't expecting that. You could try saying 'happy birthday'."

"How old did you turn Zach?"

"18. I'm officially legal."

"I'm not."

"So? You'll be soon."

"Oh you're so stupid." She face palmed. "We can't do this-"she gestured between the two of them"- if you're legal and I'm not."

"Oh that." He nodded. "It's not really a problem. No one will know."

"No Zach. I'm not breaking the law for you."

"Oh come on cupcake."

"No. I'm not coming to your party. End of story."

Zach sighed and ran a hand through his messy hair.

"Okay. This was our last night together. If I knew this I'd make it more special. But anyway." He cleared his throat. "We can be just friends in your last days here."

"Yeah we can."

"So come to my party. Just as friends. We'll dance and have fun."

"Yeah okay I'll come. And I have to go home now."

"Okay then. Bye. See you tonight."

"Bye."

She went home and locked herself in her room. She sat on the bed and stared at the floor. Her mind blank and her body numb.

She didn't know how to feel or what to think.

It's ridiculous, really.

She was supposed to leave three days later. She would not see Zach again. So why should it be important that he turned eighteen today and they're not allowed to do their favorite activity together.

It's just three days. What's the big deal?

Her phone rang and snapped Lexi out of her trance.

She composed herself and answered it.

It was Adelaide asking her to make dinner because she would get home later than usual.

After the phone call Lexi went on with her day normally. She cleaned around the house and made dinner.

Emily came by and helped her pick a dress for Zach's party.

She looked beautiful. She looked so damn beautiful she had every jaw drop when she arrived at the party.

Her eyes connected with Zach's from across the room. She walked up to him slowly and handed him a box.

"Happy birthday, Zach."

"Thank you. You got me a present."

"Yeah it's nothing special. I picked it up on my way here."

"It's a present nonetheless. And it's from you so it's special. I mean... uh... I have to go talk to some friends. I'll see you later."