Without You (Previously known as Summer Without You!)

The Pact

Summer Without You

Chapter One: The Pact

I sat on the sand, my hands running through the grains, watching the kids run around by their parents. Middle class, fortunate children. Only minutes prior, when they left for what I assume was a bathroom break, the tide crashed into their castle. I fixed what remained, and since it ended up being a long break, I managed to make it nicer than it previously was. The kids played in their newly improved sandcastle as I grinned ear-to-ear, watching them play was all I needed for a happy day.

"Lets go, Lucy!" Sarah shouted, grabbing our bags and shoving them into the car. "We're going to be late for the bonfire!"

•••

Every weekend we had a bonfire at Sarah's house. We invited some people and word spread like a wildfire. Half the people that came hadn't ever even spoken to Sarah before. Her house was right on the shoreline, and, to be completely frank- it was downright gorgeous. I don't blame everyone for wanting to come, and she didn't mind. The backyard had a private beach, and she had this cute little thing set up for the bonfire, and with those we roasted marshmallows. My favorite.

I ran into her room and grabbed my cover-up, which was just an off white dress that fell to my knees, and then shoved my lucky ring onto my finger and ran right back out.

"Sarah?" I called out into the hallway, walking towards the French doors that opened out to the beach, and I followed the sound of music.

"I'm over here!" I heard her shout, and I saw her laid by the shores edge. She looked so disconnected, and held a blank gaze towards the horizon. This kind of behavior was similar to how she was when she was sad. She isn't very in touch with her emotions, and she really just doesn't like talking about them. I noticed that she had changed her outfit into a pink sundress. It looked nice on her.

"I'm leaving for the summer." She said, once again disconnected, as I sat down on the damp sand.

"What?" I whispered, eyes wide. We had been attached at the hip since freshman year. I can't remember a time that she had been gone for than a week, and when she was, I didn't know what to do.

"We're going to Hawaii all summer. How cliché, right?" She said standing up. "Well, we should probably get our asses up so we can get ready for our guests." She quipped, getting up and brushing the sand off herself. "Come on, now. Don't get all sappy on me, will you?" she joked, placing her hand on her hip. "I'm not one for the waterworks, 'Luce."

I was still in shock. Why was this happening now? And why didn't she tell me sooner? I shook my head. This will not get me down. I need to live in the present. "Okay. Lets go." I said, jumping up. "Race you there!" I giggled, running back to the house.

"Damn you." Sarah mumbled, stretching her arms. She was just beat by moi, in her sport. "I let you win, FYI." She grumbled, while walking to the kitchen.

"Just admit that I'm better than you and we'll be all good." I smiled, rocking back and forth on my heels.

"Never!" she said, running to her housekeeper, Marnie. "Is everything ready yet, Mar?" Sarah asked, motioning me to get the door.

"Of course! I even put those little umbrellas in the mocktails." Marnie replied, but as I raced to the door, their voices faded. With a shove, I got the door open and revealed about ten people.

"Are we the first ones here?" I girl named Lillian from my biology class asked me.

"Well, yeah. You're early." I said, checking my phone for verification.

"Sweet!" a couple of the people from her group chorused.

"Welcome to summer, ladies." Sarah came up from behind me and let the group in.

•••

About an hour into it, the party was in full swing and her house was packed. I was outside with Sarah, and we were playing spin the bottle with some people.

When the game ended, I looked at Sarah and I asked something I never thought would come from my mouth—ever.

"This summer... we will have to come out of out comfort zones and be adventurous."

"Deal" She said, cutting me off.

"But I didn't tell you it all yet!" I mumbled, annoyed.

"I didn't need to hear it, goody two shoes."