Julys and Goodbyes

chapter one

A marsh view under a bright blue sky passed by as I stared out of the backseat window of my dad's Chevy. A Maroon 5 song played softly from the car's radio, and I was zoned out until my thoughts were interrupted by my dad. He asked me the same question he had already asked twice throughout the car ride.
"Any particular reason why you're so quiet today, Libby?"
I sighed audibly, and kept my gaze on the passing trees, houses, and marshes.
"Not sure. I guess I was just thinking about Sadie. I miss her."
My mom spoke up from the passenger seat.
"It was Sadie's choice not to come with us this summer," She sighed, obviously still as disappointed as I was. "She wanted to do something different, might as well just let her be."
Sadie is my older sister. She just finished her sophomore year in college, and decided to spend her entire summer at a lake house with a group of friends. The rest of us - me, mom, and dad - were surprised by her sudden plans. Every summer for almost my whole life, all four of us travel the two hour drive to Edisto Beach, where we rent a cheerful, gently worn out beach house known as the Pink Pearl. For the same stay, the beach house next door, known as Dolphin's Dive, is always occupied by our family friends. We all return home by the end of each July with suntans and shiny new memories.
So although I was excited for a traditional Montgomery summer before I had to leave for college, I couldn't help but feel it wouldn't be the same without my sister.

I heard my mom's voice again.
"It's not like you'll be all alone, Libby. Don't forget about the Hansons. Aren't you excited to see Cole?"
My heart stopped and then fluttered for a second at the sound of his name. Being preoccupied thinking about Sadie choosing her college friends over us, I HAD briefly forgotten. Now, I felt a fresh new wave of worries overtake my mind.
Cole Hanson. Cole was the son of my parent's friends, the Hansons, who stayed next to us on Edisto every summer. He was the same age as me, so we had been close ever since we met at age six. I considered him my "summer best friend," and he considered me the same.
I never considered him more than that, at least up until last summer.
Last year's trip was the first time I realized that I was in love with Cole.
I don't know how it happened, or why it happened, but it did and I decided to keep it completely secret with only one exception.
My sister.
I can remember Sadie gushing, before proceeding to taunt me playfully with a smirk on her lips. She had laughed at my pitiful blushing, but also gave me some girl-to-girl advice. She wanted me to confess.
Of course the rest of that summer flew by with me choosing to remain quiet. I was too afraid of what Cole would think, and I didn't want to lose my summer best friend. I convinced myself that I would simply get over it before the next summer, but that didn't end up happening. Unfortunately, I knew my feelings were still just as strong.

My dad glanced over at my mom. "Oh, and speaking of the Hansons, Ralph texted me that they're already there."
My heart fluttered again as the ocean came into view and we passed the familiar shaved ice stand and grocery store. It would only be a couple minutes before we arrived at the Pink Pearl.
This summer, I knew that I had made my decision. I had taken time to gather my confidence, thought over Sadie's advice, and I knew that I'd be telling Cole that I had fallen for him this time.