The Last Summer Apart

Chapter Eight

To say that night was amazing would be an understatement. Again, I can’t say I was surprised, but it was unbelievably wonderful. His performance was astounding. Everything about it was perfect. When I woke up the next morning, I found his place in the bed beside me was empty. I looked at my watch. 4:00am. Where could he be? I thought. I put on some clothes and crept out into the hallway. I could see him out on the balcony. I went out to join him.

“Good morning” I whispered, going up and standing next to him.

“Good morning!” He said, giving me a hug. “How did you sleep?”

“How do you think?” I winked at him and nudged his elbow.

He looked out at the rising sun. It was peaceful out there. No loud parties, no birds, just the wind and our breathing. “I wanted to thank you for last night.” He said, taking my hand and holding it.

“I was just about to say the same thing!” I grinned.

“But... Being out here made me realize something...” He said, not looking directly at me.

Oh no... This is a cut and run... A hit it and quit it... Keep it together, just hear him out. I thought frantically.

“Last night, I never asked you to be my girlfriend. I am disappointed in myself, because you probably thought that I was just going to ‘hit it and quit it’ if you’ll excuse the phrase. I want you to know right now, that was never my intent. So Audrey...” He got down on one knee, “will you be my girlfriend?”

I laughed, then clapped my hand over my mouth, realizing that laughing might hurt his feelings. “Of course I’ll be your girlfriend you freak!” I said, grinning ear to ear. He got up off the ground and drew me into an embrace, spinning me around once before setting me down.

“Now I have to ask you something...” I said, “we’re not going to tell the group right?”

“We'll never hear the end of it if we do!” Lucas agreed.

“Glad we’re on the same page. Now let’s get some more sleep before everyone wakes up.” I said.

“Anything for my new girlfriend!” Lucas said, smiling.

We crept back into the house and into our room. Lucas locked the door behind us.

“Can’t have anyone barging in now can we?” He said.  

Snuggling back into the bed together, we quickly fell asleep listening to the birds singing outside our window and the breeze blowing through the trees.