Waiting For Summers

CHAPTER 10

Junior year.

This might not be the last year where students get emotional and start reminiscing but it's sure a year of a lot of parties and making memories.

It is the first day of school, Laura and I decide to walk together. We get to tell stories about our summer. "Paris is great. I will go back there in a heartbeat," she says in awe. "It is not called the City of Love for nothing."
"I can see you really enjoyed staying there," I compliment.
"I did. I woke up everyday to the sound of good music. The room where we stayed offered a view of the city and most importantly, of the Eiffel Tower."
"You fell in love everyday?"
"Everyday, Red," she says dreamingly. "Everyday."
She calls me Red. Again. It seems like whenever she feels happy, sad or nostalgic, she becomes a different person. Who knew that behind that rebel look, someone who's soft and knows how to appreciate beauty?
"And my Mom.. we would wake up early in the morning to see the sunrise. She would make coffee and pancakes," she stifles a laugh, "or bagels.. then we would sip the coffee together and look at the horizon." She is lost in her stories.
"And your favourite part?" I ask.
"Oh, I thought you'd never ask," she smiles as she looks straight ahead. That's how I know she's really reminiscing everything, "at sunset, we'd go to the place where Eiffel Tower can be seen together with the city skyline." I knew it. The view would give her the feeling that hits too close to home.
"I knew it," I smile back.
"You know?" she asks confused, "Oh! I remember! Yeah, that's where we went that summer night before I went to Paris, right?"
"Uh-huh. That's where you feel the most," I slowly adjust my pace, "whether it is the joy that the lights bring or the nostalgia that your memories keep on bringing."
"Skylines will always be my favourite place," she seconds.

I let her talk all throughout our walk to school. She tells me about The Louvre, how magnificent it is and all other arts and museums in Paris. Laura loves all kinds of arts. She tells me about her strolls and how fashionable the French people are. She tells me that they sound lovely and their accent makes her weak. She tells me how awesome the streets are at night. How it makes you fall in love. She keeps on going. It is okay. My stories can wait. I have a lifetime to wait for you.

*****

My life is back to normal. Xavier High School is teeming again with students. Some are dressed to get every achievement. Some look like they don't even wanted to be there. Some are ready to ruin someone's life today. And here we are, the happy-go-lucky, living everyday like it is going to be our last. We reach the school a few minutes before bell. We go straight to our assigned lockers which, fortunately, is close to each other. Hers is just across mine.

"Hey guys, how is summer?" Paco ask as he walks by, Monica clinging into his arms.
"Ey, girl. You got some French this summer?" Monica greets. We both laugh.
"I wish, Mon. There are a lot of cute guys, yes. But I'd rather enjoy another kind of view," Laura laughs.
"I thought, you're going to get yourself a French man," Monica jokes, "How about you Jared? Heard you've had an awesome summer?"
"I sure did at Arizona," I say.
"Nope, not Arizona, man. You know what we're talking about," Paco grins, "everyone's talking about it the whole summer."
Now I am more confused. I look at Laura. She is as confused as me. I look back to the couple. Either they are playing me or they really know something.
"Yeah, Jar. What happened during the summer? You have not told me anything yet?" Laura curiously asks.
I defend myself, "I swear I do not know. Nothing happened throughout the summer. Laura went on vacation. I volunteered in the community center then—," then it hit me. I stop myself because it is already dawning on me.
"Oh, why did you stop, Jared?" Monica's eyes are getting larger. I can see her anticipation. Paco's grin grows wider.
"Oh.. Umm," I stammer.
KKRRRRIIIIIIINNNNGGG!
The bell rings. The couple let out a very frustrated groan. Laura's eyes roll and I let out a sigh of relief. "Me Dios! I want the gossip! I'll see you two besties at lunch, okurrr?" Monica says.
"Damn. One lucky son of a —," Paco shakes his head, "always saved by the bell. I did not know you're aiming for someone else. Forget what I said last summer." They disappear in the crowd.
"See you lovebirds!" Laura shouts, "You owe me stories, Jared. She points her two fingers in her eyes and points it to me.
I nod heavily, "Lunchtime?"
"Lunchtime," she agrees.
Then we walk together and separate on the halls entering our respective classrooms.