This Summer

Chapter 10

I spent the night twisting and turning trying to get some sleep, but my mind kept replaying the entire evening, making it impossible. The tense conversation at dinner to the blinding light from the paparazzi. He said he invited me here, that he wanted me here. All he gave me last night was more unanswered questions and a kiss I will never forget. There's a part of me that wants it to happen again and another that wants to forget it ever did.

I realized there is no point in trying to sleep when the sun started coming up.

I decide to start this day with a long shower and as relaxing as the shower is or rather supposed to be, my thoughts continue drift to the one person I've been trying to understand for the longest time.

After drying my hair and getting dressed in a black t- shirt and jeans, I head downstairs. Half an hour later I'm moving around in the kitchen working on a few batches of cupcakes. To keep myself busy I make mom's favorite chocolate chip cookies, James's rice crispy treats, and dad's fudge brownies. The pantry here, had everything I needed, and I am not at all surprised. As I wait for the cupcakes to cool down, my mother's voice sounds from the doorway surprising me. My mother has always been an early bird, always the first to get up and the first to go to bed. I don't question the surprise on her face when she looks around. I'm usually sleeping at this time.

"Oh my, what did you do to the kitchen?" She says with her hands positioned disapprovingly at her waist. I glance around to see my giant mess with the mixer, the flour and batter scattered, several trays of food laid out, and a huge pile of dishes in the sink.

"I'll clean everything, I promise." I assure her with a smile.

Taking in her loose white t-shirt and dark pants, "You're staying in today?"

"Yeah the weather doesn't look that great." I glance through the kitchen window, looking above the pool outside and see that the clouds are an unpleasant gray.

"What's all this for?" She gestures to the dessert spread out on the marble counter.

"No reason." She knows I love baking, but she and I know I definitely did not do all this because of my love for baking. She walks up to stand in front of me with a perfectly shaped eyebrow raised and a very familiar expression. A look she always gave me when she knew I was lying.

She surprises me by placing the back of her hand against my forehead, "Honey, are you okay?"

Whacking her arm away and taking a few steps back, "Mom, I'm fine. What are you doing?"

"Just checking to see if you're feeling alright. You only do this when you are stressed..." I sigh and look down focusing on the ground and wanting to end this conversation. She continues, "You did this the day before you took your SAT's, the night before graduation and prom. You are supposed to be on vacation. What's going on?"

"I know. I am, and everything is fine." I lie again feeling my throat tighten. I don't know why I can't bring it out in myself to tell her the truth about what's been happening these past few weeks with Matthew. Also, that I'm so confused and have no idea how to feel. While I feel my eyes brim with tears and the lump in my throat grow, she tells me, "Jade. Ever since we got here, I've seen less of you. I know your father and I haven't been around so much, but you can still come to me if you need anything."

I give her a tight hug, not wanting her to see my face. "Thanks mom."

"Oh wow! Did the chocolate factory explode in here?" At the sound of Claire's voice, we step apart and laugh. She stands at the door way in her pajamas with her hair in a messy bun, walking over yawning with her phone in her hand.