A Summer of New Beginnings | Completed |

Chapter 1

"Alright, class. Settle down now."

We finish our conversations and turn around in our desks to face our teacher. She's wearing a pale, green top that has Driftwood Seagulls written in a fancy font. She has on a pair of white Converse and a pair of blue jeans. If you didn't know better, you would have thought Ms. Colby was one of us. She's young, only her fourth year of teaching. Ms. Colby is definitely one of the coolest teachers at Driftwood High. She scans the room, smiling at us.

"This year, all the ninth-grade writing teachers have created a new assignment."

Ms. Colby pauses for maximum effect, catching all of our attention. Whispers ripple through the class as we all puzzle over the new assignment. " All the classes will be pen pals. And our letters are all right here." She holds up a bowl of letters. The boys groan, all rolling their eyes.

I turn to Jessi, my best friend. Her long, blonde hair flows down her back, her light blue eyes, anxiously eyeing the clock. Her knee-high white dress contrasts her tan skin, paired with a small pair of light brown boots. She smiles at me. "This could be fun," she whispers to me.

"Maybe," I replied doubtfully. I can't wait. I did this in fourth grade, and it was awful. I hated it. Maybe Jessi's right. This time will be different.

"Who wants to pick first?" She looks around as everyone shrinks down in their chairs, not making eye contact, all as eager as me.

"Why not you?" She points to me.

"Me?" I look around, hoping she was pointing to someone else.

Ms. Colby nods. "Come on up, Aspen." I walk up and reach into the bowl. I feel the folds of a paper in my hands and pull my hand from the bowl. I look at Ms. Colby and she nods as I retreat to my seat.

"And you need to do this because we will check in on your letters at the beginning of the year. And we know your handwriting."

Great. I actually have to do this. I sit down and Jessi gravitates towards me. She reaches towards my letter and I pull my hand away, swatting hers playfully.

" Aspen, let me see it!" I look down at the handwriting on the front. Don't know it.

"No. I haven't even read it yet."

"Well, read it yourself, or I will read it to you." I put it in my book, with no intention of reading it at all. Jessi smiles at me as Ms. Colby keeps on calling reluctant kids up to get their letters. Jessi turns and smiles at Miles, her boyfriend. His loosely curled blonde hair contrast nicely with his light blue eyes parted to the side. Freckles line his tan face, his dimples visible. His biceps stand out in his gray t-shirt paired pale gray basketball shorts. They have been dating since the beginning of the year, and have been best friends since fourth. He smiles back, and I sigh. I wish I had what they have. They are made for each other.

The bell rings, and we all stampede towards the door, anxious for summer.

"Enjoy your summer break!" Ms. Colby calls out.

"You too," I call back as I rush out the door, only to have my book snatched out of my hand.

"Oooh! What do we have here?" A familiar voice calls out.

I turned around, to see AD, my twin brother. His loosely curled strawberry blonde curls are windswept, his greenish-blue eyes sparkling. He's decked out in a baggy light hoodie paired with some khaki shorts. "Hey! Give it back." I jump up as he holds my letter above my head.
He opens the letter, scanning it. " A letter? Aspen got a letter!"

"Ooh! Let me see!" I turn around and see Gavin, my brother's goofy friend. His jawline is soft letting his other features stand out. His dark brown eyes shine, his dark brown hair falling into his eyes, parted to the left, his dimples. He's wearing a checkered blue light flannel top, paired with a pair of black shorts. AD and Gavin have known each other since Kindergarten and have been inseparable since.