A Summer of New Beginnings | Completed |

Chapter 7

I'm curled up in a ball on my couch, as dusk slowly hits Driftwood, and people prepare for their Fourth of July festivities. Normally, my family has a huge barbeque, with all of our friends and then we head over to the fireworks. But this year is different. I glance over at Marie on the other couch, stroking her stomach. She's expecting soon, and she just glows. I haven't seen her this happy since she married my father. She smiles, looking over at me. "The babies' kicking!" I smile, genuinely happy for her. Someone knocks on the front door. Marie turns to me. I shrug, getting up. I wasn't expecting any visitors.

I open the door to find myself face to face with Gavin. His eyes are downcast, his hands in the pockets of his gray basketball shorts, his muscular arms visible in his white t-shirt.

I smile. "Hi, Gavin."

He smiles back, looking up. "Hi. So . . . I was wondering do you want to go see the fireworks with me at the beach? You don't have to go, but I thought it would be nice."

I look towards Marie. She nods at me. I turn back to him. "Yes."

He looks up, surprised. "What?! OK."

I turn to Marie from the doorway. "Bye, Marie!"

She smiles. "Enjoy yourself, Aspen!"

We walked down the dimly lit path, stopping on the beach. Jessi and Miles are already there, sitting on a blanket together. Miles looks up, smiling at us. "Hey, guys!" He starts to unfold the blanket beside him and Gavin rushed over to help him. We all sit down, Miles back by Jessi, me by Gavin as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. The fireworks erupt into the sky, a brilliant display of red, white, and, blue. The fireworks continue on, getting bigger and brighter with each exploding firework. I turn to see Gavin smiling at me, happiness radiating off his face. He pulls me close, his hand stroking my cheek. I lean in, our lips meeting. Fireworks erupt all around us, but it's like we're in our own little world, just Gavin and I. It's not desperate and needy, but slow and well . . . perfect. We pull apart, and I rest my head against his chest.

Jessi smiles at me, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Later." I mouth at her. She nods, turning to miles. He smiles at her, grabbing her hand. As the fireworks end, Gavin stands up, grabbing my hand and pulling me up beside him. He walks over to Miles and helps him fold up the blankets.

Jessi walks over to me. "Was he a good kisser?" She asks, a sly grin on her face.

"Jessi!" I glare at her.

She smiles, suddenly turning serious. " I haven't seen you this happy since Marie married your dad."

I smile, nodding. When Marie and my dad got married, my life became calmer. No late night screaming sessions, no drunk mother passed out on the couch, none of it. Every day, Marie would cook us a wonderful breakfast, giving us a hug and a kiss on the cheek on our way to the bus. She showed up to everything, from baseball games and cross country meets to our middle school graduation. She took the time to be there for all of us, bringing an unknown sense of happiness and warmth to my house. She was and is the mother I always wanted. And I can never thank her enough.

Miles and Gavin walked over, smiling at us. "Ready to go?"

I nod, letting Gavin take my hand as we walk away. "Bye, guys!" I call out.

"Bye!" They turn and walk away.

Gavin and I walk down the beach, with sand flying around our ankles. I squeeze his hand. "Thanks for such a wonderful fourth, Gavin. I won't ever forget it."

He turns to me." I won't either.

The police sweep the beach, sending the stray people off the beach. I turn to Gavin. "We better go."