Light filters through the curtains, hitting my face. I squint my eyes, waking up slowly. I sit up in bed, yesterday's affairs coming back to me. I get out of bed and check my phone. I have one message.
[this sender is not in your contacts]
New Number: Hey, this is Avery. Emilio gave me your number, I hope you don't mind.
My heart does a little jump. Avery wanted my number! I quickly type a response.
Me: yeah no problem i was actually going to ask for yours
A second later I realize it's 7:00 in the morning and he's most likely sleeping.
Me: oops i didn't realize how early it was sorry.
Avery: No I was awake already don't worry. I like waking up early. Good morning!
Me: good morning!
Avery: Do you know what we're doing today?
Me: Central park i think.
Avery: meet everyone downstairs when your finished. I think we pick a group to walk with.
Me: got it.
I pick out a white sundress, white doc martens, and a white bucket hat and then head to the bathroom to brush my hair.
Moriah walks into the bathroom too, still in a tee shirt and paper bag green shorts that she wore to bed.
"We're doing central park today right?" Moriah asks, applying some mascara to her eyelashes.
"Yeah I think so. Opinions?" I gesture at my outfit.
"A lot of white. Maybe no bucket hat?" Moriah says.
"Yeah maybe you're right." I toss the bucket hat onto my backpack. "Actually... It might be hot. I'll wear it anyway." I go and slip it on.
Moriah gets dressed and we head downstairs to meet everyone.
The whole crew stands at the bottom with most of the senior class, listening to Mrs. Turner take role.
When she's finished she calls out "I think most of you guys know we're going to central park today. We're going to take a certain path and walk around. It's going to be a pretty chill day and I hope you guys will get a chance to relax and bond with your friends."
"Everyone has a group that they'll be put into. We're just going to pair roommates."
"Okay. Jack and Henry are with Elijah and Andy, Kaelyn and Quinn are with Moriah and Oakleigh, Emilio, Ben, and Avery are with Kent and Leo..."
Kaelyn and Quinn join me and Moriah. "So I guess we're in a group together!" Kaelyn says. She wears a pair of lulu lemon leggings, a Brandy Melville tank top, and an open white north face jacket. Her shoes are white Air Force ones.
"Yeah I guess so." Moriah smiles, which I know from years of hanging out with her that it's forced, but looks genuine because Moriah is really nice to everyone.
Kaelyn checks her phone and types something. "So my friend lives near here so I think we're going to meet up at some point. We might even eat at her Dad's restaurant."
I make a mental note to try to be nicer to Kaelyn since she's getting us free food and isn't judging anyone so far.
"Nice bucket hat." Kaelyn says, half sarcastic.
And I take back what I said about being nice to Kaelyn.
Quinn looks a bit cheered up because they're with Moriah and me but they keep glancing warily at Kaelyn.
"You guys will have a chaperone with you, your chaperone will find you so stay where you are for now- Hey whoa! No leaving yet!" Mrs. Turner yells at a group of kids trying to leave the front of the hotel.
Our chaperone walks over to us. "Hi everyone! I'm Kaelyn's mom and I'll be your chaperone for today. Don't worry. I'm not gonna hover. I'm mainly going to be a few feet behind you guys." She laughs at her own joke.
I see the resemblance. She has Kaelyn's milky skin and light blue eyes, but her hair is curly and chestnut brown. Plus she has little laughing lines right near her eyes and dimples. I actually like Kaelyn's mom a lot. She's charismatic.
"I'm Oakleigh." I say.
"Oh what a pretty name that is! So interesting!" She smiles.
"I'm Moriah." Moriah says, adjusting the straps of her backpack so it fits her a little looser.
"Wow! Also interesting." She says.
"I'm Quinn." Quinn laughs. "Kinda boring compared to those, but I like it. Oh yeah I use they/them/their pronouns."
"Got it. Like, they went to the bathroom?"
Quinn nods.
"Alright! I have a map of central park so I'm thinking we can hit the mall and then the lake for lunch and to rowboat."
If only I was with Avery. We could rowboat and that would be SO romantic.
Author's Note: Picture at the top is Avery
YOU ARE READING
the last of our lives
Ficção AdolescenteWhen Oakleigh's high school went on their senior trip to New York, Oakleigh expected everything to go as planned. Hanging out with her best buds, Moriah, Emilio, and Quinn and having a blast in New York City! But as friendships shift and new friends...
