where the water meets the moon | e.d.

thirty-five

addy

july 2

this is it. the day everyone has been nervously waiting for.

ethan's been pacing the boat the entire morning, fixing his hair, spraying cologne, mumbling under his breath.

i've just been chilling, trying to relax the slight nerves i feel when i realize that i'll be meeting kendall today.

lucky girl.

"hey, wanna wear my fitbit while you do that?" avery jokes as ethan continues his pacing. "i'm down a couple thousand steps from boat 8's captain."

"shut up," he mutters, running a hand through his hair again.

he's nervous. very nervous.

for what? i don't know. it's not like he's just met this girl. they've been dating for two years.

all of our stuff is packed up for our vacation, and when we get off this boat in 15 minutes, we won't be seeing it again until the ninth.

i'm pretty positive i'm rooming with cressida again, but plans could change. sometimes there will have to be three to a room, which makes me nervous.

to ease my mind, i think of how good it will feel to be back with my friend— she desperately needs to redo my hair. and plus, i made her a bracelet too.

when ethan sent kendall hers, he put specific instructions to put it on before she arrives so we can all match.

i feel like i'm back in summer camp as a twelve year old, listening to campfire songs and weaving bracelets around the necks of water bottles.

"evan!" ethan calls out.

the lanky blond stumbles out, pulling two large suitcases and a backpack. he definitely overpacked, like most of us.

"what's all that for?" ethan wrinkles his nose.

"i don't know. what if i pee my pants every single day of the week? i don't want to have to come back on this stuffy boat until it's absolutely necessary. no offense, avery."

the captain holds up his hands. "none taken."

last night i took the liberty of making sure kendall's room is clean, dusted, and even a couple mints left on her pillow. i was going to leave chocolate, but ethan warned me it might melt over the span of the week.

"well," i clap my hands and stand up from my spot on the couch. "everyone ready?"

they all nod, and ethan swallows. i shoot him a reassuring glance before retreating to my room and grabbing my suitcase for the week.

i'm just really glad to have a break. i've alphabetized our entire data table just because i was getting bored. i'm excited to do the actual fun stuff this month.

"okay, avery you docked us right?" evan asks, leaning to look out the windows.

"we'd be floating away if we weren't. get going."