Zion groans into my mouth, his grip tightening on my waist as we makeout in the dimly lit classroom. My mind drifts, counting the seconds until this tedious encounter end. I'm not quite sure how I ended up in this situation--in all fairness, I never am.
Finally, the bell rings, a much needed release from Zion's overbearing presence. I get up from his lap, relieved to stand on my own two feet. For a moment there I thought it would never end. Grabbing my backpack, I head for the door, eager to escape the suffocating expectations of whatever it is we've been doing the past two weeks, but he grips my arm and slams the door shut.
"Not so fast," he murmurs, his voice low and insistent.
I sigh inwardly, masking my irritation with a tight-lipped smile. "I'll need a ventilator if I spend another minute here."
"We have to talk," he insists, stepping closer, blocking my exit with his broad frame. This will should be my lesson to not go for basketball players in the future, though I probably still would.
It's not that I can't stand Zion. He's really cute and tall, has the most enchanting emerald green eyes...my favorite color. But I'm anxious to join in the fun outside of the building. My friends must be waiting for me in the car park.
"Sorry, can't," I retort, attempting to sidestep him, but he anticipates my move, gripping my arm firmer. "What the hell!" I snap, not really mad at him technically manhandling me, but growing to feel more and more trapped by the second. I wrench my arm from his grip.
"We need to talk," he repeats, his tone now tinged with frustration.
Ugh, the four words I despise most from any guy. I roll my eyes, preparing for the inevitable confrontation. He says, "Ten minutes is all I need."
"Last time I checked, you couldn't even last ten seconds," I shoot back. A low blow, but my patience wearing thin.
Confusion clouds his expression. "I thought we liked each other, Briar."
"Why would you think that?"
Because you said so."
"No. You said so. I just let you kiss me after," I clarify.
We were lying in the trunk of my jeep one night, eating ridiculously overpriced (delicious) tacos from Happy Tacos, when he started confessing his out of nowhere. Before I could remind him that this was supposed to be casual, he kissed me. I don't even think it crossed his mind that there could be a world where a girl wasn't falling head over heels for him.
Zion clenches his jaw, taking a step closer. "Seriously? You--"
"There you are!" A familiar voice saves me from further discourse.
I breathe a sigh of relief as Ira bursts into the room, seizing my wrist and pulling me toward her. "She'll call you, Zion!"
"No I won't," I whisper to Ira, shooting a pointed glance at Zion as I walk past him.
"Oops." She says.
Ira throws an arm around my shoulder, and we happily gallop down the hallway in each other's arms, finally escaping through the exit onto the chaotic school grounds. The atmosphere is buzzing. I love this. I love the noise. And I love this girl next to me. I turn my head to face her. Her smile mirrors my own, a promise of all the crazy shit to come this summer.
"Are you ready to have the best fucking summer of your life?" I ask my best friend.
She laughs--easy, familiar. "You say that every year. Every summer can't be the best, Bry.'
We head down the steps towards my jeep. The parking lot is alive--people piling into cars, yelling across the pavement, music blasting from somewhere nearby. Doors slam. Engines start. Someone's honking for no real reason.
Seniors are scribbling on each other's uniforms, and a couple guys are roaming around with their ties tied around their heads like warbands.
It's definitely the last day. The janitor is probably off somewhere crying.
"Trust me, babe. This one is gonna be for the books." I say. A part of me needed it to be.
"It's concerning that I get scared every time you tell me to trust you."
I feign hurt but it's not long before my smile takes over my face like it does every time I look at her. She lightly taps my nose at the same time I see our friends surrounding my jeep. I burst into a sprint and jump into the group like a maniac. A series of whines and grunts follow.
"Jeez, Bry," Cody says, "You kicked me in my balls."
"Didn't realize you had those."
He rested his elbow on the top of my head, "You can't get to me, I'm confident in my manly hood."
Leo mutters, "Says the gay."
I fake barf as Ira walks up and kisses her boyfriend, Aki. Usually I hated couples and how clingy they acted around. I'm also not particularly fond of the lack of independence that comes with the territory. But but these two were made for each other. Plus, she's my best friend and that means she does no wrong.
"My friends! I'll miss you," I say to the group.
"As usual, our summer will be lame without you," says Keith/
Every summer since we were ten, Ira and I spent the summer at my family's beach house. We have a lot of friends but the summer at the beach house belongs to us. It is our sacred thing. To us it means that no matter how old we get, no matter how many people enter our lives, we'll always put each other and our friendship first. Of course, out moms and dads and brothers are all there with us.
A wave of sadness washes over me as the voice in my head reminds me that we won't all be there this year. Summer will never be the same without my brother.
"It's sad that this is our last summer before senior year and we won't even be spending it together," Ariana frowns.
Ira hugs her the same time Aki says, "Can't relate."
"Relax, you're only going because you got a boyfriend pass. How does it feel to be Ira's bitch? Bitch," Keith jabs him.
We all laugh as they start to fight.
"Uh oh," Ira says suddenly, quickly recapturing everyone's attention.
I follow her gaze to the car parked on the opposite side of the lot. Zion is shooting me the dirtiest look. I stare back blankly at him. I told him from the beginning I didn't want anything serious. It was fun while it lasted but he was starting to behave like a gentleman, so I had to let him go.
"Another Victim?" Keith laughs, "Poor dude."
I steal a glance at Xander, who has been quiet since we arrived. When I find him pressed up on the side of the jeep, already looking at me, I quickly avert my gaze, not wanting to address the uncomfortable tension between us.
"When will these guys learn? Our girl is a player." Keith continues, smirking.
"I mean it's fine if they fall into the trap, but they fuck themselves every time they believe she'll settle down for them." Cody adds, rolling his eyes. "What? Is he like the third one this month?"
Their voices start to blend into a dull hum as it becomes harder to ignore the pang in my chest. It's not like I enjoy hurting people. It's just complicated. You know the saying hurt people hurt people. That was written about me
Ira grabs my wrist, pulling me from my thoughts and closer to her. "You okay?"
I hug her by the waist, burying my face in her chest. Her familiar scent and warmth provides a fleeting comfort.
"Aw, what's wrong?" she asks, her voice gentle.
"I'm a horrible person," I say, my voice muffled.
"Stop it, you're extraordinary." She pulls back from the hug and squeezes my face between her palms, forcing me to meet her eyes. I force a smile because she has been trying really hard to pull me from the dark place I've mentally wandered into. It's been months and I still can't see myself out. I think maybe I gave up trying but Ira's demand for constant good vibes is the only reason I haven't. She knows though, she knows that I'm never really here but it's not in her nature to give up on people.
Ira asks, "You ready to go have the best fucking summer of your life, Bri?"
I laugh. My best friend doesn't swear much, but whenever she does, it's always comical. It just doesn't sound right falling from her lips—she's way too sweet. But she always knows how to cheer me up. I just love her so much.
"I just love you so much," I say, squishing her cheeks between my hands.
"Wait, let me get my phone out if you're gonna kiss," Cody says, pulling his phone out with a mischievous grin.
I roll my eyes but wait until he's ready. Once he's recording, I give Ira a quick peck on the lips. "Okay, we gotta go now," I announce, playfully pushing Ira towards the jeep.
Cody laughs, reviewing the footage on his phone. "This is gold. I'll rewatch it every time I think of you guys this summer. Or when I'm feeling extra lonely at night."
"Pervert." Kiara says, he flicks her off.
I pull Ira along, and we hop into the jeep, her taking the passenger seat while Aki climbs into the back. We say our final goodbyes, laughter and well-wishes filling the air. The fact that Xander didn't say goodbye isn't lost on me, but I push the thought from my head as I put the car in drive.
Ira turns on the radio, and I instantly relax at the sound Art Deco lulling from the stereo. Our favourite. Aki groans theatrically from the back, no doubt sick of mass consuming Lana's music against his will.
We wave one last goodbye to our friends and classmates as we pull out of the school grounds, their faces reflecting our own excitement and anticipation. With the windows down and the warm breeze rushing in, we leave behind the confines of school and hit the open road, ready to make this the best summer ever.