A Summer to Remember

chapter 10





The drive home was quiet. I didn’t have a problem with that since I was exhausted from the events of the weekend. I rolled up my hoodie and placed it up against the window. It didn’t take long before I fell asleep. It only seemed like a matter of minutes before Lily was waking me up.

“Ava, we’re here.” I looked out the window. We were sitting outside my house.

“Okay. Thanks.” I got out of the car and walked up the driveway.

“Call me tomorrow!” Lily yelled out Steven’s window.

“Will do. Bye.” I waved at Jesse sitting in the backseat, he smiled and waved in return. “Thanks for driving, Steven.”

“No problem,” he said as he backed out of the driveway.

I watched them drive off in the distance before I went into the house. I opened the front door and was almost bowled over by our two dogs. I rubbed both of their heads and gave them each a treat before we went upstairs to my room.

I tossed my bag on the floor and collapsed onto my bed. I’ve always loved the feeling of coming back to my own space after being away for the weekend. I don’t know how people that go to college and live in a dorm can be away from their own room for so long. Luckily, we live close enough to the college that I don’t have to stay in the dorms.

My room is a lot different than other girls my age. Two of my walls are painted a deep blue that match the carpet and the walls have framed photos of my idols from the fifties rather than posters of the latest celebrities.

I went into my bathroom, started the shower and got in. I couldn’t remember the last time a shower felt this nice. I liked to think of the water running off my body as all my worries going down the drain. If only it was that simple.

When I finished, I slipped into a tank top and pajama pants because I knew that I wouldn’t be doing anything but lounging around all day. I jumped in bed and glanced at my phone. I’d missed a few calls and two texts. Great! Two missed calls and a text from Jason:



Steven just got here so I know

you made it home. Please

call me so we can talk.



Really? It’s only nine in the morning and this is already starting? Then I saw I had a missed call and a text from Adrian.



Just wanted to make sure

you made it home safe.

Can’t wait for tomorrow ;)



I smiled when I read this. The memories of last night and the kiss we shared before we left ran through my head. I replied back:



Me either. You better have a

pretty great plan in mind…

you only get one chance to

impress me ;)



His response was quick:



Oh don’t worry.

You won’t be disappointed.

Dress to impress babe.

I laughed and replied:



I always do :)



I set my phone down on the nightstand. Right when I reached for my remote, the phone buzzed. I picked it up and saw Jason’s name across the screen. I hesitated for a minute, debating whether or not I should answer and just get our little chat over with or not. I slid my finger down the side of the phone and hit the ignore button. Not today. Maybe tomorrow when I had more energy to deal with him. I decided to lie down and catch up on some sleep. As soon as my head hit my pillow, I was out.

I was woken up hours later by the sound of my bedroom door creaking open.

“Hey, Ava. Dinner’s ready if you’re hungry.” I couldn’t see any of her features, I could only make out her silhouette from the hallway light behind her. Wow, I must have been really out of it.

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be down in a couple minutes.” I picked up my phone and glanced at the time. I laid around for a few more minutes before I went downstairs to join the family.

Everyone was in their usual seats, Mom and Dad at each end of the table, my brother on one side, and an empty seat for me on the other.

“It smells delicious.” I slid into my seat and began dishing myself up. I love my parents’ cooking. Tonight we were having stuffed cheese pasta and salad.

“Thank you,” my mother said with a proud grin. “Oh Ava, Jason called for you a few times today. Are you two still—”

“Yes, we’re still broken up.” I cut her off. I didn’t mean to sound rude, but I was so sick of hearing and talking about Jason. “I actually met a really nice guy this weekend.” I kept my eye on her to see her reaction.

“Oh really? Where did you meet him?” She focused on me, hungry for details.

“He’s a friend of a friend,” I lied. I knew if I told them I met him at a frat party then spent the weekend at the lake with him, they wouldn’t be too thrilled.

“Does he go to your school?” she asked.

“He goes to Brant.” My dad and brother looked at me, waiting for more details. They were both super protective over who I dated. Neither of them were fond of Jason, but they knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t try and pull anything stupid. After a small silence, my dad started with the questions.

“Is he a freshman?” he asked, looking rather serious.

“Actually, I’m not sure. We haven’t been able to talk about much, but he’s taking me out to dinner tomorrow night.”

“So are we going to be meeting him tomorrow, then?” My brother chirped in.

“We’re just going to dinner, guys! I don’t want to scare him off yet.” I looked at my mom for some kind of support, but she just smiled at me, clearly amused with what is going on.

“Well, if he’s coming here to get you, we might as well meet the guy.” He and my brother looked at each other and nodded in approval.

“Okay, but just for a minute before we go.” I swear those two had these little talks all planned out. After dinner I helped clean up and put the dishes away, then went back up to my room. I picked up my phone and noticed I had another text from Adrian:



Everything is set for tomorrow.

See you at 7 :)



I replied back:



Sounds good. I’ll be waiting.

Be prepared to meet the family.

Don’t worry. They won’t be

too hard on you ;) lol



My phone beeped a few seconds later:



I’m not worried.

Parents love me :$



I jumped into bed and caught up on a few of my shows. I’ve always been a sucker for reality TV. Before I knew it I was ready to get some more sleep. As I closed my eyes, I couldn’t help but daydream about my date with Adrian. This was the first “first date” I’d had in years. I was a little nervous but excited at the same time. Where would he be taking me? What would he be wearing? I hope he’ll wear something like that gray t-shirt he wore at the cabin. It fit so snugly around his body. I couldn’t wait until tomorrow!