A Summer to Remember

chapter 2





We had to sit through two agonizing hours of people talking about creating a future for ourselves, memories that were made here, and of course, listening to name after name being called. Finally they announced our class. The crowd burst into cheers and whistles while throwing their hats into the air. It was over and I was definitely ready for another shot or two.

I slowly made my way out of the gym and tried to squirm my way through the mob of people to get outside. When I made it, I headed over to the tree near the left of the parking lot, where Lily and I had agreed to meet our parents afterwards for more pictures.

“Ava!” I stopped when I heard Lily call my name. “Oh my God! That was like the longest ceremony ever! I really thought I was going to fall asleep. How are you doing?” she asked as I pulled a few strands of silly string off her graduation cap.

“Doing about as well as I can after just being dumped.” I looked down in an attempt to keep myself from getting upset again.

“You have to be at least a little bit excited you just graduated high school. I mean, just think, we never have to come back to this hell hole again! All those speeches were right, today is the day we can change our lives and shape our futures. Do you really want to remember this as the day you got broken up with? Or do you want to remember it as the day your new life started?” We wove our way through the massive group of people.

“You’re right, I’ve worked too long and hard to get to this point. Tonight it’s all about me.” Even if it was only for the night, I had to lock away the overwhelming emotions I was having from the break up.

“That’s more like the Ava I know.” She smiled as we stepped through the last wall of people and were met by our families.

My mom, dad, brother, grandparents, aunties and uncles were all waiting for hugs and to congratulate me. They alternated taking pictures with me. Every couple minutes we were interrupted by some of my fellow classmates also wanting to snap pictures and talk about all our post graduation plans.

“Where’s Jason? I wanted to get some more pictures of you two together,” my mom asked as she looked at the viewfinder on her camera scrolling through some of the pictures she’d already taken.

“Jason and I broke up,” I whispered just loud enough for her to hear.

“What?” She looked up from her camera. “Oh my gosh! Honey, are you okay?” She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me a little too tightly.

“Yes, Mom, I’m fine. I’d rather not talk about it right now.” I made an attempt to hug her back the best I could with my arms being pinned to my sides.

“Of course not, honey.” She pulled away from me.

“Are you all set to go, Ava?” Lily interrupted just in time. “My parents will give us a ride back to my house so we can get ready for tonight.”

“Yeah,” I said to Lily. “I’ll be staying at Lily’s tonight, I’ll check-in in the morning and let you know I’m still alive,” I joked with my mom. She can be a little more overprotective than needed at times.

“Okay, be safe and let me know if you need anything. Even if you guys are drinking and need a ride, call me anytime.” She’s pounded the no drinking and driving speech into my head for as long as I can remember.

“I know, Mom, we’ll be fine. There will be taxis all over tonight since it’s graduation, but thanks.” I gave her a hug before I headed in Lily’s direction.

“Okay.” My dad pulled up to the curb in their silver SUV. “I’ll talk to you in the morning.” She climbed into the car and my parents and brother waved as they drove away.

“All right, let’s get out of here, I’m ready to celebrate!” Lily grabbed my arm and pulled me towards her parents’ car.

“Me too!” And for the first time all night, I actually felt like it was true.





“So, what’s the party of choice tonight?” Lily walked into her huge closet and started browsing through her clothes. They were neatly color coordinated and arranged by sleeve length.

“Well, we had originally planned on going to the annual party at the frat house, right?” I laid out the three outfit choices and shoes I brought on Lily’s bed. I examined each outfit carefully, trying to make a decision.

“Yeah, but I wasn’t sure if it was still something you wanted to do since Jason is going to be there and I’m sure his little tagalong Cally will be there, too.” She walked out of her closet, outfit in hand.

“We’ve been looking forward to this party since freshman year! I think I can put my sorrows away for one night.” The annual party at the frat house was a huge end of year party where the college kids and the graduates were able to get together and see what would be in store for next year. They’d been throwing this party for as long as I could remember.

“The frat party it is, then.” She grinned at me. “You have to wear that red top!” She pointed to one of my outfits I had spread across her bed.

“Are you sure it’s not too dressy?” I held it up. I always loved this top because it fit all my best features perfectly, but wasn’t too revealing in the chest. Not like I had much to show, anyway. And the red silk felt amazingly soft.

“Girl, pair that with those dark jeans and zip up black heels and when those frat guys see you, you’ll have Jason wishing he never let you go!” She walked into her bathroom and shut the door behind her.

“The red one it is, then.” Lily never failed to make me smile.

When we finished getting dressed, we shared the bathroom mirror to do our hair and apply our makeup. I loved getting dressed up, even if it was only for dinner and a movie.

“Steven said he just got a cab and he’s heading this way. We’ll go grab something to eat then head to the party after.”

“All right, sounds good. Is he by himself?” I added a few more sprits of hairspray to my curled hair.

“I think just Jesse is with him.” She waved her hand in front of her face in an attempt to clear the air so she could breathe.

“Okay, cool.”

“I think they’re here. Are you ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

When we got down to the cab, Lily crawled into the back of the van with Steven, and Jesse and I each sat in a bucket seat. Jesse has been friends with Steven and Jason for as long as I can remember. I met him when Jason and I started dating. He’s always been a super nice guy.

“Hey,” I said to Jesse as I closed the van door behind me.

“Hey, I’m sorry to hear about you and Jason,” he said, sounding genuinely concerned.

“Thanks.” I’m a little shocked he bothered to say anything about the break up. I mean he’s always been super nice to me but I didn’t think guys cared about that kind of thing. “I’m sure everyone knows by now, huh? Word travels like a wildfire at that school.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. I bet by the end of tonight they’ll all have something else to talk about.” He smiled at me.

“I’m sure you’re right.” I laughed.

“You know, I think he made a big mistake. You’re a great girl. Even though he’s my friend, he’s never treated you the way you should be treated. You could do better.” Jesse turned to look out the window. I took a minute to regroup my thoughts; I wasn’t really sure what to say to that. Was he just being nice or was he hitting on me?

“Thanks, Jesse, that’s really sweet.” I smiled even though he was trying to avoid looking at me.

“Anytime.” He forced himself to look at me for a minute and smiled.

When we pulled up to the pub to eat, the guys decided to go in and see how long it would take for us to get a table. Since it was graduation night, a lot of the restaurants were going to be packed. Jesse has a cousin who works as a hostess here so hopefully if she’s working we can get in fast.

“Okay, what the hell was all that ‘he never treated you right you could do better’ talk about?” Lily crossed her arms and waited for an answer.

“I have no idea—I was wondering that same thing. We’ve only been broken up for all of what? Two hours? And I already have his friends hitting on me? Great!” I couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice and Lily couldn’t help but laugh.

“I must admit, it was cute, though.”

“Only cute because he was saying it to me and not you! I mean, he’s a really nice guy. but he’s just not my type. So if this is something you and Steven are trying to do, I’m not feeling it!” I’ve never had to worry about them trying to set me up before but they’re the type of people who would try and do it and then call it a coincidence.

“Hey, this has nothing to do with me. I’ve known you almost my whole life, I’m pretty sure I have your type figured out by now.” She crossed her arms over her chest and tried to look offended, but she knows she would actually do something like that.

“I’d sure hope so,” I joked.

“Hey! We’re in!” Jesse yelled out the door and waved us to come in.