Chapter 31
A few hours later, I heard the last school bell ring and let out a sigh of relief, no more visits from Ms. Kelly. I stared at the bouquet sitting on my widow sill and let out a sigh. Life should feel great right now. So why doesn’t it?
I wasn’t sure how to answer that thought, so I decided to ignore it.
The clicking of my door getting unlocked made me jump and crouch into a defensive stance. Sierra smiled and gave a small wave, “It’s just me.” I breathed a sigh of relief and returned to sitting on my bed. “Oh! What a pretty bouquet! It couldn’t be from Zane
, could it?” she asked, pulling herself up to my bunk, and plopping down next to me. The way she said Zane’s name suggested she knew something I didn’t and it made my stomach flip from nervousness.
“No, it’s not from Zane. Why would you think that?” I asked anxiously picking at my cuticles.
“Oh no reason,” she said giving me a wink and playing with her short, choppy hair.
“Spill,” I said, shooting her a glare.
Her smile dropped, “Oh, you really didn’t see it…” she said then got up and motioned for me to follow her.
We walked through our doorway and came to a halt right outside our door, where a note hung. A fancy Z was inscribed on the front, letting passing viewers know exactly who it was from. I shifted uncomfortably. Was that on the door this whole time? Did Kyle see it? Did he read it?
I shook my head to clear it then snatched the note off of the door.
Why couldn’t it have a K on in? It would make this so much easier!
I cursed under my breath as I opened the letter so only I could read it.
Dear Summer,
We need talk, no I need to apologize, and I’m not doing it through a letter or a text. Please meet me in front of the school at 5:00 tonight.
-Zane
I folded up the letter and put it my pants pocket with a defeated sigh. Was it really only a year ago that I had absolutely no life whatsoever? And now… I have 2 boyfriends!
I shook my head at that last thought, actually I have 1 boyfriend, and his name is Kyle.
I gave a quick reassuring nod to Sierra as her eyebrows shot up her forehead.
“Wanna talk?” she asked a concerned look crossing her face.
“I’d love to, but I can’t. If have to meet someone,” I replied glancing at my watch. I had five minutes till I was supposed to meet with Zane. I took a deep, steadying breath and started to shuffle my way down the hall.
By the time I made it outside I was 3 minutes late. I walked out door and towards the buff figure that had his back to me. As I approached he heard the slight crunching of twigs and turned around to face me. My breath got caught in my throat, I’d forgotten how handsome he was. He held out his hand to me and I took it. His skin felt warm and soft to touch, I missed it greatly. He led me over to the school’s outdoor fountain and we sat down on the side of it. Once we were seated, he dropped my hand and I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“They say that fountains reform hearts and-”
“Rekindle new love,” I finished for him. He smiled at me and I sat on my hands to refrain from throwing them around him at the sight of his adorable dimples.
“Look, Summer I-”
“You don’t have to apologize.” I said turning away from him. He placed a hand on my leg and used his other to turn my face towards his.
“Yes, I do. I know I was jerk, I know I shouldn’t have lied to you, and most of all I know that I hurt you badly. The worst part is that those were all the things I wanted to avoid,” he said whispering the last part more to himself than to me.
“Hey, look at me,” I said and instantly his bright blue eyes rose to mine.
“We all make mistakes, and if we’re gonna be honest with each other, I miss you.” I paused, choking back a sob then added, “I need you.”
“Oh Summer,” Zane said wrapping me in his warm embrace that I missed so much and pulling me close. “Oh Summer I’m so sorry,” he whispered in my ear, “I’m so, so sorry.” He said it over and over while I sat crying into the shoulder of his t-shirt. I let the tears slide down my face and into the fountains glistening waters.
“Just p-promise me one t-thing,” I said through choked sobs.
“Anything your heart desires,” he said and I sobbed even harder at the resemblance of his and Kyle’s responses.
“Don’t ever lie to m-me again, it j-just hurts t-too m-much,” I said and I felt him slide his fingers under my chin.
“Summer Charard, I promise, with all of my life, that I will never, ever lie to you again,” he said then, he kissed me. He kissed me with passion, with desire, and pure un-dying love. His kiss wiped my mind blank. No one else existed but him. No Stephanie, no Sierra, no Lance, and no Kyle. No Kyle…. Kyle!
I jerked away from Zane, losing my balance and falling feet first into the fountains icy water.
When my head broke through the surface of the cold water, my thoughts came back. They flooded into my mind like the rushing water surrounding my body. What did I just do!