Page 68 of Don’t Be A Stranger

I would love to stay right here for the rest of the night, but I know that staying in this hot apartment probably isn’t helping Summer much.

“Let’s step outside for a minute,” I suggest. “Get some fresh air.”

She groans against me but I beat her to the punch. “I know, I know, but I’m not asking you to run a mile right now. I just think some fresh air will do you good.”

It’s nearing evening so it should be cooler outside and the sun should be setting just enough for either of us to not wince from the bright light.

“Fine.” She sits up. “But only if you give me a piggyback ride.”

“Yes, Summer, I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”

It only takes about ten minutes for me to get Summer to drink some water—and to make sure she can keep it down—then we both put on shoes, though we keep our t-shirts and sweats on.

Summer’s only been on my back for about forty-five seconds before she officially deems it too “high up” and it’s making her dizzy. I set her down and now we’re walking side by side. Our pinkies brush against each other and I fight the urge to intertwine my fingers with hers. But that’s something that we’ve never done, even as strictly friends. I know that would be crossing that invisible line that we’ve drawn in the sand.

Now that Summer has been able to make it a block without throwing up, we’ve kind of just ventured away from the apartment and toward the main shops and stores.

“Did you end up texting your dad back?” I ask.

Summer hums. “Yeah, I told Dad and Papi that I was hanging out with friends. I thought it’d be best though to not mention that I’m completely hungover.” She laughs, carefully leaning into me. “Otherwise, I think they’d drive here just to scold me.”

“Oh, yeah no I can definitely see Nick doing that, but Santiago would probably just be disappointed at how few shots it took to get you wasted.”

“Hey!” She slaps my arm and lightly shoves me. “I can handle a respectful amount of liquor.”

I don’t say anything, but I do grin and this only spurs her on to shove me again. I just laugh and change the subject before she pushes me off the sidewalk and into oncoming traffic.

“Did Bethany happen to tell you about that end-of-summer get-together?” I change the subject.

Summer stops her attack but glares at me. Almost like a silent warning that she’s not forgetting that I just called her a lightweight. I was never there last night, so I don’t actually know how many shots it took to get her drunk but given her reaction, I don’t think I’m that far off. Which shouldn’t be a problem but sometimes I think Summer likes to have an excuse to have an attitude with me.

“Yeah.” She nods. “The one at Moose’s uncle’s place? Are you going?”

“I planned on it but are you going?”

Summer stops and turns to face me, a soft grin on her face. “Now I am.”

August is approaching rather quickly, and the summer is ending in the blink of an eye. Lily will be here soon. Classes will start up again. Summer will be preoccupied with actual training and swim meets and I’ll be busy with all the student customers who are coming back for the fall.

I hate that it feels like an ending when it should be a beginning of some sorts. Maybe Summer and I won’t feel the need to dance around each other. Maybe in fall, I’ll have my best friend back.

Summer points at something behind me. “Have you ever been in there?”

I follow her finger to see she’s pointing at a shop across the street. Declan’s Art Boutique.

“A couple times, yeah.”

Summer’s grin is soft and tired but she tugs me along anyway, taking my hand in hers.

It’s almost pathetic how fast I grip her hand, afraid that she’ll somehow change her mind. Summer looks both ways, tugging me across the street and when we’re honked at, it only causes our laughter to intensify.

A few people walk past us, making sure to take a couple of steps away from our stampede. I can’t blame them. We’re laughing at being honked at. Nothing groundbreaking but everything seems lighter whenever Summer’s around.

I wipe my eyes and look up at the tiny, familiar building. Fairy lights decorate the window and door, with flyers for art shows plastered across the glass.

It’s not a place that blends in very well in Ellingbrook. It’s all warmth and has personality. Whereas Ellingbrook gives off old town vibes slowly transitioning into its own modern take. What once used to be a small college town, is moving toward the hustle and bustle life that carries in from the main city.

For whatever reason, I run my fingers along the painted flowers and swirls decorating the brick wall. Maybe somehow hoping that just by touching the paint, I’ll somehow unlock a new level and the world will quickly become colored.