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“Ugh,” I groaned as I flopped back on my bed. “You said that an hour ago.”
“Done!” She announced a minute later.
“Thank you, Jesus!” I cried, sitting up, climbing from my bed. I wasn’t wasting any time. If Avery said she was ready, we were leaving, because I knew if we lingered a minute longer, she would think of something else she needed to bring.
I rolled my suitcase out the door and then picked it up to carry it down the steps. Thank goodness I hadn’t packed much and it was light and easy to carry. Avery didn’t have the same luxury.
I heard her cursing behind me as she fumbled with her two large suitcases.
“I’ll tell Luca to come help you!” I yelled and my voice echoed through the empty dorm. I was sure that Avery and I were the only ones that still hadn’t left for Spring Break. Damn her and her need to over-pack.
“That might be a good idea!” She called back.
I stepped outside and spotted Trace leaning against a gray Toyota 4Runner.
He grinned when he saw me, pecking me on the cheek, taking my suitcase to load it in the trunk.
“Luca’s going to drive,” he informed me, “we figured everyone would be more comfortable riding in an SUV than a car.”
I nodded in agreement.
Trace held one of the back doors open, and I slid inside, tapping Luca on the shoulder.
“Hey,” he smiled, showcasing a chipped tooth that I hadn’t noticed before.
“Avery needs some help,” I told him.
He sighed. “How much is she bringing?”
“You don’t want to know,” I mumbled.
“Shit,” he cursed, getting out of the car, and striding into the dorm.
Trace slid into the seat next to me in the back. “Are you excited to go to the beach?”
“You know I am,” I buckled my seatbelt. “I’m probably the only twenty year old on the planet, who’s never been t
o the beach.”
He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I’m sorry you missed out on so much throughout your childhood, but selfishly, I’m really happy that you’re experiencing all these firsts, with me.” He glanced at me through hooded lashes.
“I’m glad I am too,” I answered honestly.
I couldn’t help believing, that somehow, my list had brought me to Trace. I knew that seemed childish, like someone believing in fairies, but that’s how I felt.
Luca and Avery appeared, walking around to the trunk, arguing.
The trunk opened and their voices drifted inside. “Av, I told you one suitcase! Not two, and a purse, and whatever the fuck that is!” He pointed to her makeup bag clutched in her hand.
“I need all of this,” she pouted. “I wasn’t leaving behind things I needed.”
Luca loaded the rest of her things in and closed the trunk.
They resumed their bickering as soon as they got in the car.
“Besides,” Avery defended, “the weather at the beach is unpredictable this time of year. I needed a little bit of everything. Shorts, jeans, tanks, sweaters-”
“I get it,” Luca snapped to silence her jabbering, as he excited the campus parking lot, turning onto the interstate.
