AllFreeNovel
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“Hey, what are we doing for the summer? We should start looking for a place together right away in the city,” I tell him as we walk down the school hall together, holding hands. “I don’t want all the good places taken.” I turn eighteen next month, and I can’t wait to get out of here and live on our own far from my parents. SJ and I will finally be free.
“We’ll figure it all out.” He shrugs but doesn’t look at me when he says it.
“Hey, are you okay?” I search his eyes, worried.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he assures me. “Think you’ll be able to come to Evan’s party this Friday out at the inn?”
“Definitely. Wouldn’t miss it.” Richard and Margie have a huge going away party planned for Evan. “It’s going to be a good time,” I say as we reach the end of the hall where our classes are across from each other.
“I’ll see you later,” he calls over his shoulder as he heads to his class.
“Bye!” I call after him, watching him go. I still can’t shake the feeling that something is off with him.
* * *
He has his arm around me and doesn’t venture far from me the whole night. He leans in and kisses me on the cheek when we’re swinging in one of the hammock chairs, chatting with friends.
“You two are the perfect couple,” Allie calls from across the firepit. “And you’re both going off to college together. That’s so sweet.”
I smile at Evan’s sister, Allie, who is a few years behind us. I’ve always liked her.
“Sweet isn’t the word to describe it.” I laugh. “It’s relief. My parents have made our lives a living hell. We’ll finally be free and starting our new life in college.”
“I’m so excited for you guys.” She hands me a red Solo cup with lemonade. “You’re like legit high school sweethearts.”
I look over and lean my head on SJ’s chest. “Yeah, we are.”
I squeeze his hand, and he squeezes back, but he’s looking off into the distance.
“We have a future doctor in the crowd. What’s everyone else doing to conquer the world?” Evan asks the group, strumming his guitar next to the firepit.
“You excited to be a badass Marine?” SJ asks Evan.
“Hell yeah! I ship out in eight days,” Evan says. “I’m going to see the world before I come back to run the inn with my dad.”
“Are you worried about him going off to the Marines?” I ask Allie as I nod to Evan, chatting with SJ.
She shrugs. “Mom is. She worries about everything, though. But there’s no changing Evan’s mind. He’s wanted to be a Marine for as long as I can remember.”
SJ leans into me and pulls me closer and whispers, “Want to head out?”
“Yeah.” I wave to the group. “We’re almost to the finish line, guys,” I say to the group as we say our goodbyes. “See you guys at graduation!”
We stop at our lookout spot on the way home and make out for a while. I’m so excited for this next chapter with SJ. We’re going to make so many memories together on our new adventure. And no one will get in our way.
“I love you,” I whisper to him.
“I love you more,” he whispers back. But something is off.
now
A cold nose pushes me in the face, waking me up by nudging me continuously. I open my eyes to Harley, trying to get my attention. I sit up, and SJ tenses up next to me, and I reach for him. He’s having a nightmare, and his body is rigid and stiff next to me. He calls out something I can’t understand and sits up straight, breathing heavily. Harley runs to his side of the bed and climbs up at his feet, nudging him, doing what she’s been trained to do. Get help when SJ needs help. My heart clenches. “Good girl, Harley.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” I reach for him, and his arms protectively pull me into him. He’s panting, shaking, and sweating.
“It’s okay,” I whisper, reaching over to turn on the lamp.
His chest heaves as he looks around wildly and swallows. Sweat runs down his face, and he scrubs his hand over his face as he looks around and sighs.
