After we grab some bagels and head to our spot at the beach, we head back to the mainland. It's not even past eight in the morning, and the town is eerily quiet at this hour. He pulls into the driveway next to his mom's van. There's movement in the window as the curtains swing back and forth. I go to reach for the door handle and realize it's already open. Flint is standing there smiling.

We barely get up the steps when Connor rips the door open and barrels into me. He wraps his tiny arms around my waist and rests his head on my stomach. "Marnie!"

"Hey, little man, what's up?"

A small knot forms in my throat. Seeing his enthusiasm for my visit makes the pain from the past twenty-four hours feel more like a small scrape than a large gash.

"Good morning, Marnie," Ramona says as she walks into the living room.

I haven't had a chance to see her in normal street clothes yet. However, she looks comfortable and happy.

"Connor, please eat. We need to leave soon."

Connor let's go and rushes over to the old wooden snack tray placed in front of the couch. A bright red cereal bowl sits on top. He nearly knocks into it with how excited he is.

***

As we are all piling into Ramona's van, another young boy comes strolling out of the house. I'm assuming that's Parker, I've heard his name mentioned, but this is the first time I've seen him. He wipes away his wispy blonde hair from his eyes and heads for the van.

"Shotgun," he yells.

"In the back, Parker," Ramona says.

"Yeah, buddy in the back," Flint mocks.

Parker rushes over to Flint, and they do some kind of brotherly fighting thing. Flint wraps an arm around his neck and tries to mess with his hair. They fight for a few minutes before Parker realizes that there's an extra person here.

"Parker, this is Marnie." Flint straightens out his shirt and turns to me.

"So, you're Marnie," he says like he's heard about me.

"Depends on what you've heard," I joke.

"All good things." He smiles.

Ramona's van is your typical mom van; two captain's chairs are in the second row and a bench seat in the back. Connor is still in a booster seat, so his spot is already claimed. Parker is now sitting back there with him, although he doesn't look so happy with being put in the back.

"Mom, are you sure you don't want me to drive," Flint asks.

"I'm fine, maybe on the way back, though?" She looks back at him as she sticks the keys in the ignition.

"You got it," he says.

Flint and I are sitting in the second-row captain's chairs. A small gap sits between us, but that doesn't stop him from reaching out and touching my hand every once in a while. I watch out the window as we head north. The sky starts growing a bit darker, and you can actually see snow covering some areas. The temperature drops a bit, but it's still decent outside. My dad used to take us up this way for a quick getaway. We had a cabin, and it was always so relaxing to getaway. I remember the huge lake up here and how we'd swim every summer. We haven't been up here in years.

It takes about two hours, not counting the minor traffic we encountered leaving the area on a Saturday morning. We finally arrive at a huge park in what seems like the middle of nowhere. Ramona pulls into the lot and finds a spot pretty close. Unfortunately, the parking lot is full of Flint's family.

Most of the trees surrounding the park are still bare, but some buds are starting to form. Stepping out of the car, I'm surprised at how warm it is here. It's perfect weather for an event like this.

In the distance is a huge tent, picnic tables are set in rows inside. There's already so many people here, and I'm in awe. Flint has a huge family. It must be nice. For me, it's just us; dad, my brothers, Lucille, and me. I'm feeling a little nervous; it's hit me more now that we are here, and I see how big his family is. Flint and I help Ramona grab some of the grocery bags full of homemade food she brought.

"Hear that obnoxious voice?" Flint asks as we near the tent.

I listen to the crowd, a lot of people are talking, but there's one voice that is a little louder than the others.

"That's Uncle Bill. He is one of the reasons you never bring a date to any family functions...."

"Uh oh, should I be worried?"

He shakes his head and laughs.

"Your family is huge," I say.

"You get used to it." he smiles.

"I'm used to just me, dad, Lucille, and my brothers. I never met my grandparents, and my dad's brother died of a heart attack at fifty, so it's really just us."

"Enjoy the small family; things can get pretty intense around holidays."

We reach the tents, and there are people everywhere. Young kids run back and forth, and I notice Connor joining them. A group of younger teens is all sitting at a table; they are on their phones, not talking to each other. Parker gravitates towards them.

The adults are laughing and hugging each other like they haven't seen one another in a while. It's a real family. I may have money, but I don't have this. This is nice.

We put the things on the table and walk over to an older woman with Ramona's features. She turns around to greet us. Her thick round curls look as if they were freshly permed. She scoots the dark-framed glasses up her nose and smiles at Flint as he walks up.

"Flint, my favorite grandson." She grabs him around the neck and pulls him in, placing a kiss on his cheek.

He pulls back and smirks at her. "I thought Connor was your favorite."

"He was, but he chose your aunt Sonya over me," she jokes.

"Of course, she gives him candy."

Her eyes wander and land on me. Her smile widens. "Oh, Flinty. Do you have a girlfriend?"

Her eyes wander down the length of my body like she's sizing me up and trying to see if I'm the right fit for her grandson. Then, she takes Flint's hands and squeezes them with excitement. She's so adorable and reminds me of the little old lady from the Wedding Singer that pays Robbie Hart in meatballs.

"Grandma, this is Marnie. She's a good friend from school."

"Friend, huh?" She winks at Flint, and I can't help but laugh.

"Hi, Mrs...."

"You can call me Sue, dear." She reaches out and takes my hand in hers. She pats the back of it and squeezes.

"Very nice to meet you, Sue."

"Likewise."

She is still sizing me up, checking me out. She totally knows that I have money. She's probably wondering what my intentions are with her grandson.

"Well, join in with the family fun; some of them are a little crazy. Don't let my son Bill scare you off."

"Alright," I laugh.

Flint puts an arm around me, and we continue saying hi to everyone. He introduces me to everyone else before walking over to his uncle. As we make our way over, he tells me a back story about his uncle.

"So, my uncle is the single guy who never brings a date. He's also obnoxious and doesn't know how to control his mouth, so most people in my family don't bring dates either," Flint whispers as we walk over.

"Flint, my man." His uncle gives him a high five.

Bill is a tall thin man. His hair matches the same color as Flint and his siblings but is receding slightly in the front.

"She's a little too gorgeous for ya,' Flint," he says.

"Ha. We aren't dating. She's a good friend. She is pretty amazing, though."

He bumps into me, and I smack him on the arm. Something in me wishes he would introduce me as more than a friend, but I shouldn't be feeling that way since it's been a little less than twenty-four hours since my breakup. Instead, Bill glances over at me with this knowing look in his eye.

"Woah, do I sense some tension? I'm Bill or Uncle Bill." He holds out his hand for me to shake.

"Marnie," I say, politely shaking his hand.

"Marnie. Oh my god, like the witch in Halloweentown."

"Actually, yes..."

He laughs. "I used to watch that movie all the time. Good times man, good times."

"Good times," I repeat.

I remember asking dad where I got my name from, and it actually had a lot to do with Halloweentown. Mom was a huge Disney fan, and the name stuck with her, so yes, I was named after the girl from that movie. I hate being reminded of it because it reminds me of her.

"Grandma made her pulled pork. I hope you eat meat girly because it's to die for."

With the mention of pork, my stomach growls. I hadn't realized how hungry I was. We ate really early, so I'm not surprised.

"I'll have to try it."

"Come with me then. You don't want to miss this. If you wait too long... poof," he shakes his hands in front of me. "It's gone."

Flint nods in the direction of the table, and so I assume that he's hungry too. Then, as we start walking, his phone rings. I stop and wait, but he urges me to go with his uncle and that he'll catch up in a minute.

"Are you coming, Marnie?" Bill asks, holding out his arm. I stare down at it.

"Behave yourself, Uncle Bill," Flint laughs, holding his hand over his phone speaker.

"Always do," he yells back.

He leads me over to a set of tables under a small tent. There's only a small crowd, so it doesn't take long for us to grab some food. Bill graciously grabs a plate for me and fills it up. After handing me mine, he piles some pork onto his. Next, he fills the buns, so they overflow with meat: onions, garlic, and BBQ sauce sting my nose, but in a good way.

"Go ahead, take a bite. I swear it's amazing."

I close the bun and bring it to my mouth. Some of it falls out, and I probably have barbeque sauce all over my face. I'm so consumed by all the flavors rushing together I don't even care. This is quite literally the best pork I've ever had.

"See." He takes an even bigger bite of his own, making a mess on his plate.

Flint strolls over and grabs a plate for himself. I almost eat the whole thing in one bite. He laughs. I bump him with my hip right when he scoops up a heaping helping onto the spoon, causing him to drop some on the ground.

"You just wasted the holy grail," he says playfully.

I roll my eyes at him and continue to add more food to my plate. Finally, I end up with mashed potatoes and salad. All of the food looks great. Bill excuses himself as Flint leads us over to a table where Ramona, Connor, and his grandma sit.

"Flint has never brought a girl to one of these things. So, you must be special," she says, eyeing me from across the table.

"Actually, I invited her," Connor says with a mouthful of his hotdog.

Everyone's attention lands on Connor.

His Grandma laughs. "Oh, so she's your date then?"

"You got it!" Connor says proudly. I smile and wink at him.

"Sorry Flint, he's cuter," I joke.

That gives everyone a good laugh. Flint bumps into me with his hip, and on impulse, like it's natural, I lay my head on his shoulder. Instead, he puts his arm around my back and squeezes me, causing flutters in my stomach again.

***

Flint's family is amazing. I've enjoyed sitting here eating with them; even his grandma has warmed up to me. She's surprised when she realizes who I am. She said she recognized me but couldn't figure out where. I realize that it's why she had been watching me closely because she knew she had seen me somewhere and couldn't place it.

After we all eat, Connor asks me to go on the swings with him. I, of course, can't say no. So, we race across the park together towards the playground across the way.

"I bet you can't go higher than me," he says.

"You're on," I tell him.

We both start pumping our legs as fast as we can. I can't remember the last time I sat on a swing and went this high. I love the feeling when my stomach drops from the downward motion. I lean back as I go down and giggle as the feeling takes over.

"Hey, Flint's girl," Uncle Bill calls from a distance.

Hearing him call me Flint's girl does something to me, and I can't help smiling at the thought. I lift my head and start to slow my swing down. Uncle Bill is running over, his jacket is wrapped around his waist, and he's wearing a purple headband that makes him look like he just stepped out of the eighties. I dig my feet into the sand, and the swing comes to a halt; Connor slows too.

"The eighties called. They want their headband back," I joke.

"I knew I liked you!"

"What's up?" I ask, jumping off the swing.

"Badminton, you play?"

"I've definitely played some badminton in my spare time."

Our school does a whole unit on badminton. It's one of my favorite units.

"Great! You, my man," he says, pointing to Connor. "You are on my team, and you are too!" he says pointing to me.

"As long as I don't have to wear one of those headbands."

Uncle Bill smirks. "Your boyfriend has the other one."

I raise a brow and glance across the crowded park, and sure enough, Flint is standing at the net with a matching purple headband. His fauxhawk is messier than usual as the headband pushes his hair up. I won't admit it out loud, but I'm so attracted to him right now, even with it on. I shake my head at him and laugh.

"Really, you too?" I ask as Connor makes it to the small dirt area where the net is set up in the center of the large park.

"What? I make this look good," he says, pointing to himself.

"You keep telling yourself that."

He smirks. I love his smile more and more each time he does it. He narrows his eyes on me and strolls over without losing his smile. He grabs me in a playful grasp and messes with my hair.

"You're a brat."

"And you're a jerk!" I stick out my tongue and push him back towards his side of the net.

"Alright, teams. Let's go!" Uncle Bill yells, clapping his hands together.

Flint gets down low on the other side like he's ready to bring it. I can't help it. I'm hysterical looking at him and his uncle with those headbands on. The game starts, and I'm shocked by how good Uncle Bill is. He hasn't missed one hit. Flint's team has scored a bunch of points against us. Bill, Connor, and I catch up quickly.

Finally, we are one point away from the win, and Flint's trying to distract me. Ignoring him, I concentrate on the shuttlecock flying over the net. I jump and hit it as hard as I can. It thumps against the racket. I cringe, waiting for it to land, losing sight of the white object in the air. Flint's ready, but he overcompensates and totally misses it. It falls to the ground next to him, and I jump up screaming. I see Uncle Bill in the corner of my eye rushing at me. He picks me up off the ground like I've won the world championships.

"Marnie, Marnie," he chants.

He puts me down, and Connor is next. I lift him off the ground, and we cheer together. He did a great job too. He didn't let one get past him.

"I'm impressed with your badminton skills," I say.

"Thanks, I'm a natural." Connor shrugs like it's no big deal.

He smirks at me then jets off towards his mom. "Mom, we won!" he yells as he runs.

Flint ducks under the net and comes straight at me, a determined look plastered on his face. When he reaches me, he picks me up in his arms, and I wrap mine around his neck like he's mine. He sets me down, but I keep my arms locked in place. My eyes meet his, and my stomach drops like that feeling you get on a swing. My heart has decided to join in the chaos in my body, and I can't control that or my shaking hands. He rests his forehead against mine, and for a brief moment, I close my eyes. When I open them again, I take the purple headband off and throw it on the ground.

"Hey, I was going to wear that to my next gig." His laughter fills the tiny space between us.

I shake my head. "You really don't want me to come to another show, do you? I can't be seen with you wearing that."

He laughs, our foreheads still touching.

"I win, by the way, badminton champ." I stick my tongue out.

"At least one of us won a game."

"Oh, no worries, I will beat you at that game one of these days...."

One of these days and forever are two words that keep coming up, and I'm shocked that I'm not running for the hills screaming. I'm right here, staying in his arms, enjoying every moment. I catch his eyes again, and everyone around us blurs. All I see is us.

"Would it be totally inappropriate if I kissed you right now?" he asks.

"Maybe a little...." I say.

He pulls away slightly, trying to read my reaction. I grin and grab a hold of his sweatshirt, pulling him into me. His face lights up as the flutters return. I've never felt them this intense before. Kissing him right now in this moment is perfect, so I take the initiative and stand on my tippy toes. I touch my lips to his. I plan for just a quick peck, but once our lips touch, it's so much more. I pull him in closer, still gripping his sweatshirt. He tries to pull me closer, but I think we are as close as we can get. His tongue dances along my lips, and I tease him for a minute before letting him in. His kiss is urgent, and I breathe him in. I kiss him like no one is watching. I feel like he wants more from me, and I'm still not sure I can give him all of me yet.

"Wow," he breathes as our foreheads touch.

"Yes, very wow," I laugh, feeling a bit dizzy.

When we pull apart, it feels like a weight lifted from my chest. He takes my hand and squeezes it. I glance up at him. I'm not sure if I will be able to walk hand in hand with him at school, but it's easy here. I have no one judging me, and I feel safe. Although Flint is the only person who makes me feel good, maybe I can let him in even further after everything that has happened.