Inez hasn't looked away from her phone once since we've been in the car. I watched the change of scenery out the window, amazed at how quickly Pennsylvania hills and mountains turn into long stretches of Virginia country then salty Georgia air. Country plains on the ranch are are nice and all, but I'd much prefer sandy beaches and dolphins over grass and horses.
My headphones quietly soothed my body with the steady soft strums of coffeehouse music. The indie-alternative music was different to what James listened to but he'd always told me that when our friends played that melodic music around the campfire he thinks of me. And I in turn think of him whenever I hear Kanye West or Eminem coming from loud cars as they speed by.
I had thought a lot about James these past few weeks. We didn't get to talk as much as we usually did when I went to camp with my cousins and sister. The service wasn't great, but there were times I would text him with no reply or I'd try to call and get sent straight to voicemail. My cousin Becky told me that guys this age tend to lose focus because their minds can't handle thoughts of graduation, college, dating, jobs and all the things that go with growing up. So I just told myself James was using this time to compose himself and see where he wants our life to go.
I looked over at my 16 year old sister. From her weirdly dyed hair that was kept dark in the back but the parts that framed her face were bleached and colored a bright teal had me wondering what guys thought of her. James told me he loved the way I was, but sometimes I wondered if I was too boring for him. We hadn't had sex yet, and I'm still not sure I'm ready for that. It's not that I'm afraid or that I'm afraid I'll have to commit to him if we do. I'm already committed. But sex to me is something more personal than some teenage love that may or may not end in a happily ever after.
"Nez?" I said when she began quickly typing away on her phone again. Her head snapped to mine, cheeks flushing as if she'd just gotten caught doing something bad.
My eyes squinted. She's up to something.
"Yeah what's up?" She squeaked. I nodded my chin at her phone.
"You're highly invested into that conversation. You got a man we don't know about?" Inez's cheeks burned crimson and I'd be lying if I didn't see my dad's ears park at the drivers seat at my question. Inez turned off her phone and crossed a leg, smiling.
I squinted harder.
"Oh no, just talking to Morgan. Wondering what's been going on in our little old small town," she paused. "And a lot has happened in three weeks," she added. Her eyes bored into mine in a way that tells me she's hiding something, but she can't talk about it here. That got me curious. Inez doesn't hide anything. Her lips are so loose I'm surprised her tongue hasn't called out yet.
Fairview High was just like any small town school. Everyone knows each other and secrets are as hard to keep as it is getting Morgan Steeler to keep her pants on. Thanks to Inez Jones, the rumor mill always has a steady flow of things to talk about. And her pinning look she's giving me right now with her light brown eyes tells me she, or someone else, is stirring up trouble. I shook it off. Not my business what people do or do not do with their lives. Inez should learn to stick her nose out of other people business.
"So girls, are you ready for school? Betty, your last first day is coming up in just a few days. How do you feel?" My dad asked. I had been avoiding this question. Mom was all but tears when she realized what was coming. And I didn't have the heart to tell her I was scared too. Scared to grow up. Scared to see what would become of James and me come college. I'd only ever worked at the ice cream stand by the beach and that was only for two months out of the last two summers. I didn't feel prepared for life yet. I wasn't ready. But I didn't tell dad that. Instead I lied.
"So excited. James, Page, Gavin, and Amelia and I have been planning prom since we were in eighth grade! And I've already figured that the AP classes I'm taking are going to count for 6 college credits which is crazy! James and I have decided we're gonna apply to Georgia State to stay close to home so he can take care of his mom. Everything is falling in place!" I grinned, looking to my sister to take over because school was the last thing on my mind. I just wanted one more full week to think about everything but.
August is almost over and for once, I wasn't ready to see what September had to bring.

•••-•••

The sun was setting by the time we got home. I could see it just barely over the horizon, the sky a blast of orange and pink hues settling in where puffy clouds floated by. It felt good to be home again. Back with the salty air and seagulls that lull me to sleep every summer.
I turned to grab my suitcases. Quickly checking my phone only to be disappointed again when my only notifications were from Paige and Amelia asking if I'd made it home safe. I did. But I didn't want them to be the ones asking me that.
I looked over to James' house just three doors away. The porch light was on, but that was it.
Where is he?
"Come on, Betty we don't have all night. Some of us have a bed to get to," my sister pushed me out of my trance with her up, butting in to grab her stuff from the trunk as my mom and dad stretched after the long drive.
I rolled my eyes. "We'll you could have taken a nap during the drive, Sissy. What are you in a hurry to be in bed for? Got an early morning tomorrow? Dows it have to do with the juicy details Fairview has been up to?" I accused. I didn't want her to think I'd forgotten about that conversation. Normally I don't care about her next topic of gossip, but for some reason, I was interested this time.
The trunk slammed shut and I wheeled my suitcases up the cement path to the porch where dad was waiting to help us.
Inez and I, while only 11 months apart, were completely different. Obviously one is a talker and the other keeps to herself. But it's not just that that makes us different. My cardigan hand loosely from my hips it was tied around while Inez wouldn't be caught dead in one. She was urban and vintage. Wearing clunky shoes and dark clothes that somehow still looked feminine, where I was all feminine. I let the sun bleach my dirty blonde curls and my toenails were painted a pretty blush pink. I'm sure I've heard her sneak into the house at 2am one morning on a school night while I was still up finishing reading my latest romance book I got from our library.
One was daring and one was not. I'd never thought of myself as boring. I have friends and we're always out doing something. But James was borderline ignoring me, and I was beginning to get insecure thoughts. Because this has never happened before. Not in the 13 years I've known James. He's never ignored me unless we were in a fight and he decided to be stubborn. And we weren't in a fight this time. At least I didn't think we were. My stomach sank at the thought.
We made our way up the white stairs and into our coastal home, settling in after a long month away from here. My dad took some of our stuff upstairs and went into his office to finish up some things while mom made a quick evening snack for us to munch on before bed.
All in all- we were your perfect, average all American family. Dad was the sheriff and mom stayed at home, only working part time at a bakery during the school year. My dad aged well with laugh lines around his mouth and eyes. Honey gold eyes I've been given were warm and loving and paired well with his lightly tanned skin and graying blonde hair. My mother however had more chocolate eyes that were framed with brown hair that used to curl when she was little but since growing up has straightened out. She was shorter than my dad's 6 foot even height by a good several inches and fit next to him like a glove. They were in love. College sweethearts. With two independent freethinking daughters and a cat my dad secretly loves but for some reason refuses to admit it. And while I loved us. Sometimes I felt like we were too cookie cutter. Not adventurous but not boring. Just... there.
"Girls your schedules finally came in," my mom yelled from the kitchen while she chopped strawberries. "I don't know what takes them so dang long. Every year they seem to be coming in later and later. There on the breakfast bar." But Nez and I quickly ran to the counter and grabbed the envelope with our names quickly opening them. Inez took a photo of hers and began typing furiously, probably sending it to her friends to compare to see if they have any classes together. I was more concerned with just one person and whether or not we shared any classes.
Mom had a bowl of cut up fruit on the counter and as I was about to take a handful, my phone buzzed and I all but jumped for it as it gently vibrated on the counter. It was James. Thank goodness.

J: Hey Baby, hope you made it home safe. I miss you

I smiled at quickly typed back.

Me: Yup! Safe and sound!! I wish I could have talked about it more with you...

J: I know. I'm sorry about that. Gavin and I have been going to The Hole and we've just been distracted with the competition coming up and all.

J: But you're home now. That's all that matters. Would you like to go to the pier tomorrow? Just you and me?"

I smiled at that, my stomach no longer get feeling like it was going to churn and instead grew butterflies. Just him and me sounded perfect.

Me: Sounds great! Hey did you get your schedule in the mail?

J: Yeah

Me: I'll send you a picture of mine. Tell me if any classes are the same!

I snapped a picture of my last ever Fairview High schedule and sent it to James. After a few minutes he responded, and I felt a little deflated.

J: Seems only homeroom to me. I only took two APs and they're at opposite times from yours.

Only homeroom? That sucked. Classes are boring when your friends aren't there. Especially your boyfriend. And Amelia is the only one who took the same classes I did but she's so involved in the drama club and band that she misses classes sometimes for extra rehearsal. Gavin and Paige don't even take AP classes so I'll probably only get to see them during lunch and gym if I'm lucky.
I slumped in the bar chair and popped a grape in my mouth. It's cool sugary burst did nothing to brighten my mood. I sat at the granite countertop with a pout.
This school year is gonna suck.

•••-•••

The next morning I woke up when the sun was just peaking over the trees. Birds were already chirping and I could hear the beeping of a garbage truck down the road. I yawned and rubbed my eyes, wishing I could wake up whenever I wanted to for the rest of my life.
When I ambled down the stairs, my mom was checking her banana bread in the oven while my dad was reading the local paper for any last minute activities before school started. I padded to the kitchen, while tying my hair in a messy bun.
"Good morning," I murmured. I hadn't seen Inez yet which meant she was still passed out.
My dad looked up from the paper and took a sip of his coffee.
"Morning, Kiddo. How's you rest up after your busy few week? Feeling up for a farmers market tomorrow?" I nodded as I poured a glass of milk.
"Yeah I did. Met a couple girls there this year that were going to go to Becky's school and got their numbers. Hopefully we can hang when we visit for Christmas," as I spoke, my mom pulled out the bread and I swear drool was dripping from our mouths.
"That sounds great! I'm glad your last summer there ended on a high note," the rustling of paper sounded in the kitchen as dad folded his newspaper and stood up. Mom kissed him goodbye before giving him a slice of the banana bread just as Nez mad her way down the stairs. "Bye, kiddos, I'll see you later. Make good choices," and giving us each a kiss on the head dad made his way to work leaving us girls.
"Well," mom huffed as she cleaned the dishes. I grabbed a towel to help while Inez grumbled to the chair our dad was just occupying. "I think today calls for a beach trip don't you? Won't get many more days of that when school starts on Monday. How about if?"
Just as I was about to agree I remembered my plan with James for today. Suddenly my stomach got butterflies.
"Actually James messaged me last night asking if we could hang so I'm gonna have to rein-check on that," I admitted. Upon hearing my boyfriend's name, my sister suddenly woke up, her ears turning red and her eyes widening. I huffed and gave her a glare.
Alright. What is it you're not telling me. I wondered in my head.
"We'll looks like it's just you and me Nezzy. How about we get the chairs and umbrella out and make our way down there after breakfast?" My sister quietly agreed, eating a piece of her banana bread before exiting herself to get ready. I followed closely behind.
One up the stairs, I grabbed her wrist and yanked her in her bedroom, closing the door and glaring at her.
"Ow Betty!" She hissed, pulling out of my grasp. "What the heck was that for?" I crossed my arms and watched her rub her wrist.
What was that for? I have no reason to be mad. At least I hope not. But she was keeping something and I know it had to do with me.
"Cut the crap. Tell me what you know. You suck at lying," I snapped. Her eyes steadily held my glaring gaze before it was too much and she looked away, shifting her feet. I started to think whatever she was about to say was really not gonna be good. But I had to know.
"I'm sure it's nothing, Bet. Don't worry about it," She was quiet and looked anywhere but me.
"Inez," I warned.
"Fine! Gosh. It's just a rumor okay? Morgan said she saw James one night but honestly it could have been anyone. He had his hat on and you know all the skater boys look the same down in The Hole. There's so much smoke and lights you don't know what you're seeing half the time," my sister rambled. My stomach lost all its butterflies. It felt like they had turned to rocks.
"What do you mean? What did she mean? Saw James and what? Did he break something? Did he smoke something?" Did he meet someone? I wanted to ask. But I couldn't muster up the strength to say it.
"He got there with Trek and some chick. I've never met her before, but Morgan said she's seen her around and she's seen her and James talk to each other. But the other night... oh Betty," now she looked at me. There was no playful glint in her eyes. Nothing that said she feeds on gossip knowledge. She looked like she was breaking for me. And I chocked down a gasp.
"They we're together and I don't mean as friends. She saw them sneak off and they were kissing. Like kissing kissing. He was grabbing her and she was touching him and, and," he was cheating. That's what she wanted to say. But she didn't. I didn't give her the chance to because the moment she said he was grabbing her I ripped open her door and ran to my room, slamming and locking it.
No. There's no way. Not my James. He doesn't have a cheating bone in his body. He wouldn't even let Gavin know some of the questions on our silence test last year. James wouldn't cheat. He'd talk to me. We were good at that. Communicating. Nothing was off the table. If we had to say something we'd say it. He would tell me if he wasn't happy. Inez doesn't know what she's talking about. She couldn't. People make things up. She knows that. She knows better than to believe that. But the only way I'll know for sure is if I see him today. I'll get the truth. He'll laugh and say she's crazy. He'll say he loves me and he'll kiss it all better.
He has to.

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