Chapter Seventeen: Cupcakes

                                    

                                          
The middle of the chapter is ridiculous. You have been warned.
                          
Chapter Seventeen
                          
Cupcakes
                          

                          
The next days of school pass quickly and, rather unexpectedly, it’s summer. All my finals are done, my good-byes said, and looming before me are three Colton-filled months. I find I’m not dreading it quite as much as before.
                          

                          
“I feel like you’re more stressed about this than I am.”
                          

                          
“Huh?” I pause double-checking my checklist for everything Adrienna needs to bring to camp to stare at her. She’s watching me with eyebrows raised and arms crossed.
                          

                          
“I’ve been going for years; I think I have everything I need.” She says, taking a seat at her desk chair.
                          

                          
We’re in her bedroom. I’m bent over her overflowing suitcase, going through the things she’s bringing to camp. She has to leave early in the morning and this is our last chance to say goodbye.
                          

                          
“Yes,” I say gently, “but every year you send me letters telling me everything you forgot and how your parents had to send it to you.”
                          

                          
Adrienna frowns to herself but says nothing, meaning I’m correct.
                          

                          
I grin and mark the last few things off my checklist. “There.” I straighten up and set my clipboard on Adrienna’s nightstand. “You are ready for anything and everything math-related.”
                          

                          
Adrienna smirks. “Thank you. Now, if I forget something, I can just blame you.”
                          

                          
Wonderful.
                          

                          
“Right. Great plan. And I can set you up with Kyle!” I clap my hands, as if I’m thrilled about the idea.
                          

                          
Adrienna glares at me. “Then we can just double with you and Colton.” She quips.
                          

                          
This makes me frown. “Fine. I’ll stop.” Adrienna’s glare relaxes until I add, “But you’d make such a funny couple!”
                          

                          
She just shakes her head.
                          

                          
We watch movies and eat too much popcorn until it’s dark outside and time for me to go home. Then Adrienna and I have a heartfelt goodbye and I slowly drive to my house. There’s flickering light against closed the living room curtains, indicating Dad is home. Sure enough, he’s sitting on the couch –wood and knife in hand –and watching TV.
                          

                          
I consider heading to the kitchen for a snack, but my popcorn-filled stomach protests. So I veto the idea and mumble a ‘goodnight’ to Dad as I head early to bed. I’m in my room before I realize I didn’t even wait for a reply. I change into pajamas and slip under the sheets, thinking to myself what a nerd I am at going to bed early in my first week of summer. Colton would certainly laugh at me if he saw, just like he laughed at me the last day of school.
                          

                          
That thought makes me grimace, so I quickly shove it aside. Tomorrow is our first day of cleaning for Mr. Emerson and I find I’m actually looking forward to it. I haven’t seen Colton for a few days, after all. Not since the last day of school, which was more than a week ago. I wonder if he’ll be happy to see me? I certainly left a memorable impression. The question lingers in the front of my mind as I drift off to sleep.