Audrey
Senior year is justa few weeks away. After that...freedom. No more being stuck in this small town. I’ll move closer to Stella and we’ll live our best lives. Well, as long as I have Justin with me, I will be. I know it’s a long shot that we’ll last considering we’re high school sweethearts, but I have faith. What we have is so much more than puppy love. We have been each other’s first everything. I’d like this to be our first adventure as well. Only one more year to make it through.
“Audrey, are you ready to go?” Stella is standing outside my bedroom door wearing a sundress and carrying a bag.
“Yeah, I guess.” It’s the one time of year we get together with our classmates and go to the local swimming area. It’s part of the lake, but it’s hidden away from the public. The only ones who know about it are the locals, and Stella.
She’s practically grown up here during the summers and breaks. Mine and Tiffany’s parents insisted on her coming here instead of the other way around. Maybe they feel like my uncle did Stella a disservice by not keeping her close to family, I don’t know. They grew up here and he left as soon as he could. Not that I blame him. This town is stifling on the best of days. When drama pops up, it’s downright suffocating.
“You don’t sound too excited.” She doesn’t know what it’s like to be here nonstop. To be stuck around the same people you’ve known since you were in diapers and see them every single day.
“That’s because she doesn’t want to go,” Tiffany pipes up from behind Stella. When did she even get here? I didn’t hear the front door open. Or close for that matter.
Stella tilts her head to the side as if she’s a confused puppy. “Why not?”
I don’t know if I can explain it. At least, not in a way that would make her understand. She went to a school where most of the people didn’t even live in the same neighborhood. She didn’t know her entire graduating class. She had her group of friends and didn’t have to worry about someone knowing all of her business. Well, unless someone started spreading rumors, of course. “We don’t have the same school experience here that you had in Austin.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She crosses her arms over her chest and scowls.
“That didn’t come out right,” I shake my head. “I’ve seen almost every single one of my classmates every day since we were in pre-k.” When her expression doesn’t change, I continue. “Think about it, Stella. Would you want to hang out with people you’ve known your entire life? All the time?”
“I’ve known both of you my entire life, and I happen to love hanging out with you.” She points at both Tiffany and I to drive the point home. “I don’t get what the issue is.”
Tiffany sighs and passes by Stella to sit on my bed. “That’s not exactly the same thing, though.” She scoots back until she can lie down on my pillows. She makes herself entirely too comfortable on my bed, and it’s super annoying how she treats my bedroom like her own. “We actually like you. A lot of the people in Audrey’s class aren’t all that great. Some even tease her.”
“So...whose ass do I need to kick?” Stella pounds her fist against palm. “Nobody picks on my cousin but me.”
“Calm down,” Tiffany laughs. “She defends herself.”
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” I murmur.
“Yep,” Tiff nods. “And when she doesn’t, Justin has zero issues taking care of it for her.”
That catches Stella’s attention. “Where is he, anyway? I figured we’d all ride over together.”
I shrug, “I don’t know. He said something about having to work this morning and he’d meet us over there.” I wish he wasn’t working so we could go together. It would make things so much easier and I wouldn’t have to answer all the questions that are thrown at me about Stella. I could let Tiffany handle it and go on about my way. Hell, I’m not sure why these people even bother asking about her. She’s here literally every summer and they should know her well enough by now. She would never give any of these guys the time of day either. Well, not long term anyway.
“Audrey,” Stella is snapping her fingers. Dang it, I was in my own head again. I need to stop doing that when she’s around. She begins to worry, and that’s not why she’s here.
“Yeah?”
“Do you know what time he gets off? We can hang around until then.” This is what I love about my cousin. She’s confident and assertive, but she’s always able to tell when me and Tiff are feeling off. She really is the best, even when she annoys the hell out of me.
“It’s fine,” I sigh. “I know y’all are ready.” I grab my bag with the towel and sunscreen in it and head toward the door. I can’t forget it because without sunscreen Tiff will be as red as a tomato at the end of the day. “But…we can grab some food on the way over there. I’m starving.”
“That might be the best, and most important thing, you’ve said in the last five minutes.” Tiffany hops off my bed and rushes past me. “Shotgun,” she shouts from down the hallway.
“Seriously.” Glancing at Stella, I roll my eyes. “We should be mean and make her drive.”
“Oh God no,” Stella gasps in mock horror. “I know for a fact you’ve ridden with her. I wouldn’t let my worst enemy in the car with her behind the wheel.”
“Yeah,” I nod. “You have a point. I’m not even sure how she passed driver’s ed.”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” She motions toward the hallway. “I can ride in the backseat if you want to drive.”
“Thanks.” I pass her by and head in the same direction as Tiffany. It’s a good thing she offered. Even though I’ve grown up on these roads, carsickness is my weakness. I’m just hoping Justin gets off earlier than he expects. I can’t avoid the assholes of our school while also keeping a watchful eye on Tiff.