Chapter 43: 40 | (almost) summer, again

For the past two hours they've been sat in here, the doors to Beans & Bagels must have swung open and closed at least a few hundred times.

The bustling coffee shop is filled to the brim on this Friday morning, the habitants of Acebridge – sunglasses perched on their heads and their skin tan from the last few weeks of sun – spilling in and out the doors. Some wander in alone, other in groups. Some push strollers in front of them, others walk backwards while in conversation with their friends. Every single one of them on a quest so secure themselves an iced drink before continuing on with their day.

Avery and her four friends among them.

The AC seems to work at its highest capacity to keep the May warmth out of the coffee shop, the orange letters sprawled over the door and the ceiling high windows reflecting the rays of the sun basking the room in a light glow.

The low hum of the espresso machine and the calls from the baristas never cease, melting together with the chatter of the guests and the wails from the unsatisfied toddler sat in a high chair by the table across the room.

Avery sips at her second iced chai of the morning as Ethan and Jake arrive, the cold condensed liquid from the glass trickling down her hand as they whirl through the tables to theirs. Callie hands her an already crumpled up napkin where it lies next to their empty plates and Avery shoots her a small smile as she wipes it off before taking another sip of the iced chai.

Jake pulls a chair out from a nearby table, greeting them with his trademark grin as he drops into a seat upon it. Avery tilts her head back where she's sat in the couch, lips curling into a small smile as Ethan presses a soft kiss to her cheek.

"Hi."

She scoots aside on the worn cushions to make room for him next to her, her lips twitching as his gaze falls to the yellow dress she's in. "Hi."

Extending him her iced chai, she sinks back in her seat and leans her head on his shoulder as she listens to the conversation between her friends.

Sometimes it still feels odd, them spending time together like this, everyone getting along so well. Being friends. She hasn't quite gotten used to it; somehow this – the seven of them all together – is her new normal.

Whether it comes in the shape of being sat at the same table during rush hour at the most popular coffee shop in town or all of them celebrating Luke and Ethan's birthdays back to back. That had been an interesting week. A great week. But definitely a bit of a fever dream.

Taking her iced chai back, she slurps at the melted ice as Nic throws a glance at his watch, already gathering up their plates and trash to put away in the tray stand.

"We should get going."

One quick look at the screen of Avery's phone confirms it's just past 10 a.m. and they should indeed get on with their day and make the short trek to the park.

A few minutes later they trail out the door after one another, shooting small smiles to the old couple stood holding the door as they wait for the group to step outside to leave room for them in the doorway.

Squinting at the strong blinding rays of sun cast over town, they take up the entire sidewalk in three rows as they head down the street toward the park where their schools have yet again come up with a way to bring them all together in the name of celebrating friendly competitive spirit.

Avery lets her hand slip into Ethan's as they follow behind their friends, using her other to nudge her (Ethan's) sunglasses down from her hair to cover her eyes.

A slight ocean breeze trickles through the warmth enveloping them, the wails of seagulls audible from somewhere in the distance but here – between the three-story high buildings lining their path – there are no more than a few chirps from much smaller, nearby birds.

They've only just turned the corner onto one of the adjacent streets from Main as Avery skids to a halt. Her mouth falls into the shape of an 'o' as she stares at the rearranged front window of the bookstore, her reflection staring right back at her.

Luke speaks before she's even uttered a word. "No."

Avery watches Callie's reflection in the window – her hair pulled back in a ponytail and her silk culottes effortlessly wrinkle free – as the girl shoots a glance at the screen of her phone. "We'll be late."

"Please,"

Turning her head over her shoulder, Avery shifts her gaze to Ethan. His lips twitch up as he rolls his eyes.

Their friends end up walking ahead of them, already halfway down the street as Avery calls out, "We'll be right there!"

Luke whirls around, walking backwards. "I'll believe it when I see it," He shoots a glance Ethan's way as he's dragged into the air-conditioned store. "Good luck."

Trailing behind her as she heads for the stairs leading to the top of the three floors, Ethan sways their intertwined hands in the space between them. "We're going to be late, aren't we?"

"Probably, yeah."

♡♡♡

Walking up the slight hill to where the tables of food are stood in an L-shape, Lea and Avery whirl past students perched upon picnic tables and sprawled about in the grass – emerged in conversation or basking in the sun. Or both.

They greet Ms Vaughn with happy 'hi's as they pass her on their way, steering their steps straight for the candy section of the table. It's by far the most emptied, everyone seeming to have skipped to the sweets before indulging in anything else which is expected when there's a whole table of free candy on display. It's a great tactic – tell a few hundred students they have a Friday off to place nice with one another in the park but make sure not a single one goes without a sugar rush.

Upbeat music spills through the bluetooth speakers stood upon one of the tables, competing of space among the chatter from around the park and the yells from the game of Rounders happening only a stone's throw away; seeming far more competitive than any game of Rounders should ever have to be.

Avery gazes sideways, letting her eyes linger on the grass stains adorning Lea's white top and her bare legs from said game. Her lips twitch up in faint amusement at the sight as she absentmindedly pops a sour candy into her mouth, beginning to stack up on all kinds of sweets on a paper plate. Her smile soon fades out into a sour line though, and it has nothing to do with the fruity taste still lingering on her tongue.

Instead, her focus has shifted to the conversation of the two girls sat in the grass nearby – having a great view of the game of Rounders from this supposed hill that's more of tiny slope.

Ethan's name is what caught her attention in their first place and she follows their gazes now, eyes finding the boy in question in a heartbeat just as he catches a pass before launching it along to Jake.

One of the girls lean back on her elbows, the edges of her long hair brushing the grass. "He has a girlfriend, you know."

"Mhm, I know," The girl's friend says, tone of voice airy as she turns sideways to look at the first girl. Even from here, Avery can see the way she raises her brows. "But is he happy though?"

A breath of disbelief leaves Avery's lips as her hands ball into firsts. "She did not just ask that. Did she seriously just ask that?"

Lea, obviously having overheard the exchange of words as well, shoots her a look. Amusement dances across her features.

"Calm down Feisty Pants. Here have a butter cup," Pressing a peanut butter cup into Avery's palm, Lea takes the paper plate stocked with various candy into her hands. "Come on, let's get back to the others."

♡♡♡

Callie and Nic both straighten up from being splayed out on their backs in the grass as soon as Lea places the plate in front of them.

Sinking into a seat, Avery angles her face toward the sun and attempts to appreciate the way it feels as it warms her skin.

Sometimes – when she's with her friends – she forgets about the rivalry, about the not-as-strong but still strong opinions of her relationship. It's easier now; they're far from being news fresh off the press but on days like these, with all their skeptics gathered in one place, it all tends to come back to her.

Another reminder appears in front of her then – managing to ruin her mood once more. This one has less to do with her but everything to do with Ethan. It has her blood boiling, skin flushing with warmth that has nothing do with the sun.

She doesn't even have to open her eyes to know who's behind the words drifting her way.

"Well, we can't all ride the 'my dad's a dead superstar-card all the way to...'"

As she does, the group of Easters are only a glimpse in her eye, already having passed them by on their trek to the snack tables.

Springing to her feet, she speaks solemnly. "I am going to kill him."

Her friends reach out to stop her but another pair of arms loop around her before they have the chance to, wrapping her into a familiar hug from behind. "I'd rather you not."

She melts back against Ethan's chest, letting out a huff at his timed appearance. "I'm dead serious."

"So am I, let it go."

Her eyes narrow as she turns around, holding his gaze a beat longer before she gives way for a reluctant sigh.

"Fine," Sinking back into her seat, she folds her legs to her side and tears a few blades of grass from the ground. "He's an idiot."

Ethan sits down next to her, pushing his hair back from where it's glued to the light sheen of sweat on his forehead. "Yeah."

He leans over just as she pops a candy into her mouth, stealing her (his) sunglasses from where they're perched atop her head. With a faint smile, she tucks the blonde strands falling into her face behind her ears but her lips soon thin in annoyance once more.

"Oh my God," She exclaims as yet another group of students have passed them by, not having shied away from exchanging looks with pursed lips and raised brows. "Did we go back to October or something?"

Truly, there must be something more interesting to this town than her life and how it interferes with the tradition of rivalry.

Though, considering today is all about said rivalry – a day of promised peaceful fun to properly put an end to the year-long tournament between both schools, she wouldn't be surprised if the tension that comes with it has thickened. Doesn't mean she's less tired of being reminded of it – or of the less than fun weeks following the leak of that video – wherever she goes, though.

As for the tournament, while East may have won the disastrous football game this fall, the total score of the whole spectacle, following the track and field days at the beginning of this week, pronounced West the winners. Ethan let Avery run with that for a good twenty-four hours before putting a stop to her gloating. She's far from done, but she'll let it rest – for now.

Ethan leans his chin on her shoulder now, having her lips slip into a smile. He smells of summer; sunblock and grass and Ethan. The three words are soft-spoken as they leave his lips. "Let it go."

Leaning her head against his, she senses herself relaxing ever so slightly. "Did you win?"

"I always win."

Chortled breaths leave the other four as they all open their mouths to argue that statement. Beating her friends to the punch, Avery's voice picks up a note mirroring the twitch of her cheeks.

"If that's what you need to believe, then okay."

He points his finger into her dimple in retaliation, having her grin.

"Ugh," Nic clicks his tongue, a sound of disgust at the back of his throat. "Get a room."

Avery aims a light kick at him, popping another piece of candy into her mouth.

Across from her Callie flops down on her back as Lea begins to hum under her breath, the same way she has all day long. Blocking out the rays of the sun by folding her arms atop them, she breathes out, "Oh my– Would you stop singing that song?!"

"It's not my fault it's catchy."

Nic grabs a candy as he slips his phone out of his pocket, absentmindedly joining in on the singing as he scrolls. Callie groans as Avery laughs.

"See? See what you did?"

Callie quickly scoots to the side as Luke throws himself onto the grass in that very moment, back from having played Rounders.

Lying on his back, he beams up at Lea.

Extending him her drink, she only frowns in return. "I was just going to come over to join in."

Avery hides a small smile as she lets her gaze drift across the park toward the playground, her eyes lingering on the swing-set.

Following her gaze, Ethan nudges her in the side and gets to his feet. Her smile mirrors the upward tilt of his mouth as she lets her palms melt into his and pushes off the ground as well.

Luke flickers his gaze to them, squinting at the sun as he speaks through a mouthful of candy. "Where are you going?"

"We'll be back," Avery says, rolling her lips together to suppress a smile as Lea returns to singing. "You'll survive."

♡♡♡

"No–,"

Ethan catches Avery before she can tumble to the ground, hitching his arm around her waist as a laugh escapes his lips.

Shoving him in the chest – which isn't the easiest feat considering his arm is still holding her close, she presses her lips together in an attempt to swallow back her own laugh.

"Ass," She mutters in reference to him having slid his foot out to trip her just as they reached the playground. "That wasn't funny."

"I think it kind of was."

Her cheeks tighten with a smile as he tucks an errant strand of blonde hair behind her ear, letting his thumb brush over her skin before dropping to her lips as his gaze does. Her chest carves into his and she shakes her head with a chortled breath.

Clearing her throat, she lets her eyes flicker to the crowded patches of lawn around them – yet another set of Rounders being played before the low-hanging trees exploding in green. She wonders how long it would take before every single person here grew tired of the game. Her gaze lingers on the group of people a moment more before returning to Ethan's dark brown eyes, almost having her knees unbuckle right there and then.

"Stop looking at me like that."

"Looking at you like what?"

Letting the tips of her fingers come to his cheek. "I'm not about to kiss you around all these people," She bites down at her lip with a smile. "My favorite teacher is stood right over there."

"One kiss?"

"We both know it's never just one kiss."

"Not my fault you have no self-control."

"Oh so it's me?"

"It's definitely you. I'm not complaining though," His gaze falls to the skirt of her dress, feeling the fabric between his thumb and index-finger. "It's almost been a year, you know."

"Of you getting on my nerves? Feels like more."

He rolls his eyes as he lifts them to hers again. "Of us."

"No it hasn't. It's like four, almost five months left."

"Since when is July four, almost five months away?"

Avery raises her brows. "We didn't get together until September."

"July."

"September."

"July."

"Sep–"

"July."

He says it so matter of factly she has to press her lips together to hold back a laugh. "You're not backing down on this one, are you?"

"Not really no."

Her eyes flutter shut as his lips brush against hers.

Balling her hands up, she rests them on his chest with a faint sigh. "This is not the time or place."

A hint of a smirk plays on Ethan's lips as she inches back, meeting his gaze again. "You're no fun."

He presses a quick kiss to the corner of her mouth as he grabs her hand and spins around, having her trail behind him as he heads for the swings, her cheeks tightening with yet another stupid smile.

♡♡♡

From where she's stood regarding herself in the bathroom mirror, a faint rosy glow to her cheeks from the alcohol in her cup, Avery smiles at her friends though the reflection.

Callie's sat cross legged atop the toilet, eyes still lined with mirth from their latest bout of laughter as she nurses the drink in her hand. Lea's stood leant against the door, hand closed around the doorknob and the sole of her sneaker tapping impatiently against the floor.

"Let's get back out there." Lea says, declaring their half hour of hogging the bathroom for girl talk and uncontrollable laughter to be over. Without awaiting any sort of response from her friends, she unlocks the door and almost falls backwards as it swings open from the twist of her hand.

Callie smiles into her cup, cheeks round as she suppresses yet another a laugh.

Catching sight of a single tear of mirth rolling down the girl's cheek, Avery knows only one slight misstep will have all three of them on the floor again in seconds.

With a deep inhale, she does her best to collect herself. If they do end up on the floor again there is no way they'll make it back out to the ongoing house party.

Though she is beginning to grow tired of the scene after this long day spent around all these people, she'd rather not spend the rest of her life on an Easter's bathroom floor – or at least not the rest of the night until the boys come to find them.

Casting one last glance in the mirror, she brushes the fingertip of her pinky over her brows before spinning around halfway to extend a hand to Callie.

The music – which had only been a light thud on the other side of the bathroom door envelopes them as soon as they step out into the hall. A breeze trickles through the house from the wide open patio doors on the other side of it as they discreetly make their way past a duo heavily engaged in a make-out session – or maybe a battle of tongues.

Behind her, Callie chokes on a sound crossing between disgust and laughter which has both Lea and Avery suppressing chortles of their own – swiftly quickening their steps to make it out of view before exchanging amused glances. They collect themselves once more, venturing into the sitting room.

They pass by a group of people loudly playing a drinking game where the rules seem to be made up as they go. A makeshift pong table has appeared in the centre of the room since they left it behind half an hour ago, crowded by football players from East. Other groups are scattered about in conversation, tapping their fingers against their cups in beat to the music or absentmindedly swaying their hips.

Stepping over a group of four sat on the floor – crowding a doorway and hogging a bowl of chips – the trio ends up at their destination. The kitchen.

While her friends get to work playing bartenders, Avery's eyes drift across the room to the high-rise kitchen table. Her lips slip into a smile as she realizes what drew her attention, or rather who.

Stood leant against the table, in conversation with Nic and Jake among a few Easters, Ethan pauses mid-word and glances over his shoulder.

Bringing her newly filled cup to her lips, Avery lifts her hand in a small wave before grimacing at the strong taste as it burns at the back of her throat. She doesn't miss the twitch to Ethan's smile as he watches her. Reaching his arm out for her, he cocks his head to the side.

Throwing her drink back with a little bit more enthusiasm than Avery, Lea latches onto her wrist. "Where do you think you're going? We said we'd dance!"

Already crossing the room in a careful backwards walk, Avery flashes her friends a grin. "You go."

Callie shoots her a faint look of amusement, lifting her cup in half a toast as she grabs hold of a pouting Lea to lead her out of there. "You know where to find us."

As Avery's close enough, Ethan reaches out and laces his hand around her elbow; his touch gentle and featherlike as he pulls her close to him.

She's not sure if it's paranoia settling in her chest or if the mood around the table tenses with her arrival. Still, she sets her cup down on the table and leans back against Ethan's arm, attempting to still her wariness.

She shifts on her feet. It's probably all in her head, considering Nic's here too and no one seems to be unsettled by his presence. Then again, Nic isn't madly in love with their quarterback.

The uneasiness in her chest lightens as Ethan drops his fingers from her arm to her hand, covering it with his atop the table. Turning her head to glance at him, she senses her lips tug back into a hint of a smile.

Keeping his voice low as not to disturb the others mid-conversation, he reaches out to gently tuck an errant strand of her hair behind her ear. "Where did you disappear to?"

"Oh– just girl talk."

"What were you talking about?"

Avery turns back to face the rest of the table, arms folded across the tabletop to support herself as her hand close around her cup. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Her smile breaks into a full one as Ethan traces a finger along her arm and she bites down at her lip in an attempt to conceal it, not missing the clear note of possessiveness to the gesture.

Lightly tapping her fingers against her cup, she holds back a glare as Nic and Jake exchange an amused glance.

She leans back against the warmth of Ethan's chest, sensing herself leaning on him in more ways than once. This day truly is beginning to wear her out.

As if reading her mind, his breath tickles her ear. "Want to leave? I want to leave."

Having overheard, Jake clears his throat with a fake cough. "I bet you do."

Nic snorts into his cup and this time Avery doesn't shy away from glaring their way, tempted to push them both off the barstools they're perched upon. Instead, she nods and lets her hand slip out of Ethan's – her fingers lightly grazing his palm.

"I'll just go say bye to the others."

♡♡♡

She finds Luke on the patio facing the backyard, sat on the wide armrest of an outdoor chair. Noticing he's surrounded by a bunch of his teammates, she holds back a sigh as she walks over to them.

"Hey," She says, her gaze only flit over the boys before she lets it land on Luke. "Just wanted to say bye; we're leaving."

"Ethan and you?"

"Yeah."

Chase, sat in the actual seat of the armchair Luke's perched upon, lifts his bottle to his lips. "So that's still a thing then? Thought you'd come to your senses by now."

Luke rolls his eyes but Avery doesn't miss the way his features harden ever so slightly. "Leave her alone."

Chase lifts his hand in amused surrender, exchanging a look holding that same amusement with the others around the table. The energy radiating off them isn't exactly hostile but Avery wouldn't say its friendly either. Thankfully, she doesn't have to hear any more of their unsolicited opinions as Callie and Lea come skipping out the door at that very moment.

Callie loops her arm through Avery's. "There you are! We went looking for you but you had disappeared."

"Yeah," Avery smiles apologetically. "And I'm leaving again."

Lea steps up to Luke, flashing him a grin as he extends her his bottle.

"Having fun?"

Looping her arms around his neck, Lea kisses him with a, "Yeah."

Avery's cheeks tighten with her smile at the unusual public display of affection from her friend, glancing sideways at Callie.

"Man, she got to you too?"

"Shut up Isaac."

A third voice pops up among the group, a chortled sound tho his words. "Don't come crying when she gets bored of you too."

Avery tenses as she notices the set of Luke's jaw, his eyes narrowed as if he's about to tell them to fuck off but Lea beats him to it, though a little more delicately – placing her palm on his shoulder as if signaling she'll deal with it on her own. Luckily, he complies. For now at least.

"It's been two years Penn," She says to the guy furthest for them. "Time to get over me, don't you think?"

"Going to run out of op–"

Once again they're blessed by an interruption.

"Waters?"

Reluctantly taking her wary eyes off Luke, Avery glances over her shoulder to find Ethan stood in the doorway to the house.

"You ready?"

"Yeah." She turns to her friends, holding back the urge to roll her eyes at the group sat among them. Ready to bid her goodbyes with a smile, she notices the way Luke and Lea shoot one another a glance.

Having seemed to pick up on it as well, Ethan speaks from his place in the door again. "Need a ride?"

Without another word to their supposed friends, Lea motions for Avery to lead the way across the patio to Ethan.

Letting her arm stay looped through Callie's, Avery glances back at her friends – Luke's arm draped around Lea's shoulder – as they trail behind Ethan through the house.

Lea catches her gaze, lips curling into a faint smile. "Is it just me or is high school getting old?"

♡♡♡

The sand is cool underneath their feet as they run around the beach volleyball court.

Waves crash onto the shore, drowning out the sound of laughter and high pitched yells as they, alongside the volleyball flying over the net, soar through the air of the dark night sky.

Avery's not exactly sure how they ended up here after leaving the party, neither how the flock of seagulls lying idle by the shore hasn't yet been bothered by the loud exclaims from the seven teenagers, cutting through the air and disturbing their beauty sleep, but she's having fun.

When the ball isn't headed to leave a bruise on her face, that is.

"Help."

Ducking behind Ethan, she grabs hold of his t-shirt. The fabric slips her hands as he jumps to keep the ball in the air, shooting it back over the net where Lea's quick to make the next move. She intercepts Nic as she does. It's quite obvious she's missed playing after having had to drop out mid-season this year, not seeming to have one care in the world for the price her knees will pay come morning.

Avery lets the others continue to play as she loops her arms around Ethan, resting her cheek against his back. He reaches one of his arms back, fingers lacing around her elbow to bring her around instead.

Leaning back against his chest, her small smile cracks into a cheek warming grin as he wraps his arms around her and lets his lips drop to her neck.

They're only brought out of their blissful bubble as she hears Lea propose they play the next game in teams of the girls versus the boys.

Glancing up, she finds Lea stood with the ball in one hand and the bottle of champagne Callie had pulled out of her bag – courtesy of her parents, even if they're highly unaware of it – in the other.

Luke drops into a seat in the sand, raising his brows. "Us four against you three?"

Lea pauses with her lips against the rim of the bottle meant to celebrate that they're only a month away from graduating. "We can take you."

Flickering his eyes to Avery, playful amusement crosses Luke's features. "Four against two, really."

Pointedly stepping away with a light shove to Ethan's chest as he attempts to hold back a chortled breath, Avery glares at them both. She draws an appreciative laugh from Lea as she flips Luke off before crossing the sand.

Ducking under the net, she takes the bottle out of Lea's hand.

Lea throws the ball into the air once, shooting Avery a glance as she raises the bottle to her mouth – lips tugging into a wider smile. "You in?"

With a light buzz to her blood, Avery sets the bottle down in the sand before making a great show of stretching her arms overhead and to her sides.

"Yeah, let's do it."

. . .

hi hello,

I tried to make it clear through the context that about two months (!) have passed between this chapter and the previous one. but in case there is any confusion, this is me confirming that massive (I know I know) time jump. the last one played out on a saturday the first week of march, this one on a friday the first week of may.

much love always,

linn