Page 20

Then — The Summer Before Senior Year

Warm by Ariana Grande

“Paige, I told you, classes are the same as they have been,” I say as I adjust my bag on my shoulder. “Boring.”

“Then why did you stay on campus?”

“When I switched my major, I fell behind, and if I want to graduate with you at the end of next year, I’ll waste my summer here at Grand Mountain.

” Though, this summer doesn't really feel like a waste. Not only do I not have to deal with my parents at home, the weight of their disappointment on my shoulders twenty-four seven, but I get some time to myself before I’m launched into the real world.

Terrified is an understatement, but it’s going to be fine.

“Well, it doesn't seem like a waste, especially since you already had your own personal meet cute at that concert.”

I can practically hear her smirk over the phone.

“It wasn't a meet cute, Paige. I’m not even sure if I’m going to text him.”

“Amelia! God, you really are the worst, aren't you? Was all the cyberstalking I did for nothing?”

I can’t help my laugh. “I told you not to do it in the first place, but you’re crazy!”

“What you call crazy, I call thorough,” she reminds me. “But he’s adorable, Ames. If you don’t text him, I’m going to steal your phone and do it for you.”

“Paige Yarrow, you are insane.” I say as I open the door to the library, needing a cup of coffee before I lock myself in a study room to get going on this paper due in a week.

I knew summer classes were going to be tougher than my normal ones, but the amount of work I have to do has drowned me.

I can barely focus on anything besides homework, and even then, I’m still not focusing.

This is our first long conversation since classes started, when normally, we debrief a few times a week, especially since she’s all the way back in New York.

“And you love me anyway,” she reminds me.

“Of course I do.”

“So, when are you going to hang out with him again?

“Probably never, P,” I reiterate. There’s a long pause, and Paige is either too deep into stalking his social media, or she thinks I’m joking. “I’m not kidding.”

“I cannot fathom why you wouldn’t text him. Not only did you have fun at that concert, but it would make me feel better if you had someone to talk to who wasn't just us girls. Relationships are important, Amelia. You literally need them to survive. ”

“I have you guys! Why would I need anyone else?”

She scoffs across the line. “In all the time I’ve known you, I’ve never heard you so animated unless you were making fun of Oliver. You seem brighter today, more cheerful, even.”

“It’s the post-concert high, Paigey. I can almost guarantee to you, this switch in my personality isn’t because of some boy.”

Although, it did feel nice talking to him at the concert.

He seemed to understand the music in the same way I did, and it was almost refreshing hearing a guy with as much media literacy as he seemed to have.

I enjoyed deconstructing the lyrics to one of my favorite bands with him, but that doesn't mean I want to date him. It was a simple, one-time thing with a person I’m never going to see again.

Those types of interactions are my favorite, and while I’ve only had the one with Henry, I’ve come to find I enjoy it. It was easy. There were no strings attached, and at the end of the concert, we parted ways. Easy. Simple. Perfect for someone who can’t commit to anything like me.

As Paige would say, I’m allergic to committing to anything besides the book club.

It’s never been something I’ve wanted, something I’ve craved like most other humans seem to.

Sure, I've hooked up with guys here and there while at Grand Mountain, but it’s never been anything serious, which is the way I like it.

The future to me isn't some white picket fence with kids, a husband who hates me, and neighbors who I talk to on the regular. I’m more career focused, and maybe someday, the white picket fence will come into my mind and not give me hives, but that day isn't today.

I also follow my brain and not my heart. I’m too rational of a person for love, and in the years I’ve been traipsing around the Earth, not once have I felt an all-consuming, soul-shattering love. I’m not sure I ever will.

“Just don’t close yourself off completely, Ames.” Paige’s voice filters through my ears, but I’m barely listening. When I turn around with my coffee in hand, blue eyes enter my vision.

The same blue eyes I met at the concert a few days ago.

“Amelia?”

“Did someone just say your name? Who is that?” Paige asks me.

“Henry,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “What are you doing here?”

“I go to school here,” he says, a huge smile on his face. “And it seems like you do too.”

“Is that him? Oh my God, Amelia, this is fate!”

“Sorry,” I say to him as I turn around, my hand gripping my phone. “Paige, I have to go. I’ll call you later.”

“I want details, Ames! And tell Henry I say—” I hang up on her before he hears her say something insane, and when I turn around, he’s leaning against the counter as he pushes his glasses up on his face.

“So, what have you been up to since the concert?”

“Really? That’s the question you decide to ask me?” I joke. “Why didn't you tell me you went to Grand Mountain?”

“Why didn't you?”

Well, shit. He’s got me there.

“You barely gave me anything but your name, Amelia. When I asked you questions about your life, you changed the subject.”

I cock my eyebrows at him. “I just met you. You could have been a serial killer or something.”

“Do you often meet serial killers at indie alternative concerts?”

“Well, no, but my best friend Paige always says anybody we walk past could have murdered someone.”

“So you didn't want to talk to me in case I was a murderer?”

I nod.

“Then why are we talking now?”

“You’re clearly not a murderer, and if you are, you’re terrible at it. You’ve already given up your cover to the first girl you saw.”

He smiles as he shakes his head. “I guess I did. ”

The two of us stand suspended in this moment, and I finally get a good look at him. When I was at the concert, we talked, but I never got to study him. Now that he’s in front of me again, I take this moment to really see him.

He’s taller than me, which I knew from the concert, but his brown, curly hair is fluffier than it was before. His black, square-framed glasses probably need to be adjusted, because he keeps fiddling with them, and his eyes remind me of the lake I dipped my feet into last summer.

He’s beautiful. Anyone with eyes can see that.

He grabs his coffee off the counter. I’m still unsure with what else to say, but he beats me to it.

“Are you headed to study?”

“I am.” I adjust my bag. “I have a huge paper to write, and I couldn't focus in my apartment.”

“Oh, nice,” he says. “What are you studying here?”

“Uh, journalism. And you?”

“Creative writing.” He smiles before he laughs to himself. “We’re both studying something along the same lines, and I never knew you existed before that concert.”

“So?”

“It’s just interesting.”

“What is?”

“Timing. It’s everything. At least, that’s how I see it. One day, I didn't know you existed, and the next, I found you at the concert. Now, here we are, on the same college campus, our paths crossing again.” He tilts his head. “Don’t you think that’s a little coincidental?”

“Maybe,” I say. “But I’m not a big believer in fate and things like that.”

“Well, everything happens for a reason.” He steps closer to me. “You haven't used my number yet.”

“I haven't,” I reiterate. “Maybe I knew the universe would bring us back together. ”

“But you don’t believe in that sort of thing.”

God, if he was anyone else, I’d find him annoying, but this entire conversation with him has been strangely endearing.

I think my brain might be broken.

“You got me there.”

That only makes him laugh. “You’re a very endearing person, Amelia Ellis.”

“I don’t think that word has ever been used to describe me, Henry Hayes.”

“Well, I’m glad I’m the first.” He takes a sip of his drink. “Use my number. I’d love to chat more about music and everything in between with you, especially since we’re both on the same campus for the summer.”

“I’d like that.” Oh, would you, Ames? Would you like that?

“Me too,” he says before he heads for the library doors. “Bye, Mills.”

A Few Minutes Later

Amelia: Mills? Really?

Henry: What? Have you never had a nickname before?

Amelia: Of course I have. It just caught me off guard.

Henry: Sorry about that. I won’t call you that if you want.

Amelia: No, it’s okay.

Henry: Are you sure?

Amelia: Yeah.

Henry: Good luck on your paper.

Amelia: Thank you. Good luck with whatever you’re working on.