Monday, July 3rd, 2017:

There's not much to say anymore is there. We saved the treehouse. There's not a lot of adventure left to this world now. Anyways, this is my first romantic relationship, so I guess it wasn't until today that I really understood some of the key events in a relationship. Rocky invited me to stay over at your family's villa down at Long Beach for the 4th of July week. 

For the family I've lived next door to practically my entire life, I sure did want to make a good impression on them as Rocky's girlfriend. Vanessa drove me up to Long Beach squealing over the stereo the entire trip. I couldn't talk to her. She was too busy in the zone. Sometimes, I really wish she had a boyfriend so she could keep her nose out of my love life. But for now, her meddling is out of my control.

Finally we pulled up into the driveway of the villa. From what I know, the Lynches take their family trips with two cars. Only of the cars were visible - Stormie's van. That for sure meant Stormie and Rydel would be at the villa. The others, I wasn't so sure of. Rydel was at the door of Vanessa's sedan once the engine went off. Before I could even open the door and step out into the atmosphere, Rydel was already inside with my bags. 

"Laura, dear," Stormie called out once I set foot on the ground, "hello. Happy Fourth of July." Vanessa stuck her head out the window and gave a quick wave. Stormie, in a sun hat and dark sunglasses peered up from the chaise she sat in on the patio and waved back. When I looked back, the engine was starting and Vanessa pulled out onto the road, and she disappeared with the car. 

"Where are the guys," I asked. I made my way to the patio and Stormie lifted her sunglasses to her forehead, her bright eyes beaming at me. 

I gnawed at my lip as she let out the answer. "The boys are out hunting. They'll stop by tomorrow night, but that'll be it. For the week it's just us three." After a long pause, she added, "Plus I don't want the boys around when we put together the slide show and poster boards of Ross's life" - I choked on the air upon her words. This was my week? Planning your funeral? Dang it! "They have no vision or respect for photography."

"Well, as long as Rydel doesn't pull any pranks while I'm asleep," I assured your mother with great confidence, "I'm locked in for this girl's week." To be honest, at that point in time, I was actually plotting my escape, but it didn't really knit together in the end. By then, I knew I would have to stick to my promise. 

"I only prank you if I want vengeance," Rydel reassured me from the balcony on the second story. "And so far, you haven't offended me." 

 "Good to know," I said warily. I'd seen prank shows before. A master pranker, when in danger of being exposed, assures their victim that no pranks would transpire. So, because of those shows, I was already one step ahead of her. At least I thought. 

Later that night, after couple cups of hot chocolate and a bunch of s'mores over the fireplace, Stormie decided to bring out the box labeled 'Ross.' 

Inside were stacks of old photos of you. There were picture of you on Halloween as a toddler - you looked so cute in your cowboy costume riding a horse on a stick. There was picture of you after eating a meatball for the first time - that's what Stormie told with a laugh. My favorite picture from the first stack - the stack that was labeled 'Early Childhood Years' was when you and all of your siblings were outside on Easter in the middle of a glaring match. Your parents were there on the side holding those phony smiles, I just couldn't help myself but laugh. 

You looked so happy back then. The next stack was labeled 'Elementary Years.' You had the same haircut back in kindergarten as you did when you met me. The same smile that life was great as you knew it. There was Halloween, Christmas, the famous Easter Glare reenactment.

The pattern repeated itself all the way through the end of second grade. The last picture that I found the pattern of your genuine smile - at least in the pictures of you alone - was the one taken on the first day of third grade, which just happens to be the day we met. 

From there, whenever you're in a family photo, you're covering your eyes with your hands. Although, whenever you're with me in the photo, you have this genuine smile. I guess I really never noticed it. Then again, there are thing you just can't notice until you see them framed in an everlasting, but eternally frozen moment. 

The photos from your teenage years with just the family were hilarious. In one of the photos, it was just you and Rydel and you had your tongue stuck out. Instantly, Rydel took the photo from my hand and made her decree. "This is going on the board." 

"No," Stormie remarked as if she had just seen something awful. "That is not going on the board. Not on my watch." 

"But that's the only photo of him and I where he actually smiled even if it was dare for Ratliff," Rydel whined in response. It was like seeing two sisters bickering over who would get the last cookie baked fresh from the oven. It was ridiculous, but entertaining to watch. 

"Fine," Stormie groaned, and held one of the many poster boards on top of her knee. "Just this once. But none more like that." Rydel nodded in agreement. 

I pulled out the next photo. I was in it, and it seemed fairly recent. It was the week before graduation and we were hanging out in the treehouse. We were both smiling as radiant as the sunlight. I looked up at Stormie, heaving a sigh, and asked, "Can I keep this one? Just for me?" 

Stormie nodded. "Absolutely." 

- Laura S. Marano