I expected a text from Vance before the day was over.

Either he had seen the locker, or Summer had told him about it. Then again, it didn't have to be Summer. I was sure the whole school caught a glimpse of it before lunch.

Speaking of lunch, by the time I returned to my locker, it was sparkly clean. No evidence left behind.

I supposed I had Summer to thank for that, but Vance's "You're welcome" text made me believe otherwise.

Me: Thanks for what exactly?

I played dumb.

Vance: Having your back, duh. I don't expect a thank you, but Summer deserves one.

Me: ....

Vance: As expected, you're speechless. So I'll continue. Summer not only reported the locker incident to the principal, but she put on the sweetest smile for one of the janitors to get it cleaned up.

Vance: Your girl is something else.

I reread that sentence twice. Summer couldn't be anything like that to me.

Me: Not my girl.

Vance: Sure thing, bro. :)

I sent a minions gif with them rolling their eyes. I didn't wait for him to text back before tossing my phone onto my bed.

Summer. Summer. Summer.

I thought about her smile in my head when she peered up at me this morning and how my stupid heart rate picked up.

I didn't know how a simple "thank you" would suffice, but I couldn't ignore everything she's done.

"I have a surprise for you!" mom came barging into my room.

My thoughts of Summer would have to be put on hold for now.

Mom was still in her work attire, but her hair was in a lopsided messy bun, and her make-up has been washed off.

"I could have been naked." I folded my arms against my bare chest.

She mumbled a weak apology and then went back to her overly excited self. "Like I was saying, throw a shirt on and come outside!" she squealed, slamming the door behind her.

"Alright," I spoke to myself, grabbing a shirt out of my drawer and slipping it on.

Seconds later, I was walking out into the hall, "What's the fuss about?" I asked. I couldn't begin to guess what she was up to.

"In the garage!" Mom shouted.

I followed the sound of her voice, walked through the kitchen, and opened the door to the garage.

"TA DAAAAAA!" Mom sang loudly as she gestured wildly to the vehicle next to her.

I looked from the gunmetal grey jeep wrangler back to her. "You bought a new car?" I scratched at my temple in confusion.

Mom hadn't mentioned that she wanted a second car or that she was looking for one.

I admired it from afar. "It looks good." I leaned against the door frame.

She grinned. "Glad you think so." She tossed something at me, and I caught it.

It was the key with a silver turtle keychain hanging from it. "It's yours." She added.

I repeatedly blinked, thinking I must have heard her wrong. "Come again."

"It's yours, Cam. I bought it for you."

My jaw went slack. I moved forward with a million different sentences floating around in my head, but none of them came out.

"Let me explain," mom said, taking advantage of my speechlessness. "Sadie's parents were going to sell it since they have two cars, but they mostly drive one. Plus, they figured they could use the money and go on some fancy trips over the next few months."

I nodded to let her know I was listening even though my eyes couldn't leave the Jeep behind her.

"So I offered to buy it, and of course, they gave me a good deal since the car is over five years old, it has decent mileage, and they consider us family." She shrugged with a half-grin. "What do you think?" she patted my shoulder.

"You know I have that car back in uncle's garage. It's not close to being done, but it's still mine and something I'll eventually fix up." I shook my head. "You didn't have to do this, mom."

I felt terrible when her face fell. She was so happy to have bought this for me, and I was killing her mood. It wasn't intentional, but I was a bit shocked. Most importantly, I didn't believe I deserved this.

"What are you supposed to drive when it rains and snows? You can't take that," she scrunched up her nose, pointing to my bike. "That thing," she uttered with disgust. "I bought you this as a backup. You don't have to keep it forever, just for now. It might come in handy more than you think. And when you fix up your car...." She thought about it for a few seconds. "I was going to say that we could sell this, but since it's literally all paid off, might as well, we keep it too. Not a big deal. We have the space for it." She looked around the garage.

I stuck out my bottom lip. "Mom..." I opened my arms to bring her into a hug.

"Does this mean you like it?" she asked in a hopeful tone.

I chuckled. "I love it. I appreciate it. Thank you so much." I kissed her cheek.

"Yup. I'd do anything for you." Her arms tightened around me then she released.

I knew that all too well. I smiled regardless.

"I don't feel like cooking today. How about we go out and grab dinner around. You can drive." Mom grinned.

I nodded. "Deal."

She checked her smartwatch. "Seven? Is that enough time to wrap up your homework? It's four, now."

"Yup. It also leaves me time to go for a light jog before dinner and quick a shower."

"Alright." She yawned. "I think I'm going to take a nap."

"If you didn't stay up watching HGTV, you wouldn't be this tired." The number of times I've caught her passed out on the couch at 3 am, hugging the remote. Sometimes, I woke her up and told her to get to bed. Other times, I threw a blanket over her and shut the TV off.

Mom covered her ears. "LALALALA CAN'T HEAR YOU!" she chanted like a child.

I belted out a laugh. And yet, somehow, mom liked to describe me as being a handful-what a joke.

Sure enough, I left my room to grab a snack before my jog, and mom was passed out in front of the TV. Mom had on PJ's, and her wet hair was wrapped up in a towel.

Quietly, I snuck out. Jogging through the yawn, I switched to butt kicks when I hit the pavement and then did some dynamic stretches. I didn't want my muscles to feel tight. Preventing injuries were important.

My shoulders slumped, my brain flashing back to yesterday's sit down with coach.

I shouldn't exercise too vigorously. I might be preparing for my first and last year of hockey. I haven't discussed it with mom yet. I was worried that she would tell me the same thing that coach had.

All warmed up; I debated whether or not I should change my route today. I didn't map it, choosing to go with the flow.

It seemed like a great plan until I ran by an alleyway where I saw two bullies picking on an Asian kid.

I should mind my own business. What are the odds that the one day, I told myself to switch it up, this happens?

I confronted the two guys. They got aggressive, a huge mistake, I pointed out.

Long story short, I didn't put my all into it, but those two guys did fall to their knees to apologize to this kid.

That kid was beyond happy, telling me that I should have kept my hood up to hide my face. He was concerned that they would retaliate. And I'd love to see them try.

I hadn't asked, but the kid launched into a rant about his life.

Come to find out, he was a freshman, and those bullies were from his middle school. They've were expelled before, and now they were going to our high school. Not cool.

I helped him gather his things and sent him on his way. Fingers crossed that he stayed out of trouble.

Back at home, the wind slammed the door shut behind me, forcing mom to jump up.

"My bad," I whispered.

She stretched her arms over her head, the head towel slipped to one side, barely grasping on. "I'm going to get ready," she announced.

I needed to do the same.

Thirty minutes later, I climbed up into the Jeep, and my eyes went straight to the radio. It was a new system with a touch screen.

"Nice." I smoothed my thumb over the edges.

"They did a few upgrades last year. The battery, the tires, wipers, headlights, and something else that I forgot were upgraded and changed last year. The seats and steering wheel covers were all me. I didn't get the chance to buy mats, though." Mom told me.

"It's fine. I can order some online." I twisted in my seat, checking out the back interior. This will do great. "Thanks again, mom. I didn't expect anything like this, and I promise I'll pay you back in full for everything and more."

Mom flicked her wrist. "Psh. What are mother's for?"

"That's beside the point."

"Yeah yeah." She reached for the seat belt. I did the same.

Backing out of the garage, we caught Mr. Arnold pulling up. I beeped my horn, and mom waved frantically.

He grinned, matching her enthusiasm.

"Poor guy," I muttered. He watched mom until she was out of sight.

Mom whipped around to glare at me. "What's that's supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing." I made sure to keep my eyes on the road, the perfect excuse to ignore the glare she was giving me.

"Say it," she demanded.

I knew better. I stayed silent.

"Or I'm slashing the tires on your bike." She threatened. There was a fifty percent chance she would deliver on that. Was I bold enough to risk it? Heck no!

"I was just thinking about the conversation we had the other day. I don't think I told you that you have my support, and no matter what happens, I'll protect you as you did for me."

Mom's face softened.

"What are sons for?"

"Being awesome, I guess." She muttered like she wasn't sure if she wanted that to be heard.

I smiled. "It's been you and me for as long as I can remember. I'll protect that against anything or anyone who disrupts our peace."

There was a heavy silence, then mom replied, "I don't care what people say, I raised a good son."

If only that were true.