A few months later.

Summer pouted, looking up at me.

"Do you miss my long hair that much?" I chuckled.

"YES! And I don't remember giving you permission to cut your hair in the first place." Her brown eyes narrowed.

I knew if I had asked for permission, she would have said no. Summer was a massive fan of the man bun I've been rocking the last couple of months. And not gonna lie. I miss her fingers running through my long hair.

Mom almost convinced me to get a buzz cut like I did freshmen year, but I wanted at least three inches to style up. So I had the sides shaved, with the middle having a bit more length. I had it brushed back or combed over to the side most of the time.

Summer admitted she thought this hair looked good too, but supposedly my Thor hair will forever be superior.

I lifted a brow at the same time that Summer grinned.

"I'll grow it up next summer before college. Happy?"

She got up in my face. "Ecstatic," she said playfully before taking a bite of her ice cream.

Spring was rolling in, and I was happy to see it. That meant Summer, and I could take those road trips to the beach like I promised her.

And I would get an eye full of her rocking that two-piece swimsuit she bought the other day at the mall. I smiled at the thought.

I couldn't believe the school year was almost over as quick as it began. And it was ending in the best way.

I snagged a scholarship at one of the universities an hour away. Luckily, Summer had applied there too, and with her sparkling recommendations and good grades, she easily got in.

So in the Fall, we'd be on a whole new journey together. One of many, actually.

Unfortunately, our friends were going their separate ways, and the one upset about it the most was Suho.

We were leaving our favorite freshmen behind, and he wasn't having it. He threatened to test out of High school to follow us if we didn't check in and visit him often.

I told him he'd get sick of seeing us when we kept popping up on him, but he laughed it off, saying that would never happen.

Rosie was staying local, which wasn't too bad. She could drive up to see us when she had free time and vice versa. She also took it upon herself to keep an eye out on Suho. The way he blushed when he heard that made me wish I could have snapped a photo.

If Rosie kept saying stuff like that, she would have a handsome problem on her hand. Never mind the age gap. Suho wouldn't be discouraged so easily.

As for my bestie, Vance, he also received a scholarship. He could have gone to the same university as Summer and me, but he said it would be fun to play for another school so he could kick my ass in the rink.

The poor idiot thought he stood a chance.

Hell would have to freeze over before I let Vance talk smack and beat me.

Coincidently, Kenny was twenty minutes away from Vance's campus. That information was the highlight of his year. Kenny already listed all the things she would do to him if she found him on her campus. Vance nodded like he was listening, but in reality, all of it went over his head, and the man couldn't stop smiling.

Summer and I made a bet on how long it would take those two to get together. I betted a year, and Summer gave it six to eight months. I felt like I would win, but I think Summer knew something I didn't because she was way too confident.

Anyways, the gang already schedules get-togethers on our calendars. We weren't going to let any distance split us apart.

I stopped mid stroll when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

Jason: Nana and Pops are at the house if you'd like to stop by to say hi. No pressure. They wanted me to tell you that.

Me: Thanks. How long are they staying?

Not saying that I would agree to a meeting after all these years, but just in case, I changed my mind.

Jason: For a week or so. They haven't decided.

After publicly disowning their son, the Cambridges have tried to regain favor in the public eye. They weren't terrible people. They just made bad choices.

Jason did think highly of them, more than he had his father, and I guess that counted for something.

"Is that your Jason?" Summer asked, peeking over at my screen.

"Yup." I showed the message.

"You should go. I know the curiosity is killing you. Especially after they sent that Christmas card and called to congratulate you on the scholarship."

I let out a heavy sigh. "I still need to think about it, sunshine. I can't let go of how they treated my mother, and I keep wondering what would have happened if they had believed her. I know it's all in the past, but it's going to take time for me to see them as themselves instead of the people who destroyed my mother."

Summer nodded, taking a quick bite of her Oreo sundae. "That's okay. I want you to make the decision that would make you the happiest. If you still need time, then take it. I think they'd wait for you to come around."

She was right.

Jason had said that too.

Now, if my maternal grandparents put forth an effort like the Cambridges, maybe Mom would consider forgiving them. As of right now, Mom was still holding a grudge even after they asked for forgiveness. Uncle Alex has been trying to talk to her about it, but she hasn't budged.

When I brought up the topic, Mom said her parents could sweat it out and let the guilt eat them alive for a bit. She needed them to regret kicking her out and staying away from their grandson. We always knew Mom was petty.

Uncle Alex said she was a big softy, and if their parents pushed a little harder, Mom would inevitably accept their apology. But there was something about my grandparents being stubborn and having a hard time admitting they were wrong and showing that they could change. Long story short, the St. James's were kind of complicated. But I loved them.

Anyways, Mom's and Mr. Arnold's romance has taken off. When Uncle Alex came over, she introduced him to her overprotective brother. If that wasn't a big deal, I didn't know what would be. All that mattered was that Mom was happy. And not the kind of happiness that I grew up seeing on her face. This was different, and she deserved this.

"Yay! We're gonna catch the sunset!" Summer cheered, looking out towards the lake.

I hadn't noticed the change of colors in the sky when I was too busy admiring my girlfriend.

There was a time I had Summer as my crush, and I daydreamed about asking her out. That felt like eons ago now, and the time I've shared with her so far... was nothing compared to the time we've yet to experience together.

My sunshine. My fiery Summer.

"Hey!" I pulled her to me with a light tug.

"What?" she asked innocently.

I dipped my head down and brushed a kiss against her lips. "I love you," I said, licking the cookies and cream taste she left behind.

Summer's face lit up like a firework. I loved that I've told her this multiple times, but she still looked at me the same way. I never wanted to lose that. I'd fight tooth and nail to keep that smile in place.

When Summer's face went from lovey-dovey to completely grossed out, I already knew what was coming next. "Agh! Cringe! The L-word." She pushed me away, giggling the entire time. "Hey," she said after a few seconds. Summer's eyes locked with mine. They had the whole soul penetrating gaze going on.

"Yes?" I answered in a whisper, for whatever reason.

"I think I love you too," Summer replied coyly. At this point, she didn't think she loved me. She knew she did, but it was a cute inside joke of ours.

"Are you sure about that? I mean, I'm a reformed bad boy. I could always go back to mischievous ways." I smirked, and Summer closed in on me.

"Didn't you know?" I lifted a brow, waiting for her to finish. "I got a thing for misunderstood bad boys." Summer grinned, winking at me. That's my girl.

"Oh yeah." I slipped my hand into hers. "Good thing I happen to be just your type."

The end.