Tessa

I spend the rest of my day hanging out with Colin and Micah. We spend most of it lounging on their couch, catching up on everything we've missed since we last talked. We watched some of our favorite movies and binged on some of Micah's newest culinary creations.

For an architect, he's incredibly talented in the kitchen. He took boring fruits and vegetables and turned them into art that tastes better than even the most addictive junk food. The man is a genius.

I'm dipping into my bowl of Micah's frozen banana "ice cream" creation as he and Colin discuss what we should do for the night. They toss ideas out, asking me for input every now and again as I start to doze off.

My mind takes me back to a memory. One from several years ago, when things were much simpler, and things between Levi and I were still comfortable.

*Flashback*

I was six years old, watching anxiously out the kitchen window for any signs of movement in the yard next door. School was finally out for the summer, and I couldn't wait to start enjoying the break. In our neighborhood, there weren't many families with kids my age, so by default, the few of us that lived close enough became fast friends.

There used to be three other houses close to mine where families with kids my age lived, but two of those families moved away last year. And with them went the two girls I befriended at my ripe young age, leaving only one house with school-aged children other than myself and Jason.

In that house lived Levi, Jason's best friend and the only child of our parents' two best friends. The departure of my only same-aged companions meant I automatically got to join my brother and Levi in their summer shenanigans. Not that they minded.

Usually, they would join my small group of three, and the five of us would play together, typically acting out some made-up story involving knights, princesses, witches, and dragons. The three of us girls would take turns playing the part of the princess as Levi and Jason traded off the part of the knight and the dragon as the days passed.

Now that I was the only girl left, I would always get to play the princess. It was an exciting time, and I was more than ready to start this summer vacation.

Jason yawned as he joined me by the window. "Is he out there yet?"

"Nope," I sighed, still watching out the window.

I hear a huff come from my brother as our mom calls us to breakfast. A tap on my shoulder grabs my attention. "Come on; maybe he'll be there when we're done."

Before heading to the table, I took one last glance outside, hoping to see Levi. I had a feeling about this summer- it was going to be the best ever. I just knew it.

I was halfway done with my blueberry pancakes when my dad came downstairs, planting a kiss on my cheek, then mom's, and ruffling Jason's hair before saying goodbye for the day. Mom watched him drive away with a smile on her face.

Jason and I were lucky; our parents had so much love in their hearts- for each other, for us, and for the community. There was never a day when we'd see them fight or raise their voices. In this house, it was always joyful and full of warmth. They were my idols.

I knew one day when I grew up, I'd have a life just like my mom and dad. I'd marry someone who loved me, who made me laugh- someone I could call a friend. It would be my own personal fairy tale. And I just knew it would come true.

A sigh fell from my lips as I absent-mindedly stared back out the window, looking at that house next door.

"What's gotten into her?" I heard my brother ask.

"She's daydreaming, sweetheart. Let her be." My mom's kind voice followed.

I didn't have to look at her to know she was wearing a smile. I think even she knew back then that I had a special place in my heart for Levi Daniels. Moms always know that kind of thing, after all.

My daydream continued for a while as I waited patiently for the boy next door to come outside. Lucky for me, he didn't keep me waiting long.

The second he bounded down his steps, Jason and I raced to the door. It was summer, and we were ready to play.

For the next three months, the three of us were often spotted together. Either in Levi's backyard or mine and Jason's. We would use the treehouse in his yard as a dragon lair where I would be held captive as my knight tried to save me from the beast.

Playing the part of the knight was always Levi's favorite. He loved "slaying the dragon" and coming to my rescue. His face would light up when I'd gush over how brave and strong he was. Even though we were pretending, I always thought it was true.

From that summer on, Levi Daniels wasn't just the boy next door; he was my knight in shining armor. He was my friend, my protector, my loyal companion.

Even when I insisted we change the story- the knight was captured by the dragon, and the princess had to save him- Levi always kept that smile. He and Jason let me in. They never tried to exclude me or shut me out. It was perfect.

Then we got older.

And things began to change.

*

"Tessa." A voice sounds, making my memory fade to black.

I sigh as the vision from simpler times fades away. As soon as the breath escapes me, an exasperated Colin balks, "I'm sorry, are we too boring for you? Would you prefer I leave you to your daydream all night while Micah and I go out and have so much fun without you?"

He's annoyed. How long was I zoned out?

"Shit! Sorry, Colin. What were you trying to tell me?"

My best friend hits me with his patented Colin Lafferty if I didn't love you so much, I'd strangle you looks. I answer back with a pathetic excuse for an apology smile.

Colin rolls his eyes. "I was saying, while you so rudely ignored me, that we should go out tonight. You know, get you out of this weird slump you seem to be in since the incident with Mr. Hot and Broody."

I wince at the mention of Levi. All I want to do is hide under a pile of blankets, watch my favorite romcoms, and binge on everything sweet for the next two weeks while avoiding Mr. Hot and Broody.

Dammit, now that nickname is probably stuck in my brain for the rest of eternity. Thank you so much, Colin.

Ug.

Before I can devise a good excuse not to go out, Colin rips the now-empty dessert bowl from my hands. "I will not listen to any excuses, Tessa. You need to get out of your head and let yourself have fun while you're here."

My mouth opens in protest, but Colin stops me with his wagging index finger. "No. No excuses. We are going out tonight. And you are going to have a good time."

There's no way I'm getting out of this. When Colin sets his mind to something, there's hardly anything that can change his mind. Defeated, I slump further into the couch, dipping my head to my lap.

Crap!

"Um, Colin. I can't go out in this." I point down to my outfit. In my hurry to make a quick exit from Jason's house this morning, I threw on the first thing I could find- faded denim shorts and a Carolina Hurricanes tee shirt. Not exactly club attire, and there's no way I'm stepping foot in that house again until absolutely necessary.

Colin glances down at my outfit blankly. "Yeah. That's a non-issue. Leah's bringing you clothes."

He looks down at my feet, glaring slightly at my black flip-flops. "And shoes," he adds, typing out a message on his phone- probably telling Leah to grab shoes when she comes over.

Colin murmurs to himself as he heads into the bedroom, listing off all the things we need to do before we leave. It's one of his many quirks and one of the reasons I love him. He may be a bit much for some people, but never have I ever had a bad time when Colin was in charge of entertainment. Maybe that's exactly what I need right now.

I hear tropical storm Colin amping up as he tears through the bedroom closet, trying to find the perfect outfits for Micah and himself for the night. I glance behind me at the bedroom door as I hear Colin's voice say something about waxing.

My eyes are wide as I face the living room again. I hope he's not talking about me... Who would I need to wax for anyway?

That's when I notice Micah holding out a glass to me that's filled with liquid, ice, and lime wedges. I could kiss him right now.

I down the margarita and smile as a refill magically appears. The man is a saint!

Before I know it, Leah arrives with arms full of dresses, skirts, crop tops, and a variety of heels hand-picked for tonight. Her brown to blonde ombre hair is curled into loose waves, swaying with every step she makes toward me.

"Welcome home, Tessa! Let's get you ready for tonight."

I grab my third margarita as Leah and Colin whisk me away to get ready. This morning's events are a far-away memory, thanks to drink number two, but now, I'm ready to party.

Bring on the night!

A/N:

Thank you for taking the time to check out The Summer Before. If you are enjoying so far, don't be afraid to vote and/or comment and let me know :)

Every vote and comment helps elevate the story so others will be more likely to find it on Wattpad and hopefully enjoy it as much as you all have.

Til next time, have a wonderful day!

❤️