sticky Atlanta air. The streets are crowded, and Trevor and I sit in traffic for a long time before we’re able to make our way to the interstate. I stare out the window up at the clear sky. The moon is massive tonight. I always feel so small when I really take the time to look at the moon, like I’m such a tiny speck in a massive universe. Tonight, it brightens the dark night in a peaceful way. I wonder if things that have always looked the same to me, like the moon, will somehow look different after tonight. Will I be the same Sydney when I wake up? I wonder if Trevor will look at me differently after we sleep together .
As we pull on to the ramp, I glance over at the car next to us. Grant and Shayna are laughing together in his sleek, black car. I try to imagine what they’re talking about. Is it a lighthearted chat like he and I had while we worked on our project? I imagine all of the interesting things that Shayna will have to add. I turn my attention back to Trevor and squeeze his free ha nd in mine, just as he speeds around the convertible in front of us, leaving Grant and Shayna far behind. Exactly where they belong tonight. On our night.
- Ten -
The lake house is tucked deep back in the woods off of a narrow dirt road. I guess I’d sort of expected that Trevor and I would be the first ones to arrive , being that it ’ s his family’s house and all, but , surprisingly, when we pull down the drive, the place is packed. I barely recognize any of the faces we pass as we make our way into the house. The y’re all Trevor’s friends from our school, and some from his league lacrosse team. I can’t help but feel a little out of place, even at his side.
He exchanged hellos with virtually everyone here, and introduced me. But I really wish that Quinn or Tess were here. After endless conversations in which I ha ve zero participation in, the house start s to clear out. I’m standing in the doorway, watching the dozens of headlights disappear into the woods when Trevor c omes up behind me. His touch signals a chill that starts at the top of my head and travels down through my toes. He brushes the hair off of the nape of my neck and presses his lips to it lightly.
“Well, hello there, stranger,” I say, turning to face him. I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Hi, yourself,” he says. He leans in and his lips part mine. Our mouths move together like this is their sole purpose. I’m completely lost in the moment, totally uncaring that there are still other people in the house. How did I get so lucky? How did I end up here tonight, with someone who love s me so completely? And then, I remember the lie I had to tell to be here. And my dad.
“Shoot!” I say, pulling away. Trevor grunts in frustration.
“What?” he asks, breathlessly.
“Just give me a minute, I forgot to call my dad,” I say. Trevor rolls his eyes as I hold up a finger to signify one minute. I grab my iPhone off of the counter and make my way upstairs to find somewhere quiet to make my call.
Trevor’s room is at the end of the hall. I’ ve been here before with him and his parents during the summer. I close the door behind me and plop down on the enormous bed. I’m absolutely dreading making this call. I take a deep breath as I count the rings. One…Two…Three … please go to voicemail, please go to voicemail , I silently plead.
“Sydney?” Dad grumbles. Crap, I’ ve woken him up.
“Hey, dad, sorry to wake you. We’re just headed to bed,” I say quietly. I hold my breath waiting for his response.
“Okay, Syd. See you in the morning,” he says in a groggy voice. My lungs thank me as I finally exhale.
“Okay, love you, Dad.”
That was easier than I’d expected. I set my phone down on Trevor’s desk and open the bedroom door. As I step out into the hall, I hear obnoxious giggling that can only belong to one person. It isn’t the kind of laugh that makes you want to join in — it’s the kind that annoys the crap
As we pull on to the ramp, I glance over at the car next to us. Grant and Shayna are laughing together in his sleek, black car. I try to imagine what they’re talking about. Is it a lighthearted chat like he and I had while we worked on our project? I imagine all of the interesting things that Shayna will have to add. I turn my attention back to Trevor and squeeze his free ha nd in mine, just as he speeds around the convertible in front of us, leaving Grant and Shayna far behind. Exactly where they belong tonight. On our night.
- Ten -
The lake house is tucked deep back in the woods off of a narrow dirt road. I guess I’d sort of expected that Trevor and I would be the first ones to arrive , being that it ’ s his family’s house and all, but , surprisingly, when we pull down the drive, the place is packed. I barely recognize any of the faces we pass as we make our way into the house. The y’re all Trevor’s friends from our school, and some from his league lacrosse team. I can’t help but feel a little out of place, even at his side.
He exchanged hellos with virtually everyone here, and introduced me. But I really wish that Quinn or Tess were here. After endless conversations in which I ha ve zero participation in, the house start s to clear out. I’m standing in the doorway, watching the dozens of headlights disappear into the woods when Trevor c omes up behind me. His touch signals a chill that starts at the top of my head and travels down through my toes. He brushes the hair off of the nape of my neck and presses his lips to it lightly.
“Well, hello there, stranger,” I say, turning to face him. I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Hi, yourself,” he says. He leans in and his lips part mine. Our mouths move together like this is their sole purpose. I’m completely lost in the moment, totally uncaring that there are still other people in the house. How did I get so lucky? How did I end up here tonight, with someone who love s me so completely? And then, I remember the lie I had to tell to be here. And my dad.
“Shoot!” I say, pulling away. Trevor grunts in frustration.
“What?” he asks, breathlessly.
“Just give me a minute, I forgot to call my dad,” I say. Trevor rolls his eyes as I hold up a finger to signify one minute. I grab my iPhone off of the counter and make my way upstairs to find somewhere quiet to make my call.
Trevor’s room is at the end of the hall. I’ ve been here before with him and his parents during the summer. I close the door behind me and plop down on the enormous bed. I’m absolutely dreading making this call. I take a deep breath as I count the rings. One…Two…Three … please go to voicemail, please go to voicemail , I silently plead.
“Sydney?” Dad grumbles. Crap, I’ ve woken him up.
“Hey, dad, sorry to wake you. We’re just headed to bed,” I say quietly. I hold my breath waiting for his response.
“Okay, Syd. See you in the morning,” he says in a groggy voice. My lungs thank me as I finally exhale.
“Okay, love you, Dad.”
That was easier than I’d expected. I set my phone down on Trevor’s desk and open the bedroom door. As I step out into the hall, I hear obnoxious giggling that can only belong to one person. It isn’t the kind of laugh that makes you want to join in — it’s the kind that annoys the crap
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