That Summer - A fiction young adult romance novel
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Teen (13-17)Accents
North American (General) North American (US Midwest- Chicago, Great Lakes)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
a car pulls into the driveway next door, which causes me to leap to my feet. Chase gets out of the car and grins in my direction, which after three weeks apart, practically devastates me. He's dressed up for the flight home wearing a long sleeved white linen shirt, which is hanging untucked over a pair of navy shorts. His normally short brown hair has gotten a little bleached out and a little shaggy highlighting his tan face in blue eyes. It's really too bad he's too young for me, but that doesn't stop me from running over and leaping into his arms or giving him a quick peck on the lips. I'm going to sound like me, me when I say this, but I swear chase, You look like you've grown. He shoots me a wink, something he's done since he learned how. In fact, I'm pretty sure he learned how just so he could wink at me. They measured us a camp. I'm officially 62 and three quarters, and that was in bare feet, which means you'll be 63 this season in your cleats and better able to see over the defense. If there's one thing I know it's football. I have to admit, I'm jealous of my dad's offer today. That's like my dream job to be on the sidelines or in the booth. Interviewing players, breaking down the game for those who don't understand all its intricacies. Exactly, he says, pulling me back into a hug. Gosh, I missed you, Danny. I melt into his broad chest. He kisses the top of my head, and it's then when I notice it chase, you're in a boot. What happened? Just a slight sprain. The doc up there said it's best to overreact on healing. I'm only supposed to wear it for a few more days. You want to go inside now or do you want to stand out here all night and hug me? He gives me a sweet smile. Not that I would mind. I missed you. You barely texted me. That's because I knew after a long day of working out, you'd shower, eat, then go to sleep. The camps and training were great, but I was exhausted every single night. Told you I say, letting go of him. I brought you a present. He picks his duffel bag up and slings it over his shoulder. You can open it in my room. I figured the whole family would be inside waiting to greet him. So I'm pleasantly surprised when we get to go up to his room alone. He drops the duffel on the floor and pulls something out of a side pouch. Two things for you, he says, pulling me down on the bed with him. He's got a wrapped package in his hand but leans over and kisses me first. We've been friends forever, so it's not like we haven't kissed before. But this kiss, it feels a little different. It lasts a little longer than usual, probably because we haven't seen each other in so long. We're friends, best friends. We love each other and we kiss. Sometimes. When he ends the kiss, he does what he always does. After he kisses me, he pulls away and just looks at me with a goofy grin on his face. Like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar but doesn't care. The cookie was worth it. I really did miss you. I really missed you to chase. You know, your brother sends me texts all day and tells me what's happening. He assumes I will read them all, and we'll reply when I can. That's because my brother has no problem carrying on a conversation with himself. So true. Chase laughs, but then his lips flattened into a straight smile. But it means that I have heard you've been hanging out with Hunter last Ford, and I just wondered if he is the reason why we didn't talk much. I know you don't like him, I say, because Chase never really cares for The guys I date. Always says I could do better. The worst part is that in retrospect, he's usually right. I dated a guy named Matt Malone over the last year. To say he broke my heart would be an understatement. I'm just grateful that I never slept with him. Thus the break up. He's not like Matt. I argue because he isn't. Matt was always getting into trouble. He skipped school, drank a lot, smoked, wrote a motorcycle, totally had that bad boy thing going on. And when your parents are going through a divorce, starting a new relationship and getting remarried well, sometimes you feel the need to rebel. But Hunter is different He's a three sport athlete, defensive end on our football team, starting point guard in basketball and holds the school record for the shot put. I thought he was cute since we were kids and had a huge crush on him. But he's been dating Taylor Tisdale since the seventh grade. It was a big shock to everyone when they broke up a month ago. He's a good athlete, but he plays dirty slacks off whenever he can, and I just don't respect him. It's not like we're dating. We've just spent hanging out whatever. Anyway, Chase says, holding out the gift. You don't have to get me anything I know, but, well, just open it and you'll see. I turned the package over and slide my finger under the tape to break the seam apart, then flip it over and remove the rap. There's a small box with a card underneath it. What's this? I ask, realizing chases. Photo is on. It, he blush is than drugs. I know it's kind of lame, but they made it for me while I was at camp, told me that if I kept working hard, things like this were within my reach, that I'd play pro someday. Your dad tells me and Damon that, but I always kind of thought he said it because, you know, dads have to say that sort of thing. It was the first time I heard it from an unbiased source whose job it is to know what the league wants. It is his eyes. Get misty. Your dream, I say, finishing his sentence. That's right. I'll be playing professional football and you'll be on the sidelines covering the game. I can't help but smile at him. And at camp, it started to feel like less of a dream and more of a possibility. Anyway, I want you to have it my first ever trading card. Shouldn't you give it to your mom or something? No, It's years, Danny. He gives my hand to squeeze and nods towards the small box. Then I saw this and knew I had to get it for you. So you know, it was possible to, I told my head, wondering what could be inside wondering if he had a card made for me. But when I lift the lid off, I find a gold ring that spells out dream in a delicate font. They're really diamonds, Chase says. I splurged, but it was just so perfect, I say, mesmerized by both the ring and its meaning, not to mention the fact that Chase is the sweetest, most thoughtful boy I've ever known.