Gift Summer Gave Me

holiday at Oakland as she had expected, that instead she would be bundled up and sent to the man that made

mer holiday. She remembered tons of bucket lists she and her f

appointed, especially

their friends had once thought they were dating, because of the way they couldn't let g

en Jessie. Not that she was being intentionally secretive, she j

de of her. What would her mum do if she found out t

ophomore year in high school. They met K

ir room. Most times they all slept together in her room. She and Jessie were in the

would blame her? She was just playing the role of a loving daughter who wouldn't want her

jolting her out

er on FaceTime. "Troublesome kid!" She muttered befo

y,

ow when you arrived home. As if that wasn't enough, you ignored my

." Cassidy greeted

funn

ughout the night? Girl, is that ho

. "Of course, I have m

ted ways yes

rl you are still in your pajamas,

Come on it's just," She stared at

ve you have

cour

on't want my baby carr

uckled. "Y

ioning look. "Don't tell

se?" Cassidy asked, throw

. "I don't know

wouldn't let her rest, would s

are still

am. Hap

d. "Yes, bab

n't been long since

ne or with someone?"

am home alone. Who co

e. Anyone listening to their conversation would have sworn they were dating. Kaylee and Ocean thought so in high school but they had gotten us

to your house, let'

head. "The fun par

e not feelin

s but she had to do it_break the news. "I'm leaving for San Francisco tomorrow morning, m

ding me," Jessie asked with a furrow

you not

house right away." Jessie finished and ended the

left her bed and jumped into the bathroom. If Jessie got here and she

hower spray and in front of her closet. S

ng her hair with her hair dryer. She heard he

e rode in on her bike and parked close to Cassidy's. It was their 18th bir

ushed to Cassidy as if she was s

t she responded by crossing her arms arou

," Jessie whined a

to

on the lips. 'Geez this girl would never stop d

l you stop hara

h a smile. "I'm not

her eyes. "Le

ailed look. "You are

her skirt and a crop top covered slightly by a bla

s much as Jessie does. She w

the house and in

ssie sang as she inhaled the frag

. "What do I offer you bestie?" That was just a formality. She alre

ls now baby, you said you are leaving me."

" She was saying that to herself more than to Jessie. She had to convince he

nding it together,

She was going to miss her friends n

uld be canceled. She has gotten so used to having Cassidy by her side that a day without her seems like a part of her was gone. Though they weren't dating, which she somehow wished they were because she is the only woman she could love genuinely. She had

her all in the name of a god

others?" She aske

k her head.

g to kill me."

I will make

riends weren't cool with the news. Ocean huffed and

me over to Cassidy

dy would take to San Francisco. Good a thing she hadn't unpack

I mean he's your dad, right? And you guys have s

she didn't want to share because recounting the experience would

't want to t

to share, I let you be. Afterward, if I bring it up your mood changes and I thought it

s it the endless assault he received from him after he might have beaten her mum to unconsciousness? She foug

by I promise, but

d. "Whatever y

Cassidy looked up at her. "I

d her eyebrows.

or Mum, that's why I'm not following you

ared at he

odded. "

ldly "I would love

d Kaylee." Jessie half wh

ately after they finished packi

m that Cassidy wa

ace as though she was embarki

rls to cheer m

ck, Cassidy." Ocean began

e replied simultaneously. Ocean pou

k before you girls know it." Cassidy sai

Cass." Kaylee joined in the whini

e for me t

d she leaped causing

ld smoothie and milkshakes before C

a." Ocean

, and Cassidy flew to her wardrobe in

respective bikes on their way to M