SUMMER'S END

screen. With a sigh, she rolled onto her side, then sat up, pulling

e!" her mom called

pen. Stacy stood framed in the doorway, performing a little dance, her hips swaying left and right in a bright sunflower dr

her bag aside, leaped onto Lisa's bed, and snatched the laptop. Lisa lunged

t looking through summ

dug into her bag, pulling out a folded piece of paper. She unfurled it with a flourish, h

here is a list of everything we're doing this summer

st, resuming her typing. "I alrea

n. Lisa rolled her eyes and slumped back in

tacy shrieked, launching into another dan

r to Stacy, and gently held her arms to stop her dancing. "Stacy, what are you talk

ck, soft squeeze before patting her back. Then she danced

hips, waiting for Stacy to explai

so excited about you having a fun holiday-not

y sigh. When she pulled them away, she noticed a few strands

from behind, turning Lisa's face towards her a

ing away. "You know that'

cking her path. "It's going to be so much fun, I promise! I hav

opping, Stacy,"

ady paid for everything. We have a flight to catch in two days, bye love!" Bef

sperated sigh. She loved her best friend fie

other hand, was a whirlwind of energy, always the center of attention, a true social butterfly. Almost every guy at schoo

ctive in her own right, with light brown hair that cascaded over her shoulders when she let it down, fl

*********************

a chaotic symphony of farewells and hurried greetings. Lisa slipped in her earphones, muffling the noise, watching

o remove the earphones, an

n summer," her mom said, her voice warm. "I'm so proud of your hard work, but you

g in for a hug. "I'll try my be

face. Stacy squeezed in between them, arms outstretched for a hug t

ved as they walked away, watching until they were out of sight. Once they were a little

be worth it," Lisa m

nvisible beard. "Trust me, girl," she promised, "i