Chasing Sunrise: A Sweet YA Enemies-to Lovers Romance (Inn for the Summer)

by Sara Jane Woodley

  I frowned again, looking at the photo over her shoulder. It was hard to tell that it was Jonathan. The jawline and blonde hair were the only indications. The only reason I knew it was him was because he turned around and scowled at me.

  “Do you recognize the student, by any chance?” I said vaguely.

  Abby swiveled back around and leaned in towards the screen.

  “No.” She pushed her glasses up. “Does he go here?”

  That was all the verification I needed. I smiled and gave Abby the go ahead. If she couldn’t recognize the profile of Jonathan Wright, surely no one else would?

  I was wrong.

  The gossip flew once it got out that Jonathan had purposely skipped an important game to take photos. There were rumors that the coach would kick him off the team. There were rumors that his friend group had ousted him and that he had lost his chance for scholarships.

  But whenever I saw Jonathan, he was smiling and happy. He seemed unfazed by the rumors and gossip, which led me to believe that none of them were true. When his snarky comments and insults started ramping up, I figured it was because he hated the photo. It appears I was wrong about that too.

  And now, sitting here in a loaded silence, the golden hour upon us, I see his side of things. It’s unbelievable that one seemingly meaningless moment can change someone’s future.

  “I’m not sorry for the photo,” I whisper, not wanting to break the spell between us. “But I am sorry for how it affected your life.”

  He tilts his head, and I wonder if he’ll be upset. Unexpectedly, his face breaks into a smile and my heart skips a beat.

  “I’m not sorry for the photo either. Besides, you really captured my good side,” he says jokingly, a twinkle in his eye.

  Then his voice turns serious. “You know that you’re the only one who knows this about me? Knows why I’m here?”

  I want to reach for his hand again. “And so what? If I tell your secret, you’ll have to kill me?”

  He raises his eyebrows. “Why do you think I brought you to the top of a mountain?”

  I laugh. “Well, I know one way to protect myself.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Photo evidence.” I lean my head in so it’s almost on his shoulder and point my camera at us. “Say Legacy!”

  Click.

  I check the picture. We look almost natural together.

  Get a grip! I push that thought out of my head.

  “Let me see.” Jonathan takes the camera from my hands and grins. “Even when you’re not looking through the lens you’re better than I am.”

  I laugh and bump my shoulder against his.

  He chuckles. “It’s funny, I’ve been training for soccer tirelessly over the last few years—”

  “No. Shocking.”

  He makes a face and then turns serious. “Somehow, despite all that training, I’m not sure I’ll ever be good enough for everyone around me.”

  Silence falls over us as I consider Jonathan’s words. Edendale’s golden boy — the star midfielder for the Eagles — doubts his abilities?

  “No… you do well, soccer.” I say awkwardly, tripping over my words. Phenomenal job, Kiara.

  Jonathan glances at me and bursts out laughing.

  “What I mean is,” I say, smiling, “I know nothing about soccer, but it seems like you know what you’re doing.”

  He chuckles as our eyes meet. “It’s nothing compared to your photos. You’ve got a genuine talent, Kiara. I’m honestly so impressed by what you can do. But if you tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny, deny, deny.”

  Unmistakable butterflies fill my stomach. It feels like the entire world has turned upside down.

  A week ago, I believed that Jonathan Wright and I were opposites, destined to be rivals, my grandchildren would despise his grandchildren. But a week into my time at Legacy Inn, the only thing I was right about is that Jonathan does put up a front. Though it’s entirely different from the one I expected.

  “I hope you’re right,” I say, my voice sad.

  I hug my knees to my chest and relive what happened last week, right before I came to the Inn.

  Am I doing this? For some inexplicable reason, I want to tell him. His words struck a chord with me — I know exactly how he feels. Our little spot on this summit feels magical, like a room for secrets that will always be kept safe.

  “I was... rejected by a magazine. The Glacier Journal,” I say, staring flatly towards the bright horizon. The sun rises over the mountains. “They said that my photos weren’t good enough. I believe their exact words were ‘lifeless and dull’.”

  Frustrated tears sting my eyes and I squeeze my knees tighter to my chest. “Photography is all I’ve ever wanted to do. It’s all I can do. And on my first try, I’m called lifeless and dull.”

  Shame burns bright at the sting of the memory. I’ve been hiding my disappointment, but it’s lingering just below the surface.

  “The Inn is my chance to capture ‘lifelike’ photos for Glacier,” I say. “It’s the only way I can build up a good enough portfolio to get out of Edendale after graduation.”

  I sigh before continuing. “You say your parents care too much about where you are this summer. I can’t imagine what that’s like. My mom couldn’t care less. My dream has always been to leave for good and get out of her hair. I think it’s her dream too. My photos? They’re my best shot.”

  Just like I’d done for him, Jonathan reaches out and grabs my hand. His hand is big and warm, and his touch feels electrifying.

  The emotional storm inside ebbs as we gaze out towards the horizon, our hands clasped tight around the magic of our confessions.

  28

  Jonathan

  Kiara’s hand fits naturally in mine as we look towards the mountain peaks. We’ll have to return to the Inn soon, but I don’t want this moment to end.

  I never would have imagined that Kiara the Queen acted the way she did for a good reason. The nickname sounds weak now.

  “I didn’t know,” I say, regretting all the times me and my teammates used the name.

  “Sure you did,” Kiara snaps, but her voice is sad.

  She takes her hand out of mine and places it back around her knees.

  “Don’t you remember?” She refuses to meet my eyes. Her face is a mask of angry determination.

  I rack my brains, digging into the past. We’ve had our squabbles and arguments over the years. I must’ve said something that crossed the line. What was it?

  I wave the white flag, admitting defeat. “I can’t remember.”

  Kiara exhales loudly and I wait for what she has to say. We have all day up here, if she wants it.

  “It was the first Eagles game.” Her voice wavers. “My first job as a photographer with the school’s newspaper.”

  She recounts the exact moment that I’ve tried hard to forget, to push deep into my memory. Never in my life have I acted so badly towards someone. Lucas’ comment and the laughter from the team still rings in my ears, and to this day, I’m deeply ashamed about what I did.

  Because of that moment, I attempt to stand up for anyone I notice is getting picked on. But it will never make up for what happened with Kiara when we were freshmen — the moment I was too chicken to stand up for her.

  “Kiara.” I struggle to find the right words. “I think about that moment almost every day.”

  She sits silent, still. She’s taken her sunglasses from her camera bag and they hide her eyes.

  “I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I didn’t stand up for you. You know Lucas, he always makes those stupid comments...” I trail off, realizing that I’m making an excuse.

  “I had just got on the team, I was trying to fit in. I made a bad call, I’ll be the first to admit it. Lucas has gotten worse over the years, and I barely talk to him anymore.”

  I roll my eyes thinking of my supposed “friend” and teammate. “I should have said something.”

  Kiara is still frozen and my hea
rt hurts.

  “You know I tried to apologize?” I say, my voice quiet.

  “What? No you didn’t.”

  “I did, plenty of times. Didn’t you think it was weird that I kept asking to be on group projects with you and I waited for you after class? You kept avoiding me and making these snide comments, so eventually, I snapped back.”

  I look at my hands, seeing as she won’t meet my eyes. “Then the photo got published, and I was in a mess of trouble. And now I’m here. Sitting on a mountain hoping that you’ll forgive me. Or, at least not push me off.”

  Kiara is a stone statue and I’m staring down, hoping she understands. There are no words that could cover how ashamed I feel for my behavior.

  After two minutes, she reaches for her camera. She lifts her sunglasses to look through the viewfinder, but I can see the pain behind her eyes. “I won’t be pushing you off the mountain. At least not today.” She sighs. “We both messed up.”

  “We did,” I agree. “But now we’re here, taking photos. And you get to kick my butt with your amazing shots.”

  “Amazingly DULL shots.” She rolls her eyes, her cute half-smile coming back.

  I laugh, feeling elated. I’d do anything to see her smile. And then, I know what we need to do.

  “I have an idea,” I say. “Come with me.”

  She looks at me, rather bemused, and I grab her hand and we both jog down the mountain. By the time we reach the cabins, I’ve got a plan.

  “Where are we going? What’s going on?” she asks. The other students are still waking up and getting ready, so we have a bit of time.

  “Put on your bathing suit if you want to find out. And leave your camera.”

  “Leave my camera? It’s like you don’t know me.”

  I smile, grabbing her hand. “Just trust me.”

  “Why?” She frowns, clearly skeptical. There’s a war in her eyes as she debates following me — the insane “golden boy” from high school.

  I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “Well, for starters, I didn’t push you off a mountain. Even though I so clearly could’ve.”

  A smile crosses her lips, and she gives me a playful punch, turning on her heel.

  “You sure have a funny idea of what ‘trust’ is, golden boy.” She retreats into her cabin.

  Will she trust me? I stand for a moment, hoping that she comes back out.

  After a few minutes, I shift from foot to foot nervously. There’s silence from her cabin.

  It’s not looking good.

  Then, her door pops open and she emerges wearing just her shorts and tank top over her bathing suit. Her camera is nowhere to be found.

  “Great choice.” I grab her hand and lead her towards the forest on the other side of the cabins.

  Over the last week, when I wasn’t trying to keep up with Kiara, or prank her, I’d spent some time exploring the grounds. There’s a sweet little spot that I doubt she’s come across, but it will change her perspective completely.

  I just hope she likes it. I’m surprisingly nervous. When I was dating Isabella or the other girls at school, I never thought much about impressing them. But with Kiara, it’s a different ballgame.

  We reach the creek flowing peacefully through the forest. It eventually runs into the lake, but I turn in the opposite direction, heading towards thicker trees. I’m careful to hold branches back so they don’t scratch her. She’s suspiciously silent.

  “Scared yet?” I joke, squeezing her hand.

  “A little scared you might murder me.”

  “Don’t worry, we’re almost there.”

  The trees thin, and the creek widens. We climb along the edge of a small canyon, the blue water shining bright just below.

  There’s a small perch not too far up from the water. I slow to a stop, and she stands close to me on the perch.

  I put my arms around her before her questioning gaze meets mine.

  I grin. “We’re going to jump.”

  29

  Kiara

  Did Jonathan just say we’re going to JUMP? No. That can’t be right. Only a crazy person—

  “Are you ready? Let’s jump!”

  So he is crazy.

  “I’m sorry. WHAT?”

  I’m trying not to be distracted by Jonathan’s arms wrapped tight around me, soccer has done wonderful things for his body. But the minute he said “jump”, my stomach flipped over and not in a good way.

  “Let’s do it!” His blue eyes dance.

  “Are you insane? No way am I jumping from here,” I say, daring to take a peek over the ledge.

  “As a matter of fact, I am insane. But so are you. In your own way.”

  Every instinct wants me to run screaming from the ledge. “It’s like a 20-foot drop!”

  Jonathan steps away, and I almost fall over. I’m feeling very vulnerable on the perch all alone.

  “Get back here!” I command, grasping his arm and pulling him close to me for protection.

  “What did I say back there?” He gazes into my eyes.

  “Uh. That you’re a crazy person who has a death wish?”

  He laughs. “I never said that.”

  “You didn’t have to.”

  He rolls his eyes.

  “Just trust me.” The end of the sentence almost forms a question. “I’m jumping with you.”

  He slides his hand down my arm and then holds his hand out for me to take it. He turns towards the water.

  There’s no reason for me to trust him. He’s just the golden boy, the star soccer player who gets his entire life handed to him. His kind and charming facade might truly be an act, and all of his confessions this morning could be false.

  I’m aware of these things, these “facts” that seemed undeniable until this past week. But everything I thought I knew about Jonathan feels off. I believed his words this morning, I believed him because, for the first time, I think he was being sincere.

  Is there more to Jonathan Wright than just the Edendale golden boy? I contemplate the question as he waits patiently for my decision. Somehow, for no sensible reason, everything in my gut tells me I can believe him about this too. I can trust him.

  Wordlessly, I place my hand in his.

  Facing the water, I take a deep breath. It feels absurdly high up.

  “On three?” he asks.

  “On three.” I swallow my nerves.

  “One.”

  We’re so high up, I’m light-headed.

  “Two.”

  And how cold is the water? What if there’s something in it, just waiting to devour me whole? I can’t do this.

  “Three.”

  I squeeze my eyes shut and my scream can be heard from miles away as I leap into space.

  30

  Kiara

  Seconds later, a cold shock envelops me as we hit the water. My muscles freeze and I let go of Jonathan’s hand. I open my eyes and see the blue light of day shining at the surface.

  All at once, my fears and inhibitions drop away. I have one goal — to reach the surface.

  My muscles unclench as the mass of white bubbles around me fades. I kick my feet and flail my arms awkwardly, trying to remember my childhood swim classes. Every movement brings a shock of icy water swirling around me. I’ve never felt so awake, so alive.

  My feet are working. I’m pleased to find that they aren’t contacting anything but fresh mountain water. There’s nothing beneath us, no nasty algae, no strange creek creature.

  Slowly, I propel myself towards the surface, swimming through a beam of sunlight. My heart races as my arms slice through the freezing water.

  I stop and float just beneath the surface, amazed that the sun’s rays can warm my face, even underwater.

  Finally, as my lungs burn, I break through the surface towards the sun, letting out a loud laugh.

  “That was amazing!” I exclaim, laughing and splashing as Jonathan rises to the surface.

  But something’s wrong. His arms are a windmill of white and his mo
uth is full of water. “Help, I can’t swim!”

  Jonathan’s flailing, his arms are wild and his voice is panicked.

  Terror grips me.

  I dog-paddle to him as fast as I can.

  “I’ve got you!” I shout, battling through the mass of white water around him.

  What do I do? How can I help him? Panic spreads through me.

  I reach for him and I almost touch him.

  He stops struggling.

  He ducks below the surface and swims between my arms, emerging behind me.

  Then he grasps my shoulders and dunks me under the surface.

  When I come back up, sputtering, he’s laughing his head off.

  “That is not how you’re supposed to treat your queen!” I shriek, swimming over to him and trying to get on his shoulders.

  He shrugs me off, and I topple into the water, laughing hard. He grabs me around my midsection and tries to shimmy behind me to get out of the way of my arms. I whip around and try to get on his shoulders again.

  Within moments, we’re wrestling. He’s circling his arms around my body, trying to dodge my attempts at punching his chest and dunking him. He swims just out of my grasp.

  At one point, I finally grab the back of his neck, ready to plunge his face underwater, when he wraps me in a bear hug and I lose all downward momentum.

  “No fair.” I laugh as he squeezes me tight to his chest. “You have a height advantage.”

  Jonathan’s eyes are glittering, and he’s smiling. “As far as I can tell, the only advantage I have is that I have you in my arms.”

  His face freezes, and I blush at his words. What? Is he saying he wants me in his arms? I don’t think that’s what he meant.

  He breaks into bashful laughter and I laugh along with him, feeling his chest move beneath my fingers.

  My body feels warm, electric. The world is brighter. Never in my life have I felt so alive, so exhilarated. Adrenaline pumps through my body and my face hurts from smiling.