Always Summer

by Criss Copp

  I looked over the top of my book. Julie was standing there, looking down at her shoes. They were nice shoes... cute red ballet flats with a little silver clasp on the toe. They matched her vintage inspired, mid thigh length, A-line red and green tulip dress.

  She was not here to get tips on riding a skateboard.

  Regardless of the brush off all week, I smiled at her.

  “Hey Jewels.”

  “Hi,” she replied quietly.

  Debbie turned and left, and I sat further up the bed and patted my hand on the quilt cover, encouraging her to approach and take a seat.

  Julie wandered across my room, from the door. She was a pretty girl, and she was a girly girl, unlike me.

  Sitting down a little farther away from me than I had indicated, she looked up at me through her made up eyes and gave me a shy smile.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Reading about Gregor’s subterranean adventures,” I replied, holding the face of the book up for her to see. “His sister was taken you know... he’s on a mission to recover her.” I said.

  “Oh.” Julie said, nodding absentmindedly.

  I sighed and put the book down.

  “What’s up Jewels?” I asked.

  She wouldn’t look at me; she just looked over at my stereo. The doors of my entertainment unit were pealed back to allow the music to flow freely. I was playing my Death Cab for Cutie CD, Narrow Stairs, which I had purchased with some of my birthday money. It was playing low enough so that it was really only background music, so I didn’t think she was imploring me to turn it down.

  “Jewels?” I repeated, leaning forward and grabbing her wrist. She flinched, but she didn’t pull away.

  “I have to tell you something, but I’m kind of scared.” She said.

  “Okay, well... I’m here, I’ll listen, and you know me Jewels... I won’t judge.” I replied. I was thinking about her dropping Jordan, so I was kind of curious to know what she had to say.

  She nodded, and looked up at me. Her eyes were glistening, but no tears... yet. I was concerned this was going to need tissues.

  “Hold that thought...” I said jumping off the bed and running towards the ensuite. I returned with a box of tissues and slumped down on the bed next to Julie. “What do you need to talk about?” I asked her, bending forward and turning my face up to her.

  “You’re going to hate me.” She said.

  “Did you hurt Sally?” I asked. She shook her head... “Did you do something to Debbie and Max?” I asked, again a shake of the head... “Blake? Did you hurt Blake?” I asked her... again the negative shake. I smiled warmly at her... “So, I’m thinking that unless you’re admitting to being a serial killer, I won’t hate you!” I finished.

  Julie relaxed a little, and smiled a lot.

  “So what is it?” I asked.

  She sighed, her smile was gone.

  “The other day... you remember Monday?” she asked.

  “How could I ever forget Monday?” I grunted. “It’s permanently imprinted on my brain!” I joked.

  “Hmmm...” she murmured. “I was a jerk!” she said.

  “It wasn’t your finest moment... no!” I said.

  “I... I mean... It was a shock to see you two... you know!” she fumbled.

  “Me too.” I said.

  “Well, after that, I was stupid... I was immature, and I was way, way out of line.” She explained.

  “I agree... but I still love you.” I said, smiling. “But I think we give that Starbucks a wide berth for a while, hey?” I reasoned.

  “Um, yeah...” She chuckled.

  “Why were you so determined with your argument, Jewels?” I asked, curious about what she had to say.

  “I really wanted Blake to be gay.” She said.

  Obviously, I thought.

  “Obviously, but why?” I asked.

  “Because it would make things easier.” She reasoned.

  “For who?” I asked.

  “For me...” she murmured.

  Come again? I thought.

  “How?” I asked.

  Julie sighed a mega huge sigh... she rolled her eyes to the ceiling.

  “I think I’m gay.” She said, eyes still up, a tear spilling down her face.

  “Is that all?” I said, although, I sounded more confident than I felt... I was shocked! I grabbed the tissues and pulled one out, handing it to her. I moved in closer, I supposed she was in shock too... so I just put my arm around her.

  “I’m pretty sure I am... and I just struggle with it so much.” She was crying now.

  “Does Blake know?” I asked her.

  “No!” she stressed through her tears.

  “Why is it such a problem for you, if you’re sure? I mean, there are some absolutely gorgeous gay women out there!” I reasoned.

  “I can’t tell you why I’m struggling, I just am.” She said with her face in her hands. “Do you hate me?”

  I scoffed at her question... “Uh... No!” I said.

  She looked up at me, her makeup was smearing. I gave her more tissues.

  “I was jealous... of Blake for kissing you.” She said meekly.

  What? She was jealous?

  “I’m... sorry?” I said, unsure of what to say.

  “It’s not your fault.” She said. “But I know you’re not like me, I never get a vibe from you that you might want to, you know... go there!” she whispered. “Now do you hate me, for liking you... like that?”

  I was confused... so Julie had a ‘thing’ for me? I couldn’t pretend to reciprocate it, I didn’t have one for her, but I definitely didn’t hate her.

  “I don’t hate you... I love you... just... just, not in that way.” I finished.

  “I know.” She said. “I broke up with Jordan, too.”

  “I heard, since Blake and he are now besties.” I chuckled. “I heard he took it... well.”

  “Like hell he did. He stormed over to my house and demanded I come and tell him to his face.” She explained.

  I’d heard this too, obviously... Blake told me all about it.

  “I couldn’t face him... so I just told Blake to tell him to get lost.” She said.

  I knew this as well, although, Blake didn’t tell him to get lost - what he actually did was head Jordan out the door and explain to him that Julie was a temperamental girl, and that Jordan was lucky to be rid of her... he also said that Jordan should cut his losses and run for freedom while the getting was good. Jordan didn’t take it so well, but he was still hanging out with Blake and doing boot camp, regardless.

  “So...” I began. “Do you still want to be friends with me?” I asked her.

  “What?” Julie looked at me. She looked confused. “You still want to be friends?”

  “Of course!” I replied, giving her an incredulous look. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Because of what I just told you.” She reasoned.

  I humphed... “That’s just silly! Of course I want to be your friend... of course I do! Unless it makes things too hard for you... I mean, I’m sorry I just can’t go there with you!” I reasoned.

  Julie smiled. “I want to be friends... I’ll be okay. But, don’t tell Blake, I don’t want him to know!” she said.

  “I won’t, but you know... it’ll all come out in the end.” I reasoned with her.

  “Well, let’s wait till the end then.” She said.

  *

  The holidays flew past... Summer break always did, it was just never long enough.

  Julie didn’t hang with me as much as she used to, much of it was because of Blake, but more importantly, because of Blake and Jordan.

  Blake and I had scheduled much of our Freshman year together, with the exception of his Fine Arts and Media and Graphic Arts courses, which I was not interested in – although, I took photography. And while he was busy with those subjects, I took French language and Music theory.

  Of most import was the dynamics of our group, which for me essentially h
ad progressed to Blake and Jordan; along with Cameron, Dylan (blow-ins accompanying Jordan) and Stephanie, a quiet and studious friend that Blake, Julie and I used to hang with in our previous year. She had been AWOL during the holidays, on account of having to spend it with her grandparents in Wyoming. Julie was intermittent, preferring to stay away from Jordan, and probably Blake too. She returned to hanging with some of her old crowd from Elementary days.

  Stephanie was a really cute girl, as in petite and little. She had sky blue eyes, pale skin and almost black hair, which was long and always kept in a ponytail. She had one of those upturned noses, and her eyes had a slight almond shape to them. I think she was about 5ft 3in, and she sported a little weight, but it looked right on her. She wore reading glasses in class and when she studied, which were super cool. She liked to wear a similar vintage style to that which Julie had perfected, and it looked really funky.

  Over the break, Blake had begun to get pretty fit. He was still all skinny, but he was stronger, and his endurance on his skateboard was impressive. It was fun to be hanging out with him, skating around town, and Jordan was pretty cool too. I was still unsure of how I felt about Cameron and Dylan... the jury was still out concerning them, but I was willing to let them prove themselves.

  Chapter 5

  Blake.

  Stepping out of the DMV, I scanned around the parking lot looking for Summer. She was supposed to be waiting for me out there.

  I felt her hands on my shoulders, before I felt her pull herself up and jump on my back. I grabbed her legs which were now wrapped around me, and I walked a few steps forward.

  Summer had always been a bit touchy feely... and I didn’t mind, in fact I encouraged it when I could, but recently, our mucking around had been getting a little out of hand.

  Last week, while she was studying for her learner’s permit test; she was seated at my desk, and I was on my bed, asking her questions; she had gotten bored and started throwing spit wads at me, using some scrap paper I had left on my desk.

  “Summer!” I warned.

  Another spit wad... on my cheek... and she was smiling.

  “Don’t start something you can’t finish!” I growled, wiping off the offending glob.

  So she picked up my jar of paper clips and tossed them all over me, before sprinting out my door laughing.

  I howled aggressively and made chase, down the stairs... through the kitchen and into our back yard. She would’ve been at a greater advantage if she had’ve run through the front door. As it stood, our back yard was fenced in and locked... with 6ft fences.

  She ducked around garden furniture, threw outdoor cushioned seating at me and continued to evade me for as long as she could.

  When I finally caught her... I tackled her to the grass and pinned her on her back beneath me.

  Her hair had fallen out of her standard ponytail, and it was splayed across the grass around her head. Her hands were pinned beside her shoulders by my hands pushing her wrists into the soft grass, and her body was trapped by mine, since I was straddled over the top of her hips.

  She was laughing up at me, and her chest was rising and falling in big waves.

  “You’re in trouble now!” I warned... feeling more in trouble myself than the other way around.

  “Yeah? What are you gonna do?” she challenged, sarcastically.

  And the fact was... what came to my mind immediately was that I should lean in and kiss her. My cock began to stir at the thought, and I had to stop myself, but not before leaning in an inch from her face.

  “Uncomfortable?” I asked. Her eyes hadn’t even blinked... I wasn’t sure if she was actually wanting me to kiss her, or not believing I’d do it.

  She had a boyfriend... Jordan... and he was my friend too!

  I had a girlfriend... Stephanie... and she was friends with Summer too!

  Complicated!

  “Not at all!” she answered... but there was something distinctly different about her voice... was it huskier?

  We stayed like that for a minute more, staring into each other’s eyes; before I stopped myself from ruining things, and instead, turned my head, and licked her cheek from her jaw to her temple.

  “Aaarrrrrhhhh!” Summer screamed, giggling and thrashing underneath me.

  “Told you!” I chuckled. Leaning back and watching her face shows signs of distress and disgust.

  “You’re disgusting!” she laughed, and I finally let her up... yet I stayed there and let her hit me, before I could get up from the grass myself... for fear of her seeing my reaction to her close proximity to me moments before... clearly displayed in my pants. All the same, I had no doubt she’d felt it, despite my attempts to lift my hips slightly from her body. I was just glad she hadn’t said anything.

  Now outside the DMV, with Summer on my back, talking directly into my ear, I was working hard not to... um... get excited!

  “So, you got it too now... another few months and we’ll be able to drive everywhere instead of skating.” She enthused.

  “Yep.” I agreed, a tickle spreading from my neck and down my entire right side till it pooled in my groin. I swallowed, “At least it will be handy during Winter. I can’t say I’ll miss trying to get to school through the cold weather with just a skateboard.” I laughed.

  “Like you ever did.” She huffed, as she shifted further up my back to get a better purchase. “You walk everywhere when there’s ice around.”

  “I’m smart, what can I say?” I replied.

  Jordan was walking up the path; he’d gone and bought ice-creams... a celebration?!

  I dropped Summer from my back, since I felt funny touching her with him around. I knew he didn’t like it... I wouldn’t either.

  Jordan had finally hit 5ft 11in. Summer had slowed down in her growing, maintaining a 5ft 9in height for the last year. I too had slowed down, measuring in at 6ft 3in at last Christmas. I didn’t feel as though I was going to grow much more, I had been filling out a bit since the Winter break.

  Jordan and I had maintained our boot camp antics throughout the last two years, and it was noticeable. I was the happy owner of a decent six pack, and Stephanie, my girl, was pleased too.

  Thoughts of Stephanie often brought with them, feelings of guilt. Don’t get me wrong, I really did like her... a lot. But Summer was still my goal. I texted Stephanie that I had successfully obtained my learners permit.

  “Blake.” Jordan announced, handing me an ice-cream, and patting me on my shoulder.

  I tilted my head up in answer, took the ice-cream and smiled, before I referred back to my texting conversation with Stephanie.

  Jordan grabbed Summer by the waist and swung her into him. She giggled, and I felt an urge to vomit. I covertly watched as he planted a kiss on her cherry glossed lips, before taking a bite of her ice-cream.

  “Hey you... eat your own ice-cream!” she squealed back. He just grinned at her.

  Yep, I was intensely jealous. Worse still, although I got to touch her too... she wasn’t mine, and our contact wasn’t anything like the way Jordan described their making out... fuck!

  Summer, to her credit, never, ever talked about Jordan to me. Since we hung out alone a lot of the time, it was good to know when we were alone, it was just us.

  “Glad that’s over!” Julie said from the DMV doorway, walking over to us.

  Summer grabbed the last ice-cream from Jordan’s hand and trundled over to Julie to hand it to her, giving her a great big hug.

  “A couple of months, and we’ll be driving everywhere!” Summer said to her.

  Julie smiled knowingly at Summer and gave her a cheeky wink.

  “Now,” Julie started, “Summer and I are going shopping for dresses... you two go and do boy things.” She announced.

  This had been the deal from the get go... Julie had made it perfectly clear that she wanted to buy herself gifts today... for getting her permit. She’d also made it perfectly clear that she didn’t want any guys to attend.

  That wa
s cool... we were off to Cameron’s house anyway. He had a games room, with a pool table and a huge TV that we could play Playstation on. We would be in boy heaven for hours.

  Summer went over to Jordan and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, before he grabbed her and forced a breath stealing kiss on her mouth... Ugh! I turned away... forming another text on my phone. I still had time to put my phone away before he had finished with her.

  Then, she turned to me and for the first time in ages... at least in public; she grabbed my left cheek and forced my right cheek into her lips for a crushing kiss.

  “Mwah!” she said as her lips mashed against my face, leaving sticky traces of her lip gloss on my cheek. She stood back and gave me a wicked grin before meandering off with Julie, arms interlocked.

  I looked momentarily in shock at Jordan... but he just shrugged and shook his head.

  “Ah... sorry, man!” I apologized.

  “Pffft... it was nothing!” Jordan announced. “She’s just being Summer.” He smiled, but I could tell he was pissed about it.

  “So how is Steph?” Jordan asked, as we turned to leave in the opposite direction.

  “Yeah good.” I answered.

  “Hey, can I ask you something?” Jordan asked. He had that uncomfortable look he sometimes got when he wanted to ask me about something to do with Summer. I didn’t like that look, it made me defensive.

  “Um... sure?” I said uncertainly.

  “How far have you gone with Steph?” Jordan asked.

  “How far?” I returned.

  “Yeah, you know... making out.” He explained.

  “Oh... um, I’m not sure she’d like me tellin’ you.” I suggested.

  “Blake... I’m not gonna tell her, I’m just needing some direction... some comparison.” Jordan reasoned.

  “Oh, okay... well, I’ve copped a feel before... you know... her breasts.” I replied. It was only last weekend in fact. Stephanie wanted to go further, but my nerves got the better of me.

  “Yeah? Skin?” he inquired.

  “Yeah!” I confirmed.

  “Cool,” Jordan said, and then he offered, “Summer won’t let me touch her like that at all. It’s all outside the clothes!”

  Thank God! I thought... I didn’t want her to let him touch her either.