by Dana Burkey
"Well, Tonya is dating Connor now, so she insisted we go to at least one party before summer started." Summer paused to think. "And I think Morgan really wants to be popular, she just never had the chance before."
"And what about you?"
"I would have been fine without being at that party, or any other between here and graduation," Summer admitted easily.
"Yeah, not much fun watching people get drunk and fall apart," Nick laughed.
Summer could not help but smile with him, glad he was making light of it all. After all, she was more or less making a jab at his friends and his "way of life" the last few years.
"Okay, so if you don't like parties, and you don't want to be popular, what do you like to do?" Nick asked as they continued their walk around the track. The game was heating up, but for Summer this was much more exciting. After liking him for so long, having a real conversation with him was kind of weird.
"I do theater," Summer smiled. "I spent the whole summer at a theater camp in New York, and this year I'm trying out for the musical instead of just doing stage crew."
"Really? That's cool!" Nick grinned. "I did a play once in elementary school but was terrible. So, nothing since then."
"I never even did a show until I helped out last year with the fall musical. But it was a lot of fun, so I begged and begged my parents to let me get a little more into it. So, I helped out on the spring show and then we found the camp, and I went and tried my hand at acting, and...." Summer stopped. "I'm sorry. I get a little carried away sometimes."
Laughing, Nick tossed his empty drink cup in on the trash.
"With school keeping us busy I haven't had much time to talk with Morgan and Tonya about it yet," Summer blushed.
"I think it's great," Nick finally chimed in. "I used to be that way about baseball, so I totally understand."
Opening her mouth to ask more about baseball, Summer felt her phone buzz in her pocket. Checking the screen, she saw it was a text from Morgan, asking where she was.
"Gotta go?" Nick asked as they slowed for Summer to reply to the text.
"I think so," Summer mumbled as she typed her reply. Glancing at the field she was surprised to see the game had less than 5 minutes left.
Tossing her empty cup in the trash Summer quickly text Morgan that she was on her way. Then, turning to Nick, Summer began to unzipped his hoodie.
"No, keep it," he reached out a hand to stop her. "You can give it back to me at school."
Feeling electricity where Nick's hand touched hers, Summer nodded then zipped the hoodie back to her neck.
"Well, see you around," she shrugged, not wanting their walk to end.
"I hope so," Nick winked before turning and walking away.
The whole way back to her friends Summer replayed their chat over and over in her head. Nick was known for cheating on Annie with Gina, and now for possibly cheating on Gina with someone else. Summer knew he was trouble, but deep down she knew her crush on him would not listen to reason if he kept being so sweet. First lemonade, then his hoodie? Summer blushed thinking of the wink, but quickly pushed it from her head. She did not want Morgan and Tonya to know about her time with Nick just yet. Something told her they would not understand that Nick might not be the guy rumors make him out to be.
*****
"Where did you get that hoodie?" Morgan finally asked as they were on the ride over to Connors house for the after game bonfire.
"I was wearing it at the game," Summer answered. Sure, it was only for the parts of the game that followed her walk with Nick, but Morgan and Tonya didn't need to know that yet.
Shrugging off the answer, Morgan went back to asking Tonya about Leo. He was apparently the other kicked on the team and Connor and Tonya were determined to set him up with Morgan. Summer ignored their conversation and instead stared out her window. She allowed herself to think about Nick and their walk at the game, but set the rule that once she got to the party she was not allowed to focus on him as much. Sure, he was attractive, but until a week ago he had never said more than two words to her.
"He really likes blondes, so don't put your hair up like you do when you get bored." Tonya's words floated back to Summer and she began wondering what kind of girl Nick liked.
Both Annie and Gina were blond cheerleaders who had bright eyes and tan skin. Summer, on the other hand, had black wavy hair to her shoulders, dark brown eyes, and lighter skin covered in freckles. Sure, she was almost as thin as his last girlfriend, but between her different looks and social standing she doubted she had a chance of catching his eye. A sigh escaped her lips before she could stop it.
"We're not even there yet and you're already acting like it's torture," Morgan sneered, shooting Summer a quick eye roll.
"Sorry, I'm just tired," Summer mumbles, her cheeks turning red. The rest of the ride she willed herself to go over lines from her audition song to distract her from Nick. Sadly, the distraction was quickly proven worthless.
"Look, there's Nick! Maybe that will put you in a good mood!" Tonya laughed as they pulled into Connors driveway. Sure enough Nick was sitting on the porch with some other senior guys.
"Maybe one of these days you will even get the guts to talk to him!" Morgan teased as they all exited the car and headed to the backyard where the bonfire smell was already reaching their noses.
Pulling his hoodie tighter to her body, Summer was glad Nick had let her hold onto it. Between the weather and remarks from her friends, Summer was feeling a chill for sure. Sending a quick final glance towards Nick, Summer rounded the house putting him out of sight.
*****
Monday at school Summer made sure to carry a messenger bag big enough to fit Nick’s hoodie as well as all of her books. Getting it back to him might be a little tricky though. It seemed that Morgan and Tonya were distracted enough as Morgan gave a play by play of her late night conversation with Leo last night. That gave Summer two less pairs of prying eyes. However, it left the rest of the school. The last thing she needed was a rumor that she was Nicks new girl he cheated on someone to date.
With only a week until auditions, Summer was spending her time in the quiet of the library reviewing her audition material. Every spare moment was focused on her scripts and sheet music; she was determined to get a good part in the show. She would figure out a way to pass the hoodie on later.
"Hey," a whisper across the table grabbed her attention from the papers and books scattered around her.
"Hey," she smiled, looking up to see it was Nick joining her at her study stable.
"What are you working on?" Nick asked, pulling a book from his backpack before reaching for one of Summers papers.
"Audition material. I have to pick a song and monologue by next Tuesday." Summer held in her sigh, determined not to let Nick see her sweat.
"Cool. I have an economics test tomorrow," Nick frowned holding up his book. "Not my favorite class for sure."
Summer nodded as if she understood, but all that she could think about was that Nick was kicked off of the baseball team for bad grades. The rumor was all around school, and considering he was no longer on the team, it sounded like a possible explanation.
"What?" Nick asked, looking intently at Summer. Apparently her acting skills were not up to par, if he could read the doubts and questions on her face.
"Well," she paused. "I was just thinking about a rumor I heard last year."
"My grades, huh?" Nick had an almost smirk on his face. It was clear this was not the first time someone asked him this question.
"Yeah, but you don't have to tell me. It's fine." Summer went back to her papers, not wanting to force the issue.
"No, it's okay," Nick began. "I got a D in math, so I was kind of on probation with the team. Then I didn't get the grade up, and let my grade in econ slip too. So, I get to take econ again and my parents are threatening to get me a tutor if I can't pass math this time around."
Summer thought about it for a few moments before finally res
ponding. "Why don't you want a tutor?"
"What will my friends think of that?" Nick laughed, as if the answer was obvious.
"But that will they think if you get held back and don't get to graduate with them in the spring?"
The question left Nick silent. Summer waiting, watching to see if he was getting angry or not. The longer it took for him to respond, the worse she feared her question had made things.
"You know, you're not like my friend," Nick finally noted.
"Ummm, okay," Summer replied, not sure how to take his response.
"I mean," he tried again, clearly seeing the look on her face. "To my friends a tutor would be a death sentence for their "status." But you actually see how important it might be. Even if they thought it would help, my friends would never encourage me on the issue. Well, aside to maybe encourage me to just deal with it and not waste my time with a lame tutor."
"Well, that doesn't make much sense. Don't any of them ever fail anything?" Summer could not imagine unsupportive friends. Well, maybe not when it came to grades at least.
"Most teachers give us good grades since they are proud we're going so good winning games and all that," Nicks voice had an edge. "But we lost a few games last season thanks to me. I was a little....distracted by other things and made some dumb mistakes that cost us points and even a few wins. So, Mr. Harper and Mr. Solth both wanted me to work on my own to get my grades up."
"It makes me so mad the way teachers treat athletes special just because they can throw or kick a ball." Summer lets the words slip before she realized who she was saying them to.
"Yeah, it's not fair, but as long as our school has a rep for having good sports, teachers aren't going to let some bad grades get in the way of that." Nick paused and looked Summer in the eye, his left brow raised slightly. "You're really easy to talk to, ya know."
"I'm just telling the truth," Summer shrugged it off, looking down at her book to hide her blush.
"Yeah, and my friends are used to telling me what to hear," Nick added with a shake of his head.
With that Nick got to work on his studying. Summer tried her best to study as well, but found herself more and more distracted by Nick. When the bell rang for lunch Summer quickly gathered her gear, said goodbye, and was gone before Nick could offer to walk with her or anything else that would likely lead to her making a fool of herself again. It was not until she slid into her desk in her English class that Summer realized she still had Nicks sweater in her bag.
*****
It was Wednesday before Summer saw Nick again. This time as she headed to lunch he passed her and gave a quick wave. It made her smile, but was not enough time for her to stop and give him his hoodie. That evening she sat online working on homework when a message popped up.
NickofTime: Are you still cold?
Summer immediately knew it was Nick. "Nick of Time" had been his nickname for two years, ever since he scored a 3 run homer in the bottom of the 9th with a full count against Central. Closing out the assignment she was working on for French she messaged him back.
SummerAutumn: I totally forgot about your sweater Monday. Sorry. I'll get it to you tomorrow!
NickofTime: That's not what I asked. I asked if you were cold.
Rather than think and re-think his meaning, Summer did her best to just reply with the first thing she would say if she was chatting with Nick in person. Why stress herself trying to give him the response that he was used to from his friends, when he already told her he liked that she was not like them.
SummerAutumn: True, but we both know what your question was in reference to.
NickofTime: You're not going to answer me at all, are you?
SummerAutumn: Maybe.
NickofTime: Well?
SummerAutumn: No. I am not cold right now. Happy?
NickofTime: Yes! However, I heard it's going to rain tomorrow morning. I don't want you getting cold. You better hang on to my hoodie still just in case.
SummerAutumn: I have other sweaters.
NickofTime: Sure, but none of them remind you of a fabulous evening like mine does.
SummerAutumn: You're right. It's the only sweater that makes me remember that amazing lemonade. I can't wait for the game this week to get more!
NickofTime: Ha.Ha. Funny… So, does that mean you're going to the game?
SummerAutumn: I think so. Tonya and Morgan will drag me along, or will give me crap about it for the next week non stop.
NickofTime: Sound like your friends are about as great as mine.
Reading his words Summer poised her fingers over the keyboard to defend her friends, but then realized she had nothing to say in their defense. They were both so focused on dating football players and going to all the best parties lately After a whole summer focused on theater and self expression, trying to be popular did not seem like a worthy use of time. Before Summer could reply another message from Nick popped up.
NickofTime: So if you do come to the game, does this mean you will hand out with me again?
Thankful Nick could not see her face, Summer felt her cheeks flush. It bothered her that his words could elicit such a response from her. Unfortunately, the more she got to know him, the more power he had over her reactions.
SummerAutumn: Only if there is lemonade.
NickofTime: Deal!
A few minutes later, after exchanging numbers, Summer signed off line and headed to bed. Within minutes of lying down she began to hear the tinkling of rain on her window. It looked like the rain was coming early. Quickly slipping out of bed, Summer pulled Nicks hoodie on and zipped it up around her. Lying down once again, she allowed her mind to replay their conversation until she drifted off to sleep.
*****
The next two days Summer was busy with school work and an article she was working on for the paper. Most of her free time at school was spent in the newspaper office or a back corner of the library. She was glad Nick did not show up to distract her while she was working, but still wished he would at the same time. Thankfully, they had exchanged numbers so texting was a nightly event for them.
Summer and Nick chatted about basic things, never getting too serious. They covered favorite tv shows, foods, movies, and even had a long debate over whether the summer's hottest movie was better in it's book form or on screen. It served to get them more acquainted with one another without getting too personal.
By Friday Summer was running out of topics to chat about, but was hoping she could think of something at the game so things did not get too heavy. She was okay being his friend right now, but still got butterflies when she got a text from Nick wishing her goodnight or good morning, or anything like that. No guy had ever been sweet like that to Summer. She knew the attention was something she could get used to if she was not careful.
"Where are you going?" Morgan asked as Summer started leaving their spot in the Cheer Zone only 5 minutes into the game.
Summer struggled to find an answer. The truth was that Nick text her that he was finally at the game and was waiting for her near the concession stand. But, she did not need Morgan and Tonya to know that just yet.
"I can't just sit and watch all game. I sat all day at school. I want to walk around while I watch." She held her breath waiting for the reply.
"Weird," Morgan sighed then turned away to ask Tonya something about Leo.
Breathing a sigh of relief Summer headed down to find Nick. Eventually she would tell Morgan and Tonya about her new "friendship." Eventually. Maybe.
"Nice hoodie!" Nick smiled handing Summer a lemonade when she found him minutes later.
"Yeah, fall has arrived," Summer smiled taking a sip of the drink she would forever associate with Nick.
"Sounds good to me, I'm ready for a chance of season," Nick smiled as they began walking around the track.
"Not a good summer for you?" It was always weird for Summer, talking about the season that she shared her name with. Thankfully most people quit the jokes about it in middle sch
ool.
"You could say that," Nick shrugged. "It's nice to be home."
"Oh yeah, you stay with your dad in the summer, right?" He mentioned it over text the day before. That was all he said about his time with his dad though. Just that he was there.
"Yeah, summer and then the week between Christmas and New Years." Nick glanced at the game just as the Eagles scored their first touchdown. "Looks like they're on the way to another win."
"Looks like it," Summer agreed, noticing Nick's casual way of changing the subject.
They walked together for a while, allowing Summer to observe the other kids around her. There were some people she recognized from classes, but no one she would call a real friend. Her friends were in the stands cheering for their new boyfriends. Nick's friends, it seemed, were either cheering for the team or playing for the team. The idea struck Summer so suddenly she turned to Nick and spoke before she could stop herself.
"Do your friends know talk to me and hang out with me?"
"What?" Nick asked, taken aback from the sudden question.
"I mean," she tried again, this time thinking it through a little more. "Do you talk to your friends about hanging out with me? Like, now, or at the game last week?”
"Well," Nick paused as if searching for the right answer. "Not really. They don't keep tabs on me too much. As long as I show up to the after party then no one seems to care."
"Yeah, but do they know we text and stuff?" Summer was not sure why this was so important, but she suddenly needed to know.
"I haven't told anyone, if that's what you mean," Nick answered after thinking about it for a second.
"Because...." Summer prompted.
"Because I don't need to hear my business all over school again," Nick replied with a somewhat sharper tone.