Indian Summer

by Cianna Perch

  ‘’Hi mom’’, she said.

  ‘’ Sweetheart, hi’’, said her mom.

  ‘’Hey honey’’, said her dad peaking his head out.

  ‘’Hey dad’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’You enjoyed being with Laughlin? Asked her dad’’.

  ‘’I did’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Do you think this will continue? Asked her dad.

  ‘’I really hope it will’’ was Hartley’s response.

  Chapter 5

  One day Hartley was getting dressed for her sister’s walk on runaway event. Even though Dancer wasn’t a model by participating she and her fellow female students who volunteered were helping battered women.

  Hartley had just put on her shoes when Laughlin appeared in her doorway.

  ‘’Hey, what are you doing in my room?

  ‘’Your mom and dad let me in and I came up here.

  ‘’Are you coming with me to the event? My parents won’t mind if you come’’.

  ‘’A fashion show with older college women, I think I’ll wait till you come back’’.

  Laughlin kissed Hartley twice and then left. Hartley and her parents went to the fashion show. Hartley had expected to hate it but she enjoyed it. When they got home Hartley got in her car and went to Laughlin’s house. Laughlin was there, in the front yard. Hartley walked over to him and said’, You waited for me’’.

  ‘’Yes, I didn’t stand here and wait but I knew you would be home soon’’.

  ‘’I want to do something with you tonight’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’What is it you want to do? Asked Hartley.

  ‘’Take you on a goat cart ride’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Last time you drove me into the woods’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Just come with me, I’m not taking you into the woods, I’m taking you on a ride on my property’’.

  ‘’Okay, said Hartley.

  They drove around and then they stopped by the pond.

  ‘’I’m happy I’m dating you’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Was there any other options? Asked Laughlin.

  ‘’No, except Meadow’s brother who I crushed on for years but he didn’t like me back’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’You met me Hartley and I like you back’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’You’re sexy like Patrick Schwarzenegger’’, said Hartley. ‘’Not saying you don’t have your own unique sexiness.

  ‘’You like clean shaved guys with brown or brunette hair who are tall? Asked Laughlin.

  ‘’I do like clean shaved guys, that is true’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Luckily I am clean shaved and I think you’re gorgeous’’, said Laughlin.

  They did drive around the property for a half hour, until Hartley went home.

  Chapter 6

  Hartley was in the laundry room, folding her laundry when Dancer came to her and said’’, I can’t believe this’’.

  ‘’What do you mean? Asked Hartley.

  ‘’You being able to date at sixteen when I had to wait!!!

  ‘’How is that on me?!!!

  I’m the oldest, yet I wasn’t spoiled like you!!

  ‘’Being the youngest isn’t easy Dancer!! That is a mixed up theory you have!!!

  Laughlin and you, you are both young and it’s just an infatuation. When you’re older you’ll understand that it’s all hormones and sexual desires and not freaking real love!!!!

  ‘’You don’t know that for sure Dancer!! Hartley was angry and didn’t like the idea that young love can’t last because you’re young.

  ‘’Infatuations Hartley, you’ve had few’’.

  ‘’I know what real love is Dancer!!!!

  ‘’Whatever you say Hartley!! Said Dancer.

  Hartley left the laundry and then went to Lanesbarlow Bike trail. Laughlin happened to be there and saw her.

  ‘’Hartley, sweetie, he said.

  ‘’Laughlin, can we be in this relationship for years to come?’’, asked Hartley.

  ‘’Yes, we can, this won’t be a fairytale romance but yes we can’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’We’re young, and maybe us having feelings for each other is just that feelings’’.

  ‘Are you saying that this is a fling? Asked Laughlin.

  ‘’You’re eighteen, I’m sixteen’’.

  ‘’So now there is an age restriction on loving someone like an R rated movie? Asked Laughlin.

  ‘’It’s been a five months; we may have feelings for each other, said Hartley.

  ‘’Hartley when I entered this relationship with you I wasn’t planning on waiting for it to die’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Laughlin this was a nice reality we had, us, two young teens falling in love but how does that story work? That story has been repeated over and over and still people love it. Why?

  ‘’Because not everybody gets sick of love’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Laughlin, like the Indian summer it’s not going to be limitless’’. You and me, people give say congratulations to you if you reach a year of being with the same person and even more praise when you’ve been with the same person for three or five years’’, said Hartley. ‘’That is how our society is in the twenty first century, real love stories don’t seem to capture everybody’s heart.

  ‘’Let’s talk about our hearts Hartley? Said Laughlin.

  ‘’There is the belief that young love is fake and it can’t last long’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’You definitely don’t agree with that at all Hartley’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’No, I don’t agree with that, Laughlin hookups, flings, dates, love what is it all? Why do we date, why do we romantically love? Asked Hartley.

  ‘’You know that romantic love is flawed Hartley but it is an experience –‘’ Laughlin suddenly broke down in tears.

  ‘’Laughlin I’m sorry’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’It’s an experience that you and I want to have’’, said Laughlin. ‘’You and I!!

  ‘’I will have that experience with you Laughlin’’, said Hartley. ‘’We won’t let it die, yes we are young but that doesn’t mean we can’t make it to see a one year anniversary or a two year anniversary.

  ‘’Hartley, this promise ring-‘’ he said as he bore a promise ring that had a peridot stone in the middle to her.

  ‘’A promise ring is suppose to show that you are committed to one person and that your heart is with one person. I know where my heart is’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’I know where mine is’’, said Hartley.

  Laughlin grabbed Hartley and kissed her.

  Chapter 7

  Laughlin started to come over to Hartley’s house to do some repairs. Laughlin was working on the downstairs bathroom floor.

  ‘’Hey, I see you’ve reached the subfloor’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Yes and it’s terrible, you guys definitely need this new floor’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Yes, it was and is pretty nasty to look at, said Hartley.

  ‘’How was your schoolwork today? Asked Laughlin.

  ‘’It was okay, said Hartley. Hartley got down on the floor next to Laughlin and then kissed him. Laughlin kissed Hartley and then wrapped his arms around her.

  ‘’Stunning piece of jewelry on your ring finger’’, he said.

  ‘’It’s a promise ring from my boyfriend, I think it’s his way of saying I’m awesome and he is committed to me’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Hartley I-‘’ he stopped and then said ’’I have to go home’’.

  ‘’Alright, I’ll see you later on’’, said Hartley.

  Two hours later Meadow stopped by with her brother, Hayden.

  ‘’Meadow, hi’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Hey Hartley, you can come over on Thursday, my mom cleared it’’, said Meadow.

  ‘’Okay’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Hey Hartley’’, said Hayden.

  ‘’Hi Hayden, how are you doing? Asked Har
tley.

  ‘’I doing okay’’, said Hayden.

  ‘’He and Leona split’’, said Meadow.

  ‘’Yeah, did you have to tell her that Meadow? Asked Hayden.

  ‘’Sorry Hayden to hear that’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Hartley can I speak with you’’, said Hayden.

  ‘’Okay, lets walk around my house’’, said Hartley.

  They did and it was when they were on the left side of the house and Hayden asked ‘Hartley do you still have a crush on me?

  ‘’I was ten and then fourteen when I was crushing on you Hayden’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’I didn’t like you back, I had you by four years, you are my sister’s friend’’, said Hayden.

  ‘’Hayden I was infatuated’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’I like you Hartley’’, said Hayden.

  ‘’I-‘’ Hayden, I’m dating Laughlin. I don’t think about you like that’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Wow, thanks that didn’t hurt me’’, said Hayden.

  ‘’You really like me Hayden? Questioned Hartley.

  Hayden grabbed Hartley and pulled her close. He touched her hair and gently stroked her eyebrows.

  ‘’I don’t want a love triangle Hartley, you may not even need to make a choice’’, said Hayden. ‘’I remember I told you when we were young that I’d never marry you. ‘’Now like so many people I’m a hypocrite to my own words’’.

  ‘’Hayden, Hayden, you blue jean jacket brother of my friend, gosh can it get easier’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Did you care when I dated Leona? Did you ask Meadow about it? Asked Hayden.

  ‘’I did but I was ten’’, said Hartley. ‘’I use to ask my mom to put extensions in my hair so I could get your attention. I thought if I had long, straight hair I’d be appealing to you Hayden. Hayden that was me from several years ago.

  ‘’I’m going to go Hartley’’, said Hayden. ‘’Hartley goodbye’’.

  Chapter Eight

  Hartley called Laughlin twenty minutes after her discussion with Hayden.

  ‘’Hey Hartley’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Hi, you know Meadow’s brother, Hayden, the one I crushed on when I was younger, he just admitted to me that he is in to me’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’He admitted it to you or just told you? Asked Laughlin.

  ‘’He told me’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Hartley this is actually perfect timing’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’What? Asked Hartley.

  ‘’Hartley I’m going to move from Worchester before wintertime’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Why? It’s going to snow but it won’t be too bad’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’But traveling back in forth in wintertime is risky and I don’t want to do that’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’You and I promised ourselves to each other’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’You’re the one I’m suppose to love Hartley but maybe that love isn’t suppose to carry over’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Not too long ago I doubted us’’, said Hartley. ‘’But you told me that even though our romance wouldn’t be a fairytale that we wouldn’t let our love die’’.

  ‘’I do love you Hartley’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Let’s not say it over the phone Laughlin’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’When do you want to say it? Asked Laughlin.

  ‘’Let’s get up early tomorrow and go by the bike trail’’, said Hartley.

  The next morning, at six a clock in the morning they were at the bike trail.

  ‘’Hartley I love you’’, was the first thing Laughlin said when she came to him. Hartley kissed Laughlin and then sat down on the bench.

  ‘’ Laughlin I love you’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Hartley you stole my heart a month ago, I love you’’, but there aren’t really any opportunities for me here as far as a career. I have a high school diploma but there isn’t an abundance of jobs’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’I know that Worchester doesn’t much’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Hartley, we are those teens that fall in love, we know it’s real but maybe for you and me we aren’t meant to forever be clasped in each other’s arms’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’So our ending is bittersweet or just sad? Asked Hartley.

  ‘’Hartley, life isn’t going to slow down or die when I leave’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’I want this relationship to continue Laughlin, I don’t want the Indian summer to past. I don’t want to go to the next year, still in the same place I always am’’, said Hartley.

  Hartley got up and was walking away when Laughlin said,’’ I love you Hartley’’.

  Hartley didn’t turn around but she said to Laughlin, ’’I love you too. Then she whispered to herself,’’ I love you Laughlin’’. She kept walking and then she went home. Hartley sat on her bed with one leg on it and one leg not on it. She suddenly began to cry, her brunette hair hug down and she raised her head up. She cried even more then suddenly she got a text from Laughlin.

  She left her bedroom and went onto her lawn, Laughlin was there.

  ‘’Please don’t leave me, please don’t tear me apart’’, said Hartley as she cried. She grabbed on to Laughlin.

  ‘’Hartley, I want you in my arms every day of my life’’, if only that could be’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Laughlin take me with you’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Your family –‘’

  ‘’I love you Laughlin, my family knows I love you’’. I’ll come with you’’.

  ‘’Fine, you’ll be my companion in my heart and in Sandspur’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’I’ll be back’’, said Hartley. Hartley went to her room, grabbed what she wanted to take and was coming down the stairs when she tripped on the seventh step and on her shoelace. Laughlin was waiting outside but he made his way inside to find Hartley unconscious, lying on the steps. She had tripped on the step and had fallen and hit her head. Blood was on the steps and Laughlin screamed for Hartley’s mom. Hartley’s mom came and began calling 911 while Laughlin covered his face with his hands and cried.

  Hartley went to Carterson Hospital and her diagnosis was a severe concussion. Laughlin and Hartley’s mom were at the hospital and Hartley’s mom grabbed something for Laughlin to eat.

  ‘’Here honey’’, she said.

  ‘’Thanks Mrs. Sutherland’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Now save some for me’’, she teased.

  ‘’I will’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’You want to tell me something Laughlin? Asked Mrs. Sutherland.

  ‘’I love Hartley so, so much’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’I’ve seen you, I see a daring young man who fell in love with my daughter’’, said Mrs. Sutherland.

  ‘’I’m not going to leave Worchester’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’That is what you were going to do? Questioned Mrs. Sutherland.

  ‘’Yes and Hartley was going to come’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’ You and her should go somewhere once she is ready’’, said Mrs. Sutherland.

  ‘’I’d like to take her to Lakeridge, there is a beautiful lake called Silhouette’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Young love takes people many places’’, said Mrs. Sutherland.

  ‘’Mr. Sutherland and Dancer are-‘’

  ‘’Mr. Sutherland is bringing Dancer, she was out’’, said Mrs. Sutherland.

  That moment became days that flew by like planes. Hartley was getting better and Laughlin was spending some of his time planning to take her to Lakeridge. Hartley was soon in Laughlin’s car as they traveled to Lakeridge.

  ‘’You’re taking me away’’, said Hartley in a sleepy voice.

  ‘’You’re so sexy when you’re asleep said Laughlin.

  ‘’Thanks hottie’’, you’re in my head and the concussion didn’t damage that’’, said Hartley.

  They arrived in Lakeridge and soon were
at Silhouette Lake. They were there when Laughlin said,’’ ’Leaving Worchester isn’t going to occur Hartley, I won’t leave.

  ‘’When it comes to Hayden he isn’t in my heart Laughlin’’, said Hartley. ’I liked him when I was younger but then I got blown away by you’’, I helplessly fell for you.

  ‘Somebody told me that everyone has a soulmate, I don’t need to look for one for years, I ran into mine now. We know the truth, we know we love each other’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘’Deeply’’, said Hartley.

  ‘’Passionately’’, said Laughlin.

  ‘Forever’’ they both said. Hartley leaped onto Laughlin, Who picked her up and spun her around. That was one thing in their relationship that seemed like it was out of a fairytale. The Indian summer left but Hartley and Laughlin’s love remained.