Summer.
That was the only thing on my mind as I watched the minutes pass on the clock in the classroom. I started tapping my feet on the tiled floor. Summer was my favorite time of year. No school, no worries, days at the beach, hanging out with friends.
Summer.
It was synonymous with good times, long nights, and incredible stories.
Summer.
It was a new beginning. It was a last chance. It was an integral part of the high school experience.
Summer.
It was finally here.
RING!
The school bell rang and I jumped out of my seat. I let out a loud "Whoop!" and a little happy dance before running out of the classroom. As I was walking out I found Dez.
"Hey buddy! Happy Summer!" he greeted cheerfully. I fist bumped him. "Right back at you bro, we're gonna make this the best one yet!"
We walked down the halls of Marino High School, musing at all the crazily happy students. But there was one student who didn't look so happy for school to be ending. It was Ally Dawson, my nerdy and adorkable best friend. I slung my arm around her shoulder.
"What's up, Ally D?" I said. She looked over at me. "Just a little bummed because school is ending. You know how I am. I'm going to miss Calculus, and Spanish, and World History, and-"
I cut her off before she could name any more classes. "Woah Ally, slow down there! I know school is fun for you, but summer is awesome! Chilling at the beach all day, hanging out with friends, sleeping in-"
Now it was her turn to cut me off. "Austin! That's great and all but I don't know. My summers never seem to be that fun, you know?" she said. I stopped and looked at her.
"Then I promise that this summer, all of that will change. We'll have a ton of fun together. We'll make this the best summer ever, okay Ally? I promise." I said. She smiled up at me. "Okay Austin. Thanks." she said, giving me a quick hug before skipping off to clean out her locker. I smiled as I watched her, then quickly snapped out of it.
I went upstairs to my locker and took the last few books out. I shoved them in my backpack before exiting the building and walking home. As I walked, I thought about my conversation with Ally. The best summer ever. It was a great concept, and it made me happy to just think about. An amazing summer with my friends. The best one yet.
The best one ever.
The next day, I decided to go to Sonic Boom. It was Ally's dad's music store, and also our favorite place to hang out.
"Hey Alls," I greeted, walking into the store and sitting on the counter. She was sorting through some boxes of instruments, but she looked up when I walked in. "Hey Austin, what's up?" she said cheerfully.
"We should invite Trish and Dez," I said. She looked over at me. "Well, we don't need to invite them right away..." she said carefully. I cocked my head. "Why not?" I asked. She shrugged. "Maybe we could go to the practice room and work on a new song! I have a ton of ideas in my book and I'd love to show you some," she said kind of quickly.
I hesitated for a second, but then decided not to read into it. "Sure, let's go," I said as we walked up to the practice room. We sat down at the piano together and she carefully opened her book to the page she was looking for. She cleared her throat and started singing.
My hope is fading,
I can only hope
That something stronger keeps me hanging at the end of this rope
And when the world is all in pieces and they've done me in
Will you take me by the hand and lead me under your skin?
I'm sure you're every bit as perfect as I couldn't have dreamed
I'm crazy hoping someone like you would be waiting for me
But when my time is fast approaching and the wind is ablaze
With the fire burning holes in all my wasted days
I believe that I can be your everything
Cuz You're Everything
It's happening
Will you pick me to be your everything?
Cuz You're Everything
You're Everything...
And now it's starting,
I can feel it begin
Don't really know what kind of trouble you'll be getting me in
But something in your eyes says it'll be worth it all
So I'm ready for this love, I'm getting ready to fall
I'm really hoping that it's perfect like it is in my dreams
And every single romance movie that I've ever seen
Because I know there's no one else that makes me feel like you do
And something tells me we could be one of the lucky few
I believe that I can be your everything
Cuz You're Everything
It's happening
Will you pick me to be your everything?
Cuz You're Everything
You're Everything...
You're Everything
And all I want is to be Your Everything.
When she stopped singing, I paused. I liked the song; it was catchy and the lyrics were cool, but I couldn't help but wonder what compelled Ally to write a song like that.
"So what do you think?" she asked, smiling. I returned the smile. "It's great, Ally. I really like it," I said, sounding sincere as possible. She clapped her hands. "Yay! I knew you'd love it," she chirped. She gave me a little hug, then went back downstairs to deal with customers.
I looked at the song lyrics again. I started mentally singing through it, just experimenting with the melody until I noticed something written in small letters in the bottom corner of the page.
FOR AMM.
For Austin Monica Moon.