THE LAST CHANCE SUMMER

Chapter One

Ashley

"I've been meaning to talk to you".

I smiled; I knew exactly what he was going to say. He hasn't talked to me for weeks, because he's been on a trip to the desert with his friends. It could only mean that he has endless stories to tell me about how much fun he and his friends had, and how much he thought about me.

"Yeah? What is it?".

He takes a deep breath, and sighs.
"I've been thinking about us, these past few weeks. A lot. "

See? I told you.

"Really? Well, I've been thinking about you too. I've really missed you."
"Yeah, same here. But umm, there's just- I mean, I don't know if you've noticed..." He trails off.

I quietly wait for a reply, but his silence hints to me that I should say something.

"Noticed... what?"
"I mean, I don't know about you, but I just- I kinda feel like we aren't connecting anymore."

My heart sunk. Fast.

It reminded me of the time I was about to go on this rollar coaster. It didn't seem that scary when I was looking at it from the waiting line, so I strapped myself in tightly, not knowing the fate that lie ahead of me. Everything seemed fine and easy going for the first few minutes, but the minute we reached the top, and I looked down to the unsightly drop below... my heart sunk.

Except this time, it was ten times worse. And let me tell you, that rollar coaster... it was freakin' huge.

"Well, we haven't seen each other for weeks, that's probably why."

Yeah, maybe if I reassure him, everything will be ok again. Everything will turn back to normal. He can be easily persuaded sometimes.

"It's not just because of the trip Ash, I've been feeling this way for a long time. "

Well, I guess that's a no.

The sudden realization that my boyfriend might actually be breaking up with me, was starting to sink in. And there was nothing I could do about it.
I started to feel a lump form in throat, and tears were beginning to boil from my eyes. I tried to swallow to make the lump go away, but it only made it bigger. And the tears only seemed to burn my eyes even more.

"Well, was it something I did? I mean, we can hang out more often if you think that..."
Now I'm starting to trail off. Well, not because I didn't have anything else to say. But because you could totally hear that I was crying through the phone. And I don't want him to think that I'm some kind of crybaby, or some kind of girl that cries anytime she faces disappointment, or in this case... heart break.

"No, no. It's nothing you can fix, it's just- it wouldn't be fair to you if I kept lieing to you about my feelings."

At this point, I'd rather have him lie.

"But, but..." Crap, here comes the water works. "I just don't understand, I mean... I thought you really liked me."

"I do, Ash. But it's not really the kind of feelings I have for a girl friend, it's more like feelings that I have for like, well... like a sister."

A sister. Ouch, those words hit hard. Really hard.

"So, you wanna break up with me, I'd take it?"

Please say no, please. Puh leeez.

"It just wouldn't be fair if I wasn't honest with you, I'm sorry."
"It's- it's ok, Scott. Um, thanks for being so honest."
"Alright, look... if you want- we can still be-"
"I have to go now, I think my mom is calling me. Bye."
"Oh wait, before you go, do you still want to be fr-"

Click.

I didn't need to hear what he was about to say. Because his words were obvious, and only a mentally-challenged retard wouldn't be able to see that he was about to ask me if I still wanted to be his friend. His friend. His friend that he will treat like a sister. A relationship that will be limited to hugs, and if I ever get lucky, a kiss on the cheek. Maybe. But knowing me, and how luck doesn't run in my family, I'd say those chances are slim to none.

Zac

"Face it man, it's now or never."

Yeah, how many times have I heard that before?
I'll admit, Nick is a nice guy and all, and me and him have been best friends ever since he moved here. But would it kill him to shut up about this subject for once?

"Nick, you're my best friend, so I'll refrain from indenting your face when I say to please, shut the hell up."
"And I'm being serious when I say that you need to make a move. How long has it been now? 4 years?"

Actually, it's been 8. I met Ashley before Nick moved here. But hey, who's counting?

"Look, I don't know, ok? It's just, I can't do that to her. Not after what happened with her and Scott."
"Who fucking cares about Scott, man? He's a royal douche bag. And damn, why aren't you telling Ashley this? She needs someone to tell her that her boyfriend is a douche bag."
"That's why she has Miley. I don't participate in the counseling sessions."
"Why don't you text her or something? Just ask her if she's ok?"
"Nick, you'd have to be dumbass to not realize that she's not ok."
"Yeah, you know she's not ok, but you ask her that anyway. And it hopefully starts a conversation."
"But Ashley's not like that ok? And besides, I did that last time when Jared broke up with her... and she just got pissed at me."
"Whatever, girls get moody. It happens."
"Nick, I can't take any more chances, ok? She needs friends. Not another loser to break her heart."

I start walking out of Nick's room, and towards the door. I don't think I've ever been so attached to a doorknob handle before.
Nick yanks on my shirt before I even touch the door handle. Damn.

"You're not one of those losers, though. You're the only one that knows Ashley as well as she knows herself. Well... from a guy's point of view, anyway."

I turn around. Obviously, he's not going to let me go anywhere at the moment.

"You don't get it though, you've never had a friend that you've known for so long. All it could take is one mistake, and we would never be friends again. Ever."
"Or you could end up being that perfect couple that stays together through all of high school and college, and ends up getting married in Hawaii, has hott ass kids, and grows old together until the end of time."

I stare at him. This guy seriously creeps me out sometimes. But you got admit, me and Ash might make some pretty damn good-looking kids.
Wait, what am I saying? Shit.

"All I know is that I can't do anything for right now. It's not the right time."
"When is the right time, man? Huh? You don't got much time left. Every year you say the same damn thing, I'll tell her over the summer. Well, here it is! The last summer that you're going to have with this girl. You don't get another chance, it's now or never! Ashley is going to college in New York, and you're going to be staying back here in California. And unless you want to confess your 4-year long love for her through a text message, I'd suggest you do it now."

The sucky part was that I knew he was right. I had to do it now. But I hadn't even considered this whole time whether she even liked me back. We know so much about each other, it would almost be like I was dating my sister. Or somebody I know really well. Which works out well in most relationships. Ugh, this love shit is messing with head.

"So are you going to tell her, or not?"
"What do you mean?"
Nick rolls his eyes. "Are you going to tell her at the party this weekend? Or are you just going to sit at home and play video games while she hooks up with another guy?"
I might as well agree to it, so he'll finally shut up.
"Fine, this weekend. I'll do it."
"You swear?"
"I swear."
"Hmmm, and if you don't?"
"You can shave my head."

Nick widens his eyes, he never thought I would even dream of coming up with this comprimise.
"You must be serious this time! Shave off your hair? Alright, my buddy's growing some balls!"

I shove him and laugh, as I walk out the door.

I arrive home, and run upstairs. My mind is everywhere. The basketball champinship, Ashley, my grades. Wait. Oh, shit.

It just occurred to me that I agreed to confess my love to my best girl friend since 5th grade this Saturday at Miley's party. Or else my head is going to be shaved.
Well, it's offcial. I'm a dead man. I wonder if I can create a will, even though I'm only 17?

Ashley