ENTRY 7
FIRSTS

"Swan!"

I hear one knock and then another. I'm positive I know that voice. But how could it be?

Masen's been away for five-plus years. He's been at Harvard, and now he's getting his Master's degree, maybe even the second one.

"Swan! I know you're in there."

I run to the door, flinging it open, anxious to see him.

"Jeez, Swan, you just open for anyone?"

"No, I knew it was you. No one else calls me Swan."

"Why? That's your name, right?"

Sighing, I just stare at him, taking in the changes since the last time he was here. I think he might be taller if that's possible.

"What are you doing here? How did you know I would be home?"

"I stopped at the station to see Charlie, and he told me you would be where you usually are on this date. Are you alone? Any boyfriends around?" He asked with a smirk.

"Oh, yeah, all the guys are waiting downstairs for the fun to begin."

His frown is worth the joke I throw at him. His eyes couldn't get any bigger; eyebrows up in his hairline. It all makes me smile. He always had the ability to make me happy.

"Masen … I'm kidding. It's just me; everyone else is at the beach for the 4th, and Charlie is working, as you know. But again, shouldn't you be on the east coast?"

"I'm done with school for now; one more year left, and I'll be back home."

"Wow, you're coming back? And, I'll be leaving," I say, a little sad about that fact. But I'm staying close; I'll be in Seattle. Charlie and I only have each other, and I'd miss him too much if I were far away.

"Charlie told me you'd be in Seattle. Heck, I might be working there."

I take in this information, making a note to bring it up later.

"Anyway, Swan, tell your boys you're going out with me. Let's go to the beach and watch the fireworks."

"Are you crazy?" I say seriously.

At that remark, he grabs my hand and looks at the scar on my wrist. It's one of the reminders about the 4th of July fireworks, twelve years ago. We were only kids. But since that day, I have never been back. The memories of Masen carrying me up the beach will always be with me. Weeks in the hospital, painful burns, the smell of my flesh burning; the reality two of our friends died that night.

"I could never forget, Swan, never. But it's time to go back, and I want us to go back together—tonight. I can't bear the thought of you sitting in the dark basement alone. We'll face it together; watch something beautiful. Let's make a new memory, Bella; this will be our first." He says as he grabs my hand.

He called me Bella … another first. And I can only hope there will be many more to come.

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