Every day, I carry your memory. I never thought it would be this heavy.
Allen Mae
x
'09
She pushed aside her vegetables on her plate. She had mostly finished her pasta and was wasting time wondering how she'd tell her mother she was going to the beach again. Jocelyn was inviting Luke over for the night so that they could all play a board game. Even though she hadn't seen Luke in awhile, she desperately wanted to find out if the boy would visit the ocean again.
She glanced up and placed her fork down on the table with a clatter. "Hey, mom. Um, I was wondering. Can I go out for a swim?"
Her mother scoffed, taking a long sip of her juice. "Luke's coming. Don't you wanna see him?"
Clary smiled. "Of course I do. I won't be long. Promise." She hoped her facial expression would do the trick.
Jocelyn sighed. It sounded like defeat. "Go ahead. You know I can't keep you away from the ocean."
x
She didn't bother with a bikini. She slipped on a thin hoodie over her tank top and left the yellow shorts she had been wearing earlier.
Outside, a light gust ruffled her body and she hurried toward the shore, her heart racing.
He wasn't there.
She mumbled a curse word.
There was no use. She was being stupid. She had given up the chance to stay with the boy when he had offered her.
She slumped on the sand and wrapped her arms around her knees. She would have to get back. Her mother and Luke would worry.
"You're here, again."
And she didn't have to turn to know that it was him. She slipped a curl behind her ear, took a breath, and faced him.
She responded smoothly, unlike the night before. "Of course I am. It's my house."
He was wearing a shirt and gray sweatpants. His hair was combed, but strands still collapsed over his forehead. "Touché."
x
They were sitting beside one another, a foot of space between them.
"I'm Jace." He started, reaching out his hand.
She swallowed. "I'm Clary." And she shook his hand. And it was warm. And calloused. And electrifying.
"Like clary sage." He mused, holding a fistful of sand and dropping it back to the ground soundlessly.
"Huh?"
He grinned. "The plant."
She flushed, beet red. "Oh, yeah."
He laughed.
x
"Do you live here?" She asked him.
He nodded.
"Oh."
x
"I have to go." She mumbled reluctantly. It was almost nine.
He rose to his feet, towering over her small stature. She was reminded of the fact that he was much taller and leaner than she had thought.
"I'll see you around Clary." And the sound of her name from his mouth made her stomach do wild things. She hoped he didn't notice.
"Bye, Jace."
x
[a/n] I know. It's short. Bear with me.
If you could answer this question in your review, it would be mean a lot.
what does summer mean to you? Or remind you of?