Chapter Thirty-Eight
Author's note: Callie and Sawyer are seventeen, Jenny is eighteen and Lauren is fourteen. I just realized I may have previously listed Callie and Sawyer as sixteen and Jenny as seventeen, but that was a mistake. It's June, taking place the same time as 'Sacrifice' only eighteen years later. And I might start making it more Jeytonie. I missed writing about them. And a spoiler was requested… I'll think about that and write one at the end of the chapter, if I remember.
The passing of June unto July was less monumental than it might have been. Under more normal circumstances Jenny would have gone away to camp, symbolizing the last days she'd ever really live at home. With a heavy heart, I packed up her belongings and they stood in cardboard boxes all around the room, staring at me in the night like intruding strangers.
The Scotts abandoned us as well. Haley, Nathan, Tess and Sawyer left for their summer home in Maine. Most of my friends had gone to cheerleading camp, those who hadn't had gone on exotic vacations with their families in which they'd happily make out with non-English speaking hotties.
But I was stuck at home. And I had way, way too much free time in which to think.
It was worse when letters began to pour in-from Jenny, from my friends, but especially from Sawyer.
Cal,
It's fun, being here. You should have come with me. Why didn't you, again? Because you want to be miserable? Because you are, aren't you? I wish I was there to comfort you.
I teach little kids how to swim and sail, which are the two activities I run. They're adorable. My cabin is girls about Lauren and Tess' age. You know who's here? The infamous Jason Winters. And Tess is coming for the second half of July, and she's in my cabin. This could get interesting. He's one of those boys who's so charming in grade nine that all the girls like him, because the other boys have no idea how to treat girls. The girls in my cabin are always talking about him, and I have to bit back all the things I know about him.
How's good ol' Tree Hill? Anything exciting happen yet? Lucas Scott is still around? How's Aunt Brooke and Kylie? I wonder why she left Uncle Tonio?
I guess I might as well get it over with. How are Mom and Daddy? Have they cut me out of the will yet? Has Nikki been around? I miss them. Tell them I mi… Never mind, they know I miss them. Right?
I don't know what to do. I can't write them, or go back to them, it's too late for that. But Nikki's dangerous, even I know that. She's out every night, all night.
I kind of went all the way with this guy. He isn't even a counselor here. I won't even tell you his name, because you'd be mad at me, but he's so very hot and a bit younger. Rhys and I kind of called it quits again before I left, but it's still sort of an unspoken agreement that we don't sleep with other people while we've "broken up". So do me a favour and forget this last paragraph.
I miss you sweetie. I keep imagining you in our big house, all alone. Lauren's off being a party girl, right? I'm starting to feel guilty for leaving you all alone… It's a good thing you have only a year left of high school. Come to Brown with me, forget about Sawyer and fall in love again. You're in desperate need of it.
My hair dye is fading. It's almost back to my old colour, which I don't think is nearly as exciting. But living with her really makes me less excited about excitement.
I really have to go now. I'm supposed to teach some eight year olds breast stroke.
All my love,
Jenny
I thumped the letter angrily against the pool deck. It was a long, newsy letter, but she'd waited almost a month to send it, during which I'd sent her two letters. And how could she lecture our little sister on promiscuity?
My hands trembled as I slid the next letter carefully out of the envelope. As I did, I opened it and smiled at the familiar round writing.
Dear Squirt,
You wouldn't believe how little there is to do here. I mean, there is if you want to be a tourist, or if you haven't been coming every year since you were eight. Tess finds plenty to do-she has this big group of friends here, and they hang out on the boardwalk all the time. I'd be more protective of her, but there's not one guy among them who's anything like a smooth operator.
How are you guys doing? We stopped in to visit Jenny on the way here, she's doing good, said to pass on a 'hello'.
I'm going to basketball camp in a few days, so I won't be back in Maine until the last two weeks of August. Sorry if I don't get the chance to write to you. Next year's going to be crazy, if I want to get a basketball scholarship.
Sorry to cut this short, but Mom's calling me. She and Dad were at the beach all day together.
Your Best Friend,
BJ
He'd even been careful not to sign it with love. I was surprised he didn't mention all the girls he'd hooked up with at the beach.
I stared into the blue water in which my feet dangled. This was shaping out to be the most pathetic summer of my life.
Author's note: This won't be a very detailed summer.
Spoilers!
Be prepared for our favourite couple to get closer than they've ever been.
Nathan and Haley will be featured more very soon, but don't take them for granted.
