Author's Note

Hooray for good reviews and happiness! Now let's get into chapter 3!

June 17th- A Midnight Swim

Gwen's P.O.V.

"Trent?" I ask cautiously.

"Gwen?"

Shit. It really is Trent. What are the chances that he would live here and be right next door? Didn't my mom recognize him? She wouldn't have sent him out here if she did.

"Wow… it's been so long, Gwen."

"Yeah," I'm struggling to find words. I want to hug him, to give into him and tell him everything and how sorry I am. But at the same time, I don't want to be anywhere near him. "It really has been."

"And what are the odds that we'd both be here?"

"That's what I was thinking too." I give him a good look. Two years has done this boy well. His hair has only gotten maybe an inch longer, his eyes are still as green and beautiful as they were before, and I can tell he's gotten some muscle to him.

"How about we sit down and catch up?"

"Um…" This is not how I wanted my vacation to start. I don't want to reveal my life to Trent. I'm afraid he'll get his hopes up and I'll break him like I did last time we dated. "Sure, let's talk." I can't find a way to say no.

We sit down at the table on the dock across from each other. "So how have you been the past couple of years?" He asks so casually. It's like he doesn't even remember how terrible I was to him.

"I've been pretty good, aside from therapy." I can see the concern in his eyes. "It was just from the show and, you know, all the drama. But I got accepted to an art school in London and I'll be going there this fall."

"Wow, that's awesome. Not the therapy, of course." He looks off to the side. I can tell Trent's just as uncomfortable with this as I am.

"What about you? Do you still do music stuff?"

"Yeah. Actually, I was playing at the coffee shop in town and I was scouted. The guy wants me to go to Hollywood in the fall."

"That's too cool." I remember Trent telling me how badly he wanted to be discovered and become famous. He told me he would write a song especially for me. Now that just seems ridiculous.

There's silence between us. Neither of us wants to reopen old wounds. I look up at the moon.

"Beautiful, isn't it? It's like this all the time out here. You should draw it some time."

"That's what I was doing before you got here."

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know."

"No it's cool." I look back at Trent. "So you live here? I thought you said you lived in Montreal?"

"After the show my dad decided to move. He chose here because this is where he and my mom met. And my dad can visit my mom's grave whenever he wants." I notice a twinkle in his eye when he talks about his mom. "How long are you here?"

"My mom said two weeks. We used to come here for the summer until she and my dad divorced six years ago. Now she has Tom and we all decided it would be okay to come back."

"Two weeks? That's plenty of time to catch up with each other." He smiles at me and I feel warm and fuzzy. Trent's smile always makes me melt, no matter what situation we're in. "How's Duncan?"

"I don't know. We broke up a few weeks after the show ended."

"Oh… sorry."

"Eh, he was a jerk. I was stupid to even leave you for him." Trent smiles at me. "I mean—"

"No I know what you mean. Let's go back and get some s'mores." He stands up and so do I. We walk back to the fire pit together.

When we get back, everyone looks at us. "Dad," Trent's father glances up from his hot dog. "This is Gwen; the Gwen." His father's eyes widen.

"Mom, Tom, Adam… this is Trent; the Trent." Bruiser barks loudly at Trent. Adam sits in his chair, mouth gaping. Tom, naturally, has no idea what's going on.

"Gwen, can I talk to you in the kitchen for a minute."

"Yes mother." My mother grabs my arm and leads me back inside and into the kitchen. And once we're inside, she flips out on me.

"Why is he here?"

"You expect me to know? I haven't talked to him in years! Why didn't you recognize him when he showed up?"

"You know I didn't watch that show after the first episode! I couldn't watch them torture you like they did!"

"Okay, fine." She always out argues me. So I decide to think like her and act rational. "We just need to handle this like adults. I'm not going to do anything inappropriate that friends wouldn't do. We can be friends."

"Gwen, he could help. I know how happy you were with him… you told me you loved him at one point."

"I said things I regret. That is one of them. I don't think he can help. Besides, I'm getting better. And weren't you just against him a few seconds ago?"

"I was never against him. And you shouldn't lie to your mother. I saw your journal and I know it's still happening. You just need to—"

"You went through my personal items?" I give my mother a hard glare. "I'm going to my room and going to bed. Tell everyone I said goodnight." I storm out of the kitchen and up to my room.

"Gwendolyn!" I hear my mother calling after me. "Please, don't be like this."

I get to my room and slam the door shut. I turn on a lamp on my bedside table and fall on my bed and stare at the ceiling. Midnight jumps up beside me and curls up at my side. Outside I can hear everyone chatting and having a good time. Everyone but me.

"I guess it's just you and me, Midnight." She meows. "Really? At least you're having a good day."

How could Trent possibly be any good to my insanity? If anything, he'd make it worse. I sit up and look out the window. I see everyone around the campfire. They all look so excited and happy. Then I spot Trent and I feel something in me. I don't know what it is, but it makes me feel secure.

I go over to my suitcase and pull out a red cami and a pair of red and white pajama pants that my mom ordered for me from my school spirit wear catalog. They're my favorite pair because they have "SH" embroidered on them, for South High, so I wear them when I want the world to be quiet; tonight is perfect. I walk out of my room and into the bathroom and take a long, hot shower.

When I get out of the shower, I put my pajamas on, dry my hair, and walk over to the art studio. I look over all the paintings on the wall. None of them strike a chord in me like the one of my dad and me. Next to the painting is an open space on the wall. I walk back to my room and grab my sketch book. I rip out the page with my sketch of the moon over the lake on it. I get some wall tape from one of the desk drawers in the room and put the drawing next to my dad's painting. "Perfect." I say to myself.

I walk back to my room and shut the door. I sit down on my bed and turn the desk lamp off. I snuggle up under the covers with midnight and an old teddy bear my dad won me at a carnival the last time we came here. He wasn't the best dad a kid could have, but he did care at one point.

I turn to face the window and glance at the stars. It's strange to think that just six years ago this was a happy place. Now it's filled with bad memories. I think about my dad. Does he ever miss us? What's he doing now? I keep thinking about him as I get sleepier and sleepier. Eventually, I shut my eyes and fall asleep.

XxXxXxX

I wake up in a cold sweat. I look over at the clock on my bedside table and it says 11:48 p.m. I can't go for more than an hour without having terrible dreams about blackness and emptiness. I look over at the window and look at the sky.

Did something just hit the window? No, I'm tired. I'm seeing things. But then it happens again. I get up and walk to the window. I see Trent standing outside throwing pebbles at my window, just like in the movies. He's wearing a black tee-shirt and a pair of red swim trunks. I open the window and give Trent the "What the fuck are you doing?" look. He signals me to come outside with him.

"Are you crazy?" I whisper out my window.

"No. But you are if you decide to come with me."

I consider him for a minute. I don't know what he has planned or why we're going out a midnight. Well, what is there to lose?

"Call me crazy."

"Put on your swim suit on and meet me out here."

I nod. Trent smiles as I close my window and shut my curtains. I take off my pajamas and put my black and white polka dot tankini top and bright red bottoms. I rap a towel around myself and grab my keys off of my dresser. I walk quietly throw the house and out the back door to the back yard where I see Trent standing.

"Well, look who's the crazy one."

"Shut up!"

"Follow me." Trent extends his hand and I take it. He leads me out to the dock.

"No." The realization hits me. "I am not going swimming at midnight."

"Trust me, you'll be fine."

"I stuck my feet in earlier and it was freezing! And that was two hours ago!"

"Well, I'll just go in without you."

He takes off his black tee-shirt, revealing his perfectly sculpted torso. Trent runs out to the end of the dock and jumps off. A loud splash erupts. I watch his head pop out of the water. "It feels good. Just jump in and you'll be fine. Trust me."

I sigh. He looks too good shirtless with wet hair to resist. I set my towel on a nearby chair and take off my flip flops. "You're lucky you're cute." I say before jumping off the dock. The water is icy cold and goose bumps form as I emerge from the water. My teeth are chattering and I'm shivering.

"Trent, its freezing!" He swims toward me.

"You're just not used to it. Here, let me warm you up." Trent comes over and pulls me into him. I'm alarmed at first; it's all happening so fast. But then, it's a wonderful and warm feeling. I may be freezing, but at least I have Trent to keep me somewhat warm. I realize the feelings I had once are re-emerging. I'm starting to enjoy his touch. I'm enjoying being with him. Trent and I look into each other's eyes.

"I'm really happy our paths crossed again, Gwen. I missed you."

"I missed you, too. But I was terrible to you. I made you go crazy and I was a bitch and just assumed everything was about me. You shouldn't be happy for seeing me again. I'm terrible and—"

"No, Gwen, don't. I forgive you for everything, no matter what you say."

"You sure?" I give him a sympathetic look. I don't want him to forgive me just because I want him to.

"One hundred percent sure! Now I want to ask you something."

"Okay…." I'm not sure where he's going with this.

"Do you hang out with me tomorrow?"

"Like a date?"

"Yeah. Like a date." He's confident with his words.

A date. I haven't been on a date since Duncan. And it wasn't a pleasant experience. I think it over in my head. Pros: Trent's a nice guy. Cute, tall, great voice, and we have good chemistry. Cons: this could make my insanity level increase. I continue to weigh the pros and cons and make my decision.

"Sure. I'll go on a date with you tomorrow. What do you have planned?"

"I guess you'll have to show up to find out." His mysteriousness is cute. "Now let's get out of the water. I'm cold."

"Yeah, me too." We climb out of the water and grab our towels. We walk back to the house.

"See you tomorrow." Trent gives me a hug and walks back to his house. I walk back inside and see my brother sitting in a recliner in the living room.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to come home."

"Don't tell mom." I'm panicking. My brother enjoys getting me into trouble all the time and mom always takes his side. "I'll do whatever you want."

"No need to sis. It won't cost you anything. We're on vacation." He smiles an evil smirk. "But don't worry. I have something planned for next time."

"Thanks. Now go to bed." I tussle Adam's hair and walk upstairs to my room. I take off my wet swim suit and put my pajamas back on. I put my hair in pigtails and lay back down in bed. So, I have a date tomorrow. I think I'll sleep okay tonight.

End Chapter 3

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