Page 32 of A Twist in Fate
Before he can continue, Alec says, “I don't know. Last time you had a plan I ended up falling over.”
“Hey, don't underestimate me. That was a part of my plan.”
“What plan was this and how did you fall over?” Abby says confused, leaning on her hand.
“So basically, me and Alec were—”
Bailey cuts him off.“Can we just get back to what you were going to tell us? You suck at telling stories. You take forever,” she says.
James huffs, but continues, “Okay, this plan is awesome, and we have to do it because I want to. So, I was thinking we bike down to the beach, like on the path way, not the way through camp, and then chill at the beach. Like we did on our first week here.”
“I love it, except for one issue. We don't have bikes,” Lucas says.
“Already ahead of you, my best friend. I rented bikes.”
“James, you don't need to flaunt your bromance in front of all of us,” Abby says, rolling her eyes. Everyone erupts into laughter except Lucas and James, who bothcarry slightly confused and offended expressions on their faces.
“We are not in a bromance,” Lucas huffs. I giggle at his words, earning me a firm squeeze on my thigh and pointed look on his face.
“Hate to break it to you,” I laugh out, “but you definitely are in a bromance.”
I learnt to ride a bike when I was six years old and after that we didn't ride them often because we would either walk or take the train everywhere. I didn't expect for me to be able to pick it back up easily. I rode on a bright blue bike, right at the back as we travel down the long downhill road towards the pebbly beach. The sky was filled with the familiar swirls of pinks and oranges that fall behind the trees. Bailey and James were up at the front leading us all down the far road. Bailey had her arms up in the air, balancing on her bicycle and wobbling slightly.
After biking dangerously down the hill, we arrive at the beach. It doesn’t take long for it to get dark and to have a fire lit. It's quiet and it takes me a moment to realise my head is laying on Lucas’ shoulder. As I notice, myhead snaps back up, focusing back on the fire in front of us.
“Do you want more?” Lucas says from beside me, holding out a marshmallow that has been bronzed by the fire. I smile at him, shaking my head at his offer. He takes a quick bite from it, and I laugh as it burns the roof of his mouth. The stars are bright tonight and easy to see. We have been pretty quiet all night, just having our own small conversations and silently swimming in the ocean as the sun sets. The entire night between us all feels as though it is a private moment we can spend with each other to treasure the limited time left. All I want is to be in this night forever. The slight breeze prickles my skin and my hair is flowing away from my face by the wind. Lucas smiles down at me after eating the marshmallow, following the sound of my laugh. I laugh again, feeling as though it's just us at this moment. I soon remember that it is not.
“So, when were you going to tell us you guys are together?” Alec’s words make me take such a sharp inhale that I start coughing. It takes me a moment to get my breath back and that's when I turn to Lucas and then to Bailey, then back to Alec. I’m so confused.
I take a deep, shaky breath, and I say, “No. That's not what's going on.” I can't face Lucas as I don't know what he’s told James or anyone else, but I know that Bailey is the only other person who knows. I don't want Lucas to be hurt by my instant refusal to what Alec’s question but I honestly am not sure what's going on.
Lucas says, “yeah, exactly. There is absolutely nothing going on.” I turn my attention to Lucas and his eyes are focused on the floor. I think I hurt him. I'm not sure though. We agreed this was something that would end in a couple weeks.I am not sure what to say. I want to fix it.
“We all know that's not true,” Abby says, “You guys are all over each other. Others may not notice it, but I know that the children have. Daisy told us.” Of course. She loves to gossip. “Can we just agree that you guys like each other and that you're seeing each other?” Alec nods at her words. James and Bailey share a look that means they probably both know everything too.
“Fine, we are kind of seeing each other but it's just for this summer,” I say and as I do, Lucas pulls me closer, and wraps his arm around me, holding me close to warm me up. He smiles and kisses my cheek.
“Okay, just because we all know now doesn't mean we have to see that!” James yells.
“Agreed,” Bailey says, and we all laugh. The moment of silence that follows her words forces me to stare at the family I have made this summer. This is one of the last times we can all be together. I think we all realise this at the same time. The slow brush of the ocean against the sand is the only sound that echoes around us and the moment my eyes move around theirs, we all really and truly feel it. The end is near.
Lucas’ hand brushes against my hip bone, drawing my attention to him. “You will visit, Ivy. When you do, all six of us will spend an evening together. This is not the end.” His voice doesn’t hold its usual confidence but his words still feel real. I nod at him but there is a lump in my throat, making it impossible to speak.
Bailey leans against Abby as all their eyes flicker between the moment we share. No one says a word for a while, but a promise is made.
This is not the end.
Despite everyone’s protests, Lucas doesn't let go of me, holding me close the entire night, even as we go back to camp and drift into sleep.
CHAPTER 19
Lucas
Song 19
Back to friends – Sombr
08/10
