Page 17 of Fall

Isigh in relief as the heat from the shower eases my aching muscles. With Celeste joining me for morning runs and workouts, being in the shower is my only quiet time before the day.

Admittedly, I thought I would hate the company, but it turns out that with her around, I have less time to fall into the rabbit holes and dark crevasses of my mind. Plus, she lights my days. If these small things help keep her safe, then that’s what I’m going to do.

There’s a comfort in watching her get stronger. It might be selfish, but it feels good to know that I’m the one helping her. I’m contributing to something positive for a change.

I step out of the shower and stare into the mirror. “Happy birthday, sis. I’m sorry you aren’t here,” I say to the woman staring at me in the mirror.

“Happy birthday, goofball. Don’t be sad. I’m proud of you.”I hear her reply in my mind.

I momentarily wonder what people would say if they knew I talk to my dead sister, but then I realize—I don’t care. I give my reflection a bittersweet smile, take a deep breath, and face the day.

I change into a pair of ripped skinny jeans and walk out of my room to find Taylor and Celeste sitting at the counter. There’s steam coming from the mugs of coffee in front of them, and Cele slides one in my direction without even looking up. She just instinctively knows that I’m there.

“I think we should spend the day off campus, if you guys are up for it,” Taylor says sheepishly, his tan cheeks darkening. “I sorta have a surprise for both of you.”

I squish my eyebrows together and purse my lips.

“It’s not for your birthday, I promise. I’ve wanted to do this for a while. I just haven’t been able to do it until now.”

Celeste’s skeptical face mirrors mine, but I’m curious enough to go along. I know we both can feel our calm coming to an end, and neither of us are ready to face what’s coming.

With fall term starting soon, we’re going to have to deal with the full strength of the Stratham University student body. So if Taylor wants to have some fun, we might as well oblige him while we can.

“All right, Taylor. Let’s get off campus and see what this surprise is that you have for us. But only if you let me bring Celeste’s fireball,” I say with a grin.

We all could use some outside time, but I have a feeling that I’m going to need alcohol for it.

His eyes spark with gratitude, and his large smile is all teeth. “Whatever you want.”

The three of us squeeze into Taylor’s BMW i8, and much to our surprise, he drives us out to the Union Point Lighthouse. We get out of his car and walk towards the beach, but Taylor hesitates. He grabs something from his trunk and follows behind us. Celeste and I look around, wondering where the surprise is. Once we reach the edge of the walkway, he clears his throat.

“So… uhm… you guys have been going through a lot, and I… uh… know that Evie likes the beach… even though it’s not like California. Anyway, I just thought it would work for this,” he stutters, then pulls two bags and a blanket from behind his back.

“I remember last summer Celeste mentioned that she’d never gone on a real picnic, so…” He shrugs his shoulders up to his ears. “I thought the three of us could have a picnic on the beach.”

Taylor is blushing profusely, and I’m torn between hugging him and laughing out loud. I’ve never seen him this serious and nervous before. I look over to Celeste, who is stunned into silence.

Turns out, he packed two bags full of sandwiches, fruits, and potato chips for me, and chocolate-covered strawberries for Celeste, as well as small bottles of different liquors.

“You remembered that? That was forever ago, and if I remember correctly, you were wasted,” Celeste comments in awe. “I didn’t think anyone was paying attention.”

She’s right, though, because I sure as hell didn’t remember.

He shrugs his shoulders again, hands us the bags, and lays out a blanket for us to sit on. We eat our picnic, and the pure joy in Celeste’s eyes as she eats one of the strawberries is better than any birthday present I could have asked for.

“Don’t think for a second you’re getting us both in bed,” I say, grabbing a second bag of chips. “The chips were a nice touch, but notthatnice.”

His laugh is haughty. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m a one-woman kinda guy.”

“I thought you were a handsy kinda guy?” I smirk, and we all laugh.

We eat our lunch and chat about nothing significant, truly taking the day off to enjoy the present. Whatever may come in the future is far from our minds as the sun shines above our heads.

When we’re done, I walk towards the edge of the walkway and take a seat, dangling my feet over the edge. I stare at the ocean, appreciating the magnificence in front of me. The ache to go surfing is strong.

I look back over to the two people who have embedded themselves into my life, and my heart wishes them both a lifetime of good things. They certainly deserve it.

Taylor suggests that we to go up the lighthouse, to see the views, but I decline and let them go on their own. I have a feeling Taylor might have a thing for Celeste, and I don’t want to get in the way.

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