Page 1 of Second Chance Vacation

NINE YEARS AGO

JACKSON

“I can’t do this, Jackson,” Vivi says as her eyes meet mine, the glistening sheen causing my stomach to hitch. Something is off. Instinctively, I reach up to touch her. Her dark brown tendrils drape over my hand. She hesitates before leaning into my touch, allowing my hand to linger as she rests against my chest for a moment before the realization hits her and causes her to jerk away from me.

A gust of wind leaves the skin on my arms pebbled as the late-night summer breeze mixes against the pink expanse of skin I’m sporting from the day by the pool. Despite needing to finish packing, I couldn’t resist spending my last day of summer by Vivi’s side, knowing that come tomorrow, I’ll be heading for Duke.

What is going on?

“Can’t do what? Come visit next month? If it’s too much, I can come home.”

I’m not sure what is going on with her, but I try with everything to mask my fear in this moment. I allow a smile to paint my lips, even if it doesn’t reach my eyes. She crosses her arms over her chest, the chill of the evening air hitting her too. I reach out to her, attempting to cradle her from the cold. Viv blocks my advance by holding up her hand in protest.

“It’s been fun—really, we’ve had a fun summer, but it has run its course.”

She can’t be serious right now.

We’ve planned for every situation, and this isn’t what I was expecting. She is supposed to come see me at college, spend weekends in my apartment. She is supposed to be a fixture in my life as she always has been. However, I know that look on her face. Goose bumps crawl over my skin, causing me to rub the sensitive flesh in an effort to quell my unrest.

“Bullshit.”

I don’t want to be a dick, but is she serious right now? After everything we’ve been through, she’s just ready to throw it away and reduce it to a fun summer fling? I’ve been in love with this girl for as long as I can remember, so for her to act like it is nothing…my stomach is in knots.

“It’s been fun.”

My eyes fix on hers, desperate to find some evidence of the lie she’s spewing. She doesn’t want this. She can’t want this. Viv’s eyes meet my own for a split second before she turns her gaze to the ground again. Her active effort to avoid looking at me only worsens my discomfort. Something is off. I can feel it in my bones.

“Stop lying!” I say, my voice cracking in the process as I try to keep the tears at bay. I know it’s not physically possible, but I am nearly convinced my heart is going to lurch out of my chest. The incessant pounding travels to my ears, each beat providing a rhythm to my agony. My stomach churns, leaving an invasive taste of bile coating my mouth and throat.

“I’m not lying, Jackson.” She won’t even look at me. “You wanted to give this a shot. That is what we did. We gave it a go. It didn’t work out—now it’s time to move on.”

Racking my brain, I try to think of anything, something. There must be something.

There has to be a phrase in the English language that can convince her to stay. I’m sure of it. I reach for her again, but she backs up a step, almost tripping on the pavement but steadying herself. There must be some magic word, something I haven’t thought of, that can derail this train heading for my demise. Yet, I have nothing. Her eyes fix on the concrete below her feet.

“Are you fucking kidding me, Viv? That’s a cop-out, and you know it.”

Viv’s blank expression as she looks up at me chills my blood. It’s haunting how well she manages to keep her thoughts locked away, a staggering difference from a few days ago. She’s entirely disconnected from what I’m saying, and I’m beginning to feel like I’m talking to a blank wall. A blank wall that will do just about anything to get me to stop pleading.

“Jackson.”

Nothing—she gives me nothing. Her expression, her words…give me nothing. Nothing except for heartache. I’ve loved this girl for as long as I can remember, and despite this, I’ve never gotten the chance to tell her. Every time it seemed like the right time, she shot it down—like she knew what I wanted to say. I wipe my palms over my basketball shorts, trying to rid myself of the sweat that’s pooling there. I’m completely in love with her. I think I always have been. She’s the only girl I’ve ever felt this way about and the only girl I ever will. I may be barely eighteen, but I know what this is.

“Viv. Please don’t do this. I lo—”

“Don’t.”

Vivi’s eyes are wide as she gazes up at me, a silent plea for me to let it go. She holds her hand up to hold me at bay. I want to push her hand down, force her to look me in the eye as she rips my life to pieces. I don’t.

For the love of God, just let me say it. Just once, I want you to hear it. Even if you say nothing, let me say it. Let me tell you.

She moves her hand, and her eyes meet mine, but despite myalmostrevelation, she looks up at me with the same blank expression as before. If she’s feeling a shred of pain, she doesn’t let it show. Calm, cool, collected, Genevieve is the picture of composure. I ache for the ability.

I just stare down at her.

I try anyway. “Viv—”

“Don’t,” she retorts before backing away, her sneaker catching on the pavement. My arm juts out, catching her fall. Once she’s steady, she yanks her arm away from my grasp. She says nothing, not even a thank you. Viv just runs. She darts down the driveway toward the street. I’m stuck—I stand there, staring at the girl of my dreams, quite literally running away from me.

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