All Chapters of Last Year of Seventeen: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

It’s the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Liberty Polo Federation and the excitement has kept me up all night. Not because of the Membership Meeting but because of the Emperor’s Cup which is also held on the same day. This is one of the few events that our family is required to attend that I actually enjoy. It’s when I can display Philip in all his glory. We will be participating in the two main events which are Show Jumping and then at Polo. This year is a bit more special though. This year, August will be watching and something within me stirred. After my brother left, no one else watched me compete. It’s fine. I’m used to it now. My father is always out of the country and my mother is often out of herself. So now, with someone watching and much more since it's August, I’m feeling more riled up. I got to Liberty Mead real early that I was there before my coach. I was already done schooling Philip when Coach Anthony came. He wasn’t shocked to see me there first. He knows h

I took August back to the stables where Philp awaits us. He neighed when he saw us and throttled a little out of excitement. "Hi Philip" I greeted him and nozzled his hair. "This is August. August, meet Sir Philip." August in return curtsied, “Nice to meet you Sir Philip,” she said and I couldn’t help but laugh. She turned to me scowling, “What? I think a curtsy fits such a fine and respectable horse.”I took her hand this time and gently placed it on Philips's muzzle to get him acquainted with her scent. Philip smelled her for a bit and then he started licking her hand. "Oh my God that tickles," August said laughing. "Seems like Sir Philip likes you too." I asked August if she wanted to ride Philip. "Would he not throw me off?" She asked. She didn't seem scared, only curious. She got pretty excited when I started to help her up. "I'll be holding him so you don't have to worry." I told her. So August rode Philip, and I was their guide. We walked towards the lesser used area of

I have successfully avoided my father for the past three days. I leave the house before he is up and return only once he's gone to bed. With him at home, I felt more of a stranger in my house than I ever did before. After schools’ are often spent in Theo's place and sometimes in the Library where August is. Yesterday, I even went with her to her other job as a barista in a quaint, homey bookstore/coffee shop called The Old Scroll. I only insisted on driving her there initially. Which was of course met with defiance but I have learned how to properly negotiate with August. I told her I'd be buying coffee and I'd be leaving a very generous tip. I did buy coffee and then I decided to stay for a little while. And then the little while turned to an hour. And then another. And another. And I told myself I was just killing time but I knew I stayed because I liked being close to August. To keep myself helpful, I did some waiting tables and even entertained buyers by suggesting books they

I’ve never seen anyone as calm as August inside the eye of the storm. When we arrived at the hospital, she knew exactly where to go, knew who to talk to, knew what to do. Apparently, her mother ruptured her appendix while she was doing volunteer work, giving free consultations in the lower edge of the city. She suddenly fainted and luckily they got her to the hospital in time for an immediate surgery. The Doctor that August was talking to said that it could have been much worse if she was even five minutes late.“You’re mother is my friend, I won’t let anything bad happen to her.” Dr. Wakovski said and then he gestured to me, “You go ahead and relax and wait this out with your boyfriend.”“Oh,” August started to say. But the doctor was back inside the operating room before she could explain anything more. I tried to hide my smirk, but it was too difficult especially after seeing August blush over that comment. “Stop it.” She said firmly as she walked past me.We haven’t eaten anythin

The day of our fourth fake date has come and I am both excited and terrified. I tell myself that after the fake dates we still have the falling-in-love phase and the break-up. We’ll still have more time. I’ll still have August for a short while. I picked her up in front of her mother’s clinic who waved us goodbye and reminded me of the dinner she still owed. I told Dr. Carline that I am definitely available anytime she wants to invite me over to which August only grunted while pulling me away as quickly as possible. August still smelled of vanilla and it enveloped the inside of my car. It was a scent I have come to be familiar with but still can’t get enough of. I had to consciously wrestle with myself not to get too attached. But I believe it might be too late. When all of this is over, I know I will always crave the scent of vanilla and I won’t be able to breathe it in without thinking of August. “Here, let’s drive to this address.” August said as she handed me a piece of neatly