So Long Summer Novels & Stories

"I miss the ocean," I utter my inner thoughts, lost in my own trance as the afternoon stretches its wings under the blue sky. I miss home. "It can't be a perfect summer without some salty water, right?" Malik slides his mobile on the table and graces me his full attention.

THE SUMMER I LOST MY ‘V’ CARD DISCLAIMER Dearest Lanee Reader, This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental and unintentional. This book and all its content are protected. No part of this work may be reproduced, transmitted, electronically transferred, or distributed in any form without the express written permission of the author. Unauthorized use may result in legal action. Every word in here means something to me, please respect that.

"Mom, I need a week to settle everything here with this pack." Mom's voice turned gentle. "Of course. However long it takes, your father and I will be here, waiting for you. We've missed you so much. The moment you return, we'll announce you as the sole heir of the Bloodmoon Pack. And we'll spend the rest of our lives loving you with everything we've got." I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. Mom's words brought back the promises Alan had made to me all those years ago. Under the moonlight, he had pulled me into his arms, his eyes filled with a quiet tenderness. "I'll always be loyal to you, Amy. I'll stand by your side forever and be your strongest support."

With just seven days left until the college entrance exam, the high school's PA system suddenly crackled to life during the morning break. “My name is Lily Smith. I’m a senior. Before I graduate, I’d like to confess my feelings to my crush.” Inside the classroom, every eye instantly locked onto Jack. The room exploded into rowdy cheers and teasing. Jack felt his face burn as his heart hammered against his ribs. After all, he had spent three whole years cracking jokes to help his childhood friend, Lily, overcome the deep dark pit of her depression. On her eighteenth birthday, she had even initiated their first kiss. “You were the light that pulled me out of the darkness. I hope that once

“Old women here still call it by name. Tidewalker. They say it remembers blood. And it remembers when to come back.” A gust of hot wind rolled through the parking lot, carrying the smell of the ocean. Even a mile inland, it stung like salt. Jake swallowed. “And it’s a heatwave this week.” Sarah didn’t answer. She didn’t need to. The forecast on his phone said 98°F by Thursday. Across the lot, the cove glimmered under the sun. Too still. Too quiet. Suddenly there was an outburst, a good number of students hurrying out of school, all of them moving in one direction toward the lower fields. Voices overlapped — half questions, half panic.

I struck a finger at her. “I drove all the way down here for Tame Impala so I’m going to see Tame Impala. I don’t think you understand but Summer ends in ten days for me and the past few weeks have been hard as hell. My parents got divorced and my dad is marrying another woman who would probably scam him of his entire net worth. God I hate him so much, I hate everyone in the whole world but this man right behind me.”

He dialed my phone number, but no one picked up. Then, he called Florence. “Tell me. Where’s Summer?” Florence remained calm and said, “Summer’s at work.” This time, she said the same thing as my mother. “Which company? I want to see her,” Orion said and got up to retrieve his car keys. “Hurry up and tell me.” Florence fell silent. Finally, she sighed and bitterly said, “Summer passed away from a tumor. “Back then, she didn’t want to waste your time. That’s why she broke up with you.”

At me. And Summer Winters — Summer Ashford, whatever she was going to be called — was going to be long gone by then. I folded the paper and put it back in my pocket. Focus on practice. Focus on the game. One day.

This time Summer looked away. She spent the majority of the day in her room doing nothing. Her thoughts meshed into one another like different colours splattered and mixed on a palette— messy and ugly. The elderly couple had gone to work, leaving food and keys. Liam had said to call them if she needed them. Summer wanted to get up, do something productive, but she simply did not have the energy to do anything. She felt tired, yet sleep evaded her. --**--

Summer was affected by this, slowly getting used to Caroline's underhanded tactics. Actually, the main thing keeping Summer going was the upcoming move. James had promised to help her move out in just two months. This afternoon, after finishing her yoga class, Summer ran into Howe. They hadn't spoken in two weeks. She heard he'd gone up North for a vacation like Norman and hadn't returned for a while. Howe was wearing a pink shirt with beige trousers. He was dressed casually. "Summer, long time no see." As they passed by, Howe greeted Summer warmly.