Suddenly This Summer Novels & Stories

CALLA This summer felt like a movie. Sun on my skin, water in my hair. Late night swims in the lake behind the summer house while our parents drank wine on the deck, and Miles cannon balled into the water drenching me completely. I splashed back at him, laughing, but his grin was infuriating. He moves like he is always on the ice, fast, deliberate, and impossible to catch off guard. We have done summers together since kindergarten. Our families vacation every year like it’s tradition. Same place, same inside jokes, same two families tangled together as if fate had it planned. But this year was different. Miles looked at me differently after what felt like forever.

✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧ I’ve been restless for a while now, constantly glancing at my phone. I’m waiting for Summer to message me and let me know if she has succeeded in borrowing Poppy from her parents. She didn’t want any of us—Love, Hope, or myself—to go with her, thinking it might make it even harder for Poppy to be allowed out. She always jokes with Hope, calling him the ultimate jinx. And since Aunt Baby is out of the country, Summer’s doing this on her own. Aunt Baby and Chloe left for Singapore just the other day.

"Sorry, Summer. I didn't mean to wake you. Willow didn't show up today. I think she's throwing a tantrum and got her dad to hand the project to someone else." The disappointment in his eyes was evident, and Summer noticed it. She went back to her room, picked up her phone, and handed it to him. On the screen was a post I had made on social media. It was a photo of a sunset in Los Angela. She looked at Malcolm with a wronged expression. "Having second thoughts? Go to her, then."

Time had flown past so fucking quickly. Summer had chosen an unconventional college that allowed their art students to graduate much earlier, unlike other colleges, if the student was exceptional, and her big exam was coming up. Lifting her hand to me, she held out a spoon full of the ice cream with a wink, a silent invitation….a fucking temptation.

I said and pushed him off to the side and strode over to Anthony Turner. "Hey!" I said brightly. Anthony Turner looked up from his computer. Confusion flickered in his eyes. "I am Summer. I am in your English class," I tried again. "Yeah, I know but why are you talking to me?" he asked. "What do you mean? Why wouldn't I? I am sorry, am I bothering you?" I attacked him with a string of questions. "Oh no no, you aren't bothering me. Sorry I wasn't trying to be rude. It's just that I know how popular you are so I am just taken aback because you are talking to me suddenly," Anthony smiled.

She snuggled her face against my neck "I love you, babe." And this is the finale because you already know what we did that summer. -Fin

Sutburg was filled with flowers in spring, petals flying toward us in the wind, pink, white, and many other colors. Some flowers landed on my shoulder, and I thought to myself that I had made it through winter. And finally, my spring was here.

Rachel responded in her usual chipper mood. "Yeah, I just woke up an hour ago. I know it's almost midday, that's what weekends are for." "So what are you doing?" Sara hesitated, "I'm not doing anything, just chilling in my room." "That's so boring! It's summer, you should be out doing stuff!" "It's too hot to be doing anything on days like these." Sara complained, "Honestly, sometimes I freaking hate summer. I've barely moved and I already feel like I need a shower, it's gross!"

That was all that meant. Summer was in the living room. She had her phone in her hand and she looked up when she heard us come down. Her eyes went to me first, then to Susan, then back to somewhere neutral. "Are you not eating before you leave?" Gray asked from across the room. I opened my mouth. "He has plans," Summer said. "With Susan." It landed flat. Not mean, just flat. Gray looked between us briefly and then said, "Okay. Have fun. Take care." And went back to what he was doing.

Everyone asked at the same time and Joel felt it was awkward, "it was meant to be your graduation gift but anyways, it's not too late or early to tell you now" He smiled and Beatrice was more shocked, she couldn't believe what was happening. "Okay, so, can we book the first month, I want different wear deigns, I don't care about the amount" Mark said as he could tell what Joel was trying to do. Mark smiled inwardly as Joel's possessiveness was about the chart. "Just contact me directly," Joel said and Benita chuckled. "Why don't you give me your number?" Benita asked and Beatrice was so pleased, "sure"