The Summer That Changed Everything Novels & Stories

"We have to take a short car ride first. But the apartment has a really nice view." Summer nodded and skipped along as we walked closer to the baggage claim. I had to keep reminding myself that I had a job to do here. But even though I told myself I had moved on, returning so close to the place where I left my old life behind stirred emotions that I thought I had buried. There were so many ghosts here. "Mommy, why are the trees so big here?" Summer asked, her big hazel eyes tracking the landscape outside as we waited by the luggage carousel. "They aren't like the trees in Austin. These look like Christmas trees."

I looked up, and under the shade of the trees, he stood quietly—tall and composed—but his face was hidden in shadow. It was summer, and the cicadas buzzed noisily in the background. It suddenly brought me back to the end of the video I had seen in the theater. He had been sitting there, hands clenched tightly together, saying, “Sadie, I want you to be happy.” Even now, I couldn’t forget those words. So, I answered him, “Because someone wants me to be happy.”

It was Chloe, her eyes bright with a manic, dangerous energy, her breathing shallow as she stepped into my immediate space. "Chloe?" I frowned, setting my glass down on a high-top table. “Where's Summer?" "I need you to listen to me, Reed, and you need to listen to me right now because we have about ninety seconds before this entire room explodes," Chloe said, her voice dropping into a fierce, hurried whisper. She grabbed my forearm, her grip surprisingly tight. “You think you know why everything went down senior year. You think Summer did what she did to save her own skin and protect her career."

The summer ended slowly. The days were shorter. In the evening the air smelled sometimes after rain and earth instead of after heat. And without anyone really noticed, the children were older. Not only bigger. Different. Silent changes. The way Jonas automatically observed that Mira was not in thunderstorms remained alone. As Elio stopped listening to voices at night, and instead, Listening to people. How Kai sometimes stopped in the middle of chaos, smiled and visible tried to remember everything.

But before I got in, I glanced through the window. She was already looking out. Not at her phone. At me. And that was the problem. Because I could feel it again. That pull. That awareness. That constant reminder that she wasn’t just Davis’ little sister anymore. And she was going to college. Meeting people. Making friends. Meeting guys who wouldn’t hesitate the way I did. I started the engine. “You’ll get used to it,” I said finally. “To what?” she asked. “Everything is changing,” I replied.

Summer’s Point of View “A favor?” I inquired. “I’ll do my best, Senior. However, my life has undergone a significant change, and I’m not sure if I’m still capable of fulfilling anything.” He shook his head and stated, “Whether you have the money or not, you are still the Summer I know. I regret holding so much resentment towards you, despite knowing that you had no fault in the unfortunate ending of Steven’s parents.” He looked away and scanned the garden. “I have harbored so much pain in my heart that it has become toxic in my mind. And I regret it…”

And I was very happy for them. Not because my love life went to crap, meant that I could not be happy for others. My parents settled whatever disputes and disagreements they had, so that meant that the divorce papers were shredded. And as for Summer, she confessed to what she did to her little brother and is now paying for it in prison but is also being treated for her mental disorder. She was much happier and more peaceful now that she had confessed it all. I also happened to get the number of the guy that I met at the funeral home when I went to see Samuel before he was buried.

Checks the time 'Sh*t it's already six thirty'. Summer had begun and all of the neighborhood kids took advantage of every bit of daylight that shined. As soon as the sun come up you could hear the ATV's rummble from inside the house. Blacking out her windows to get some sleep during the daylight hours had done its job but there was nothing she could do about the noise disturbing her rest. She remembered what it was like to be a child. Carefree. Happy. Endless summer days with friends. That isn't something she dared ruin for them. Besides her salted caramel java monster would pep her up in no time.

“I thought about your offer to return. And I think it’s brilliant.” “You’re what?” “But not to Yale. Alderidge.” He blinked harder. “That’s Jake’s school.” “No shit.” “You know you can barely stand each other. So why?” Because Summer’s going. And wherever she goes, I’ll be close. Close enough to haunt her. Close enough to make sure she never forgets me. “I have my reasons.” He looked at me like I’d stabbed him with a butter knife. Slow, quiet disbelief. After Diana exposed my expulsion, he begged me to go back. I refused. But now, it’s different. Summer changed everything.

Do you really think you can compete with me? Bethany had stopped expecting a reply. Still, the harsh words kept coming. Heather turned the phone's screen off and stared at the spaghetti in front of her, but she had no appetite. It wasn't just love that could change; even habits and tastes could shift so easily. She tore the photo Mitchell had brought home in the middle, separating Mitchell from herself. Afterward, she took a warm bath and quickly fell asleep, letting herself rest for the night. The next morning, just before 7:00 AM, Heather woke up.