This Summer Will Be Different Novels & Stories

He heard the other man release a puff of relieved breath. ~~~~~ Summer tapped her foot nervously. She tried to stop this nervous tick of hers, but the more time passed, the more anxious she became. What was taking the boss so long? She didn’t know what was going on but she was certain Mr. King knew something. “Sorry for the wait,” Mr. King muttered when he came back. Summer managed to give him a small smile. “So...you think you are different?” he asked directly. She silently nodded, her heartbeat kicking up. He stared at her for a while, as if debating over something in his mind before saying, “You are indeed...different, Miss. Laurent.”

"Trust me, one day you will wish you did those stuffs." "I don't think so." "Try it, take time off. Party, do all the things high schoolers do." "No one sits around here all summer. Summer is when people experience new things and make new friends." "I don't need all of that and I am not sure I will like parties and all." "You have to try something to know how it's like. Just try it."

Nobody is going to come to me. Talking about me, my name is Theodore Reigns. I'm 16, about to enter Junior year in two months when the school reopens after summer break. But to be honest, right now I think it's highly unlikely cause I'm here attending this three day Art camp for next year's senior students, that too in disguise as Elena Griffin, Eastwood's best artist, and so if I get caught, I guess I won't have to go to school again.

The constant yelling, violence, and tension that hangs in the air like a heavy fog. It's a place where I'm always on edge, never knowing what will trigger another explosive outburst. As summer begins, I'm painfully aware that it will pass by quickly, just like every other summer before it. While my classmates excitedly plan vacations and adventures, I know that my summer will be spent confined to my home, taking care of my mother and Nichole, as they both have their own mysterious activities that occupy their time. Every morning, I wake up early, even before the sun rises, to make sure everything is in order.

“Because you might think your vengeance will be enough to carry you through, but the reality will be much different once you come face to face with him” It was a warning, but it did not feel like one; it was more like she was telling her she would change her mind once she saw Lucius again. Laila did not want to come off as smug, but also did not want to accept what she was being told. “Vengeance has carried me all the way here; I’m sure it will carry me further” “I’m sure it will too, but it is in your best interest that you don’t let it; that world that you’re about to enter, his world, is going to be much different from what you’ve ever imagined”

“She’s on your side, or at least claims to be… Aren't you… friends of some sort?" She chuckled and shook her head. "You sweet summer child." My face heated. "What does that mean?" "It's a saying about children and seasons." "Is this… from across the border?" She nodded. "A child born in a season only remembers the season after. Summer children only see the outcomes: the harvest of fall. They don't see the blistering days of tilling the land, the winter, etc. You are a summer child: optimistic, full of hope. It's adorable and attractive on you, and… surprising."

“Fucking hate them.” Marcus clapped my back. “You’ll handle it. You always do.” I didn’t answer. Because something told me this summer wasn’t just about scouts anymore. It was about thin walls. Locked doors. Wet towels. And an ex who knew exactly how to time her entrances. I stepped out into the parking lot, sun already brutal. And felt the weight settle heavier on my chest. This wasn’t going to be clean. Not even close.

MARK MY WORDS BITCH. “Who the fuck could this be?” I lay back on my bed, wondering who could’ve sent the message. My hands weren’t steady anymore. I sat up, read it again, and read it a third time. My heart was beating really really fast. The video was still existing . The threat was real. Fuck, whoever sent this knew exactly how to get me for sure. This summer just got a lot more dangerous.

"Why don't you come to school? Genuinely. You just stay here and get tutored and you never say why." Something moved through his expression. "I just prefer it here. Less noise." "Gray." "I like being home, Crew. I like painting and I like quiet and school has a lot of neither." He held my gaze and there was something underneath it that I couldn't quite reach and I had been noticing that more lately, this layer in Gray that used to not be there. "What happened?" I let it go. For now. "Summer's birthday is Sunday," I said. He went still for just a second. "I know."

"Ready for what?" "College. Growing up. Whatever comes next." "Yeah?" "Yeah. Because I know you'll always be here. Dad too. And Katie. And even William, somehow." "We will, baby. Always." He reached over and squeezed my hand. "Thanks for everything, Mom." "Thank you for being you, Will." He grinned. "Best kind of thank you." "The only kind that matters." --- Summer at the lake house was bittersweet. Will's last summer before college. He knew it. We knew it. Everyone felt it.