Page 231 - The Life of A Teenage Girl (Stories About Finding Your Way)

IT WAS NEVER JUST SUMMER

“Thanks, guys,” Jessie said softly, hugging us both as we paused
at the corner.

The hallway buzzed louder as the next period loomed, and students

began peeling off in different directions. Jessie let go of us with a sigh,
tucking her phone back into her pocket.

“Guess this is my stop,” she said, heading toward her math class.
Celia and I exchanged a quick smile before parting ways, too. The day

wasn’t over yet, though.
By the time the final bell rang, the classrooms had emptied into a

flood of voices and footsteps rushing for the doors. The air felt lighter,

like the whole building had been waiting for summer to finally arrive.
I slipped out with the crowd, spotting Jessie and Celia near the gates,

and together we started the walk home.
We split ways quickly, since we live kind of close to each other.

Jessie reached her house first, waving before disappearing through the
front door. Celia followed soon after, leaving me to walk the last stretch

alone.

“Great, now I’m alone,” I muttered, kicking a tiny rock ahead of
me.

But just a few steps later, I slowed down. Someone walking up

ahead looked kind of familiar.
I squinted.

Wait… was that Caelum?

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