Page 235 - The Life of A Teenage Girl (Stories About Finding Your Way)

IT WAS NEVER JUST SUMMER

The new week had started quietly—not with the rush of school
mornings, but with the slower rhythm of home. No alarm buzzing, no

scramble for books or bus rides—just sunlight slipping through the

curtains and the comfort of knowing I didn’t have to go anywhere. For
once, the week wasn’t about classrooms or crowded hallways. It was

about being here, at home, where the hours belonged to me.
But I’m still thinking about what happened yesterday for some

reason, and I’m awkwardly embarrassed.
When I went downstairs, I called my best friends to see if they

wanted to go out for a bit. Luckily, they were both free the whole day

today, so that was good.
“Hey, guys,” I said to my girls when we got out on the street.

“Hey! I still can’t believe my professor canceled my lessons today.
I’m so lucky!” Jessie said, smiling.

“Yeah, good for you!” Celia said, holding Jessie’s hand softly.
As the girls were talking, I was thinking of what to do during the

summer break. Maybe convince my mom and me to go to the beach?

Or fly somewhere for a vacation? New things to do with my mom are
always fun… but I just didn’t know exactly what to do. I mean, going

out with my friends is fine, but it’s going to get boring the more we do

it, and I know they have other plans than just hanging out together.
When we reached a coffee shop, we decided to get something to

drink before doing anything else. I ordered an iced mocha with boba
pearls, and Celia ordered an iced pumpkin spice latte. As for Jessie, she

ordered—well, had to order—an Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato with

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