Chapter Thirty-Seven #2
Addie releases a thrilled squeak as she throws her arms around me. “I’m so happy for you! I’ve wanted this for you for so long.”
“I know,” I mutter with a laugh.
“Sorry I was so annoying,” she says with a sheepish smile as she pulls away. “But I know when people are meant to be together, and you and Kylen have been written in the stars from the moment you met at camp. It was just that things got messy along the way. But the truth was always there.”
“Maybe you’re right. I don’t know why we had to go through what we went through, but I know that we are both stronger than we were. And I guess we appreciate each other more because we know what it’s like to lose each other. I’m never letting go of him again.”
“You’d better not,” Carly says. “Or I might just have to slap you.”
I chuckle. “You have my permission to slap me if I ever think of breaking up with him.”
“I’m not worried,” she says with a confident expression. “Now that you guys are at this point, I know nothing can tear you apart.”
Now Sophie yanks me into her arms and tells me how happy she is for Kylen and me. She and the others felt guilty when they flaunted their relationships in front of me, even though I told them a million times that I didn’t mind. Now they can include me in all their swoons and gushes.
I don’t remember taking a shower or dressing into pajamas. All I’ve been thinking about since I got back is Kylen and the wonderful moments we shared together today. Somehow, I manage to fall asleep because the next thing I know, Carly is shaking me awake.
“Did you dream about Kylen?” she asks.
“Yes! And you stole me away.”
“Sorry. But we’re supposed to eat early so we can squeeze in a few more activities. Didn’t you say you wanted to go skiing one more time with Kylen?”
Her words light a fire under me because I don’t want to waste any moment.
Breakfast goes by quickly, with my friends, the guys, and Kylen and his friends gobbling down our food so we can catch the shuttle to the slopes.
The way Kylen’s friends glance between him and me with a knowing smile tells me he must have informed them about our incredible day yesterday.
They look so happy for us, especially Beck.
Kylen and I indeed ski together, sneaking in kisses whenever we can. Thankfully, the chaperones don’t seem to be on our case about it. But all good things must come to an end, and it’s not long before I find myself following Kylen as he lugs my suitcase down the stairs of the lodge.
“I can’t believe this is over,” Sophie says with a frown as she looks back toward the stairs. “Why is this just a trip for juniors? Why can’t we come back next year?”
“Maybe I can ask my grandfather if we can rent the place over winter break next year?” Addie suggests. “As long as it doesn’t overlap with the junior trip.”
Carly grabs hold of her hand and jumps up and down. “Would you really do that? Oh my gosh, my parents would love to vacation here. They’d want to pay their share, though.”
“Same with mine,” Sophie says.
“And mine,” I say. “And Robin would love it here, too.”
“Are we invited?” Kylen asks. Jasper, Leo, and Beck look hopeful, too.
“Of course!” Addie says. “You guys are our friends, too.”
Beck punches his fist in the air. “I love this school!”
It’s a bit chaotic as everyone gathers in the foyer with their suitcases, and the chaperones remind the kids to double check to make sure they didn’t leave anything behind. Then we load onto the buses, everyone seeming to take the same seats they took when we traveled here.
Kylen wraps his arm around me as I snuggle up to his chest and breathe him in. “This trip was perfect,” he tells me. “Because of you.”
“It was perfect for me, too.”
He looks to his right and left before pressing a quick kiss on my lips. “Ready to get back to all the boring school stuff? Remember, we still have some work to do on Shakespeare.”
I groan. “Ugh, don’t remind me. The presentation is this week.”
“Don’t worry. That A is in the bag.”
Kylen and I talk a bit on the ride back, but we mostly doze off in each other’s arms. Then the buses pull up before the school gates about two hours later.
As Sophie and I are unpacking, my phone jingles with a notification. Sophie’s phone also beeps. We give each other a confused face before grabbing them and scanning the screen. It’s an email reminding everyone about the school dance next week.
“Oh my gosh! How could I have forgotten about the dance?” Sophie exclaims.
At that second, there are frantic knocks on the door. After I open it, Addie and Carly tumble in. “Did you guys get email reminders about the school dance?” Carly asks.
“Yep,” I say.
“Okay, we just wanted to make sure because it completely slipped our minds,” Addie says. “We were so busy with the lodge.”
“What will we do about dresses, though?” Sophie asks.
“Don’t worry,” Addie assures her. “You know you guys can borrow my dresses. There are so many to choose from, and I bet Grandpa will send us even more in the next few days.”
“And the best part? Raven will finally have someone to go with,” Carly says.
“Assuming he asks me,” I say.
They all give me a look.
“What?” I mutter.
“As if he won’t ask you,” Sophie grumbles.
As my friends continue gushing about it, I can’t hide my smile. I’ve always dreamed of dancing with a guy at a dance, but the last one didn’t turn out that great. I have a feeling things will be so much different now, and every part of me beats with anticipation.