4. Hannah
CHAPTER 4
HANNAH
SEVEN SUMMERS AGO
“ G od, Caroline, are you sure you don’t want to come home with me for the summer?” I ask for the millionth time, making sure to school my expression into the most miserable one I can manage.
She lets out a laugh before nodding. “You know, as fun as that sounds, if I leave Tuscaloosa, I won’t have my job in the fall. Plus, my parents sold the house when they moved to Brazil, so I don’t even have a place to stay in Springside right now.”
“I told you that you could stay with me!” I remind her pitifully.
“I love you, Han, but your grandfather has enough on his plate. You both just lost your grandmother, and we’ve already paid for the lease through the end of the summer. Plus, you’ll be back here soon! In two months, we’ll be together so much you’ll be sick of me again.” Caroline reminds me while I make a final lap around my bedroom ensuring I have everything packed.
“Okay, fine,” I tell her begrudgingly. “I just can’t believe you’re sending me home to rot this summer. What the heck am I going to do? I know Gramps needs me, but I’m gonna be bored to death.”
“I highly doubt that. You and I both know there’s more than enough trouble for you to get into at home. But really, just focus on making sure the farm is back in order. And remember our rule—this is a boy free summer. We both need a break from the frat boys who are only looking for a one-night-stand, and if we’re gonna make the most of junior year, we can’t have a boy keeping us from partying it up,” Caroline says with a little shimmy of her shoulders.
“God, like you even have to remind me,” I retort with an eye roll. “Besides, who the hell am I going to date in Springside? You’ll be the one with all the hotties!”
“I promise I won’t have a bit of fun without you. But next semester, we’re going to have the best time!” my best friend exclaims.
“I can’t wait!” I say, giving her a squeeze. “August can’t come fast enough!”