13

"Oh, let's make a stop at the gift shop. I need to get the matching swimsuit."

He pulls up to the store on the way out. I jump out, closing the door behind me. He rolls down his window.

"I will only be a moment."

"Take your time." He says, rolling it back up.

I wandered around, looking at the bathing suits. 4th July is coming up, and they are having a special sale. I feel like its too early but too them It's not. I found a cute one on sale. The top is half blue with white stars and the other half with red and white stripes. For the bottom, the outside is red and white stripes, and the inside is blue with the white stars.

"Notice how we are acting like we are boyfriend and girlfriend." He declares, as soon as I get into the car.

"Well... Are we?" I say, setting my bag down on the floor near my feet.

He drives off. "You tell me."

I hesitate. "I don't know... I would like it to happen. You did give me a ring." I say, showing him the ring pop that I licked off completely, leaving just the plastic ring part.

He laughs loudly, choking on his saliva. "You kept that!" He says in shock.

"Why wouldn't I? You don't throw rings away."

He puts his hand on my thigh, stroking it with his thumb. "I feel like one lucky man."

"I'm one lucky girl."

We get home after the two-hour drive. I admire car rides. I love listening to country music as I stare out the window. It sets the mood perfectly. We threw all of our bags on the floor at the front door. We planned on picking them up later. Everyone does this after a small or big getaway, so I really don't feel guilty. I relax on the couch with Lucas.

"Okay, so we each finished two things on our bucket list. Kinda three for me because of the bike ride from the banana bike, but I won't count it."

"Oh, don't remind me. It's what...? The 25th of June? And how many days do we have before they come back?"

"Um... July 4th. July fourth!? That's a weird coincidence."

"Wouldn't they arrive on the 3rd of July?"

"Uh, maybe. We will see when they get back." I say, wondering.

It's 2:18 in the afternoon. We left at 12 to get home early. I scoot onto Lucas, laying on my back with me on his stomach. He is like a tough, comfy stuff bear. We decided to watch tik toks on my phone.

I sit up between his legs. "Hey, I'm going to go for a bike ride. Do you want to come?"

"No, I'm good. I'm just going to stay here and watch these videos."

"I got you addicted, huh?"

"Yes. It's quite fascinating." He sits up next to me. "Don't you have any friends to hang with?"

"Trying to get rid of me, I see."

"Haha, no... never."

"No, I don't. I'm better off without any."

"Don't you feel alone?" He askes me.

"A little but not really."

"Go make some!"

"Where are your friends? Bring them here to hang. Have a small get together. I don't want you to be by me 24/7. I'm probably annoying you."

"You are not annoying me, but sure I will. We can have a small game night." He suggests.

"Yes! Go text them."

He shoots a text to a few of them. I'm not sure if they are going to be girls or guys. I shouldn't be jealous if he has any lady friends. He is an adult and is nearly 30. I'm not a jealous person but I don't know... He makes me a little jealous whenever he talks to other women.

"I'm going to go lay back down and watch more videos."

"You have fun," I say, lifting myself with one foot.

"Be safe and wear a helmet."

I scrunch up my nose and shook my head. I went to the garage and opened the door with the button on the wall. I kick the kickstand up off my purple and white mountain bike. I jump on, leaving my property. I road to the end of my street with the main road beside me.

"Shit my bike tires are low," I say to myself.

I walk myself to the nearest gas station that has a pump. It wasn't far. I didn't have to cross any main roads. Crossing the main roads presents me with unimaginable anxiety. I'm thankful that I live in a nice area with everything around that is walking distance. I arrive at the gas station. I head for the side of the building with the pump. I'm greeted by a kind young gentleman.

"What can I help you with?"

"I need my tires filled," I say, taking out my phone and opening the case with two dollars showing. I always carry a few bucks on me. Never know what you can need it.

"Oh, no need. It's on the house." He says, smiling.

"Oh, wow, thank you!"

He uncaps my bike tire cap. "Going for a bike ride?"

"Yeppers."

"Duh! That was a stupid question. I get nervous around cute girls. I will keep on talking and talking until they walk away slowly and that's what I'm doing now."

"Oh, it's okay! I get nervous too. I'm kinda like a wallflower."

"Me too."

"Are you new around here?" I ask him.

"Yeah, I moved here in June and started working here with my dad."

"Are you guys the new workers?"

"No, we are the new owners. The other guy left."

"Dang, that's a shame. I would always get free ice cream ever since I was little. It was a tradition when I came here."

"Well, that tradition doesn't have to end."

"What do you mean?"

He caps my front tire that is now filled. "Wait here." He comes back out with an oreo ice cream.

"Wow, you even got my favorite. Thank you."

"Haha mine too!"

"So are you going to school around here? You look young."

"Dakota High School."

"Really!? I'm going to be a senior this year at that school."

"Same! Maybe we will see each other around, and maybe you could give me a tour."

"I would be happy too."

He fills my rear tire as I'm devouring my ice cream. He stands up after he closes the stopper.

"Thanks for everything."

"No problem. Enjoy your ice cream."

I walk away from the building with my bike. I get a text from Lucas. I pull out my phone from my pocket, still walking. "The party is on!" I stop and rotate around. "Would you like to come over for a game night?"

He stops wiping his hand with his rag. "Sure!"

I smile. "Great. I will text you my address."

"I will need your phone number first."

"R-right..." I say, walking back in embarrassment.

I type my number into his phone, and he types his number in my phone.

"Do you want me to bring anything?" He says, handing me my phone back.

"Sure. Surprise me and make sure it's good." I say, replying with a smile.

Before going home, I road around my block. I park my bike in the garage and pressed the button to shut it. I walk inside to the living room where Lucas was. "Hey, I got a friend coming over too. I met him at the gas station and he will be attending my school this year as well."

"He?"

"Don't give me that look. You said to make friends, so I did what you asked."

"What's his name?"

"Shoot, I never got it."

"You didn't get his name?"

"I can just shoot him a text. I will be up in my room." I say, walking away. I lay down on my bed.

B: "Is it ridiculous that we never exchanged names?"

?: "Is this ice cream girl?"

B: "Hehe, maybe."

D: "I am Dalton."

B: "Nice to meet you, Dalton, I am Bella."

D: "I assumed your name was Juliana."

B: "Ooo, I love that name. I am not a fan of my name, but it's okay."

D: "Well, It's beautiful."

B: "Here is my address. (Bella's address). Come around 5."

D: "Alright cool. See you then."

I check the time on my phone it's 3:24. I get up and walked downstairs.

"Let's get cleaning and go to the store for drinks. We can order pizza for food." I say, ordering Lucas around.

"Your bossy."

"I know," I say, picking up my bag at the front door.

I clean the house top to bottom. There wasn't much to clean since my family and I keep the house tidy. We are at the Kroger looking for pop and snacks.

"What's the Budwiser for?" I say, wondering.

"Me duh!" He says, putting the 24 case of Budwiser in the cart."

"Can I try?" I say, willingly.

"Hell no. Let's go check out."

I bag our groceries. He scans the liquor, and a warning pops up saying, "A worker will come and check your ID." A lady comes up to Lucas with a scanner in her hand and takes a look at his ID. She checks it off of her scanner. He slides down the beer on the conveyor. As right I was about to bag it, he snatches it from me.

"You don't bag beer, silly." He says, putting the case in the cart.

"Oh, oops."

On the way home, Lucas stops at a liquor store. What the hell does he need now?

"Stay in the car." He says firmly.

"Okie," I say, continuing on my phone.

He comes back with a brown bag full of liquor.

I roll my eyes. "What did you buy now?"

"Whiskey."

"Did you buy any vodka. I have always wanted to give it a taste."

"No, I just got Jack Daniels."

"What is that?"

He laughs. "Whiskey."

"Oh."

We get back to the clean house. We set our groceries on the island. We go into our cupboards to get bowls and cups for the drinks and snacks. We fill a bowl of ice and set it with the beverages. Lucas took hold of the drinks, and liquor and as with me, I took hold of the snacks. I ordered pizza, and it's out for delivery.

The doorbell rings.

"They are here!" I say, looking over to Lucas nervously.