Last night our parents wanted to know every last detail about what had happened. Summer and I took turns telling the tale while they sat tentatively to our story. Summer explained why she didn't come back sooner and apologized for distancing herself from them. She also explained she was going to be staying with me until me and the boys until we'd eventually made it back home. I was glad she wanted to be with me after everything, I was worried she'd look down at me after Reese gushed my secrets to her. She told me that she'd love me no matter what, she understood what it was like to be 'damaged'.
Her parents weren't ready to give her up again so soon though. Her mother practically begged me to stay so she could spend time with her daughter but Summer ste6ped in and told her she wouldn't let me. She was on high alert just being there already and she wasn't sure when she would feel safe being home and she sure as hell wouldn't make me quit my tour just so she'd feel safer at home. I would've quit the tour if she'd let me, I wanted her to be happy.
Me and Summer were currently walking around town, we had gone to all the places that we went together years back. Not much has changed around here, just a couple of new shops downtown. Summer looked happy to be back and was reminiscent of all our time here before. She would get this sad look when she realized she'd missed out on a lot and I'd tell her it wasn't her fault. She'd smile and thank me for being patient and understanding.
We ended up at a local ice cream shop that opened last year. It's a small shop decorated with a modern taste. They had vast flavors to choose from as well as toppings. I went for the double chocolate fudge brownie while Summer picked the blue moon with rainbow sprinkles. I paid for our order and Summer picked out a table in the corner.
Deciding now was the best time, I pull out a ring that I've kept on me all these years and slide it across the table. I bought it the summer before our freshman year and have kept it with me ever since. A part of me refused to let it go and I'm glad that I didn't listen. It was a simple ring with one diamond with two smaller ones placed around it.
"I know we've only just got back to one another, but there was one thing set in my mind before everything went down. You are the light in my darkness, you're the only one who truly gets me and loves me unconditionally." I say opening the box.
"What are you doing?" She asks bewildered. She eyes the ring in my hands and glances back at me unsure what to make of this situation.
"I bought this promise ring before you... disappeared." It was true, I had planned on giving this to her on her birthday but I never got the chance. I didn't want to rush things scared she didn't feel the same for me but I understood that wasn't true now. Summer calms down recognizing that I'm not full-on purposing to her.
"You had me scared for a second." She sighs in relief. "I accept." She holds her hand out and I glide the ring on her slim finger. She admires it in the sunlight and I can't help but smile as I watch her. The way she scrunched her nose as she giggles melts me entirely. She lets my guard down, I know that she'll love me no matter what, and for that I'm grateful.
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"Do you really have to go now?" My mother asks for the third time. I had pushed back leaving until today, otherwise there was no other flight to catch until two days time.
"Yes." I hug her. Summer walks up next to me with her parents close behind. Her mom was holding back tears hanging on to her husband for support.
"Promise me you'll call every day."
"I will mom." Summer rolls her eyes and smiles. "I'll call you when we land."
We all share our final goodbyes and go our separate ways. Getting in my car, Summer sighs in relief. I knew she was happy to see her parents but it did get a bit much, even for me. I knew they meant well, but it wasn't good to rush back into the life we had before. Things were different now and we had to accommodate for that. We both had things we had to work through and we planned on doing it together.
♥︎