So I hope that my story of living my summer by chance will ring true to people, even if it isn’t something they’d ever consider doing. Because the more I think about it all, the more I realize it wasn’t just the coin flips that pushed me out of my comfort zone; it was Aiden. Making me want to do new things, showing me that I could.

He’s coming over after work, and I’m excited to tell him about the idea I have. I’ve printed off an ArtPrize application for him. I even emailed a few venues, to see if I could find him a spot this early for next year. Something to look forward to all year seems needed right now.

It’s an “I’m sorry” for—everything. A white flag that I hope will at least mean he won’t hate me when I leave.

AIDEN

Zander texting me isn’t the weirdest thing to ever happen. We practiced together for an hour before school every Monday and Wednesday for most of the last three years. He obviously has my number. But when his name pops up on my screen, just a few days after he tells me to back off of his ex-girlfriend, I know it’s not because I’m a few minutes late to the gym.

Zander:

Can we talk? Field at 4:30?

I stare at the message, wondering why he needs to meet me at the baseball field to beat his chest about Olivia again. Obviously he can do that anywhere. And she and I haven’t actually smoothed things over, so maybe there’s nothing to even get into it over. Except that she’s meeting me tonight, after work, so I can show her the plans for my newest project. And apologize for walking off the other day, but I’m luring her with the project. Maybe she’s rethought living with her mom, or doing the long-distance thing, or maybe somehow, miraculously, she’s not leaving at all. I don’t know what I expect to be different, I’m just hoping something is. So I text Zander back, because if she does stay by some strange act of fate, then I’m hoping he won’t make my life miserable.

Aiden:

Out of work at 5:00

Zander:

See you then