Read Seasons for Free Online

to swim tomorrow. I think Austin already invited Melanie. You should come with her.”
    “I really need to study for finals.”
    “You do not need to study the entire weekend. Take a break, come for a swim, and then you can come back to the cave to study, sunshine.” He’s mocking me.
    “Maybe I could take a break. We’ll see.” I sigh. “Charlie, my grades are really important to me. I really appreciate you helping me study. School doesn’t just come easy for me. I work my ass off for my grades, mostly because I want to get into a good college. I don’t want my mom to have the added stress of having to pay for it, so any kind of scholarship I can get is one less burden for her. I just… I really need to do well.”
    “I get it.” He brushes my cheek and chin with his thumb and forefinger to get me to look up at him as he says with total sincerity, “If you have to study, no biggie. We’ll hang out another time.”
    “It’s okay. I’m sure Mel will drag me out of the house for a study break. Some sun would be nice, since it’s supposed to be the first day of the year that will be nice enough to swim.”
    “Okay, well, if you can take a break, come by. If not, we can do something after finals. We have all summer free to hang out after that.” He smiles.
    All summer. Oh, man I’m in trouble. I walk him outside and he hops down from the porch. I watch as he waves goodbye, gets in his truck, and backs away. I manage a small wave, but I’m in a haze, standing there with a goofy grin on my face, and a feeling that is completely foreign to me.
     
    *   *   *
     
    The next day, I wake up and study for my English Lit final and wait for the text that I know is inevitably coming. My final is on George Orwell’s 1984. I’m on the last chapter when my phone pings with a text from Mel.
     
    Mel: Get your suit, bitch. We’re going swimming at the hunky soccer player’s house!
    Me: Studying.
    Mel: I will kill you. Get that knockout body into a bikini. Be there in an hour.
    Me: Fine. Two hours and I need to be back!
    Mel: Deal! See you in 60. Wear the purple one.
     
    I finish the final chapter and make my one note card we’re allowed to use for the test. I hop in the shower, and when I’m finished, I throw on my bathing suit and a cover-up. I’m throwing my hair up in a messy bun and threading my sunglasses through my hair as I hear the storm door letting me know that Mel has arrived.
    We pull up to Charlie’s, and there are a few other cars there. I follow Mel as we walk around the back and through the gate to where the pool is. I don’t see Charlie, but Austin, another football player named Ray, and the ever so perky Gina are all sitting near the pool talking. The yard is beautifully landscaped with huge peony bushes, which are just starting to bloom around the edges of the house. The pool is in-ground and has what looks like a built-in track of lights lining it. I bet it’s stunning at nighttime. Charlie’s house is light blue with dark blue shutters. It’s a typical older Maine home, but it’s pretty large, and definitely, well kept up.
    Mel walks us right up to them and shamelessly, bends down to give Austin a full view of her cleavage before hugging him hello.
    “Awesome. You guys made it,” Austin says. “Charlie said Brynn had to study or some nonsense.”
    “Oh, you know me. I always have my nose in a book.” I’m starting to like Austin less and less.
    “I dragged her for a swim,” Mel says in a flirty voice and then slaps my ass, eliciting a yelp from me. I shoot her an I’ll get you back look, which only makes her smile brighter.
    “You girls know Ray and Gina?” Austin asks. They both say hi simultaneously.
    “Hi, nice to formally meet you both,” I say.
    “Let’s get in the water. It’s scorching. Loving that there is a volleyball net. Anyone game?” Mel asks.
    “I’m down,” I say pulling my hair tie out and letting my locks fall down my back. I yank my cover-up over