Girl Code

Chapter One

It is important for this week to go well.

Every summer Sarah's parents leave their lake house unsupervised for a week. For the five out of six years Sarah and I have been in school together, I have had the privilege of joining her. Last year, being the first her parents allowed us to be there unsupervised. At the last minute I got food poisoning, so Sarah took Ethan instead. I knew she could easily replace me with him; they'd been dating six months up to that point.

Then, the breakup. She doesn't talk much about those days, or about Ethan really. I'll never forget the hysterics she was experiencing that night she called. He'd packed his things and left her there, completely alone in the middle of Nowhere, Wyoming. I drove three hours that night to be with her and bring her home the next morning. It was eerie, the car ride home. She spent more time looking in the rearview mirror behind us than she did looking at herself.

Though, I'd never been in love the way they were. Always holding hands and kissing in public. Even at eighteen now, I worry I'll never know that feeling. Sarah hasn't dated anyone since, says it hurts too much.

My phone vibrates in the back pocket of my distressed jeans. It's Sarah.

"Hey! I'm almost to your place, are you ready?"

"Yes ma'am, just finished packing," I holster my bags over my shoulder and grab my ball cap. "I'll meet you downstairs!"

Nearly slipping down the stairs, I scrape through the front door. I'm greeted by the deep green Range Rover at the end of my driveway, and a blonde bobble head hanging out the front window screaming my name.

"Kaitlyn, lets go!" Sarah exaggerates 'go' in a manner that makes me twitch. She was so loud sometimes.

A frigid chill shocks my system as I settle into the passenger seat, "Is it necessary to freeze out everybody? Jesus girl, fix the air."

"Not all of us are part lizard and can stand this heat." She adjusts the thermostat and I relax the cold tension in my shoulders. This crochet crop top was cute, but not practical for Sarah's icebox on wheels.

Sarah snaps a selfie, posts it on her socials and hits the gas. She was always so fashionable, in her baby pink Lululemon one-piece and her Nike slides. I envy her from time to time; how intelligent she is. Her confidence. I focus on my phone, the service bars dropping as we drive, I let out a relaxed breath and close my eyes. We're finally off to a relaxing and magical weekend of lakeside living.