Summer Love

Chapter One

I woke up today with a smile on my face. Do you know how long it's been since that has happened? Well, it's been a while. Today I graduate. Today I am officially done with school. Today, my best friend and I will be free from those brick walls.

I got out of bed and looked in the mirror. Did I mention today is also my birthday? 18! Today is gonna be AMAZING. I just know it.

I started to brush my teeth when I heard my phone ding. I walked in my room to go get it and saw a text from my mom.
"Hey Bethani. I just wanted to say happy birthday and I hope you enjoy your gift. It's on the table in the kitchen. I had to work early this morning. I will see you tonight. Love you :)" 
"Love you too momma. See ya later." I replied and finished brushing my teeth.

I walked into the kitchen and saw an envelope sitting on the table that had my name on it. I opened it up and there was a key inside along with a note that read "For you and a friend. Enjoy it"
I called my mom and asked her what it was for. She texted me an address and told me to pack up my stuff and tell a friend to do the same. What were we doing? Is she kicking me out?

I asked Siri to call Tanner. He has been my best friend since 4th grade. We moved counties together, unintentionally. But somehow we always went to the same school. The phone rang for about 10 seconds before he answered.

"Calling TannerBear🏳️‍🌈"

"Hello?" He answered. He sounded like he had been crying.
"Hey Love. What's wrong?" I asked. He never cries without calling me to cry with him...
"Jared...broke up with me. H-he said I was too clingy for him and.. and I needed to 'back the fuck off" He replied.
"Oh no. I'll be there in just a minute okay. I'm gonna bring my stuff and we are gonna get ready together. Today is a big day! I love you. I'll see you soon." I hung up the phone quickly and started packing.

I grabbed the biggest suitcase I had and folded up almost all of my clothes and put them in there. I got my small suitcase and put my shoes in that one. Then i got all my essential bathroom stuff and my graduation clothes. I loaded up my car and ran back in the house to get the key that was on the table. I drove down the road to Tanners house and walked in.

He was sitting on his bed wiping his tears. I sat down next to him and wrapped my arms around him as tight as i could. "Are you okay?" I asked him softly. He nodded and sniffled. "Yeah. I'm fine. He's a dick." He chuckled a little. "Oh yeah. He is. Buuut. We've got a lot to do today. And you're gonna love it." I said smiling. "
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETHANI!" He exclaimed while jumping up off the bed.

Tanner got in the shower and was singing along to his Alec Benjamin playlist. Alec was our favorite singer.
"Where do you keep your suitcases?" I yelled from his closet.
"Uh they're in the hallway closet. Why?" He yelled back.
"Just wondering." I walked into the hallway and grabbed the biggest suitcase I could find. I started packing his clothes and his shoes. He got out of the shower just as I was finishing.
"What are you doing?" He asked a little confused.
"Packing." I said while zipping the suitcase closed. "And yes. I did get your favorite shirt."
"For what?" He sat down.
"I'm not really sure. We will find out tonight." I said. "I got a key from my mom for my birthday. She texted me an address as well. It's a Savannah, GA address... Maybe a condo for a senior trip? She's down there a lot." I shrugged.

We finished getting ready and loaded up my car. We drove to the church where graduation was being held and I called my mom.
"Hey. Are you gonna make it to graduation?" I asked a little nervous.
"Absolutely Bethani. I wouldn't miss it for the world." She replied. "I'm actually pulling in now." She hung up and she parked right next to us. She got out of the car and embraced me in a hug. "Happy 18th birthday sweetheart!" She smiled.
"Thank you momma." I smiled back. She hugged Tanner as well. "Okay so. What is this key to?" I asked.
"It's down in Savannah. You'll have to go to the address that I texted you earlier to find out. That's all i'm gonna say, I don't wanna spoil anything. But we should probably get in there so you guys can graduate! I hope you listened to me and packed your stuff. You'll leaving after this!" She said excitedly. I haven't seen my mom this excited in a long time. I wonder what's going on.

We walked into the church and checked in with the administrators to let them know we had arrived. They nodded and we went to sit down. A few minutes later the lights had dimmed in the auditorium and they had started letting people in to sit down.

After everyone was seated, they began to call names. About 20 minutes went by before my row got to stand up to get in line. We walked over to the side of the stage and waited.
"Tanner Campbell. Graduating on Honor Roll." Tanner walked and got his diploma. A few more names had been called.
"Bethani Cooper. Graduating on Honor Roll." I started walking across the stage. I heard people shouting my name and telling me happy birthday. I just smiled and kept walking.

After another hour or so, it was finally over. We all threw our caps in the air and we all took pictures. We walked around the room finding our friends, saying congratulations and giving hugs.
"I'm gonna go wait outside. Okay?" My mom said as she walked outside.
"Okay! We will be there in a minute." I said giving her a thumbs up. We finished taking pictures and we walked outside. Tanner gave me one of the biggest hugs I think I've received in a long time. We both let out this big sigh of relief. "We did it. Happy birthday." He said smiling.
"We did. Happy graduation." I smiled back. "Thank you."

We walked over to the car and met back up with my mom. Tanner's mom and dad were standing there as well. He ran up to them and hugged them. They had been out of town for a month on a mission trip to Haiti. "Okay. Bethani. Tanner. Are you guys ready?" My mom asked. Tanner's parents got a big grin on their faces. "Yes. I'm excited to see what's happening!" I exclaimed. Tanner nodded along with me. "Okay! Well, stop wasting time. Give hugs and get on the road!" Tanner's dad pulled us both in for a hug.

We finished saying our goodbyes and hopped in the car. When I started the car, I saw another envelope on the center console and asked Tanner if he could open it for me. When he opened it, there was $3,000 cash. I put my car back in park and called my mom, seeing as they had already pulled off.

"What is this for?" I asked her.
"It's for food, and clothes.. Or whatever you want to spend it on. Use it wisely." She answered.
"Where did it come from?" I was a little concerned.
"I've been saving for about a year because I wanted this to be the best trip you've ever been on." She said. She sounded like she was about to cry.
"I love you momma. Thank you so much. I will call you when we get there." I put the car in reverse and started to pull out of the parking lot.
"I love you too." She replied before hanging up.

We put on some music and put in the address. Then we hit the road!
"Where do you think we are going?" Tanner asked.
"Dude. I have no idea. This isn't a familiar address. I guess we will see." I said shrugging. We stopped by the bank so i could deposit the cash my mom had given me so we wouldn't lose it.