"Urghhh, last day of sumr classes... thank you, God!!"
Edward groaned, forehead pressed flat against the desk as the classroom buzzed with idle chatter and scraping chairs. His body sagged in exhaustion, shoulders hunched beneath the weight of sleepless hours. He’d spent the entire night binge-watching old Sumr Celestèe films—again. Even though he’d seen them a dozen tis, sothing about her presence on screen, her radiant smile and dramatic flair, kept him hooked like it was always the first viewing.
His breath fogged faintly against the polished wood of the desk as he muttered to himself, "Why’d I stay up so late...?"
"Edward!!" Mrs. Vanessa’s sharp voice cracked through the air like a whip.
He jolted upright, nearly tipping his chair. "Yes, ma’am?" he answered, eyes wide, trying to look alert even as fatigue clung to his face.
"Heads up, we’re about to start," she said sternly. "Today we’ll be talking about the history of the Central Bank of Arica."
Edward let out a silent groan and rubbed his eyes. Of course, he thought. The final class of sumr, and it’s about finance history. He glanced around the room. Other students looked just as lifeless. No one wanted to be there—not on the last day of sumr classes, not when freedom was so close.
Still, he forced himself to focus, half-listening as Mrs. Vanessa launched into her lecture. The words washed over him like white noise—Central Reserve, monetary policy, 1913—but his mind drifted. He imagined being anywhere else, maybe lying under a tree in the park, headphones in, Sumr Celestèe movie cued up, the sun warm on his skin.
The bell finally rang, a crisp chi slicing through the boredom like a blade. The classroom erupted with the sounds of scraping chairs, laughter, and hurried footsteps.
"I’m freeeeeeeeeee!!" Edward shouted, throwing his arms high above his head in dramatic flair as he walked out. His voice echoed through the hallway, drawing a few stares, but he didn’t care. The joy was too real, too massive to bottle up.
Just as he neared the doorway, his na called him back.
"Edward!!"
He turned on instinct. Mrs. Vanessa stood by her desk, her arms folded, a knowing smile on her face.
"Yes, Mrs. Vanessa?" he asked, eyebrows raised. He wasn’t in trouble, was he?
"You did good during this sumr class, Edward. Keep it up when the new academic session resus, okay?"
Edward blinked in surprise, the words hitting him in a way he didn’t expect. "Woah... Mrs. Vanessa complinting ? That’s a first," he monologued inwardly, a small smile forming.
With that, he gave a polite nod and exited the building. The sumr sun greeted him with a rush of heat and light. He squinted against it, basking in the freedom, only to feel a presence behind him before he heard it.
"Hey, Eddy."
He jumped, spinning around. "Woah! Don’t appear out of nowhere like that," he said, startled.
Sabrina stood behind him, hands on her hips, smirking. Her hair caught the sunlight, strands shimring gold.
"Rember... I told you to co to my house by four," she said, pointing at him with mock sternness.
"Yeah, I didn’t forget," Edward replied quickly.
I totally did, he admitted silently, guilt bubbling up in his gut.
"It’s 2:40. Not much ti left. If I don’t see you, Edward, I’ll drag you out of the room myself."
She spun on her heel and began walking away, not waiting for a response.
"Scary," Edward muttered under his breath with a nervous laugh before heading toward his front door.
He barely got his backpack off when his phone rang. The screen lit up: Sumr Celestèe.
His heart skipped. He fumbled to answer.
"You’re done with classes now, right?" Sumr’s voice ca through, smooth and warm.
"Yeah, it’s finally over!" Edward shouted into the phone, grinning so hard it hurt.
"Well then... wanna co for a house tour?" Sumr asked casually, as though it wasn’t the biggest deal ever.
Edward froze. "Seriously!!"
"Yeah. I’m bored at ho. I could use so company," she said with a slight giggle. In his mind, he could see her laid across her bed, her hair in loose curls, probably still in pajamas.
"I’ll be there right away!!" Edward exclaid, almost dropping his phone as he darted for the bathroom.
"It’s 3:00... I’ll be back by four to et Sabrina," he said to himself, shutting the door behind him. "I can make it."
The luxury estate lood ahead, sunlight glinting off its polished stone and glass. Edward stood in front of Sumr’s mansion, wide-eyed.
"Ding dong!" the bell sang out.
"Woah... this is the biggest house in the estate," he breathed.
The door swung open.
Sumr stood in the entryway, wearing a polka dot dress that flowed just past her knees. Her bare shoulders shimred slightly under the sun. She looked like sothing out of a comrcial—flawless, yet effortlessly natural.
"Co in, Edward," she said, stepping aside with a smile.
"Thanks. That dress looks amazing on you, by the way," Edward said, his cheeks flushing pink.
"Awnnn, you really think so? My friend Adriana got it for ," Sumr said, twirling once like she was on a runway.
He stepped into the foyer and blinked.
The chandelier above him sparkled like it belonged in a palace. The glass staircase beside it glowed faintly, tiny lights lining each step. A massive 75-inch television hung in the living room, and right beneath it sat a pristine PlayStation 5.
"I didn’t know you played gas, Sumr," Edward said, eyes fixed on the console like it was a holy relic.
"There’s a lot you don’t know about ," she said with a teasing wink, walking toward the kitchen.
"Co on!" she called over her shoulder, waving him to follow.
"Oh, yeah!" Edward said, snapping out of his trance and trailing after her.
"This is my kitchen. Nothing impressive, I know," Sumr said with a grin.
Edward looked around at the marble countertops, twin smart fridges, and enough space to host a cooking show.
"Sumr... your kitchen is bigger than my entire bedroom," Edward said, eyeing her with mock betrayal.
"I know!" she laughed, clearly enjoying his reaction.
"But hold on," he said, frowning. "In an interview, you said you don’t cook. So what’s the point of a big kitchen?"
"Stalking , huh!!" Sumr asked, narrowing her eyes in playful suspicion.
"No, no, I just saw it on—wait, I don’t need to explain myself," Edward retorted, crossing his arms.
"Okay, okay, you got ! My boyfriend does the cooking," Sumr said, bursting into laughter.
Edward froze. "Boyfriend?" he asked, a quiet edge in his voice.
"Oh shit, I’m not supposed to tell people," she muttered, slapping her forehead.
Edward’s thoughts spiraled. If she has a boyfriend, that ans I can switch bodies with him an—
"He’s in Africa, visiting family though," Sumr added, sipping from a glass of juice.
"Oh," Edward said, trying to hide the sting in his tone.
"You might know him. It’s Anthony Johnson," Sumr said, casually pouring a second cup.
Edward’s mouth went dry.
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