Free If Only We by Jessica Sankiewicz

point in June. I convinced Lyndsay that it was going to be too hot the rest of the summer. She asked me how I knew that. I just rolled my eyes and told her that’s how it always goes. She humored me.
    “Yes, he walked me home. What’s so unbelievable about it?”
    “It’s not that it’s unbelievable. It just seems…never mind.”
    I tap her arm. “Oh no, don’t you never mind me.”
    She taps me back. “It’s nothing. I just think it seems interesting.”
    “Interesting…that’s not vague at all.”
    “Oh, come on, Adrienne!” she says, stopping to face me. “Can’t you see? There’s something more going on here. You should have asked him at graduation.”
    “Why? Because he walked me home? He was just being a gentleman.”
    “What about at the party last week?” she asks, staring me down.
    I press my lips together, unable to come up with a reason. I still haven’t figured that out yet and I somehow doubt I will anytime soon.
    She points her finger at me. “See, you know I’m right.”
    “Maybe you are. Maybe there is something. But I’m not going to press the issue. Summer is only beginning. I have more important things to worry about.” I was implying my mom and my career but really meant Chevy’s dad. On the way back to my house, I asked him how it felt working with his dad and he didn’t have much to say about it. I got the feeling they weren't close anymore, which broke my heart more, knowing what was to come.
    She rolls her eyes as we walk into a clothing store. “I still think you should do something about it.”
    “I know you do.” I want to do something too. There's a special bond between us, and I feel like it could grow into something more someday. I just can’t risk it, not yet anyway. I need a little more time. “Besides, how can I focus on becoming a seamstress if I’m dating?” I say to her as a distraction.
    Her eyes brighten. “You’re really going to do it?” I beam in response. “Oh, I am so excited now.” She bounces a little bit and claps her hands together. “You know what else? You wouldn’t even have to stop there. You could make your own line of clothes.”
    I hold up my hand. “Whoa,” I say, feeling a little overwhelmed. “One thing at a time, Lynds. One thing at a time.”
    “Okay, okay.” She puts her fingers to her lips. “There’s so much to be done. Where do you want to start?”
    “I haven’t quite figured that part out yet. I need to go to the library next week and get some books on sewing. Spark some ideas better than scrunchies.”
    “Yeah, I don’t think there’s a market for those anymore.” She strolls over to some hair accessories. “Looks like all we’ve got here are jewel-encrusted hair clips, fancy flower barrettes…” She gasps, picking up a jeweled headband. “Look at this.”
    “Uh-huh…” It’s a headband. “And?”
    She gives me a look. “Check it out, look at this design. You could make this.”
    I take it from her and touch the beading on the fabric, lightly following the pattern with my finger. “This, no. Something like this, that is a possibility.”
    She takes it and hangs it back on the hook. “No, my dear,” she says with conviction, “for you, the possibilities are endless.”

Chapter Twelve
    Monday, June 11 th

    On Monday morning, I browse through books online to narrow down the ones I want to get from the library. I wanted to do this over the weekend, but I was afraid of my mom catching me. Instead, Kaitlin and I blitzed through seven more episodes Sunday night. She had finished her book and moved on to a new one about a girl who saves the president. I told her it sounded ridiculous but she informed me it was hilarious.
    When Lyndsay gets back, I race out the door to stop by the library on my way home. I only check out a couple of books with the purpose of being able to tuck them into my purse. I also grab a fiction book for good measure. All of Kaitlin’s talk of books has me wanting to read for