Blame It on September

The golden light from the fire lit up everyone’s faces, making the moment seem even more magical than it already was. Alex smiled, taking another gulp of the beer in his hand. Everyone was huddled around the fire, celebrating their last few nights of summer together. With a content sigh the boy threw his arm around the girl next to him, pulling her closer to his side. He leaned over and kissed her temple, his lips lingering before pulling away. He could hear the sweet sound of her giggle. God he thought I love that sound.

He thought back to the day he first met Avery, when he moved into the vacant house right next door to hers. Avery always joked that it was fate. How else could she explain the love of her life moving in right next door? Alex chuckled to himself, the memories playing through his head.

--

His parents had helped him find an apartment that was much closer to the college he’d be attending. It was just outside of Baltimore, where he had lived the majority of his childhood. The great thing about the house was that yes it was close to the school, but it was also close to the beaches where of course Alex would be at for the rest of the summer. Alex was extremely content with everything in his life at the time. He finally moved out to a house of his own that was fairly close to his school and the beach, plus his parents would be helping him pay the mortgage of it as well. It was like he was living a dream, and it was just about to get better. The boy jogged down the front steps to the moving van to get another cardboard box filled with his belongings. As he approached the van he saw a girl step out of her car.

He stopped in his tracks, basically mesmerized by her beauty. She was roughly five feet, give or take a few more inches. Her hair was dark brown made up of tight curls, with a few streaks of pink and blue. Her eyes were a shade of brown, and although most people would say that brown was a boring eye color, Alex couldn’t think of anything more stunning than her eyes. Her nose was pierce, a hoop through her left nostril. She was ultimately beautiful. She noticed him staring, looking up at him and smiling shyly.

“Hi there. Are you the one moving next door?” She asked, motioning to the house behind him.

He turned to look behind him then back at her before stuttering out “yeah.” She smiled at him.

“Well, welcome neighbor. I’m Avery.” She reached out her hand, and he grasped it firmly before shaking it.

“Alex.” He introduced himself. “I’m Alex. Alex Gaskarth.”

“Avery Redmond.” She nodded her head with a chuckle. “Where are you moving from?” She asked politely making conversation.

“Uhm Baltimore. Yeah, I moved here for school. I’m going to be attending the University this year so me and my parents figured it’d be smarter to move closer.” He scratched the back of his neck nervously; scared he was talking too much.

“Oh cool! I’m going there once summers done too!” She exclaimed happily. “But, I’ve lived here all my life.”

Alex nodded his head biting his lip. He knew he should get back to unpacking and getting as much done in the house as he could while his parents were still there helping him. “Hey uhm, I have to get back to unloading and stuff but I’d love to talk again. We could exchange numbers or something? Or you know I could just stop by your house later or something.”

She nodded her head at him. “I’d love to talk again. Here let me see your phone.” She reached out, and Alex pulled his phone from his back pocket and placing it in her hands. “I’ll add my number and just text me whenever you’re not busy. Okay?” She added herself into his contacts, handing the phone back to him with a genuine smile. Alex would never admit it, but it gave him butterflies.

After just a few weeks, the two were spending almost all of their time together. They turned into the best of friends having almost everything in common and always finding ways to make each other smile and laugh. Alex could feel himself falling for the girl more and more, knowing that he had to make his move soon. Soon, however was a day that started off with both of them sitting on her couch, watching a too dramatic Lifetime movie. Alex groaned and grabbed the remote to the television muting the volume.

“Let’s go out tonight.” He stated. Avery, who was sitting on the other side of the couch yawned and stretched her limbs, setting her legs on top of Alex’s’ thighs. “Please?”

“Where to?” She asked, still stretching, now having her arms high above her head, fingers interlocked with each other.

Alex shrugged, acting like he didn’t know where he wanted to go even though he did. He paused to act as if he were thinking. “The carnival maybe? We can call Jack and Rian and Cassadee and Zack so they can come with us and it’d be fun.”

Avery tilted her head and thought about it, before an approving smile appeared on her face and she was nodding her head. “Yeah, yeah. That sounds fun.” She lifted her legs off of the boy, placing her feet on the floor and getting up. “You call them; I’m going to go get ready.”

Alex nodded, and pulled his phone from his back pocket, dialing Cassadees – a good friend of Averys – number. He told her his plans for the night, and with a squeal of excitement the girl promised she’d call the others and tell them, getting them all to the carnival. With a smile glued to his face he thanked her and ended the phone.

“Avery!” He called out, waiting to hear her call out a response. “I’m gonna go home and change kay?” He shouted, not leaving till he heard her shout back her answer.

Back at his own home, Alex did his best to clean up. Putting on his favorite pair of skinny jeans with a grey muscle tank and a plaid red flannel over it. A few squirts of the cologne his mother gave him for Christmas and he was good to go. The boy checked his phone to find a two texts; one from Cassadee and one from Avery. He smiled, dialing the latter girls number. She answered her phone by the second ring.

“Hey loser.” She sing-songed. He only chuckled.

“Are you ready to go?” He asked her, his unoccupied hand ruffling his hair as he looked in the mirror.

“Yup!” She popped her p. “We going together?”

Alex nodded his head, although he knew that she couldn’t see. “Of course. C’mon let’s go. I’ll be out in five minutes.”

By the time the boy went out to his pickup truck, Avery was already leaning her back against it arms crossed over her chest. He smiled at the sight of her. God he thought, she’s beautiful. Her outfit was extremely ordinary but still fashionable. A plain white dress with a worn out jean jacket over it. She had a pair of classic black toms on, and her hair was straightened. He nodded towards her direction once she acknowledged his presence and made his way to the driver’s seat. Alex started up the car, rolling down his window before driving. It was a silent ride for the most part, until ‘Lightening In A Bottle’ came on the radio. Avery grinned from ear to ear, turning the radio up to the highest volume set as she belted the lyrics out. Alex only shook his head watching the girl, but of course couldn’t help but smile. She was just too cute.

He pulled into a parking spot next to Rians car, where the group of friends were already waiting for the two. They both jumped out the truck, already laughing and talking with their friends. Cassadee glanced over at Alex who in return gave the girl a nervous smile. She giggled, and gave him a thumbs up. The boy took a deep breath before turning to Jack, his best friend.

“Yo! Can we talk?” He asked, already dragging the lanky boy away from the group of people before he could even respond.

“What’s up?” Jack asked, shoving his hands into his front pockets.

“I think tonights the night.” Alex replied confidently. Jack grinned from ear to ear.

“Really man?” He asked a hint of excitement to his tone. Alex nodded in response, stomach still raging with butterflies. “Good for you man!”

“So you think I should do it?” Alex asked nervously looking at Jack through the strands of his hair.

Jack nodded aggressively. “Yes, yes yes!” He all but yelled. “You guys are the perfect two, I swear.” Alex smiled at that, before nodding a final time and making his way back to the group of friends with Jack.

Alex rubbed his hands against each other before clapping them together. “Ready for some fun?” He asked loudly, raising his voice. His friends cheered, already making their way towards the entrance. They traveled as a group, playing games, getting food and going on rides. As Avery was playing a game against Jack, Cassadee pulled Alex aside.

“Stop it.” She said sternly.

Alex looked at her confused. “Stop what?”

“Stop sticking around with us. I know what you’re doing. You’re staying with all of us so you don’t have to be alone with her because you’re nervous to ask her.” Cass crossed her arms over her chest. Alex opened his mouth to protest, but stopped himself because she was right. Cassadee smirked. “Now, after they finish the game we’re all gonna go look for a ride.” The girl looked around the carnival for a ride that they hadn’t been on yet, and smiled widely eyes landing on the Ferris Wheel. “Perfect! So we’ll all go to the ferris wheel and you get on with Ave. And Alexander I swear if you get off that ride single I will castrate you.” The girl smirked once again, and then it turned to a smile before she placed her hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Don’t be nervous. It’s obvious she likes you back. Go for it okay?” She smiled a little softer before pulling Alex into a hug.

Alex smiled back at the girl and hugged back, wrapping his arms around the girl and squeezing her tight. “Thanks Cass.” He said softly.

“Anytime.” She pulled away. “Now let’s go get you your girl.”

Alex grinned turning back to his friends. “What next?” He asked, looking at the group.

Cassadee pretended to think for a moment before acting as if an amazing idea had stricken her. “The ferris wheel!” She exclaimed, grabbing Rians hand. “Oh my god yes c’mon.” She laughed, basically dragging her boyfriend towards the direction of the ride, leading the group of friends along with her.

Cassadee had somehow informed the gang about the plan because as the pods came down to take passengers up they filled them all until it was just Rian, Cassadee, Alex and Avery left. Finally the last pod came. First Avery entered taking a seat, then Alex. Avery leaned over, looking at the other girl and waiting for her to get in.

“Actually, you know what. I’m not feeling too good. I don’t think I can do heights right now Ri, why don’t you go with them I’ll be fine.” She was grimacing, a hand on her stomach. The ride controller cleared his throat, annoyed.

“No, no it’s fine. I’ll stay with you. Let Ave and Alex take this one.” Rian waved his hand as if it were nothing. The ride controller shrugged his shoulders and shut the pods gate, walking back over to the control board.

Avery frowned watching her friends walk away. Alex did to, for show but when Cassadee turned around and winked at him when Avery wasn’t looking he grinned at her, mouthing ‘thank you’. “Poor Cass.” Avery said, pouting at Alex. He couldn’t help but chuckle. “What?!” She asked, laughing herself.

“Nothing, nothing. You’re just..it’s cute. When you pout.” He smiled, booping her bottom lip with his pointer finger.

She laughed shaking her head. “I beg to differ.”

“Oh you can’t be serious Ave.” Alex said seriously, shifting his body so he was looking at the girl. “You’re always cute. Even when you’re hungover and your hairs a mess and your makeup is all smudged. You’re cute, even then.” The girl opened her mouth to talk. “No, I’m not done.” Alex took a deep breath. “Ever since the first day I met you I thought you were so beautiful. So stunning. So.. I don’t even have a word for it. And I know that wasn’t that long ago, but look at us. We’re the best of friends. We got so close, so quickly. We’re so alike, and I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as amazing as you.” Alex took a deep breath, closing his eyes to calm his nerves. “Avery, I truly believe you’re the perfect one for me. Will you please be my girlfriend?”

Avery blushed a deep red, her lips stretching into a wide grin before she threw herself at Alex wrapping her arms around the boy. He chuckled as she nodded, and connected their lips together.

--

Alex was pulled out of his memory as Avery laid her head on Alex’s shoulder, huddling closer to the boy’s body. Her body shivered slightly, but she was still smiling and laughing. Alex knew it would take more than a chilly night to ruin her last few days of summer. As much as they wanted to deny it, their summer was coming to an end. He sighed, looking out to the ocean the sound of the waves crashing to shore drowning out the sound of his friends.

It killed Alex, knowing that summer was soon going to be over. This summer was the best summer that Alex had ever experienced and he knew that once it ended, so would all the good things that came with it. Alex wasn’t ready to let any of it go.