The Summer That Changed Everything

Chapter Seven - Part Two

“Erm, no, that’s fine,” she said, risking a glance in his direction. She couldn’t handle the awkwardness if they were to walk home together after what had just happened. Granted, she was the one who was creating said awkwardness, but still. Felicity sent him a polite smile to distract him from her thoughts. “It’s only down the road.”

“That’s fine. Get home safe,” Jared smiled, realising he shouldn’t push the subject. His easy smile gave off an air of nonchalance, despite his still pounding heart. He stood up and stretched his limbs, letting his shirt ride up ever-so-slightly. Felicity averted her eyes immediately. Now he seemed back to normal after the brief appearance of shock. “Text me when you get home.”

Felicity nodded her appreciation and smiled before turning on her heel and making her way out of the park. She shook her head to clear every thought. Though one question remained loud and clear at the forefront of her mind.

What the hell just happened?

***

Almost in a complete daze, Felicity walked the short distance home. Luckily, she didn’t have to pay too much attention to the journey home - she knew it like the back of her hand - because her mind was everywhere but the pavement in front of her. She stepped up to the front door and checked the handle. It was open. Either she had forgotten to lock it on the way out, or her parents were home. For the sake of worry and the feared wrath of her parents, she hoped it was the latter.

But then she might regret that. Did she really want to face her mum and dad in this state? Whatever this state was...

Following the faint voices, she stepped into the kitchen to see her parents popping a bottle of champagne. Three champagne flutes sat atop the counter.

“I take it the meeting was successful?” Felicity asked, deducing the scene and making her presence known.

Both of her parents snapped their heads towards her. The excitement in the air was palpable.

“We clinched the deal!” Her father exclaimed as he waved the cork in the air. He then poured the golden liquid into two glasses before the foam could escape the bottleneck. He then turned towards Felicity with the bottle in his hand. “Would you like a glass of bubbly?”

Felicity nodded, glad that she had eaten a ton of food before she started drinking. Felicity and bubbles did not mix. Even at the tender age of 18, she knew she was a lightweight. And she doubted that her tolerance for alcohol would change anytime soon. Although university would be the perfect time to test her limits without her parents’ prying, disapproving eyes. James was also prone to judging when Felicity had (what he deemed as) too much to drink, so that would be one benefit of their separate universities… once they got back together, of course.

Thinking about the food brought her thoughts back to Jared and the moment they shared. She spent ages trying to figure out what the meaning behind it was and what it now meant for their friendship. Thoughts of almost lip-locking distracted her so much that she didn’t even notice her father leave the room to take a call. Presumably, it was from one of his new partners.

“Are you okay?” Tanya asked, breaking Felicity out of her reverie. Her mother eyed her, knowing something was up.

Felicity blinked, bringing her focus to her mother. “Yeah… yeah, I’m fine. Just tired, I guess.”

Ah, the age-old excuse.

“Are you sure?” her mother pushed. Felicity nodded again, but she knew how well her mother could spot things. “You’re not too upset that we couldn’t spend the day together, are you?”

Felicity was okay with letting her mum think that was the reason she was so spaced out.

“Not at all,” Felicity shook her head. “I wanted to spend time with you, of course. But like I said, this was super important for you. We wouldn’t have had champagne and celebrations without it.”

Felicity enjoyed making jokes out of situations to lessen the awkwardness, and she saw this as the perfect opportunity. Tanya smiled, and she held up her flute and tapped hers lightly against Felicity’s. She enjoyed the light clink as the glasses touched.

Her father returned long after that, and they continued drinking into the late evening, polishing off the bottle with ease. Her parents were true to their word: they ordered takeaway for dinner, and Felicity overindulged on greasy food, which luckily counteracted the multiple glasses of champagne she’d drunk. Although they still ate it at the dining table. Not even an exciting business endeavour could change those rules. Felicity expected nothing different.

Felicity headed upstairs to bed around midnight and checked her phone, as she had neglected to do so for the evening, much to her parents’ surprise and pleasure. She had no notifications. No shock there. After a sigh, she plugged her phone into a charger and slid into bed. There, she spent the night tossing and turning. Her brain wouldn’t stop running through everything that had happened during the day.

What even was that between her and Jared? She couldn’t even begin to decipher it. Their bodies pressed tightly against one another. Like he was literally lying on top of her. And did they... she was too scared to think about it, but forced her brain around it somehow. Did they almost kiss? And more importantly. Did he want to kiss her? Did she want to kiss him? Or were they both just feeling lonely, and they just got caught up in the moment?

Eventually, sleep found her, as she put all thoughts of Jared to bed (literally and metaphorically). Chances were, he wasn’t even thinking so deeply about it. So why should she?