The Summer Guest

I looked up at the clock as I set my pencil down. Great, only three minutes left. The lack of sound throughout the room was deafening and my anxiety was at a major high.  “Alright everyone pencils down.” I released the air I didn’t know I was holding in my lungs. Mrs. Greene walked around the room collecting our exams, a giant smile plastered on her face. Everyone around me looks just as antsy to ditch this hell hole as I am.  Mrs. Greene stood at the front of the room looking at us all with a hint of sadness showing through her warm eyes.  “That will be all I need. If I don’t see any of you after this make good choices and go through life with your head held high. I expect to hear great things about my lovely students.” Her voice cracked at the last word. As everyone was shuffling out of the door I stopped and turned to Mrs. Greene. I hated everything about high school except for her classes.  “Promise me you’ll visit the store Mrs. G? Free blueberry muffins for my favorite teacher!”  “Well when you make an offer like that how can I refuse?” she teased. “You know as well as I do that I can’t live without your all’s coffee to wake me up it the morning.” I gave her a big hug and we said our goodbyes knowing it wasn’t the last we would be seeing of each other.    As I was walking down the hallway, my phone rang. I looked down and rolled my eyes knowing I was going to get bitched out for not being at my truck.    “Hel-“ I barely got out before getting rudely interrupted by my best friend.  “Where are you Ashley? I’ve been waiting out here for fourteen years!” “Emma,” I huffed out, “it’s been exactly six minutes since the bell rang. Hold your horses I’m walking out right now.” “Ah I see you now, still feels like 14 years though. It’s hot as hell out here! Walk faster.” “I will literally be over to you in 15 seconds. Goodbye over-exaggerator.” I hung up the phone and realized she was right. It was 90 degrees out here without a single breeze blowing. I unlocked the doors and hopped in while simultaneously being hit with a wave of dry heat. I cranked up the A/C while Emma got in and stared daggers at me.    “I was just saying goodbye ya know. No need to get all butt hurt.” I glanced at her and she looked as pissed as she sounded on the phone. “I don’t think I can get butt hurt because I literally sweat it off. Look! It’s not there anymore!” She leaned up and shoved her ass in my face. I smacked it away playfully as she sat back and turned the radio up. Emma has always been one to over exaggerate everything. It was one of the few traits I never really liked about her. The ride home went by quick which is good because just as we walked inside my stomach growled.    “Jeez Ash, are you hungry or did you take up whale noises as a hobby?” Emma questioned.  “Ha ha very funny.” I said unamused. “I’m starving. Do you want to go to The Grind? I’ll buy.” I threw her a wink and she giggled.  “I didn’t know you had to buy food at your own store. I could eat though. Can I wear something of yours? You made me sweat through my other clothes waiting for your slow ass.”  I rolled my eyes at her. “You know where they are.”  I left her to get dressed while I went to go find mom in her office. After knocking twice, I opened the door. She seemed to be on a serious phone call, so I laid on her couch, exhausted from today.  “Hey honey, how was your last day of school?” “It was good mom. I just came in here to let you know Emma and I are going to The Grind. Do you need anything?” “Actually, I need to talk to you about something. It won’t take long” I sat up at her words. She sounded serious. “Gerald and I have a great franchising opportunity in Europe.” She paused waiting to see my reaction and continued when she saw the dumbstruck look on my face. “If everything goes as planned, we should be gone for about a month.”  “Mom that’s great I’m so happy for you!” My mom needed something big to keep her mind occupied. Ever since my father left us a few years ago she’s been too hard on herself. When she kept looking at me with serious eyes, I knew that wasn’t all. “What is it?” I asked, not knowing if I actually wanted the answer or not.  “Well” she breathed out. “Do you remember Gerald’s daughter? She has no one to stay with her while we are gone. Even though you’re both adults neither of us feel too comfortable leaving you alone by yourselves for that long. I told him I would speak with you about her coming to stay here.” “His daughter mom, really? Why can’t Emma just stay here with me?” I thought back to the one and only time I’ve met Layla. It was the first Christmas party mom and Gerald had after they opened the store. She was being a whiny little brat that night. After that winter, she went and lived with her mother in Arizona and I hadn't seen her since. I've heard stories about her  from mom though. “Sweetie her mother passed away a year ago and she has no one to be with her. Emma can stay with you both if she would like to.” I had no idea about her mother’s passing. Even though I didn’t lose my dad completely from the world, I could still relate with her. “What if we don’t get along?” “Then we figure out a better arrangement for you both. Please sweetheart, just try for me.” I sighed running my fingers through my hair. I didn’t like the idea of Layla staying here with me, but I respect Gerald and would do anything for my mom. “Okay, but if it doesn’t work you have to send me to Europe to help open up the new stores.” I put a big smile on my face and walked over to my mom hugging her tight. “Deal.” She agreed. “I appreciate you Ashley. I hope you know that.” “I do.” I paused at the door and looked behind me, “I love you mom.” “I love you too sweetie.”