And I Thought I'd Have a Normal Summer - Summer of Golden Sunflowers #1

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You know that moment when life takes a drastic turn and you’re paralyzed in disbelief?

Then you go through the various stages of denial, and – if you’re anything like me – search desperately for a different solution. And, even if that solution manifests itself in a teeny tiny flicker of light on the other side of a deep, dark, scary (and possibly enchanted?) forest, you’ll go chasing after it with abandon.

But then, there are also those tough moments when there really is no solution. You just have to face the facts and live with your situation.

But this summer will not be one of those times. I know the problem, and the solution is right in front of me. Or rather, right outside my neighborhood.

I hoist my canvas bag onto the kitchen counter, a pencil rolling out onto the marble top.

“I want a car.”

My mom pauses, the measuring spoon in her hand hovering just over the pot of whatever new recipe she’s conjuring up. She flashes a quick, knowing smile – her signature sign that she’s genuinely listening, even as she concentrates on her recipe testing. “That’s nice,” she says, her tone gentle but with a hint of playful teasing. “Do you have a plan for how to get a car?”

“I am sick of being the only one who has to walk or drive your minivan everywhere – or worse, ride my bike.” I shudder at the all-too-recent memory of The Kickstand Debacle and instead focus on the solution. “So, I am getting a job.”

Mom’s knowing smile deepens, not too surprised at my confident declaration. Although, in her defense, I do tend to act on my great ideas without really investigating. This time, though, I did plenty of research. “That’s wonderful, Ella. My first job was in my sophomore year, too.”

“Rising junior,” I correct, grabbing a spoon and tasting whatever chocolatey deliciousness is in the saucepan. A load of sweetness envelops my tastebuds, and I glance down at the pot. “What is this?”

Mom glances doubtfully at her open laptop, a file for recipe notes on the screen. “Mexican chocolate pudding. Well, eventually.” Her nose wrinkles as she takes a taste for herself. “Needs cinnamon.” She nods toward the spice cabinet. “Do you know where you’re going to work?”

I smile proudly, searching in the cabinet for cinnamon. “I applied for the boutique down the street, Mrs. Taylor’s spa, the library, the boba shop Ryleigh works at, and” – I sigh, glancing out the kitchen window to my flowerbed in the front lawn – “the florist.”

I tune out Mom’s encouraging words. In my mind I’m wearing the cute pastel uniform of the Morning’s Glory flower shop…helping people find their perfect bouquets…planning wedding events. Floral catering? That should totally be a thing.

My phone buzzes, my pulse tripping over itself in anticipation of hearing back from one of the places I applied to. Obviously, I’d prefer the flower shop, but at this point I’d be happy with anything.

But instead of Mrs. Taylor from her spa or one of the library owners, Ryleigh’s smiling face pops up as I answer the video call. Burying my twinge of disappointment, I hand Mom the bottle of cinnamon and slide into my bedroom.

“Hey Ella.” I can tell from the moving background that Ryleigh is at a brisk walk through her neighborhood. Her voice is laced with excitement. “You’ll never guess who I just saw.”

My eyes narrow with suspicion. Ryleigh tends to get overly excited about minor events, so I don’t take this newfound energy as anything different. “Who?”

“Will Clemmons.” She squeaks with excitement, giving a little hop that shakes her phone.

Will Clemmons. Even hearing his name makes my heart palpitate a little. Will may or may not have been my crush since he moved here a year ago, but the time for actually becoming friends is long gone. I’m pretty sure he knows who I am, and we’ve seen each other around, so I can’t just walk up to him and strike up a friendship now. That would be 100% AWKWARD.

Ryleigh takes my silence as an invitation to go on. “And guess where I saw him?”

I shake my head, her smile catching on my own face. “Where?”

“The used car dealer! Right across the street from Ultimate Boba!”

I raise my eyebrows. “That’s great and all, but what does this have to do with me?” Apart from the fact that I, too, want a car.

Note to self: Will and I have something in common. (Yay!)

“No, Ella.” Ryleigh’s voice turns serious, but her smile is as big as ever. “He was working there.”

I sink down on my bed, tucking my legs underneath me. “Working at… the car… dealership? Karl’s Cars?” Stupid name for a dealership, I know, but the owner isn’t very creative.

Ryleigh nods, speeding up her walking pace. “Isn’t that crazy? You want a car, and he sells cars! It’s a perfect match.” She squeals again, but I don’t join in. I can’t tell if this is horribly bad or horribly amazing.

On one side, it does sound like the type of thing in a romance movie. Girl wants a car, guy works at the dealer, boom! True love and a free car. They kiss, get into her brand-new Porsche Boxter, and drive off into the sunset, hand in hand.

Okay, maybe not hand in hand, because of course she’d drive with both hands on the wheel. Wouldn’t want to wreck her brand-new Porsche!

On the other side, now there might be even less of a chance of us becoming friends. I might show up to the dealer and he’s all business, only interested in selling me a car and getting his paycheck. He could even try to swindle me out of my summer job cash.

Er, once I have summer job cash.

But from what I’ve seen of Will around town and at school, he can’t be that bad. He’s polite to adults, kind to kids, and seems to hang out with a good crowd. Not that I’ve been stalking him or anything. If anyone’s stalking him, it’s Ryleigh.

I take a deep breath, trying to force myself to be reasonable. “Okay. I’ll have to end up going over there sometime, and it’d be kinda fun to meet him,” Ryleigh’s grin widens at my telling smile, “and maybe we can be friends and… well, first I need a job. So I actually have the money to buy a car.”

Ryleigh’s brow furrows, and she slows. “Right. So… about the boba shop.” She looks away from the camera. “I basically begged my manager to hire you, but she said they really don’t need any new employees.” She meets my eyes with a sympathetic gaze. “I’m sorry, Ella.”

“That’s okay.” I really mean it, mentally checking off one of my job options. “I’m really holding out for a job at Morning’s Glory, because I know the owner from that floral convention I went to last year and I have experience working with people and flowers.”

“I’m sure you’ll get the job. They would love you there, and it’s absolutely perfect for you.”

After a few more minutes of chatting, we end the call and I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My summer can’t seem to get more perfect – my crush working at the car dealership I’m bound to be visiting often, my best friend getting me discounts at our favorite boba shop, and – hopefully – a job for me at one of my favorite places in our town. This is not going to be another one of my regular, bland summers, spent binging shows and getting bored at the pool.

This is going to be my best summer yet.

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