LILAC
The start of summer feels like waking up from a year-long nightmare and finding out the sun still remembers how to shine.
We’re at the pond. The hidden one the guys skate on in winter, frozen thick enough to hold half the team. But today, it’s warm and bright, the midday sun seems to catch on the water like scattered glass.
Earlier, Callum had been tangled in a web of nylon and fury trying to set up our tents. While Hayden insisted the instructions were wrong and Tristan threatened to pack everything back into the SUV and leave us all behind. He didn’t mean it though because he stood ten feet away sipping orange juice and muttering things like, “You two have the collective IQ of a shovel.”
“Why do these poles evenbend?” Hayden had growled, waving one like a sword.
“Because they’re supposed to arc, genius,” I remember Tristan said completely deadpan.
“That’s not helpful if they arc into my face!”
Eventually, the tents stood, barely, and the arguing faded into teasing and jokes, everyone settling into the relaxation ofbeing able to have this family vacation with the family that we built ourselves. I don't have blood family anymore, and these people I’m with today mean so much to me. I haven’t spoken to my parents since they sent me that email. I’m sure they think Adam is in hiding, tail tucked and trying to outrun his debts. They’ll never know how he died, and I don’t think I’d tell them even if I was given the opportunity.
I really love this place, and I can’t wait to see it in the middle of winter. Our tents are set up on the banks, logs arranged in a circle around an unlit firepit, a couple coolers are already cracked open and spilling with drinks. Life is so good.
I look around and just take everything in. This is where Madi told me Hayden proposed to her. She said he did it right on the ice, months ago when the whole pond was frozen and snow dusted the edges like powdered sugar.
Us three girls are sitting on a thick picnic blanket. Madi brought it, so of course it’s white with little light pink bows on it. She curls her legs beneath her as she leans away from the firepit to grab two small light pink boxes adorned with little satin bows out of her bag.
She hands one to Winter and the other to me.
“What’s this?” I glance at Winter to see if she knows what’s up, but she looks as confused as I do.
“I don’t have sisters, but I think if I did, I wouldn’t love them as much as I love you guys,” Madi says cheerfully. She brushes her long, blonde ponytail off her shoulder and claps excitedly. “Come on! Open them.”
I get a little emotional at what she said and lean in to hug her before I open the box. I look at Winter and say, “On three?”
Madi counts us down and we pull the bow. When the boxes pop open, it reveals matching glass barrettes in the shape of a bow. They’re light blue, beautiful, and completely Madi’s style.
But I still don’t know what the occasion is.
“Will you two be my something blue?” she asks suddenly, glancing between Winter and me, and she’s blushing.
I blink. “Wait, like… for the wedding? Did you and Hayden set a date?” I don’t let her answer my rambling questions because Winter and I are lunging in to hug her. We all three tumble over.
“Of course I will! Oh my gosh, this is so exciting!” I tell her.
“You’re going to be the most beautiful bride,” Winter tells her.
“Hayden wants to invite the whole world to the wedding so everyone knows I’m off the market, but I really want it to be just our little group,” she says, grinning. “I want to be a young mom and Hayden wants to get married yesterday. We’re not waiting, so I want to start planning something now.”
Winter snorts. “Hayden probably just wants ‘Lockwood’ on your diploma.”
I giggle. “I hate to say it because I know he loves you more than anything, but that’s literally probably something he’s thought of.”
Madison sighs, shaking her head. “I can’t even argue with you.”
The bow is perfect. The box is perfect. And the thought of being in her bridal party makes my chest swell.
“Hayden didn’t have these made for you guys,” she jokes, pointing at the box. “So there’s only two in the world. Not a thousand.”
We laugh and pull her into a group hug. There’s giggling and happy squeals and so many questions like where, when, what color dresses.
“I think we’ll do it right here,” Madison says eventually, glancing around the pond. “It’s special for me and Hayden… but also for all of us. I think it would be nice.”
Winter nods. “Is Callum going to be the flower girl? Because I feel like that would be the best choice. We can get him a fanny pack and some glitter to throw.”
