Chapter Forty Four : Summertime

A/N I would love to hear your ideas on how the parents find out about Dakota and Luka.

I stared up at the cloudless blue sky above me through my sunglasses that tinted the scenery a deep purple as I swung in the canopy behind Dakota's house. My arms laid above my head as he laid by my side, doing the same. In the distance I could hear the chatter of my parents, exchanging smiles and laughter as they sat on the patio with Mr. and Mrs. Moreau, picking at a platter of crackers and assorted cheeses, no wine.

"It's you and me, all summer." Dakota said in a hushed voice but we were far enough for our parents not to hear.

I chuckled. "What exactly will we be doing?"

"I have a few things planned." He whispered in my ear as he turned on his side before twirling a lock of my dark hair with his index finger. My eyes darted to our parents in hopes they were not looking to see us so close to each other.

"I was thinking since it's your birthday soon, you could spend the night." Dakota said as he bit his lip and I immediately knew he what he was hinting at. The blood rose to my cheeks, turning them a sheer red at the image of Dakota and I spending the night together, so to put it. Dakota and I had done plenty together but this was entirely different and nothing compared to -spending the night together.

"I-I don't know." I said, averting my eyes from his, looking at the tree nearby instead. The smallest of squirrels was sat on one of the many branches, holding a chestnut to his chest as his beady black eyes stared down at me, as if judging me for my sins.

Stupid squirrel.

"I don't want to force you or anything.. if you don't want to, that's fine." Dakota said in a soft voice as he subtly brushed his hand over mine, extending his arms as if to stretch.

"Okay." I said as I nodded a little too fast, making it obvious the suggestion made me anxious. Wasn't he?

But he did know more than I. And I wasn't entirely sure if Dakota was- deflowered or not from the amount of times I'd seen him at a party with a different girl. If it was true, part of me felt jealous that I wasn't his first.

"Boys, dinner!"

The relationship between my parents and Dakota's parents carried on as normal as it could possibly get. But I still wondered how Mrs.Moreau was coping. Dakota hadn't mentioned anything and I wasn't sure if it was right to ask, so I remained quiet on the subject.

I sat on the end of the table with Dakota and my mother on either side of me as my dad sat on the other end, along with Dakota's parents.

It was Mr.Moreau's signature dish, as he called it, grilled chicken and veggies with rice on the side.

"Mr.Hugh mentioned that he was at your last game, boys." My father said in a solemn voice and my eyes widened in fear as they darted to Dakota who looked just as petrified as I did.

He knew.

Mr.Hugh attended the game, seen the kiss and told my parents! I wanted to cry and drop to my knees to beg for forgiveness or make up some bullshit lie that it was only a celebratory kiss, those exist right?

But I sat still, frozen stiff with my mouth gaping open as I tried to speak and remember how to breath.

"Great trick play, I'll tell ya!" My dad said as a smile spread across his face before patting Mr.Moreau on the shoulder. I chuckled weakly as a cold chill went down my spine.

"I really wish we could've been there, hun." My mom said with a crease in her forehead as she patted my hand. I nodded with a half smile.

"Me too."

If Mr.Hugh was there, he had to of seen. So why hadn't he said anything?

"You know boys, there's a summer training camp that I think you should look into." Mr.Moreau said as he pulled out a flyer, handing it down towards Dakota and I. My eyes scanned the white and blue paper. It would take place almost every morning. So much for sleeping in this summer.

"Sounds great dad." Dakota said as he tucked the flyer into his back pocket.

After dinner, mom and dad surprised me with an early birthday cake, seeing as they would be out of town for my actual birthday. It was a bit of a downer that they wouldn't be there, but then again I didn't want to do anything big for it anyway.

"Happy birthday sweety." My mom said as she handed me a white envelope. I opened it and found one hundred dollars in cash inside.

"Whoa." I exclaimed as my eyes lit up.

"It's for the camp." She said with a smile.

"Right. Thanks." I said with a forced smile. At least she was trying. Besides what was I to do with that much money.

"One more birthday to go." Mrs.Moreau said with a smile as she pinched Dakota's cheek. He flinched at her touch but I was the only one to pick up on it as he smiled weakly.

The next morning my parents drove us out to the football camp site near the edge of town before they left for their trip to visit my grandfather.

I hadn't seen much of my grandfather, I barely had any memories of him. He had come down with something recently and it was progressively getting worse. It hadn't affected me too much, not knowing him and all, but I would feel awful for my mom if things were to turn sour for him. Still I wondered why they never wanted me to go see him, that is normal, grand children visiting grandparents. But it wasn't out of the norm for me, it had always been a strained relationship on both side of my family.

"Good luck!" My dad said as he and my mom waved from the car with a smile. I waved back before swinging my duffel bag over my shoulder.

"Whoa." Dakota said as we stared at the camp site from afar.

The camp was filled with players from all over town, including nearby towns. Drills were set up on the field; ladder drills, brightly colored cones lined in front on one another, even dummies for blocking and tackling.

"My favorite boys." Michael said as he came up from behind us with a grin, swinging an arm on each of our shoulders, squeezing a little too tight for comfort.

"Hey." Dakota and I said in unison before walking to the person in charge, none other than coach himself. It seemed I wouldn't be getting away from him anytime soon. I really could've used a break from his tirade of conspiracy theories and mid life crisis breakdowns.

"I didn't expect to see you three here, you know, seeing as you're all stars and all."

"Come on coach, of course we'd be here." Dakota said with a grin as he patted his shoulder. He grinned because he knew he was an amazing athlete for someone so young. He knew his potential. I was just lucky.

"Alright, here are the schedules for training. Stick to it as much you can." Coach said before taking out his shiny metal whistle and blowing it loudly, the ringing lingered in my ears even after.

"Agility training boys!"

Each player lined up near the ladder drills that lay on the green grass. "Look who else is here." Dakota said as he nodded across the field to the other drill stations. I scanned the field, only to meet eyes with Seth who had looked immensely intimidating, his brows were scrunched along with his lips and I couldn't tell it was the shade himself from the sun or if he was really unhappy to see the team that he'd lost against.

"You two are friends, right?" I asked Michael who seemed surprised to see Seth here.

"Yes." He nodded with confidence.

"Are you sure about that?" Dakota asked as we continued to stare from across the field.

As I waited in line for my turn I couldn't help but notice Alex across the field as well and he appeared awfully chummy with Seth, who he had once referred to as our enemies, as they bickered back and forth, exchanging smiles and a high five. I ignored it and passed it off, idiots tend to stick together.

Before I knew it, training was over in little to no time, all that sweat and adolescent angst really sent time flying.

"You're coming over tonight right?" Dakota asked as we waited for his dad to pick us up, the eagerness in eyes was too obvious.

"Yes." I said as I averted my eyes from his and stared at the ground instead, chewing on the bottom of my lip.

I was quiet on the drive to Dakota's, unable to focus on anything except the thoughts in my mind. I hadn't the first clue on how to have sex, where was I supposed to put my hands? Was I too keep my eyes opened or closed?

I sighed deeply before rubbing my temple. I hadn't need to worry, whatever happened, would.

"Alright boys, pizza?" Mr.Moreau asked as he picked up the phone off the counter. I nodded, not entirely paying attention, I was too focused on Dakota who was sat beside me. My eyes roamed his body, wondering.

I counted down the minutes, seconds until it was time to sleep, or rather until Mr.Moreau and Mrs.Moreau would be. It seemed endless until the time came as I preoccupied myself with television and video games as I sat on the edge of Dakota's bed. The door opened and Dakota crept inside before closing the door behind him.

"My parents are asleep." Dakota said in a hushed voice as he sat beside me, pushing back the hair from that lay in front of my eyes, making my heart race.

"Dakota I don't think we should." I said as I stood up.

"Alright well.. we can find other things to do." Dakota said with a grin as he stood beside me, snaking a hand around my waist.

"Like what?" I asked as I ran a hand through his soft chestnut hair.

"Video games." He said as he picked up a black controller off his bedside table.

A/N vote, comment and tel me what you think! :)