Falling for Summer Read Free Page A

studying and I know it wouldn’t make me as anxious as I am to get a message from Summer and then not hear from her.
    Summer has texted or called me a few times since I came back to San Francisco. Most times it would be a joke or her sharing a photo or a saying, something with what’s going on in her life. Sometimes it would be about something she finds of ours…mine, Drew, or Rachel’s that Aunt Sookie had socked away in the attic or somewhere. A childhood drawing, a favorite toy, video games we played and even some ratty old pair of jeans. All of that brings a smile to my face, which I think Summer, with her heart like gold, has intended. I know she does this to cheer me up, especially after my confession to her about my mother and everything I have to deal with. Because she was there when I broke down after hearing the news about my mother’s attempted suicide. Summer’s like that, always putting everyone’s needs and feelings ahead of her own. She’s fiercely independent, too. Never asking for advice on how to run Aunt Sookie’s Academy or anything like that. Being with Astor Fairway whose profession is acting, probably helped her more than any advice I could’ve given her.
    Always being there for me, for Drew, and even Rachel. It is no wonder why I love her.
     
    It is no wonder why I would do everything to protect her, even by staying away from her. But this time, in her last text to me, I had to wonder if things really are all right with her. Although she says she’s fine, and that she’s happy in Malibu when she’s there at Aunt Sookie’s “Malibu Pad; I sense that there’s something wrong.
    As much as I had promised Drew that I would not get involve with Summer in that way, as much as I try to not think of Summer at all and try to forget any feelings I’ve ever had for her, I can’t help feeling this desperate need to see her, to pull her to me so I can hold her and kiss the worry or whatever is troubling her away.
     
    She doesn’t pick up when I try calling her. I search for Aunt Sookie’s Acting Academy on the internet to find the phone number there. Maybe she’s there and teaching a class…that’s why she’s not picking up. As I search the internet, I come across all kinds of things about the Academy. Recent things about how the Academy is a set up, a copycat acting school of another school, and how it should be closed down. There are other things about Summer, too…along with Astor Fairway since he was coached by Aunt Sookie. Photos of Summer walking with Astor Fairway to a car, and the paparazzi trying to reach them. Gossip about Summer and Astor Fairway. Even a site or two that has nothing on it except hateful things about Summer and the school.
    “Shit, what’s going on?” Poor Summer. Is this what she’s been going through? Don’t these people have any heart? Aunt Sookie just died, and Summer has to deal with this?
    Summer has been so brave, going through what she did, with her Aunt’s sickness, taking over the school, and then with her losing her aunt. It’s so much for a girl of eighteen to take. Then she has to deal with haters?
    She can’t go through this alone. Even if I have to miss my exams for her, I would. Aunt Sookie had entrusted Summer for us Donovans to take care of, and I have failed miserably in taking care of Summer. I thought she would be fine. She acts as if she is, all the time, and with Astor.
    It hits me like a sucker punch out of the blue what I have to do. I have tried to fight it off, tried to lessen how I feel by increasing the distance between us, by acting indifferent to her, by acting like I don’t care. But deep down, I do, too much. I know I’ve made a mistake acting like I could give up Summer, acting like it’s alright for someone like Astor to date her when all he’s doing is putting her in danger. Now I have to do something crazy, impulsive, and bold.
    I’m going to go see her right now.
    I’m going to go get her away from Astor Fairway