Today was the day you had been counting down to. College had just let out for summer and to celebrate, a bunch of classmates of yours had decided to throw a party at Diego’s lake. Crawfish, catfish, shrimp, crab; you name it, they brought it.

You all had planned for an evening of swimming, eating, boat racing, fishing, and doing whatever. Then, around midnight, you all would go catch the new release at the theater. Everyone was going to stay a few nights and celebrate throughout the weekend then go home.

You grabbed your bag and threw it into the trunk of Cardan’s car. You, Cardan, Kylie, Scott, and Lily were all going to ride together. It took about 45 minutes to get there, and Cardan had the radio blasting to your playlist the entire ride there.

The group was already outside with speakers booming, boats on the water, and tables lined with crawfish and shrimp, corn and potatoes, and bread and butter. coolers of drinks (alcoholic and not) sat in ice off to the side and fairy lights were strung from tree to tree and porch rail to porch rail. volleyball nets were set up as well as tetherball and kickball. Girls from the cheer squad were playing the water, hair pulled up high.

You changed into a swimsuit and went with Cardan to the shrimp table. despite the outdoor area, it was loud. The sun was setting off on the horizon, casting a golden glow over everything. Cardan looked over at you when you bumped his hip, his mouth full of a spicy potato and his hands occupied with a cob of corn.

You laughed and took a sip of your drink, listening as Diego talked. his parents house was huge as well as the acreage of the place. His sister, Carla, had come home just to celebrate as well.

after eating, you can Cardan headed down to the sand. you washed your hands in the water and were about to go back when you felt yourself go up. squealing, Cardan pulled both of you down into the short waves and let you go. Coming up out of the water, you looked over as Cardan stood up, shaking his hair and pushing it back out of his face, water running down his body in rivulets. good lore was he pretty.