The Summer Moon
Chapter 37 -

Malia

I spent the next day working at the bakery again, but left early to get ready for my double date with Emily. My stomach was churning as I peddled my bike home. Something about tonight just seemed off.

I leaned my bike on its usual spot beside the garage and recognized my dad's car in the driveway. He'd been giving me more space ever since my conversation with Savanah yesterday, so she must've talked to him. I was grateful though, I needed to sort through this on my own. Even Ty had been quiet today, he hadn't texted me at all since the stare down I got from him last night. I guess things really are over between us, and maybe that's for the best.

As I round the corner to the back door of my bedroom and climbed the patio steps, my eyes caught on a black hoodie hanging on the chair. The same black hoodie I had thrown at Tyrese only a couple days earlier. I hadn't been back here since that conversation, choosing to use the front door mostly instead. My hand closed around it's soft material and I immediately felt sadness wash over me like a wave. He must've left this here, but why? Was he still hopeful we'd get back together? Was I still hoping for that?

I picked up the sweater and carried it inside, dropping it on my bed. I can't be thinking about this right now, I shouldn't be thinking about Ty at all. I'm supposed to be getting ready for a date with someone else. Someone who's cute - but Ty's drop dead gorgeous. Someone normal - but normal is overrated, being with Ty was fun. I groaned, arguing in my own mind. Someone who's not a werewolf, and with that the argument was suddenly over.

I showered and let my hair hang down my back in its natural waves. I decided to wear a white sundress with red tulips all over it and paired it with matching red lipstick. I grabbed my purse and threw it loosely over my shoulder. My eyes lingered one more time over Ty's sweater lying on my bed, but I quickly shook my head and turned to leave.

Emily was already waiting in her car for me as I came round to the front of the house. She'd agreed to drive me tonight, which I was super grateful for because I couldn't imagine riding my bike with this dress on.

"Ahh you look gorg, I'm so excited for tonight!" Emily squealed as I climbed in next to her. I smiled and looked over to see her wearing a much more outgoing outfit than me, a black miniskirt and a cropped white top with a pair of strappy sandals.

It didn't take us long to get down to the boardwalk where the carnival was set up. Emily spent the whole drive telling me all the ways she was going to flirt with this guy tonight and I couldn't help but giggle at her. In her outfit, I was sure she wouldn't have to do much flirting to get his attention.

I marvelled at the carnival lights as I climbed out of Emily's car. The sun was just setting over the water and I was in awe of the beauty. "This place is amazing," I said to Emily, who just smiled and nodded. As we walked towards the park entrance, I found myself searching the parking lot, wondering if I would see a familiar Audi.

"Well, well ladies, you two look lovely," The taller one was the first to speak as the two boys from yesterday approached us. I jerked my head towards them and smiled politely.

"Dibs," Emily leaned in and whispered in my ear and I giggled at her. I was fine with that though, the curly-haired boy seemed more type anyway. He was quieter and followed behind his friend, giving me a shy smile as they approached. "Hi," he said, looking directly at me as Emily moved closer to Luke.

"Hi," I smiled back. I looked back over to Emily to already see her whispering in Luke's ear. I looked around the crowd of people, half the town had to be here. It was so busy.

The four of us walked through the carnival together. Emily and Luke seemed to be getting along well, they were both incredibly flirty and I laughed seeing all of Emily's moves in action. Tom was actually a pretty nice guy. He told me how he was in his first year of college and about all of his classes. He definitely seemed like the type of guy I would usually go for, but tonight my mind kept wandering elsewhere.

The four of us sat down to share a pizza and I picked away at my piece. "Not hungry?" Tom turned to ask me and I shook my head but smiled at him. "Uh no but it's okay, I just have a bit of a headache," I lied, my stomach was in total knots but I didn't want to tell him that.

Emily looked up at me across the table, giving me a strange look that almost reminded me of her sly smile from yesterday. I raised my eyebrow at her but she looked away from me and continued her whispering with Luke.

As everyone else finished eating, I found myself scanning the crowd of people again. "Looking for someone?" Tom interrupted me and I looked back to him.

"Oh, no" I blushed, "I was just surprised how busy it is."

"Guess you've never been before, this place is always busy," he smiled back.

"Well, we're gonna go ride some rides, see you guys later!" Emily suddenly said as her and Luke stood from the table.. She looped her arm through his and was practically skipped as they walked through the crowd of people. I stood there in shock, my eyes wide and my jaw hanging open.

"Emily!" I called after her. I couldn't believe she was just leaving me here. Tom is still practically a total stranger.

"We can go after them if you want," Tom said, and I looked down, feeling guilty. I was totally making a bad impression on this date. Not that I really cared about making a good one. I was still far too hung up on Ty to have any interest in this date. Yet still, I didn't want him to think I was being rude, so I quickly plastered a smile on my face and turned towards him.

"Nope it's all good, maybe we should go replace some rides too," I said, and he immediately brightened up. Together we wandered through the park, I was never much of a ride person. In fact, most rides terrified me, so I had my eyes set on the calmest ride I could replace.

We lined up behind a group of people waiting to board the ferris wheel and I felt Tom's hand close around mine as it hung at my side. I turned to give him a small smile but I knew I didn't mean it. Truly, I think I was just about ready to go home. Tom had done everything right so far tonight, he was a nice guy. He deserved a chance, but my heart was somewhere else. Emily's whole plan tonight was just stupid, Ty probably wasn't even here.

Focus Malia. I willed myself. Tom deserved a fair chance and, technically, this is what I had wanted this summer, a normal summer romance. Tom was normal, whereas Ty was far from it. But, as I looked across the open space, my eyes finally found what they were looking for. My heart beat faster in my chest, Ty.