~Melanie~

I turn over as consciousness returns, and the scenes from my dream flutter away. I peek open an eye and see James' dark hair on the pillow next to me. We're at his parent's townhouse in Boston, where we've been staying for the past week after graduating from Boston University last weekend.

Today, we are driving to Vermont for a week-long celebration with my and Bianca's families. James is coming with me. After dating throughout the last two years of college, I'm excited for everyone else to finally meet him.

I sigh as I close my eyes.

"Melanie, wake up!" James shakes me awake. "We overslept!"

"Huh, what?" I half-open my eyes to see his gray ones staring at me.

"You just looked so relaxed when I woke up, I thought I'd let you sleep in, but then I lost track of time, and now it's 10:30," James says sheepishly.

"10:30?" I cry, hopping out of bed as I rub the sleep from my eyes. "How could you let me sleep in? I told my mom that we'd be there by lunch, and it's a three-hour drive to Ludlow!"

"I was just being thoughtful!" James counters.

"Well, you should have considered being thoughtful on a different day when we don't have any plans!" I toss my hands in the air as I haphazardly get dressed and almost lose my balance.

"Are you serious?" James scoffs as he ties his sneakers.

"You know how important this week is to me, James." I sigh, "Just whatever." I storm off to the bathroom.

~~~

~James~

"It's important to me too!" I say as Melanie closes the bathroom door.

She can be so cranky in the morning. Exasperated, I toss my bag over my shoulder and head downstairs into the kitchen.

"Good morning, honey. Do you have everything you need for your trip?" my mom asks as she fills up a mug of what probably is her third cup of coffee this morning.

"Yes, mom."

"What about a sleeping bag or a tent?" she asks as she stirs in the milk.

"There's a cabin we'll be sleeping in."

"Hmm," she nods. "Where's Melanie?"

"Getting ready," I say, then walk out the front door of our townhouse, down the sidewalk, and to my parked car.

~~~

~Melanie~

After I'm all ready to go, it's almost eleven, so I quickly say goodbye to James' parents.
"Goodbye, Mr. and Mrs. McGill. Thank you for everything. We'll see you soon!" I wave goodbye as I try to catch up to James down the sidewalk.

He didn't say goodbye to his family. He must be anxious to meet mine. He knows he needs to make a good first impression on my family. Why couldn't he choose another day to sleep in?

The searing heat radiating from the sun above makes me feel like I'm baking in an oven as I reach James stepping into his car.

"Let me drive. I know the way by heart."

James doesn't say anything as he gets out, then walks to the passenger side. I quickly toss my bag in the back seat, then slide in front of the steering wheel. Thank god for fabric seats; otherwise, my thighs would be in pain right now with my shorts.

"Turn around and head straight to Main," James says the second I close the driver-side door.

"Why? Main is behind us. It'll be quicker to take Route One," I reply as I buckle my seatbelt.

"No, it won't. Route One is full of traffic this time of day, but if you get on at the roundabout, it'll be easier," he says as he buckles his seatbelt.

"I was gonna take Route One to get on the Northern Expressway."

"No, you're going to want to take Main to Mystic to get on the Expressway."

The engine isn't even on yet, and we are already arguing about which route to drive.

"Melanie, I've lived here my entire life. Trust me."

I sigh, "Fine."

I turn the engine on, open the windows, and blast the air vents hoping for cold air to flow through soon. I turn the car around and head toward Main, following James' directions, even though I've been driving this route every summer since I began going to school in Boston more than four years ago, but what do I know?

Eventually, we leave the city, and all the while, the car ride is silent.

James is the first to speak. "Melanie, I'm sorry for making us late this morning. I know how much this trip means."

I turn to look at James. His short curly brown hair blows in the wind as his gray eyes look into my brown ones.

I take his hand in mine and lean them together on the gear stick. He rubs his thumb against the back of my hand as I sigh.

~~~