CHAPTER 47: INSIDE SUMMER’S-!!

"Urghhh, last day of summer classes... thank you, God!!"

Edward groaned, forehead pressed flat against the desk as the classroom buzzed with idle chatter and scraping chairs. His body sagged in exhaustion, shoulders hunched beneath the weight of sleepless hours. He’d spent the entire night binge-watching old Summer Celestèe films—again. Even though he’d seen them a dozen times, something about her presence on screen, her radiant smile and dramatic flair, kept him hooked like it was always the first viewing.

His breath fogged faintly against the polished wood of the desk as he muttered to himself, "Why’d I stay up so late...?"

"Edward!!" Mrs. Vanessa’s sharp voice cracked through the air like a whip.

He jolted upright, nearly tipping his chair. "Yes, ma’am?" he answered, eyes wide, trying to look alert even as fatigue clung to his face.

"Heads up, we’re about to start," she said sternly. "Today we’ll be talking about the history of the Central Bank of America."

Edward let out a silent groan and rubbed his eyes. Of course, he thought. The final class of summer, and it’s about finance history. He glanced around the room. Other students looked just as lifeless. No one wanted to be there—not on the last day of summer classes, not when freedom was so close.

Still, he forced himself to focus, half-listening as Mrs. Vanessa launched into her lecture. The words washed over him like white noise—Central Reserve, monetary policy, 1913—but his mind drifted. He imagined being anywhere else, maybe lying under a tree in the park, headphones in, Summer Celestèe movie cued up, the sun warm on his skin.

The bell finally rang, a crisp chime slicing through the boredom like a blade. The classroom erupted with the sounds of scraping chairs, laughter, and hurried footsteps.

"I’m freeeeeeeeeee!!" Edward shouted, throwing his arms high above his head in dramatic flair as he walked out. His voice echoed through the hallway, drawing a few stares, but he didn’t care. The joy was too real, too massive to bottle up.

Just as he neared the doorway, his name called him back.

"Edward!!"

He turned on instinct. Mrs. Vanessa stood by her desk, her arms folded, a knowing smile on her face.

"Yes, Mrs. Vanessa?" he asked, eyebrows raised. He wasn’t in trouble, was he?

"You did good during this summer class, Edward. Keep it up when the new academic session resumes, okay?"

Edward blinked in surprise, the words hitting him in a way he didn’t expect. "Woah... Mrs. Vanessa complimenting me? That’s a first," he monologued inwardly, a small smile forming.

With that, he gave a polite nod and exited the building. The summer sun greeted him with a rush of heat and light. He squinted against it, basking in the freedom, only to feel a presence behind him before he heard it.

"Hey, Eddy."

He jumped, spinning around. "Woah! Don’t appear out of nowhere like that," he said, startled.

Sabrina stood behind him, hands on her hips, smirking. Her hair caught the sunlight, strands shimmering gold.

"Remember... I told you to come to my house by four," she said, pointing at him with mock sternness.

"Yeah, I didn’t forget," Edward replied quickly.

I totally did, he admitted silently, guilt bubbling up in his gut.

"It’s 2:40. Not much time left. If I don’t see you, Edward, I’ll drag you out of the room myself."

She spun on her heel and began walking away, not waiting for a response.

"Scary," Edward muttered under his breath with a nervous laugh before heading toward his front door.

He barely got his backpack off when his phone rang. The screen lit up: Summer Celestèe.

His heart skipped. He fumbled to answer.

"You’re done with classes now, right?" Summer’s voice came through, smooth and warm.

"Yeah, it’s finally over!" Edward shouted into the phone, grinning so hard it hurt.

"Well then... wanna come for a house tour?" Summer asked casually, as though it wasn’t the biggest deal ever.

Edward froze. "Seriously!!"

"Yeah. I’m bored at home. I could use some company," she said with a slight giggle. In his mind, he could see her laid across her bed, her hair in loose curls, probably still in pajamas.

"I’ll be there right away!!" Edward exclaimed, almost dropping his phone as he darted for the bathroom.

"It’s 3:00... I’ll be back by four to meet Sabrina," he said to himself, shutting the door behind him. "I can make it."

The luxury estate loomed ahead, sunlight glinting off its polished stone and glass. Edward stood in front of Summer’s mansion, wide-eyed.

"Ding dong!" the bell sang out.

"Woah... this is the biggest house in the estate," he breathed.

The door swung open.

Summer stood in the entryway, wearing a polka dot dress that flowed just past her knees. Her bare shoulders shimmered slightly under the sun. She looked like something out of a commercial—flawless, yet effortlessly natural.

"Come in, Edward," she said, stepping aside with a smile.

"Thanks. That dress looks amazing on you, by the way," Edward said, his cheeks flushing pink.

"Awnnn, you really think so? My friend Adriana got it for me," Summer said, twirling once like she was on a runway.

He stepped into the foyer and blinked.

The chandelier above him sparkled like it belonged in a palace. The glass staircase beside it glowed faintly, tiny lights lining each step. A massive 75-inch television hung in the living room, and right beneath it sat a pristine PlayStation 5.

"I didn’t know you played games, Summer," Edward said, eyes fixed on the console like it was a holy relic.

"There’s a lot you don’t know about me," she said with a teasing wink, walking toward the kitchen.

"Come on!" she called over her shoulder, waving him to follow.

"Oh, yeah!" Edward said, snapping out of his trance and trailing after her.

"This is my kitchen. Nothing impressive, I know," Summer said with a grin.

Edward looked around at the marble countertops, twin smart fridges, and enough space to host a cooking show.

"Summer... your kitchen is bigger than my entire bedroom," Edward said, eyeing her with mock betrayal.

"I know!" she laughed, clearly enjoying his reaction.

"But hold on," he said, frowning. "In an interview, you said you don’t cook. So what’s the point of a big kitchen?"

"Stalking me, huh!!" Summer asked, narrowing her eyes in playful suspicion.

"No, no, I just saw it on—wait, I don’t need to explain myself," Edward retorted, crossing his arms.

"Okay, okay, you got me! My boyfriend does the cooking," Summer said, bursting into laughter.

Edward froze. "Boyfriend?" he asked, a quiet edge in his voice.

"Oh shit, I’m not supposed to tell people," she muttered, slapping her forehead.

Edward’s thoughts spiraled. If she has a boyfriend, that means I can switch bodies with him an—

"He’s in Africa, visiting family though," Summer added, sipping from a glass of juice.

"Oh," Edward said, trying to hide the sting in his tone.

"You might know him. It’s Anthony Johnson," Summer said, casually pouring a second cup.

Edward’s mouth went dry.