Page 1 of Jumping In

Prologue

MJ - 7 years old

“Come on, MJ, just jump in already!” Austin yells. My new nickname makes me smile. The boys were getting tired of yelling “Emmalynn” to get my attention so my best friend, Mac, worked through a few different options before landing on “MJ.” I like it, it makes me feel like one of the boys.

The dark green water ripples around Austin and his twin brother, Blake, as they wait for me to join them. I’m swaying back and forth over the creek on the rope swing they’ve been jumping off all afternoon. It’s the first Saturday of summer break and we’re playing in the creek on the edge of my parents’ property. Our house is on the edge of town, and we own about a mile of land that leads right up to the creek. The idle chit-chat from my parents in the picnic area they’ve created filters down the hill, along with the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers from the grill.

Mac stands behind me, waiting for his turn as the rope bites into my hands. I look back down at the water and realize how far I’d have to jump. Shaking my head, I lower my leg to slow the swing to a stop back on the bank by Mac.

“Too scared?” he asks as he grabs the rope to help me stop. I nod and slide off the seat so he can take his turn. Dust stings my nose and eyes as I drag my feet away from the swing and out of his way. Mac positions himself on the swing and stretches his legs out, preparing to take off, but looks back at me again.

“It’s okay. You’ll get it one day.” His smile is reassuring and his ocean eyes shine with sincerity. I nod and let my heavy feet carry me to the creek bed to enter the water by foot. My feet sink into the cool water just as Mac’s splash hits my body.

I don’t know if he’s right, but jumping from the old swing feels like a big thing to do at seven years old. Maybe next summer.

MJ - 12 years old

“You can do it, MJ!” Mac cheers for me from the creek bed behind me. I’m once again swinging over the creek, but I know I won’t jump. My hands sweat as I cling to the rope on each side of the wooden plank that’s just wide enough for us to sit on. I’m losing grip and my nerve with each rise and fall I make.

The murky water laps at Blake’s chest as he lifts his chunky arms up like he’s going to catch me. If any of the boys were going to catch me, it’d be him with his husky build. Austin, however, is tall and lean, and our friend Mac is somewhere in between the two.

I look up the hill to the camping area where my parents and brother are sitting. The smell of hot dogs sizzling on the grill wafts through the air. My brother, Brad, is at the picnic table reading a magazine. He hasn’t been down to the creek since his accident, but our parents still make him be part of our weekend barbecues.

The jute stings my hands as I grip the rope and lower my leg. Shaking my head, I drag my foot and slow the swing to a stop on the shore. Mac is behind me to catch the rope and helps me slide off the seat without falling. My cheeks heat under his gentle gaze. “It’s okay, MJ, one day you’ll jump. I know it.”

The boys have been my cheerleaders since first grade, and a few years ago I thought I needed to be older, bigger, or stronger. But now, after my brother’s accident on this very swing, I’m not sure I’ll ever jump off.

Mac - 16 years old

Austin, Blake, and I race down to the river, tearing our shirts off and tossing them onto the tree stump, laughing and yelling about our freedom from school. It’s the last day of our sophomore year, and the creek is still a little chilly, but we don’t care because it’s summer.

“Guys, seriously, wait for me!” MJ yells as she runs to catch up, her dark blonde hair flying behind her.

“Come on, MJ! You think you’ll finally jump off the swing this summer?” I yell back in a teasing tone.

She’s been swinging over the creek with us for years but never jumps in. She’s scared but I don’t know why. The creek isn’t deep, and we’ve been swimming in it since we were five.

After ten years of spending summers at this very creek, I can already tell this summer will be different. My time here is going to be taken away, since I’ll be helping at my dad’s auto shop more. He’s been sick and work has been falling behind. I’ve already been working most nights and weekends, but I know most of my days for the next three months will be spent under the hood of someone’s car. Mom wants me to still have fun and spend time with my friends, but I overheard my parents’ conversation a few weeks ago, and I know if I don’t help, we might lose the shop.

My chest feels heavy just thinking about it. I take a deep breath, focusing on the sounds of nature around me. Shaking my head as if to shake the thoughts out, I try to focus back on my friends. I haven’t figured out how to break the news to them yet despite my confidence that they’ll understand.

I break the surface of the water, but I turn back to see how far behind she is. I spot her at the tree stump, lifting her shirt over her head. My eyes nearly bulge out of my head.Holy. Shit.The guys turn, following my gaze. I must’ve said that out loud.

Austin echoes my sentiments under his breath. He and his twin look at me with knowing looks all over their faces. MJ has grown up this year. She’s got . . . curves. And they are on full display in a red bikini I’ve never seen her in before. My mouth goes dry, and I quickly turn back to the water to hide the evidence of my arousal. Definitely don’t want to be embarrassed on the first day of summer because I popped a boner.

This summer is going to kill me if MJ continues to wear that red bikini. Maybe I should be thankful I won’t be around much to see her in it. MJ is my best friend, but I’ve noticed she’s been looking at me differently than she used to. Like she likes me more than just a best friend. Truth be told, I might be looking at her differently, too. There’s no denying the little spark between us, but I know she’s better off just being my friend. I’ve been stifling the possibility of feelings for a few years now, if I’m being honest. She’s preparing for law school, and based on the conversation my parents had, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.

MJ - 18 years old

“Are you excited, MJ?” Shannon, my best friend of eight years, asks from across the fire. The flames light up her face and make her red hair look like an inferno blazing atop her head. We’re all gathered around the campfire on our last official day of summer.

I had my goodbye dinner with Mom and Dad last night, followed by our usual Friday movie night. I’m going to miss that tradition, but Mom made it count, and we watched one of my favorite movies,Legally Blonde. It lifted my spirits and reminded me I could very well be the next Elle Woods.

“Yeah, I am. I’m sad to leave you guys, of course, and my parents. But it’s only a few hours away. I’ll be home for winter and spring break, and we’ll have the summers too.”

Caracrest University in Piermont is only three hours south of our small town of Oakridge. It’s a short drive compared to some kids who move across the country for college, but it still feels far.

Shannon is staying home and taking online classes, and Blake and Austin will be moving to the larger town thirty minutes away to attend culinary school and community college, respectively. We are all moving on, but I’m the only one really leaving.

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