Page 88 of Hard Hitter

So, this end of summer party was now combined with a celebration of Quinn's major accomplishment of receiving a full ride to ASU to play baseball next fall. Also, his birthday was in three days, so Raelyn's mom had ordered a huge catering spread of Quinn's favorite food, along with a large cake with the ArizonaSunDevilsmascot on it. These extra touches had to be kept a secret, of course, because Quinn was always so reluctant to accept any sort of party or celebration in his honor.

It was early afternoon and Raelyn was waiting for the boys to show up. Quinn, Chris, and Jett would likely all be arriving together. Several of the boys from the baseball and football teams would be arriving, too. Most of Raelyn's girl friends from swimming and soccer were already at the house, getting switched over to their bathing suits as the sun was high and bright. A scorching 84 degrees, and it wasn't even the hottest part of the day.

While some people, especially from Northern Michigan, may complain that this weather was too hot, Raelyn absolutely loved it. She was a summer baby, after all. This weather reminded her of her ongoing list of reasons to apply to Arizona State for the next fall semester.

I love warm weather

ASU has a sports medicine program

My best friend is going and what am I going to do without him?

Palm trees

No snow!

The thought of not seeing Quinn for a whole year at a time makes me want to cry until I puke and then start all over

Ranked #2 party school in the nation- Let's make bad choices!

She had a separate, shorter, yet more weighted, list of reasons whynotto follow her BFF across the country:

Quinn is going for baseball. I don't want to distract him or hold him back

Does he even want me to go?