Page 24 of If the Summer Lasted Forever
It looks so professional.
“I’m…wow. This is impressive.”
Not only are there videos of the United States, but trips to Mexico and Canada as well. The Tillmans have videos of national parks, state parks, theme parks…anything and everything and more. Most have tens of thousands of views, and many of them have even more than that.
“I figured you thought I was insane,” he says, “since I talk to my camera all the time.”
“Yes, I did.”
He laughs, more than a little amused.
“Do you film all these?” I ask.
“No, it’s a family effort. But I make about half of them now.” Landon gives me another minute to gawk, and then he asks, “Are you ready? I really am starving.”
Slowly, I nod and close the laptop, knowing full-well I’m going to stalk the page later tonight.
Midnight rolls around,then one, then two. It’s three-thirty in the morning right now. I’m going to be worthless when the sun comes up, but I can’t seem to close my browser and go to bed. I really do feel like a stalker watching the Tillmans’ family videos, but it’s not like they haven’t posted them for all the world to see.
Landon looked younger when they started those two years ago. He was lanky, a little less defined. He didn’t talk much in the beginning, was even a bit camera shy. With time, he’s gotten bolder, more sure of himself.
He regularly gets mentioned in the comments.Landon’s so cute. Landon’s so smart. Landon’s so funny.
I don’t love the comment section, to be honest.
Caleb is hilarious, always moving, always questioning, always looking for more. McKenna’s darling, and Hunter is…Hunter. He smiles when people aren’t looking, is kind and attentive when he doesn’t realize the camera is trained on him.
I still can’t believe the places they’ve been, the places they’ve seen.
Have you watched the one where they went to the Grand Canyon?Paige texts.
I called her last night, filled her in on what I learned. We’ve been watching them together, from our own homes, and texting each other like we’re binge-watching the latest Netflix series.
Yeah,I answer.
I thought Caleb was going to fall off the ledge on that hike!!!
I smile, loving her a little more. She’s always there for me, even if it’s just to keep me company while I stumble deeper into a crush with a boy I can’t have.
There are all kinds of videos on the Tillmans’ channel—several talking about RV repairs and traveling full time, some explaining the family’s favorite meals and how to conserve water and tank space when you’re dry camping. I skip a few, but I don’t want to miss any with Landon, so I’ve watched them all for the most part.
Even though it’s well into the AM hours, I start another video. They’re headed home in this one, meeting with old friends and family. As I watch, the butterflies in my stomach die and are replaced with a chunk of cold, unfeeling iron.
Paige texts several times, but I ignore her, knowing she’s seen it too…and I don’t want to talk about it.
Half-ill, I end up falling asleep sometime between four and the time my mom comes knocking on my door. Light filters through my curtains, alerting me to the fact that it’s morning. My laptop lies next to me, still open.
I blink as Mom pokes her head in the room. I’m so tired my eyes hurt.
“Are you feeling okay?” she asks, frowning.
“I stayed up too late,” I admit.
She comes inside and sits on the side of the bed. “What were you doing?”
“Watching YouTube videos,” I croak, covering my head with my pillow to block out the light.
“Finally figured out the Tillmans have a channel?”
