The Cabin by the Lake

I spent the night watching The Santa Clause 1, 2, and 3. I sipped on hot chocolate, and eventually fell asleep on the couch. I woke up to some infomercial and turned off the TV. 7am, and the sun was shining brightly. I fed Sam and sat at the kitchen table. I really wish I had some of those scones...I haven't gone food shopping yet, and I was starving. I turned to the fridge hoping something would appear...and something did...a note. 350 for 5 minutes. Theyll be warm. –Zac I smiled to myself and opened the fridge to a plate full of blueberry scones. I did as the note said and went to the window that overlooks the lake. I saw Zac ice skating in circles. I got dressed, threw on my Bruins winter hat and gloves, and grabbed two hot scones once the timer was done. I grabbed my ice skates and wet down to the lake.

"Morning neighbor." I called out to Zac and he skated over. I handed him the warm scone and he smiled. "I was afraid you wouldn't see the note." I laughed, and tied up my skates. I shoved my hands into my pockets and skated around, getting used to skating. I havent done it in such a long time. Zac came over and skated next to me. I"'m sorry about yesterday...I just don't think right now is a good time to talk about that stuff...Ill tell you one day Emily, I promise. Just not now." I nodded, "Thank you." We skated in silence as the clouds rolled in and a small flurry came over us. Kids started to come out with their hockey gear and nets. "I'll be right back!" Zac nodded and I took of my skates, running into the house. I grabbed my camera and ran back out. I walked out onto the ice with my snow boots on, towards the kids.

Zac was teaching them a few tips on how to play, and even played a little 3 or 3 with the kids. I talked with the parents and got their e-mails so that I could send them the pictures I was taking. One of the players skated towards me and took her helmet. "Do you play hockey?" She asked and I shook my head, "No I don't, but I do photograph it." She smiled, "Let me teach you." I nodded and put my camera around my neck. She gave me one of her (Short) sticks, and taught me how to shoot the puck. Zac stood to the side and smiled at me. I tried to shoot the puck and missed the net completely. The kids laughed at me, but they encouraged me to keep trying. Zac came over and put his hands on my hips, "You look like you're mini golfing. Move your legs here...put your arms like this...now try." I nodded, and gave it one more try. The goalie stopped it, but it was a shot on goal! We all cheered and I thanked the young girl for helping me. I took a few more pictures before Zac and I went to my cabin.

December 24th was coming faster than I wanted it to. I would have to leave with Zac Christmas night. They boys have a game on the 26th, and despite my begging I couldnt get more time off. Since the Winter Classic was coming closer and closer, no one could take any time off. Zac and I sat on the couch watching I’ll Be Home for Christmas. "Christmas eve is tomorrow..." I sighed and Zac laughed, "Don't sound so happy..." I laughed, "I just want to do something, you know? My trip isnt as long as I want it to be..." He smiled at me, "Grab your coat." I laughed as he brought me my snow boots. "Why?" He laughed, I"'m taking you somewhere." I put on my boots and coat and we got into Zac's truck. He drove us into town and to a small bar. "Not much is open...but this small country bar is." I smiled at him, we passed about 4 open bars. But he remembered that I like country and
we entered the bar.

We grabbed drinks, and then a table. I watched the line dancing and looked at the décor on the walls. "I cant believe you took my here." He smiled, his eyes making it hard for me to look away. We got more drinks, and suddenly it didnt feel like winter anymore. Zac and I laughed like we did in the summer, we sang songs together and I even got him to dance a little. I watched him watch me dance, swaying my hips, and him hiding his smile behind his beer. I walked over to him and he stood up. I hugged him tight, "Dance with me." He laughed, "I told you, no way in hell." I smiled at him and grabbed his hands in mine, "please?" Luke Bryan was about finished playing, and Zac sighed, "Fine." He acted not happy, but his hand holding mine said something different. We went to the dance floor as a slow song started to play, "This is a special request, so get someone to dance with you." The DJ said. Zac put his hand on the small of my back, and the other holding my hand. My other hand was draped over his shoulder, playing with his hair. As soon as the lyrics started, I knew the song. Blake Shelton, Do you Remember. I didn't look at Zac when the words came out, sounding truer and truer about us. We swayed to the music and I listened to every word. Seasons changed, we both changed, sometimes I go back to when we ran put our feet in the water, we danced didn’t care we could see, we sang every song to each other. Summer would end but not for me. I still feel the hope in your kisses, I still feel the sun on your skin. I swear I was holding forever, back then do you remember? Zac looked down at me as he realized how this song was a song about us. But he kept dancing with me. As the song came to an end, I started to sing along with it, singing it to Zac. His body stiffened as the words hit him, and before the song was over he let me go, grabbed his jacket and ran outside. I ran after him, and saw him pacing on the side wake, cursing at himself. "Zac..." He shook his head at me, "you cant do that to me Emily." I stood there with my hands in my coat pockets. "Do what? Dance? Sing?" He shook his head, "That song was too specific. What the hell." I shrugged, "Don't look at me. I didnt request it. I didnt ask for the song to play. I just wanted to dance with you." He shook his head, he was angry but I didnt understand why. I walked over to him, "Do you even remember?: He looked up at me, "What?" My fingers felt numb, I should have brought gloves. "Do you remember? The summer? Us? Were we didn't care who saw us, acting like every day would be our last...do you remember?" He kept quiet, "Do you remember kissing each other like we had each other forever but also like it would be the last? Holding each other like we would never hold each other again...wishing for the summer to never end? Hoping that we would never end? Do you remember any of it?" He pushed me against the brick wall, "Of course I remember Emily. Its all I can ever think about." His face was close to me, my heart was beating fast. "Then why don't you act like you remember?" His eye went sad, "I shouldn't remember..." My icy finger tips touched his icy cheek, "Why?" He looked me in the eyes, put my face between his warm hands and kissed me. It wasn't a hard kiss, it wasn't a make out scene. It was a gentle kiss that sent my body shivering. He held it there for a while, both of us not wanting to let go. But he eventually did. I opened my eyes, searching his face for answers. But I didn't get any. "You're with Ryan Emily. That's why I cant remember the summer." He started to walk away, but I grabbed his arm. "It doesn't seem like Ryan really wants to be with me..." He shrugged off my arm, "He said he's stressed out, you know? But maybe it's just a sign that I shouldn't be with him...but with someone else...Zac...The summer didn't end for you...did it?" My question sounded almost childlike, He looked me in the eyes, "The summer ended for me Em. It should for you too." I stood there as he turned back around. He's never called me Em before. The name sounded like a foreign language coming out of his mouth. I got into the rental car, and we drove back in silence.

Notes

Funny story...I wrote this story. and THEN heard this Blake Shelton song for the first time. The song pretty much goes perfectly with Emily and Zac in the summer. If you haven't heard it, you should!

Thank you all for reading!!! :) Please comment :)