"I'm not sure I'm okay with that," My mom eyed me weirdly.

I scoffed, "But you like him?"

She shrugged, throwing her arms up. "Macy, how am I supposed to let you go off to Miami for a week with Jack?"

I smiled nervously, realizing how it sounded from her view. How WAS she supposed to let me off to Miami? I sighed, sitting down next to her on the couch. I decided to play the pity card. "I know, mom," I looked down, with sad, puppy eyes. "It's one thing to let me date him, what I'm asking you to permit is just pushing my luck. You know, I love him, and I plan on getting married to him. I guess I wouldn't be asking to do this if I actually got to see him on a regular basis. I'm lucky to get a Skype call in a week. We're always so busy, and-"

She held a hand up. "Macy's, the money's tight. With your father gone, I'm struggling to pay rent. I've been working triple hours. How am I even supposed to help you out pay for this? Miami's not Ohio."

I took a deep breath. "God, I sound like a gold digger right now," I muttered.

"What?"

"Jack's paying for it all. We're not even taking a plane. We're driving." Would driving actually change her mind?

"Money's not just it, hun. I know what you kids want to do at this age," She looked at me. Sex?! This was about sex?

I groaned, grabbing a pillow to bury my face in. "Mom!" I got an idea. "What if Molly came? She has a job, she's been saving money. Jack wouldn't have to pay for her or anything." I sat up, looking at her with thoughtful eyes.

The idea hadn't hit her; she tilted her head, nodding slightly. "Would Jack be okay with a sister tagging along?"

I shot up. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

She sighed. "This is too much, what he does for you. You better not be using this man, young lady,"

~

"We have a problem." Jack told me on the phone.

"I bet I can beat you on that," I said, still not fully sure if he'd be okay with the fact that Molly would be joining us on our romantic getaway. I laid back on my bed, drowning in our call.

"Alex found out about Miami. He's demanding to go,"

I let a sigh of relief out. "Oh thank God. Molly's coming."

"Okay, Alex! You can get off me now. You're going!" Jack grumbled off the phone.

I imagined Alex sitting on Jack, waiting for a reply. "So it's cool if she goes?"

"Yeah, of course! I- we like Molly, she's like one of the guys in a way."

I smiled at that. I pictured Jack and I's wedding. Molly, the maid-of-honor, laughing with the groomsmen and Best Man. "Right, yeah. I need to go bikini shopping. I haven't been in the heat in like a year. It misses me, I feel it," I grabbed my stomach, grasping the winter fluff I had put on.

"Same, man. I think my boobs are big enough for a cup bikini," Jack said in a cheerful voice.

I giggled, hand to my face. "You daring enough to go for a push-up?"

"Not until I'm 14, my mom said," he said in a sad voice. "I have a pool party with boys, too."

I calmed down, resting a hand on my chest. "I miss you."

"I miss you, too. Only a month longer."

"Only a month."

During the past month, I started getting more focused in school. I still thought about Jack, sneaking a few texts during class, doing whatever I could to talk to him. About 2 weeks after he left (right in time for Valentine's) , some flower guy came into the class, holding an orange rose bouquet. Mr. Reynolds rose an awkward eyebrow, allowing him to come in. I got a few stares carrying that around. But when it came to school, I aced all of my tests, working to the bone. I was preparing for graduation, starting to get my college stuff together... Which I still didn't know at the time if I would go or not.

After I hung up on the phone with Jack, I walked across the hall to Macy's room. She would be home.

Only she wasn't, so I lingered around. I picked up a framed picture of her and Dallas on her pine desk. They looked happy; arm around each other. I figured they'd get together in the future. Beside that one, not framed, was a picture of her and I. I was in about 6th grade, and she was in 7th during Halloween. We went as Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. I was Britney, and she was Christina. I had no idea why our parents would let us actually go out with the costumes. They weren't racy or anything, but a little shocking.

"Hey, lil sis," Molly came in the room, making me jump.

I set the photo down, and sat on the side of her bed. "Hey. How was work?"

"Painful. But at least I get paid well. I need a fund for a vacation. I only made like $1,500 since I started in October." She picked up a job at Max & Erma's waitressing. How did she manage to get that job? I didn't know. She told me that they said that she was perfect for the job... or they were just creeps.

Would that be enough for Miami? "So, uh, wanna get away next month?"

She crinkled her nose, setting her apron down on the desk. Change jingled. "You mean for Spring break?"

"Yeah. Jack, and I are going to Miami, and Alex is going, and I thought maybe you cou-"

She squealed. "Macy! Yes!"

And with a tight hug, and a few tearful eyes, we were going to Miami as sisters. Yet, part of me felt selfish. Was I inviting Molly for my own needs, or was I inviting her for actual sister bonding? Either way, she wouldn't know I had invited her in the first place so I could go with Jack. It would hurt her, and potentially damage her and I's bond.

~

A month later, Jack and Alex arrived in Ohio. Molly, and I picked them up from the airport, and brought them back to the house.

My mom hugged them as soon as they walked in. "Jack! And Jack's friend!"

"Macy and Molly's mom!" Alex hugged her back, smiling.

"Please, call me Sharon," She said. Sharon...?

"Alex. I heard only the nicest things about you, and the beautiful part was definitely true, Jack." Alex said.

She blushed. "Stop it, you two."

"Yeah, please stop, you two," I said, wheeling my luggage out. I wasn't a heavy packer; I had a make up bag, and a medium suit case full of bikinis and loose clothing, such as tank tops, and shorts. Molly on the other hand, was. She had two suitcases, and a large makeup bag.

"Alex, be a doll," Molly indicated towards her large luggage.

He took one of the suitcases. "Nice seeing you, and meeting you officially, Sharon. I'll see you soon."

"You too, you cute boy!" She called as he rolled Molly's luggage out.

She turned to the three of us. "Jack. Thank you."

He shrugged, giving a cheeky smile. "Mrs. Collins, I understand what you're going through. You don't have to thank me,"

She kissed his cheek, and then turned to us. "Girls, I love you. I'll see you soon."

"Love you too," we said in unison.

"Okay, I won't hold you kids back. Have fun, be safe!"

Once we were out of the house, I kissed Jack hard. "We got our own room, right?" I whispered.

"You don't mind one bed, right?"

I smiled.

Miami, here we come.