Page 3 of Buzzer Beater

“Yeah, it’s where I grew up, so I like it.”

“Right. Of course.”

Amber popped up in front of us with a wide grin. “Okay girls! Are you ready?”

I could tell Amber was excited to forget our real lives and let loose. I stretched my legs out. “To relax?” I teased.

Amber rolled her eyes. “To get this party started?”

“What does that mean?” Elena asked the same thing I was wondering.

“I was going to buy us a round to celebrate.” Amber looked to the other girls.

“Why don’t we wait until we get to Mexico before we start getting too wild.” I was used to being the one to keep Amber in check, so she didn’t push back.

She slumped now and rested her chin on the seat. “That’s so boring.”

So was drinking on a plane. I sighed. I had a feeling I’d have to be the responsible one on this trip. Ordering a virgin drink for her and Riley every so often.

“Just turn on a movie and we’ll be there before you know it.” I assured her.

I felt like her mom, but that wasn’t new. Amber was the fun one. The one with the wild stories. The one everyone loved and remembered. I was the one behind her, making sure she didn’t get into too much trouble.

Responsible, cautious Lucy.

Growing up I’d been too afraid to break rules. I didn’t want to get in trouble. I didn’t want the consequences. Then, my mom died, and I didn’t want to make anything harder for my dad. He had enough to deal with without me adding to it.

I’d usually gone along with Amber’s plans, but I tamed them. Kept her in check. Stopped things before they ever got out of hand.

I thought when we went to separate schools, me at Cornell and Amber at UCLA, I’d relax. Not worry so much. But in college there were hundreds of Ambers. Each friend had their own set of boundaries they liked to push. At least with Amber I knew what to expect.

By my senior year, I kept to myself. It wasn’t worth it to me anymore. The babysitting, the worrying, the calls in the middle of the night from friends that needed a ride.

I found a few like-minded people that wanted to put their studies first and pressed on.

I might not have had the greatest social life, but I did graduate at the top of my class and landed a great job.

I didn’t regret it, but I did wonder if I missed out on too much.

Did I really live? Was my life what I wanted it to be?

Safe, boring, repetitive?

This wasn’t what I had planned when I was younger. I was going to have excitement and travel and one day I was going to fall in love.

That hadn’t happened like I’d wanted it to either.

When the plane landed, we got off and found a driver waiting for us with Amber’s name on a sign.

“This is so fancy!” Riley squealed and marched forward.

“Don’t tell her most companies do this here.” Amber whispered to us.

Elena and I locked eyes and laughed. If Riley was this easily amused, this would be a great week for her. I only hoped some of her excitement would rub off on me.

After a short drive to the resort, where Riley worried about not having WiFi, we arrived in the lobby and I couldn't help but let out a sigh. It was beautiful. It opened directed to a lush garden and just beyond I could see the turquoise waters. Palm ceiling fan spun lazily above us, stirring the thick air. Now that the traveling was over, it was a relief to finally be here.

“This is beautiful.” Elena leaned against me and sighed. “I think we’ll have a good week.”