This is stupid. Everyone is acting so stupid. Amber freaks over her eyes that aren’t a deal, Hudson freaks over Amber which isn’t a deal. Opal and Archer are over dramatic, Eve is a cry baby, plus Sullivan and Oly have no idea how to talk to a girl.
In other words, their lives are pretty much chaos but… EVERYTHING IS WORKING OUT BROWN! If everyone else is in turmoil, then they don’t have the time or energy to mess with me! Especially Archer. Plus, I got Molly to stop running or beating me up every time I make a move! For the first time, I’m glad I’m the youngest guy here. There are about a million love triangles, polygons, and awkward interactions going on right now.
I looked over to Oly, who had crashed back down to earth pretty hard after this morning. I had offered to set him up with my sister, but I already had what I had wanted. Now that I could look at the situation objectively, would setting them up have been a good idea?
They’re a lot alike, Eve and Oly. Always on the outside of the circle, different, and quiet. But talented, loyal, and always speaking their mind. But his sister was tired of being on the outside, and was desperately trying to fight her way in. Wouldn’t it, in a way, be poisonous to the both of them? What they really needed, was someone who could understand their own personal emotional needs and faults. Someone who could balance out the others personality, but still be similar. Eve and Sullivan fit like two puzzle pieces, and he wanted his sister to be happy but he wanted Oly to be happy too.
Brown looked around the room before his eyes finally settled on Mae. Maybe his sister wasn’t the girl he should be trying to set Oly up with.
Spoiler
Is this enough to kickstart this thing back to life?
The group going to the store shuffled into the car, Hudson as the driver. The drive seemed to fly by, or maybe it was Hudson's driving. When we got to the local store, girls and guys seemed to seperate, the girls grabbing needed items and the guys pushing around the cart with ease. Grabbing a faded blue package, I tossed the Lifesaver mints to the basket. Lifesaver mints reminded me of my best friend, Cassie, who was practically addicted to them. I saw a few other things placed by the mints as I rounded the corner of the aisle, instantly gripping a handfull of sealed slimjims.
The guys slowly inched towards the checkout line as we brought more and more things to be purchased. Deciding it was enough, I followed shortly behind, ever so often staring a little to long at Hudson. Catching a glimpse out of the clear double doors that stood taller than every one of us. Wavy blonde hair and a tall slender body passed in the distance. Gaping, I half-ran out of the doors. It couldn't be, she lived two hours away!
"Cassie!" At this moment, I realized how silly I would look if it wasn't Cassie, but at the time, I didn't care. Glancing back she smiled, noticing my voice. It kind of seemed like a movie. You know, the slow motion, arms open, running to each other hugs. We embraced each other. I'm almost positive the hug looked awkward from a distance, since the way we hugged looked rigid, even though it wasn't. Letting go, I pulled her towards the van we came in.
Joking around, I yelled, "Get in the van!" Letting out a few giggles. The time that was spent by the rest inside finishing the shopping, was what we needed to catch up. Cassie had came for vacation as well, but her phone was dropped in the hotel pool so she couldn't reach me. I saw the figures coming out of the store, and I motioned for her to slouch in the seat so she would be noticed later in the drive home. When everyone was inside the car, we instantly took off. Moments later, in mid statement, bugging me about running out randomly and not helping everyone, was when he noticed a second set of eyes staring at him.
Personality: Cassie ina nutshell is a very confident, sarcastic flirt, that loves a good challenge. She is used to being hit on, so she knows she's attractive, but she isn't cocky. Without shame, she flirts A LOT, she figures that it makes others feel good about themselves. Learning from her best friend Amber, she knows how to tell when people are tyng to force emotions on her. Cassandra is the type who doesn't doubt herself, she doesn't like fear to run her life. Actually, she has made it a point to conquer her every fear as soon as it arises.
She loves to laugh and have a good time, but she is going to respect herself no matter what. She is very athletic, but spends most of her time in the water, both competitive swimming and surfing. She holds the local swimming record as well as a few titles from surfing. She is very focused on her training, but doesn't let it run her life. She'll do what she wants when she wants.
Appearance: She is about the size of Brown, and since she spends most of her time in the water, she has a habit of not wearing makeup and always walks around with natural beach wave. Her eyes are an ice blue that is almost white and tend to deepen with intense emotion. Her hair goes down to the middle of her back, and is usually down in whatever way it decided to dry. Spoiler
Today had not been a good day. Lots of drama, and rather than being the flirt happy person I usually was, I feeling pretty irritable. Best thing to do when cranky? Squeeze into a car with a million other people. To go to a super market also filled with people and screaming toddlers. Joy. We spent a few hours there pretty much just running around and throwing stuff in baskets. I threw in a lot of junk. Sugar makes me feel better.
When we were done, I was chosen to be the driver, woohoo. Just what I want after carrying and loading a metric ton of food. When I got in the car and closed the door, I saw Amber in rear view mirror in the back seat giggling. Isn’t that just peachy. “Hey Amber, usually when someone suggests going to the store, they don’t run off instead of help-” I stopped, and noticed a unfamiliar pair of blue eyes looking at me.
“Oh, um… Who’s your friend?” I stuttered, caught off guard.
“Cassie. She’s like, my best friend in the world. I saw her standing outside and since she’s on vacation here I thought we should catch up. Right Cas?” Amber says to her slightly frowning friend. She’s pretty. Just what I need to get me out of my funk, fresh meat.
“I must say, Amber never mentioned how lovely her friends are.” I said, deciding to just go for it. Which may not have been the best decision, because she totally ignored me. Not exactly something I’m used to. Actually, I’ve never met a girl who didn’t respond to my flirting (exception being relatives and summer house girls, whom I would never think about that way in the first place.) Not only that, but to add insult to injury, she was flirting and responding to Brown as in, THE Brown.
“Hey there hottie! I haven’t seen you around before. Whatever happened to that little cutie brother of yours Amber?”
“Cutie Brother? I don’t recall ever having one.” Amber says rolling her eyes.
Brown the hottie? The sun has frozen over, and the polar caps have reversed. Armageddon is upon us, and we’re all doomed. Just… what is going on? I’m so put off by this sudden turn of events that I almost crash the car, swiveling to right myself.
“Brown!” I whispered angrily to the young boy who had called shotgun. “What the hell man? Why she ignoring me?”
“Because you’re old and washed up. New alpha in the house!” He whispered back happily.
“Brown!”
“Okay, jeez. Try like, asking her how much she paid mother nature for the color of her eyes or something. I tried that once, and…actually she bit me, but that was in second grade so it might work for you.” I glared at him. I would never say something that dumb, it’s just not the way I work. Distracted from the road, we swiveled again. I glanced in the rear mirror, Cassandra looking thoroughly unimpressed. Crap. Okay, okay, you can do this. This is easy, familiar territory, just say something.
“So Cassie” I half purred, smoothing my hair back “How much did it cost to bribe Mother Nature to give you some of the sky for your eyes?”
“So Cassie, how much did it cost to bribe Mother Nature to give you some of the sky for your eyes?” I kept my composure, resisting the urge to connect my palm with my face. Really? Archer was going to use a pick up line? He wasn't as much of a charmer as I had expected. He didn't seem like the smooth talker Amber had warned me about.
As soon as he finished his line, Amber burst out into a hysterical laughter, trying to keep it down so I could respond. Amber buried her head in her hands to muffle the giggles. She muttered to herself "Oh God. Oh God." As she calmed herself down.
"I dunno Archie boy, about as much as it cost you to bribe that line out of Brown." I looked to the mirror, pushing my blonde waves in front of my shoulder and playfully winked at him. His reaction was priceless. I could see the gears turning in his head to figure out what to say. The car began to swerve again and again with time. He stopped at a red light, and hit his head against the steering wheel, sending off a loud honk. I didn't know what was wrong with him. Maybe he was high? He was worse than Amber, And she was horrible!
"Maybe Someone else should be driving." Amber brought up, leaning against her arms she rested on her knees.
"We're almost back to the house" Archer said, regaining his thoughts. Oh Woah now, we couldn't have that now could we. I gave Amber a look that said ' Watch this. ' and went in for a kill.
"Hey, did you guys furnish the new floors yet?" I asked, directing the question towards Amber, when she replied negatively, I answered. "Good. 'Cause I like it how it is, smooth and Brown."
Before the car had even come to a full stop I was opening the door and walking home. A hand pulled me back, and I turned to see a concerned Chance and the others getting out of the now stopped car a little worried.
Opal, what's wrong? He signed.
I only date girls if I think we have a future. I quote, using a face of mockery and rolling my eyes, You think she's the one?
Chance tapped his ears, his way of telling me to put my aids in. I shook my head. I didn't care if these kids knew I was deaf anymore.
Chance, you don't underst- He cut me off by smackig my hands, and began signing himself quickly
I think I like Anne He said, his face serious.
I felt my mouth drop, and I signed quickly, ignoring the people watching us, I thought you said you were-
I know what I said. He cut off again, a little angry this time.
Pursing my lips, I took my hearing aids from my pocket and slid them in. Turning them on, I put on a smile and approached Amber and Cassie.
"Hey," I say in the clear voice I'd trained myself to use, looking down into her blue eyes with a smile, "I'm Opal. That's my brother, Chance."
She looked up at us and smiled, "Wow you guys are tall."
Chance couldn't help but laugh, and a smile broke across my face.
Clearing his throat, Chance went over to Anne and leaned down to whisper something to her.
"You chose nice friends, Am." I say genuinely.
Chance:
"Anne, can I talk to you?" I whisper.
Her eyes widen, but she nods and follows me into their house. I go into the kitchen, and immediately began fiddling with the drawers.
After a long silence, she asks, "What's wrong, Chance?"
Squinting at my hands like they were the most interesting things on Earth, I say, "Nothing's wrong. Nothing."
Another silence. "Then...what did you want to talk about?"
Hmmm, that picture over there is really interesting.
Quickly, before I can rethink it, I rush out, "IthinkIlikeyoumorethanasafriend."
I could see the approval in Cassandra's stare, eyes wide with a silly smile I was so used to as Hudson introduced himself. I felt her hand connect with my shoulder, telling me I had good taste. Oh God, what was she going to do? Oh man. Oh jeez. My arm flailed towards her back, trying to stop her from finishing. Cassie turned towards me, blonde locks rushing over her shoulder, a glint in her eye as she whispered, or tried to.
"He's Cute." This is why cheating in school never worked for us. Cassie could be heard as if she was talking normally, no wonder we're not very sneaky. My eyes widen, holding back what I wanted to say. I know, isn't he? My mind pressed. I could see the amusment in Hudson's face. He was enjoying every moment of this wasn't he?
Shushing her, I tried to save myself. "Soooo. Hudson, how are you today?" I asked, giving a slight tilt of my head, letting the hair uncover my eye. I didn't care anymore. Everyone knew here, no use in hiding it anymore. Well, until summer was over, that is.
"Apparently I'm Cute" He teased, giving that perfect crooked smile of his. My heart skipped a beat, and my face rushed into a rose color. Me, shy? No. Unless of course, Hudson was around. I stared at him, until he set his arm around my shoulders, and changed the subject.
"Oh come on Am, I'm just joking with you. Come on and help me get the groceries inside." I nodded and walked with him to the car, Cassandra walking over to the small two person group of Brown and Archer.
"It's true." I said, opening the door, Hudson giving me a look to continue. "You're cute, I mean." The plastic bags rustled as I picked them up one at a time. " I only mentioned your name a couple times." I insisted, mentally slapping myself for bringing it up.
Cassandra
Amber and Hudson Made their way to the van to recieve the bags. Not wanting to be a third wheel, I looked around, deciding where to go. Archer and Brown seemed like they were arguing, or at least in an intense situation. Why not butt in?I walked over to the duo, pushing my hair behind my ear.
"I can't believe you actually used it!" Brown pushed with a chuckle.
"I can't believe---more than me." Archer responded in disbelief.
I couldn't hear every word, but they were obviously conversing about something interesting, since they didn't realize I was there until I stood next to Brown, a smirk etching my features. Archer's eyes widened when I made my way beside Brown, resting my arm on his shoulder and leaning against him.
"Woah! Brown! You've grown up fast! You're going to pass me up real soon if you don't stop growing!" I looked up at Archer, Amber wasn't exaggerating as much as I thought she had. He was tall. Archer stood up straight, making him appear taller. Was he trying to impress me? "Show off." I muttered, ruffling Browns hair.
Hudson, he called me beautiful, and he was so close. I had never thought taking in groceries could be so much, well, fun. I couldn't think of a time I've ever been this close to Hudson, his scent amplified, and my heart fluttered. I resisted the urge to wrap my arms around him. Why did he make me feel this way? I'm usually not the type to get nervous, but this summer, around Hudson was another story.
He leaned forward. I thought he was reaching for another bag, but when I realized there were none left, it was a second before our lips connected. When he pulled away, my eyes grew wide, and I froze. My heart flipped completely around and for the second time today, I could feel my face growing warmer. I sucked in my bottom lip, examining what just happened. My face returned to normal, more or less.
"Are you wearing bubblegum Chapstick?" Hudson asked.
The kiss hadn't really registered yet so once I replied, I realized how stupid I was. "how do you know?" I let out a nervous giggle and dropped my head. "I'm sorry, I'm an idiot tonight." the nerves faded, and I smiled, holding back the squeals inside. He needed to stop with the crooked smile, it melted me every time.
Woa. Maybe it was hit Cassandra day at this house, I was getting hit with every turn! When I turned, Mae stood bug eyed.
"They kissed! They kissed!" She forced, instantly turning her attention to Amber and Hudson who were not walking inside with filled plastic bags. Amber's eyes had a spark in them; I instantly knew it was true. My mouth dropped and a smile etched my features.
Turning to Archer, I teased. "Maybe you should get your tips from Hudson instead of Brown."
Scrunching my nose, I looked back to mae. "Did you see it coming? I mean, I haven't been here that long, but from what Amber's told me-" I drifted off.
Amber
Walking to the house with Hudson, I caught a glimpse of Mae and Cassie exchanging words and staring at us. Had they seen it? My cheeks began to heat up once more. Hudson had really just kissed me? My heart skipped a beat just thinking about it. We'd known eachother for so long, but this summer, everything seemed different.
Still on edge, we made it inside. If I was going to talk to Hudson, I would have to try very hard to keep from stuttering. I set the bags down and poured out the contents. Once I found the mints I pushed them aside. Those were for Cassandra and I. No exceptions. Except maybe Hudson.
Everything found it's spot quickly. Some of the things that were there made it look like someone just raked an entire aisle into the buggy. There was a pacifier, a mini plant, a stinky candle, and get this, a pack of condoms. Pulling out the condoms and the pacifier, an uncontrollable laughter began. Who in their right mind would expect to get laid in this house?
"I wonder who bought these, Archer probably." I mumbled inbetween giggles, making my way over to the sink, opening the package and ripping a small package. Extra small. Laugher overcame me once more, tying to turn the water on. Clear blue water rushed into the sink, quickly filling up the condom.
As if knowing what I was going to do, Hudson walked over. I handed him the balloon and made one for myself.
"The first person you see outside." I whispered. still laughing slightly.
God, God, God! Why did I tell Opal that? Why did I have to be so free to her? That I like Chance?
Carrying some of the bags, I walk into the lawn and say a little "hi" to Cassandra, who seems pretty sweet and appears to be Amber's best friend. I give a little wave and go over to the corner, to rest my shoulders to the wall. I see Chance walking up to me, and I straighten up. I feel myself sinking a little but yeah, I still have the guts to talk to him. I smile at him as he comes and whispers to me.
"Anne, can I talk to you?" he asks me.
My eyes widen all of a sudden. Man, another stupid sign but I follow him to the house and to the kitchen. I keep the bags down and turn to him, fiddling on the drawers. There's a long pause so, I decided to start the conversation.
"What's wrong, Chance?" I ask, a little worried.
He looks at his hands, wanting to say something but just ends with "Nothing's wrong. Nothing."
I wish he could just talk about it. There goes another silence and I start again, being a little careful with my words this time. "Then... What did you want to talk about?"
He looks straight at a picture, instead of me. Ouch. That hurt. Pretty obvious that he likes Mae. Just then, he stunned me with what he said because that was just so out of the blue.
"IthinkIlikeyoumorethanasafriend." Chance says, letting it off him.
"But I thought you and Mae...?" I ask, listening to him more carefully.
"No, Anne. No. Its you, I like."
My eyes widen a lot this time. I can't help it. Did he just say that? More than as a friend? But... I thought- I thought he liked Mae! It couldn't be! I stare at him, amused. Me? Me who's so active and free, where no boy could fall for her and Mae... Which any boy could. I shook my head but my mind decided to tell him the truth. Before I know it, I realise myself shover everything to him.
"I like you too." I say. "I really do. Chance, I don't care if you're gay or not. You're still a great guy, but I was scared to tell you that because I thought you liked Mae. And the fact that you're gay, it didn't change my opinion for you. It never didn't and will."
He looks at me, and grins. I smile back and plant a small kiss on his cheek. That was a little tough since he's all so tall and everything but I didn't care. I reach for the nuts from the bag, and throw some into a bowl. I pass it to him.
"Want some?" I say, munching on some cashews.
I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.
Amber and I take our make-shift water balloons and run outside, chucking them at the first people we see. Mine hurls over to Archer, and Amber's finds its way to Cassandra.
"Hudson!" Archer laughs, "Did you just throw what I think you threw at me!?"
I bust out laughing at their faces, and throw my arm around Amber, "Dude, her idea. Not mine."
"Oh, thanks for throwing me under the bus!" Amber chuckles, pushing my away.
I take a handleful of cashews, and put them all in my mouth at once. Anne's face is priceless, and I start laughing. And, well, laughing with a mouth full of cashews...I cover my mouth and laugh the cashews out of my mouth.
"Ew!" Anne declares as I hold the cashews in my hand, cracking up.
"You're disgusting!" She laughs.
Still laughing, I dumo the cashews into the trashcan.
"Alright Anne. I'll eat them like a civilized person." I say, taking a few cashews and eating them one by one.
You know that place between sleep and awake, that place where you still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you. That’s where I’ll be waiting. — J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
