Summer Lovin' - Started - Closed :)

"V?" I turned as the door open, Christian entering in my room.

Christian sat next to me, leaning towards me. "..Verine, I..."

I kept looking down, staying silent to myself. "...happy birthday, V."

My heart jumped as he said those words. I turned my head slightly to him, looking up at him. He remembered...? Christian leaned closer, smiling at me gently. "...if it makes you feel better, I have no idea what happened back there."

I stayed silent as Christian poked my cheek gently. I looked back down on the ground, my hair falling down on my face. Christian pulled my hair back behind my ear gently.

"...you remembered my birthday."

"Well, it's your 16th. You deserve...something special." Christian leaned in towards my face, pressing his lips against mine. My eyes widened and my face flushed as I kissed his lips back gently, not even thinking. W-Wait! Why am I kissing Christian?!

My heart started pounding, wanting to burst out from my chest.

As soon as he pulled away, he smiled at me, kissing my cheek gently.

"...Chris?" Christian looked down at me. I tucked my hands under my legs. "Um... I... Uh... Thank you."

"For what?

I blushed a little. "...For being you."

Christian smiled gently again as he patted the top of my head, getting up and walking out my room.

W-What was that?! He kissed me and suddenly feel nervous around me! What is this feeling...? I got up from the bed, running outside as I saw Katrina and some guy with her. "I like Christian..." I heard Katrina say as my eyes widened from the statement.

I looked down as I went back inside the summer house, gripping my chest gently. "She likes him... but, why do I feel like that she can't have him... because I don't want her to?

"What are you doing?" I looked up, seeing that guy again that I saw with Katrina. His face was close to mine when he leaned down to my height. "K-Keith? What are you doing here?"

Weird, did Katrina bring him here?

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I woke up from a nap a few hours later. I got up from my bed, walking out of my room and walking down the hall as I noticed Christian walking also. "Hey, V." My heart jumped as I blushed deeply, turning my head away from him.

Someone tapped my shoulder as I turned, seeing Katrina smiling at me. "I wanna talk to you, sis." She grabbed my hand, taking me back into my room.

Ugh.. What now?

Katrina Anderson

"I need to talk to you V." I tell her. "Happy birthday beautiful." I tell her. Her eyes lightened. I guess she thought her own sister forgot. "Also, I dolike Christian, but, you deserve to be happy and I know you like him.. so ill back off." Kissing her cheek I walk out the door.

Into the living room, I saw Christian. "Oh hi." I say. "Hi." He told me. Sitting on the couch, I had to talk to him. "Listen, I see you like Verine. I really like you and I dont want to ruin what y'all could have." I say. He didn't say a thing.

"The guy you saw with me. His name is Keith. We go way back. Just incase you were wondering. I smile and touch his arm before standing up. "Good luck." I say again. "But..." was all I heard before walking out.

"Please choose me." I say talking to myself. The feeling I have is different then how I liked Lakeland or even Keith. I want a relationship and to feel wanted by him... maybe it's not meant.

Looking over I see someone about to walk out so I got up and acted like I was walking. Keith met up with me and told me he found out Verine and Christian kissed earlier. Tears welted my eyes again. "Ill see you after you come back." He tells me and hops on his bike.

I wanted to go back home but I knew I should stay. Falling to the ground I sit there crying alone. I never in my life felt this torn over a guy.

Hayden


I groaned as Ira nudged my shoulder trying to get me to go get changed. I sighed giving in and dragged myself upstairs still holding onto his hand. I reached up and kissed him slowly before trudging into my room again.

I changed out of my P.J.'s and into a dress my mom made me bring for any occasions that would come. I let the soft fabric lay on my body making me instantly feel better. Something about the smooth fabric cured me from the killer hangover. I skipped into the bathroom and tamed my mess of hair. I curled into lose curls and pinned a bit of it back with a white bow. On went a thin layer of eye liner, mascara, and soft pink eye shadow. I had to admit I looked a bit like a princess.

I knew my mom would get mad at me for wearing my beat up vans, so I picked out a pair of white heels. I walked over to the mirror and twirled in my dress giggling as I did. Casey soon came into the room and started changing so I left so she could have her privacy.

I bounced down the hall and over to Ira's room and knocked on his door.

'I-it's open!" He called.

I sprung into the room to find him putting on a tie. I smiled at him and skipped over to his tall figure stumbling a bit in the heels. I reached up and straightened his tie giving him a kiss on the cheek afterwards.

"Y-you look b-beautiful," He said smiling at me.

I shrugged and noticed how I still seemed like a midget Comair to his super tall figure.

"Damn, I'm short." I said poking his arm.

Ira laughed and nodded as he ran hand through his hair. I smirked at him and bounced out of the room knowing he would follow.

We walked down the stairs to meet everyone else in their fancy attire as we left for the restaurant.

Spoiler

Her dress <

I felt confused about my conversation with Katrina earlier. I thought to myself, wondering if I liked Christian that way.

Do I like him that way...?

I got up and changed into an outfit my mother gave me to wear to the restaurant me and everyone else are supposedly going to.

Spoiler

I walked out the room, walking into the living room as I noticed Christian sitting on the couch. "Ah! You're re-" Christian looked down at me, staring at me.

"What is it?" I tilted my head, wondering what he was looking at. Was there something on my face?

"Uh.. oh, nothing. Let's go. Everyone's waiting." Christian grabbed my hand gently as we headed out to where the cars are. Everyone of us went into all the cars our parents owned, driving to the restaurant.

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As we made it to the restaurant, we sat at three tables that were pushed together for everyone to sit together at. I looked at everyone. The parents were sitting at one table and the rest of us were sitting at the other two tables.

The couples sat next to each other, Keith and Katrina were sitting together, and I was sitting with Christian, which felt awkward to be sitting with right now. I tried to avoid eye contact with him, thinking about the kiss me and him shared.

"Happy birthday!" Everyone yelled out as I looked up at them. I blushed slightly, seeing one of the waiters putting a birthday cake in front of me where sixteen candles were lit up.

"A-Ah..." I looked up at Christian, who smiled at me. "Happy birthday, V."

Tears fell down upon my cheeks, making me cry of joy. "T-Thank you, everyone...

Katrina Anderson

"What are you doing here?" I ask as I sit down with Keith. "One more time of fun, you know?" He said with a smile. I smiled but I couldnt help but look at Christian when Verine wasn't looking.

"Happy birthday, Verine!" We all stood up and yelled. She was blushing and said thank you.



****This post was mainly to show you Katrinas dress.

Opal

"Opal..." I heard Tyler said, and suddenly I was passed from Lakeland to Tyler.

"Tyler..." I try to say, wrapping my arms around him and burying my face in his chest. In that moment, I didn't care about him and Katrina kissing. I just wanted him hold me, I just wanted this moment.

His arms were wrapped around me, holding me closely as he stroked my hair.

I felt the warmth of his breath against the side of my face as he leaned down and whispered, "I love you, Opal."

My tears stopped. My breathing stopped. Opening my eyes, I stood listening to his heart beat - it was racing. Did he mean it as in like Lakeland does, or...

I didn't care. Closing my eyes, I whispered back, "I love you, Tyler."

Lakeland

"I'm gonna go up and shower. Come on Lola" A say with a sigh, pushing up from my seat and patting the side of my leg to get Lola's attention.

Jogging up the stairs with Lola behind me, I popped in to my room to grab a towel and fresh clothes before padding over to the bathroom. I knocked on the closed door, and when someone answered I went to the bathroom across the hall and closed the door behind Lola. Yeah, she even came in the bathroom when I showered. At first it was really weird and really uncomfortable knowing she was just outside the shower curtain, but after a month or two it almost became comforting and I hardly noticed.

Lola padded over to the wall and circled before laying down while I pulled my t-shirt up and over my head. I shed my jeans, leaving me in my boxers, and moved to turn on the shower.

Pulling the curtain back, I reached for the faucet and to be distracted by the sound of a door opening and an, "Oh!"

I whipped around to face the intruder, eyes wide, to see none other than Liz.

"I'm so sorry! I thought you'd be in the...other..." Liz trailed off, her eyes landing on my chest.

"Lakeland..." She said breathily.

Shit shit shit, my scar! I hadn't told anyone yet!

"Liz..." I started

"I....I'll go." Liz said, turning on her heel and shutting the door behind her.

I stood there, staring at the door. Lola lifted her head to look at me. I was royally screwed.

***

We all sat around the table in the restaraunt, talking. I let everyone talk, looking down at my soda and playing with the straw. I was sitting by Liz, by the thoughtfulness of the others, but I was afraid to look at her.

"Happy birthday!" Everyone yelled to Verine as the cake came out.

I looked up, watching the waiter bring it over. After he put the cake on the table, he came over and tapped me on the shoulder.

"Sir," he said, pointing at Lola, "You can't have dogs, I'm sorry."

"Oh, this isn't just a dog. She's a service dog - I'm diabetic, she keeps me away from sweets." I lied, trying to keep from smiling as the waiter looked at ne confusedly, not sure of what to do, and then walked away. Reaching down to Lola, I gave her a quick pet and then looked up to see Verine blow out the candles.

Christian

Verine walked into the living room.

"Ah! You're re-" I stopped talking, and looked at her. She looked...amazing.

She tilted her head. "What is it?"

"Uh...oh, nothing. Let's...go. Everyone's waiting." I said.

She nodded, and I took her hand in my gently, and led her outside to the cars.

I released her hand, and waved as I climbed into my mom's car, and shut the door behind me.

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We pulled into the driveway of the restaurant, and parked.

I got out, and waited for Casey.

We waited for everyone else to get out of their cars, then went inside of the nice building.

The host escorted us to three tables, that were all pushed together. Our Mom's sat at one of the table's on the end, and we sat at the other two.

I found a seat next to Verine, and a few seconds later, Casey sat on the other side of me, PJ next to her.

Across from us, Katrina sat with her friend, Keith.

I glanced over at Verine. She looked uncomfortable.

Lakeland and Liz sat down across from us, a seat away from Keith and Katrina. They seemed...distant with each other. Not nuzzled up against each other, or kissing, or even talking.

Weird.


---


After everyone else got seated, we waited until Verine's Mom cleared her throat, which was a signal that meant that we were about to start.

A few minutes later, my Mom said, "Hey, Verine?"

V looked over at her, a small smile plastered on her face.

"Happy Birthday!" We all said in unison.

One of the waiters placed a cake in front of Verine, with 16 candles in it, all lit.

V looked as if she didn't know how to talk. "...a-ah.."

She looked up at me, finally, and I smiled at her. "Happy Birthday, V."

I watched as a few tears strolled down her cheek, and she smiled at us. "Th-thank you...everyone..."

After she dried her tears, she blew out her candles, and we clapped.

I don't know why, but I really, really wanted to kiss her.

Casey

We clapped and cheered after Verine blew out her candles. The cake was served and everyone dug in. I took a bite and grinned as the sweet confection hit my tongue. When I looked across the table I noticed Christian gawking at Verine the whole time. I laughed to myself then continued to eat. When everyone finished, presents were brought out and set on the table in front of Verine. I glanced down at my empty plate and the toxic thoughts seeped back into my head. I could feel myself getting fatter, my mind screamed at me to get rid of it. My breathing started to pick up and P.J. noticed.

"Are you okay?" He asked, concerned.

"Yeah," I nodded quickly. "I'll be right back." I rushed to the bathroom and hurried into the stall at the end. I threw myself over the toilet and it didn't take long for the cake to come back up. Scared tears slid down my cheeks as I heaved again over the toilet bowl. Tons of different emotions swirled through my pounding head. I spit and wiped my mouth then crawled over to the wall. I sat up against it, leaning my throbbing head back so the cold wall soothed it. "Fuck." I mumbled. I wiped the tears away with the back of my hand and took a deep shattered breath. I heard the bathroom door open so I scrambled to lock the stall. After it was secure, I moved back to the wall and tried to pull myself back together.

Katrina Anderson

Sighing, I gave up. Tonight was mine and Keiths last night together before he leaves until I come back. Everyone was eating food and cake but I wasn't thay hungry. I had to get up and go to the ladies room for a second to collect myself. Looking into the mirror, I couldn't even smile. Today wasnt a good day for me but I couldnt talk about it to anyone.

Finally, I walked out and saw Keith and Verine talking. He must have been stalling her incase I was crying and didn't want to talk. Honestly I didn't even care to know. "Good day." I say with a smile and walk off.

Keith was with her a good few more minutes. I sighed with annoyance. I was being impatient. Keith was a good friend and we had been through a lot but I wasn't feeling it with him.

When Keith finally appeared he was breathless. "I kissed her. And.. she kissed me back. Oh my god, it felt awesome." He told me. My eyes were wide and I couldnt help but cry. It felt like Verine was taking my friends away. Even if I didn't like Keith like that, it wasn't right.

"You better go." I tell him and we walk out of the restaurant. "Bye." I say and sit down outside. "Bye." He replied and sped off.

Peej



Casey had ran into the bathroom looking ill and I knew I had to follow her. I walked straight into the girls bathroom not caring about the looks from the waitress and towards the sound of sobs.

"Casey?" I said slowly walking towards her crumpled figure.

I sat down next to her and watched her as the tears slowly went away. Casey looked over at me wiping at her mouth and collapsed into my outstretched arms. I knew almost immediately what had happened.

"You are beautiful," I said to her pulling her into my lap, "I don't care what you think, just know that I believe that you are the most beautiful girl in the world."

Casey gave me a weak smile and replied. "Thank you,"

I kissed her forehead and stood up still holding her in my arms. I guided her over to the sink and placed her in front of one of the sinks. I took a paper towel and ran it under the water before wiping her tear streaked face with it.

"If you ever feel like that again, please tell me." I said into her hair.

She nodded and kissed my nose. I smiled at her and took her hand in mine. I led her out of the bathroom and back to our table. I received a smile from Christian as we joined back into this wreck of a trip.

After I blew out the candles and ate some of the cake, I notice Katrina and Keith getting up from their seats, heading to where the restrooms were. "Katrina...?" When I got up from my seat, Christian grabbed my wrist gently. "It's best to leave them be."

"I have to know what's wrong..." I gently pulled my arm away from him, heading to where they were. I noticed Keith standing in front of the ladies' room door. "Keith, please move."

Keith stared down at me, grinning at me. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

I looked up at him as I sighed softly to myself. "Oh, and happy birthday, Verine." Keith smiled more at me, leaning close to my face. "W-What are yo-"

Next thing I knew, Keith pressed his lips against mine hard, pulling me close to his body. I tried to pull away but his hold got tighter, his kiss got more intense. "M-Mm..mmph.. N-No!!" I pushed him off, trying to catch my breath.

Tears swell up in my eyes as I ran back to the table. What was that?! He... He...

I grabbed my mother's hand, squeezing it tightly. "Mom, I am ready to go please." I hid my face from her, hiding my tears also.

"Well, alright, honey..." My mother said softly as everyone got up from their seats, heading to the cars.

"Hey, you alright?" Tyler placed a hand on my shoulder as I looked up at him, my eyes and cheeks filled with tears. "Oh uh..." Tyler looked down at me with his eyes widened. "Hey, what's wrong?!"

"A-Ah... I was just um... so happy you guys did this for me, that's all." I smiled at him sadly, feeling bad for lying to his face like that. Tyler sighed softly as he patted my back. "Okay, good." Tyler smiled as he headed outside. I turned and saw Katrina standing there, staring at me. Katrina seemed upset at me, and I don't know why.

Katrina turned and went outside. I felt confused and had a feeling something bad was going to happen. I walked outside, seeing Christian standing by the entrance. "There you ar- h-hey, are you alright?" I looked up at Christian then looked back down on the ground. "...." I can't tell him...

I walked past Christian without saying a word, heading into my parents' car.

Ira

This was quite possibly the worst birthday dinner ever. Everything was off, everyone was off. Katrina was mad about something, Verine was crying and wouldn't say why and ignoring Christian, that guy Katrina invited stormed off, Casey looked ill, and Liz and Lakeland hadn't sad anything to each other since we left the house.

I held on to Hayden's hand tightly, as if she was the only thread linking me to the sane world right now.

"Wh-what's hap-happening?" I whispered to Hayden. She shook her head, obviously confused herself as well.

"I have no idea when it comes to my sisters." She said, shaking her head.

"Y-yeah," I said, looking up to Liz, "M-me nei-neither."

Giving her hand a squeeze, I kicked a rock with the toe of my oxford and watched it roll away.

Looking back over to Hayden, I smiled and said, "Y-you do lo-look ni-nice, th-though. I h-hardly get t-to s-see you like th-this."

"Yeah, well," she said with a grin, bumping my hip with her own, "Don't get used to it, this is for special occasions only."

"M-Maybe," I say teasingly, giving her a goofy grin, "Bu-but seeing m-me is al-always a spe-spec-special occ-occasion."

Christian

Something was wrong.

We drove back to our summer home, and the first person inside of the house was Verine. She held her face, and disappeared behind the front door.

Surely she wasn't happy.

I climbed out, and ran after her. It was her 16th birthday, for Christ sake. Why was she acting like this?

I made my way to her door, and knocked softly. I pushed the door open a bit, and heard a few quiet sobs. Was she...crying?

"V...Verine? Are you...are you okay?" I asked, slipping into the room and shutting the door behind me.

She stayed in the same position.

"Verine, what's wrong?" I moved over to her, and pulled her hands from her face.

There were tears sailing down her soft cheeks, and with the moon shining through the window, I could see her face was red.

I didn't understand.

She lowered her head, and let another sob escape.

I decided not to say anything. My arms wrapped around her small figure, and I laid my head on hers.

All she did was sit there.

I wasn't sure how long we'd sat there. There was a small 'click', and I searched the room. It was darker than before.

Someone flipped the light on, and I instantly recognized the familiar face.

"Chris? What...what're you doing in here? You scared me." Katrina gasped, her hand on her stomach.

Verine sniffled, and lifted her head slowly.

Katrina stared at her sister. The way you would stare at somebody who you despised of.

But Verine still did not speak. Or make eye contact with me.

After a few minutes, Katrina flipped the light off, and left the room.

I couldn't tell what all the tension was about between them.

"..Verine.." I whispered, taking her face in my hand, and making her look at me.

At first, she resisted, and tried to look to the side, but gave up, and flicked her eyes up at mine.

"Whatever happened back there...whatever got you down, or sad..or anything...just, push it away."

Her mouth quivered a bit, and I thought she would say something, but all she did was lay her head back down on my chest.

Once again, we sat in silence, for who knows how long. Katrina still hadn't returned.

Verine seemed to have fallen asleep.

I tried to move her, but there was no way without waking her up, and I didn't want to wake her up. So, I kissed her cheek, grabbed one of her pillows, and put it behind my head.

I'd just realized how tired I was.

Immediately, I fell asleep.

Hayden


The only thing that was going right was me and Ira. Everyone else was either throwing up or crying or mad. I decided I needed a break from this horrible drama we had walked in on.

I went into my room and changed out of the dress and into running shorts, a sports bra, and running shoes. I tied my hair up in a pony tail and took off my makeup. I started a slowly jog out of the house and onto the street.

Beach running was never my thing, I stuck to the normal course to the dock diner and back making a 7 mile loop.

I picked up speed slowly and then I was soon flying down the streets. The only thing that matter right now was my feet against the pavement and wind through my hair.

I made it to the diner and immediately sat down on the bench out side of it for a break. I slowed down my breathing and then started running back.

I came to the house and I ran up the stairs and into my room feeling sweaty and tired. I undressed and took a shower letting all the sweat and nastiness wash off my body. I changed into a white crop top, light blue cut off short shorts, and my cowboy boots. I let my hair air dry and I walked over to Ira's room to find him laying on his bed staring at the ceiling.

"Can I join you?" I asked leaning in the door frame.

He nodded and scooted over. I laid down next to him resting my head on his arm. Ira's hand slithered into mine as we laid there in silence. I leaned over and kissed his neck softly as him arm tightened around my waist.

"H-hayden," He said smiling, "W-want to g-get out o-of here f-for a-a b-bit?"

Ira

What was happening to everyone? This used to be a place where we came and didn't have a single worry, where we could forget everything wrong in the world. Had we all just...grown up? Was the childhood innocence that we all linked with the summer house diminishing? I couldn't be sure. All I knew was that as I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling, the summer house was experiencing something new. It was experiencing love beyond that of mother and child or brother and sister. It was experiencing tears caused by more than a scraped knee, stubbed toe, or pull of the hair. The summer house was growing up right along side of us.

My thoughts were broken as I saw someone's shadow at the door and a soft voice asked, "Can I join you?"

I didn't even have to look over to know who it was, I knew it was Hayden. Nodding, a shimmied over to one side of my bed and continued looking at the ceiling while she sauntered over slowly, the sound of her shoes scuffing the floor. She clambered beside me and nestled in as if we had done it a thousand times, her head finding my arm and my hand finding hers, and as if we had done it a thousand more times we simply sat in a comfortable silence, each looking off entranced with our own thoughts.

I still found this hard to believe, Hayden and I. I mean, it's not exactly like every little boy grows up thinking the girl he is growing up next to will one day be more than his friend's little sister who cried when we left her out. I smiled to myself at the memory, closing my eyes to enjoy it. I almost missed all of that - I missed the old summer house. I still loved coming here, but it seemed the older we got the more complicated things got. You never believe people when they tell you it all goes by fast, but then it does.

I opened my eyes when I felt Hayden's nose brush against the side of my neck, soon followed by a kiss so soft it was like it never happened. Closing my eyes once more, I tightened my hold around her waist. I could stay just like this all summer, right here where everything made sense and there was no one to mess it up. I only wished that the day hadn't been so abruptly ruined...but the day wasn't quite over yet, now was it?

"H-hayden," I stuttered, opening my eyes and giving her a smile when an idea hit me, "W-want to g-get out o-of here f-for a-a b-bit?"

She looked up at me for a moment, and in response I looked down at her and waited for her response.

"I thought you'd never ask." She said after a pause, her face splitting in to a grin that you couldn't help but smile back at.

Pushing myself up and out of bed, I watched as Hayden did the same and then as she adjusted her clothing, smoothing out her shirt and pulling down on the hem of her shorts.

"Where are we going?" She asked, taking a small step towards me and relapsing my hand.

Smiling, I led her out of my room and offered, "It's a surprise."