See You Again

chapter one

"Make sure you've got everything. Toothbrushes, swimsuits, feminine products for Jennifer-" my mom spoke to my family as we did some last minute packing. "Mom, don't worry, I've got it," I replied. My brother stood behind us snickering.

It was that time of year again. The time of year when we take a trip to the family lake house up north for spring break. We haven't missed one year since I was in the fifth grade.

My family of five pile into my dads Tahoe and I feel crowded as I'm sat in between my older brother Phil and younger sister Chelsea. "Are you guys excited?" my dad asks peering at us through the rear view mirror. Phil gives a careless nod while Chelsea gets fidgety in her seat due to happiness. She seems to be the only child who's ever enthusiastic about these trips anymore. If I weren't forced to come, I would've stayed home alone or with a friend but my parents lack trust in me.

The two hour ride began and pretty soon my mother has her hand on the dial of the radio flipping through the stations. Each time I'd mention that I liked the song I heard, she'd change it. Eventually she chose some station filled with country music that made me pull out my headphones to listen to my own music. If I had to be stuck in a car for a while I might as well play good music. I look over to see Phil on his phone probably texting while Chelsea stares out the window as if she'd never seen grass before. I sigh and close my eyes listening to the sound of nothing but what comes through the headphones. Eventually I give in and fall asleep.

An hour later I am being awoken by Phil shaking me. "We've stopped for breakfast," he informed me. I slowly got out of the car and noticed our current location. We stood outside of some small diner looking place. I had never noticed this place during any of our past road trips. I snapped back into reality when I realized my family was already inside. I ran to catch up and stepped through the double glass doors. I found the table my family were at then went to the bathroom. I stood in front of the mirror and took in my appearance. I look tired. School has worn me out and I'm ready for a break. Too bad it had to be spent here. Soon enough I washed my hands and met my brother at the table.

"What looks good," I asked him as he looked up from the menu. "The pancake platter is what I'm getting," he told me. I told him I'd get the same and we waited for our waiter to take our orders. After we all finished and paid, we headed to the car to drive the hour we had left.

"I forgot to mention, our landlord called. We got new neighbors. Said they might be there," my dad said. "From what we've heard, they seem like real nice people," my mom told us.
"So Mrs. Moore moved? Thought she'd be there forever," I said. She used to always let us kids bake cookies with her then take some home to our parents. My dad nodded then went on to explain that her son had moved a couple towns over and she wanted to be in close proximity to him.

We finally arrived and I was happy to be able to get out of the car and stretch my legs. All of us took our bags inside and we went into our separate rooms. Mine was the biggest besides the master of course. This room was really clean, almost every piece of furniture white. My mom had been promising me to get some more stuff for it but now I don't much care whether I do or not. I don't even know how much longer we will have this place. My parents always told us that when Phil was old enough he'd inherit it. At the time I was mad but nowadays I'm over it.

Sure I used to love this place. I have so many good memories here, along with bad ones. I am just ready to move on. Soon I'll be on my own and I'll get to see even better places. I've always been the adventurous type but I'm afraid that I have already explored every end of this lake that can possibly be explored. I still remember last time I was here. It was the first time I had found this place boring.

"Alan, dear, check on the steaks please," my mom told my dad to which he replied "On it." We were here at the lake house and the trip has only just begun. "Let's go down to the bridge," Chelsea tugged on my sleeve. I looked down at her and shrugged. "We did that this morning. Why go again?" She frowned at me. "Then let's watch a movie?" "We've seen them all."

I was absolutely bored the entire time. Chelsea would always recommend we watch a movie or bake a cake which we did over and over. I can't imagine how this trip would be any different.

"Wanna go meet the neighbors with me?" I look up to see Phil leaning against my door frame. "No thanks. I'd rather stay here instead." I listened as his footsteps slowly faded away. Here I was sat alone already having nothing to do. Maybe I should've gone with him. I end up unpacking my stuff to pass time. I'll probably end up going on a walk later to call a friend or something. After several hours of unpacking and settling in I'm called downstairs for lunch.

"I made grilled cheese with chicken-noodle soup. Your favorite," my mom said as I entered the kitchen. I thanked her and grabbed my bowl and sat at the table. "Boys, the food is ready," she hollered. My dad was sat next to me leaving me confused. "Boys? Don't you only have one son," I asked, my mom laughing in response. "Well, while your brother was next door he met this guy his age. Real nice kid. I see him and Phil getting along well," my dad spoke. Mere seconds later Phil walked in with a blonde boy following him. We made awkward eye contact before I looked down at my soup. After being served, both boys were seated across from me.

"Niall, this is my sister Jennifer. Jen, this is Niall." The boy looked up at me and smiled. I smiled back and said "nice to meet you." Afterwards I sat in silence while the two boys talked about some soccer game they saw. When I finished my meal, I walked into the living room and sat next to Chelsea while she watched tv. "Not hungry?" I asked her. She shook her head. "Who's the guy? He's cuuute," she exclaimed. I laughed with her but found myself wondering the same thing.