That One Summer

Chapter Four - "The Redhead Clown and the Whiny Blonde"

     I stared at my chalkboard wall and grinned. Different pictures with different captions were strewn across the wall. And that was just last week! I heard a knock on my door and Beth walked in. “That is cool!” she smiled at the wall and sat down next to me on the bed. “Thanks.” I muttered.

     She yawned and crawled across the bed, and over twords the window. Pulling the shades up, a cascade of light hit me. “Why are you here anyways?” I asked, shielding my eyes from the light. “Frankie Wess, he wants to meet you. And Maddie Toll will be coming over around 5.” she spoke, but her eyes were empty. It was almost as if she wasn't here. “When is Frankie coming?” I asked, sniffling. She grinned sheepishly. “Now.” she whispered.

     Hunter stepped through my open door, a red headed guy behind him. Frankie was a quiet for the most part, he was constantly pushing his hair out of his bright green eyes. Freckles dotted his cheeks and nose, his tan skin faded them but they were still visible. He was strong, I could tell because of his muscular frame. “So! This is the new girl everyone is talking about?” he asked, stepping twords me. “I'm Frankie! You can call me alot of things, but I prefer Frankie.”

     He studied me intently. “I thought you said she was Irish?” he asked. I put my palm to my forehead and sighed. “My grandfather is Irish.” I repeated the words I spoke to every one of them. “Are you sure? I could always have my friend Alberto find your birth certificate.” he suggested sarcastically. “My birth certificate isn't lost.” I growled. He stood up straight and narrowed his eyes.

     “Has Hunter spoke about me? Did he tell you about the gang?” asked Frankie in a serious tone. “Gang?” I asked, slightly regretting asking. “Yes, we call it Citrus Circus.” he spoke in a creepy voice. I glared at him and he frowned. “You don't smile easy?” he asked. I shook my head. “I haven't laughed at a joke in years.

     He looked down my arms, his eyes stopped at a small scar. “Where did you get that from?” he asked, I could tell that he was restraining himself from touching it. “Truth or Dare gone bad.” chuckled Beth. I glared at Hunter at the memory. “Beth, I've got a new mission!” exclaimed Frankie. We all turned to him and Beth groaned in annoyance. “I will make you laugh by the end of summer!” he cried.

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     After meeting both Maddie and Frankie, I can already tell that I don't like Maddie. A pang of jealousy hit me whenever she would rub up on Hunter, she was always finding ways to touch him. Frankie hasn't stopped cracking jokes and now we are on to food puns. Beth and I seem to be the closest, she actually made the effort to get to know me.

     “Do you guys want to stay for dinner?” I asked, drumming my fingers on the edge of my bed. “Sure.” answered Beth. “How about a picnic? Alpaca lunch!” asked Frankie, he was laughing hysterically. “Sure.” he sighed when I didn't react. “I can't, me and Hunter are going to have dinner at my parents house.” sneered Maddie, her icey blue eyes bore into my orange ones.

     Hunter looked confused for the moment, he turned and looked at me with sympathy. “We can do that next week?” he suggested. She frowned and shook her head. “But Hunter!” she whined, trailing her finger down his arm. “No, it's fine, you guys have fun.” I muttered. She got up and dragged him out of my room. “She isn't as bad as you think, you just have to get to know her.” muttered Frankie. “I don't like her.” sneered Beth.

     I pushed myself off my bed and they followed me into the kitchen. “Pizza!” cried Frankie, his eyes lit up as he saw the boxes on the counter. My mom sat in the living room, we took a seat on the barstools. “Skylar!” my mom called. “Yes?” I asked, picking at my pizza. “I was wondering if you and your friends wanted to go to the fair tomorrow?” she asked, coming into the kitchen.

     I turned to them, they were both nodding. “Sure.” I answered softly. “You guys could stay the night and we could leave from here in the morning?” she asked. Both Frankie and my mouths dropped.