Summer's Light

Summer's Light (1)

Chapter One

            The streets were decked out in snow, not too much, but not too little for my liking either. The cold air stung the already frostbitten limbs of the soaking wet children climbing into their houses after a day full of sledding with their best friends.

            Oh, how I envied them.

            Walking home, I felt a pang in my heart. Something that never went away, but it seemed to be getting worse as the days counting down February break flew by. My breath fogged up my vision, and for a minute, my glasses were blinded by the gust of wind exhaled by my mouth itself. I hated winter. The fact that February break was days away only contributed to my hate of the cold and wet.

            I suppose that’s why my parent’s named me Summer.

            As I thought this, I looked up to the streetlamp that hung above the icy roads, shivering as I saw how dark it was. Why did I impeccably stay out so late? Oh, yeah. Autumn’s party had been fun. A bunch of Baltimore native teenagers, of the alternative variety, getting together in a circle to get high and drink, smoke cigarettes, and make out. I, unfortunately, never participated in the last of the list. Who could blame me? Not that any one of my friends bothered anymore. They still made out with my other friends, sometimes they would have sexual relations right in front of me at parties. That was the point when I decided to book it, when my friend Drug and Tina thought it was a good idea to whip it out and get busy right next to me on the couch. Got to fucking love random sex, right? No.

            My eyes started watering, and I blinked the sad tears away nonchalantly. I shouldn’t even bother crying over it; he and I were over and done with, no connection whatsoever.

            My phone started ringing, “Damaged” by Danity Kane exploded, sending the silent night packing. I checked the caller ID. My home, where I was headed then. I fumbled with the “Accept” button, finally pushing it. “Hello?”

            “Young Lady.” It was a very familiar voice.

            I sighed, messily grabbing at my ponytail, tightening it as far as it would go. “You know, Chad, you’re dad is getting married to my mother. You have to stop calling me. And what’s with the young lady bit? That freaks me bananas.”

            He took a deep breath in, letting it out through his teeth, “I was worried. Dad told me to call, seeing as how it’s practically midnight.”

            “And your point is?” I was getting annoyed.

            “Ouch. Why are you always so cold to me, baby girl?” I almost gagged at the old nickname I had tried to erase from my brain multiple times. Who did this jerk think he was?

            “One, don’t call me that, unless you want to keep your manhood. The other guy won’t be so lucky as to have a choice.” And it was true; first chance I got to see Alex again, he would get a swift kick in the balls. Womanhood ruled. “Second, I can be cold to you all I want. You aren’t the boss of me.”

            His voice turned seductive, “I could be if you asked me to be. I could control you all night?”

            “Do you want a punch in the face now, or later?” I taunted, silently laughing at myself. Serves the prick right.

            “Ouch.”

            “My point exactly.”

            There was a hesitations, and some mumbling. I thought I heard my mother’s voice, but it was quickly chased with Chad’s. Finally, “So, what are you doing out so late?”

            “Fucking random boys down at P.C.” I smiled at my reference. P.C, or Prostitutes Corner, was a random corner of our town that women in slutty clothing stood and did various sexual acts for a place to stay that night. I couldn’t imagine anyone doing such a thing; I was still a virgin, for goodness sakes! Alex had insured that I wouldn’t be hooking up with anyone when he broke my heart. Not that I was still hung up on it, because four years was a long time. But he got to me, by Jesus, he got to me good…

            I zoned out, remembering the last time I’d seen Alexander William Gaskarth. He had just gotten a really big record deal, with Hopeless records, as a matter of fact, and I was extremely proud of him. But, all my hope and pride had dropped when he dropped the bomb: He and his bands were going on a little tour. “Nothing serious, he’d be back in a few months.” That was a lie.

            “Alexander!” I plumbed him with a squeezing and gasping hug. He chuckled lightly, hugging me just as tightly. I was his best chick friend, after all.

            He whispered against my ear, sending shivers down my spine, “My baby girl. How will I live without you?”

            I pulled out of the hug and ruffled his hair lightly, “Oh, I’m sure you’ll meet lots of new friends on the road and forget all about me. You’ll survive – barely.”

            He clucked his tongue, “You know, I’m not sure I like this.”

            “What do you mean?” Hopeless records was huge! Much better well known than his last label.

            “Well, I don’t know.” He shrugged carelessly once. “I mean, I guess the touring thing. I loved Emerald Moon, because I got to stay in my hometown and finish high school.”

            I wiped my sweaty forehead. “Yeah, I know what you mean. But, come on! It’s summer, you’re off of school…”

            “…And Summer is exactly what I’ll miss the most.” Alex finished for me. I let the subject drop. Sometimes, that boy could be so hard headed.

            Rian, his drummer, came up behind him, and motioned for him to get in the car. My heart plummeted. Not only was I friends with Alex, but the rest of the band as well. I let a tear slip from the corner of my eye, but Alex saw it. He came to me, and kissed me full on the lips, a kiss I was too shocked to return. Then, he got into the old beat up van, and without any of them saying goodbye, they left.

            And he hadn’t come back for me since.

            I came back into reality and remembered who I was talking to, and why my phone was crammed against my ear. I relaxed, and tuned into what Chad was saying. “Well, it doesn’t matter if you were joking or not. The point of why I’m calling is that I really want a date with you.”

            What the eff? “Um, Chad, I don’t know if it has occurred to you yet or not, but you are going to be my step – brother. Now is not the time to pull a move on me. Besides, I don’t like you that way.”

            “You don’t like anybody that way.” He said pointedly. He was right, that I couldn’t deny. “Look, just one date. Next Saturday – and if you don’t like it, we’ll stop.”

            I was about to object, and then I remembered what next Saturday was. That changed my whole answer. “Fine, but we’ll have to stop even if I do like it. I can’t be caught secretly hooking up with my own brother in the shower.”

            I could practically hear him smiling through the phone, “Yay! I promise you won’t regret this.”

            I stifled a giggle, “Already am.” Then, I hit end before he could respond. Being a bitch had it’s perks.

            I smiled at the thought of a distraction Saturday. Saturday, the day I’d been dreading since September. The day that All Time Low was coming back. The day I secretly hoped they got snowed in on. Because, whether I liked it or not, thinking about Alex coming back to his home town was thrilling, but it also filled me with heartache. I sighed.

            Looks like I wouldn’t be going to that concert after all. I was too busy having a date with my brother.

            What a week it was going to be.