The boy next door

𝐼𝑡 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝐵𝑒 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑒

(A/N): This book will be taking place in 2022. Only So I can Use electronics and modern day language bcz I am not from 1963.

June 1, 2022
I am moving into the a small town in california. School let's out in 2 weeks. Therefore, I will finally be out of eighth grade and will be a freshman in high school. Of course, I am scared for high school but i'm just hoping I will make some friends before school starts. Maybe even before summer starts so i'm not in the backyard playing baseball with my dad. Sorry, let me introduce myself. My name is Maddie Jones. My dad is Bill Jones. He got married to a women i've only met twice, of course, She has a son in fifth grade. Yes, you heard that right a filthy fifth grader. He was a handful and I could already tell.

My mom died when I was in 2nd grade. I never wanted my dad to get remarried and I still don't, but it's to late now he already did. He was married to A woman named Jamie. Of course her new name Jamie Jones. I mean yeah it might have a ring to it but it is nothing like my moms name, Ariela Jones. Her sons name, Scott Smalls. I never wanted a brother and I still don't, but it's to late now I already have one. I have an older sister her name is Maggie. She is in college so we won't see her for another few weeks. She is the best sister ever. She has always made me feel better, when our mom died, when our dog died, and even when my first boyfriend broke up with me because, "I was to boyish.". I miss her way too much. Ok let's get back to reality.

As we pull into the driveway of a small house I don't know what to think. The car stops and I step out. I am wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. What all the girls at my school would call "boy clothes". I mean what did you expect I wasn't going to play baseball in "girl clothes".

"Maddie, can you come help your brother unpack?" Dad asks in an annoyed tone.

"Two things dad. 1). he is not my brother and 2). no way i'm helping you." I sit on the grass in the front yard.

"Maddie, come help right now or your grounded." My step mom said.

"It's not like I have any friends to hang out with anyway. I cant even hang out with Maggie because she isn't here." I hear a laugh coming from across the street. I look up to see a boy laughing. He had brown hair that fit him perfectly. He was wearing a beige top and loose fitting pants. He was holding a baseball mitt. He looks towards me and I give him a small smile. He nods his head in return. I couldn't lie he is cute. I decide to stand up and start unpacking.

"look who decided to join us." Scott says in an annoyed tone.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll help but i'm only unpacking my stuff." I lean into the van and grab my baseball bag. I can feel a pair of eyes on me. I'm guessing it was the boys. "dad where should I put my baseball bag?"

"Oh just put it in the garage hun." He says as he starts walking towards the front door with a box labeled 'kitchen.' I walk towards the garage and place my bag in it.

After about 45 minutes I finished taking my boxes out of the truck. "Dad where is my room. I want to put my stuff away. And I can't find my suitcase."

"Your suitcase is already in your room. Have your mom show you where it is." I groan.

"Dad, she is not my mom." I start for the stairs, "I will find my room on my own."

"Maddie Ariela Jones, get over here now." I groan again. My dad just wants me to like my step-mom. But, it doesn't work that way. I don't want to accept her. I cant accept her if I don't like her.

"What do you want now dad." I walk over to him and plop into a chair.

"Can you please just try to be nice. I'm taking you to baseball tryouts tomorrow and just give Jamie a chance."