The Lake

Hope

YEAR 2010

"Luke, where did you get that?" I ask, frantically. "Get it out of here."

"I got it out of my parent's liquor cabinet. They have a bunch of bottles in there, so they won't even notice it's gone, so don't freak out." I begin to twirl the ends of my hair around my finger & biting my bottom lip. This is not a good idea; not a good one at all. In all of my fifteen years of living, I have never even had a sip of alcohol. It has never appealed to me.

"No, no.. Luke we shouldn't."

"Come on. Your brother is going to a party & both of your parents are working late. We're spending New Year's Eve by ourselves. Just you & me. So, come on, just live a little, sunshine." My cheeks heat up. They always do every time he calls me by my nickname, "Sunshine." He's been calling me that for years, yet it always has such an effect on me.

"You don't have to spend your New Year's with me.. You have your family, penguin." I pout.

"I'd rather spend my New Year's with you. Drinking this.." He looks at the label on the bottle. "Jack Daniel's Whiskey & watching the fireworks from your roof."

"Fine. Well, let me get dressed & we'll go buy fireworks from the stand, down the street." He nods excitedly before leaving my room. It's snowing outside, like always. Michigan is always so cold. I swear, the winters get harsher every year. I put on my black jeans with a beige long sleeve sweater. I cover it with a light brown coat with black buttons, & I pair it with my light brown fur boots. I grab my black scarf & black gloves to stay warmer. I leave my hair in its natural curls, & I quickly do a light makeup.

I run downstairs to find Luke all ready with his coat & beanie on. He looks me up & down & gives me a thumbs up before heading out the door. We walk down our street to the firework stand at the end. The line is long, & my patience is wearing thin, but thankfully, Luke is there to keep me company & make me laugh up a storm. The stand is owned by one of my cheerleading mates' family. I wave hello to her before buying Black Cats, Roman Candles, & other fireworks that make cool explosives. My friend, Natalie, who I call Nat & is in the grade above me & Luke, gives us half off on our entire purchases.

"Bye Hope..." She waves after we pay. "Bye Luke.." Her face goes red as he winks & waves goodbye to her.

"She's nice," Luke smiles.

"She totally likes you," I tease.

"No, she doesn't, Hope. She's older than me."

"So? Mostly all of the single girls on the Cheerleading Squad think you're so cute.." I confess. "It's quite annoying, especially cause they're all older than us by one to three years. I guess that's the consequence of being the only Freshman on the Varsity Squad.. I have to hear these things.. about my best friend.."

"Well that's not a consequence for me.." He laughs & winks. "Good thing you're so talented, now you can hook me up with some of your friends, only if they're hot."

I roll my eyes. "You're talented, too. That's why they notice you.. You were on the Varsity Football Team as a Freshman. That's unheard of, Luke!" I tell him.

"Yeah, I guess so. We're such perfect, talented best friends," He nudges me. "But seriously, I like seeing you cheer for me, though. I don't really notice the other girls, to be honest. I just watch you the whole time.." He adds, & thank God the blistering cold has made my cheeks a deep red because if not, Luke would totally know I was blushing right now.

"Yeah, yeah, Hemmings." The rest of the walk is silent, & I feel a sudden annoyance at Natalie's actions earlier. I mean, I know Luke is good looking. He's probably the most attractive guy I've ever seen.. even better than the upperclassmen we go to school with, but I don't like hearing other girls talk about him like that, or him talk about other girls.