The Lake

Hope

YEAR 2012

School is finally out for the Summer. I just finished my Sophomore Year. Tomorrow is my brother's graduation from high school. I still can't believe the idiot actually did it. I remember the curly haired boy who would steal my barbies & rip the heads off of them to make me cry & color all over the walls & blame it on me to get me in timeout. He made my life a living hell growing up, always a nuisance, but I'm still so proud of him, & I can't wait to see him walk on stage & get his diploma.

I walk out of the front doors of the school, & Luke is already waiting for me by the tree in the quad. I meet up with him, & I follow him towards his mom's car. This is the last time we'll ever be picked up from school. We're both already sixteen & have our driver's license, but the school rules state that only Juniors & Seniors can drive to school. What a stupid rule, but we have to follow them. My parents even got me a Cherry Red 2012 Audi RS5 & Luke even got a 2012 All Black with a Red Stripe down the middle Dodge Challenger. I guess that's the perks of having rich parents; yeah, they're gone a lot, but they get you what you want. My dad & Luke's dad work together. I get in the
back of the mini-van. Lucky for Luke, his mom is a math teacher, so at least, he has one parent around to help him out. I stay silent in the back as I leave this dreadful building for three months.

"You ready for the best Summer of your life, my little Sunshine?" Luke asks as we get out of the car.

I roll my eyes. "Shut up, penguin."

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, I'm just kind of tired..." I wave goodbye to Liz & start walking towards my front door. I dig through my backpack, & I grab my key out of one of the pockets. I can hear large feet stomping behind me, following me. "Why are you following me, Luke?" I ask as I stick my key in the hole.

"You wanna cuddle & take our first Summer nap together?" When I look up at Luke, he's smiling wide, exposing his deep dimples. I reach up & poke my index finger in the hole.

"Fine, you can come in. But you better let me nap." When I open the front door, Harry is plopped on the sofa with his three best friends, Ashton, Niall, & Louis. Great. Four obnoxious boys all together. I hang my keys on the ring by the door.

"Well, well, if it isn't Styles' hot sister," Niall says.

"Looking good today, Hope." Ashton winks at me. I can hear Luke laughing next to me, & I elbow him in the stomach. Harry shoots daggers at the boys, but that only makes them laugh harder. This has been happening for two years now. Ever since I entered high school, these boys have been checking me out & making remarks. Talk about annoying. It doesn't help that they see me in my cheerleading outfit flying in the air, every Friday night at their games.

"What's up, Hemmo?" Louis acknowledges Luke.

"Sup, Tommo?" He responds.

"How do you feel about the four best players graduating tomorrow?" He teases, & Luke laughs.

"I'm going to miss you guys on the field with me. Who am I going to throw touchdowns, too?" Luke fake pouts. Luke is the Quarterback for the school's team, & he's been noticed by colleges, even when he was Freshman last year. Harry was the star running back all four years, while Niall & Louis were the wide receivers. Ashton is on the Defense.

"I'm sure you'll be joining me in Alabama in two years," Harry winks. My stomach drops. I had almost forgotten that Harry would be leaving in a couple months across the country to go live his dream, playing football at the best college in the nation. Tears start to well up in my eyes, & I walk away into the kitchen where I can hear my parents' voices.