The Last Summer

Chapter 19

I dart out of the kitchen before Jason can even get to three. I open several doors, trying to get a good hiding place. It's hard to get a good spot when you're as old as I am. Cabinets are too small and you can't squeeze behind a door. I'm unsuccessful in finding a good spot down here, so I make my way to the stairs.

I run up the stairs quietly so he doesn't know I'm up there. I continue opening doors until I find the perfect place.

The laundry room has a pile of clean clothes on the floor. They must have fell because the laundry basket is face down on the floor. I find a blue track sweatshirt and slip it on. I pull the hood over my head and put on sweatpants. I feel a slight pang in my arm, but I don't care right at this moment. It's all too big, so I think it's Jason's.

I lay down and grab more clean clothes. I put some over my face and all over so it looks like I'm a huge pile of clothes. I pull my hands and feet into the sweats just as Jason yells, "FIFTY!"

I lay there and wait, my heart hammering in my chest. I may be seventeen, but you can never be too old for hide and seek. It's fun to be a child every now and then.

I hear Jason's footsteps climbing up the stairs. I take in a sharp breath and wonder if my place was good or not. It's too late to find a new spot because Jason is right across the hall.

He makes a clicking sound with his mouth. "I'll find you, whoever is in here."

I mutter a laugh as Jason walks around his sister's room. I hear feet slap against the wood floor downstairs. Jason immediately darts out of the room and thunders down the stairs. Considering how fast he's going, I'm surprised he hasn't fallen down.

More feet are running around downstairs and I hear Jason yell, "I'm gonna get you, Mike!"

A small giggle erupts from Mike. They run around for a long time before I hear a large smack on the floor.

"Gotcha!" Jason exclaims.

"Awe man!" Mike sighs.

"Alright Mike, now...." Jason says. I can't hear the rest. It's all a bunch of mumbles and whispers. Hopefully Mike isn't giving away my spot. You never know who could have seen me.

Man, I sound just like a little kid. It's like my life depends on this childish game. Oh well!

Mike whispers a little too loudly, "Okay, I'll look down here."

A few more whispers are said and then they walk around again. I keep my breathing steady as the heavier steps come closer. I don't think Jason is going to let one thing slide this time.

"Oh Macyyyyyy," he says. Clearly, his inner child has taken over him too. He is back in his sister's room across the hall. I hear a blanket fly back. "You can't hide forever!" He comes out of the room and into the laundry room.

My breath gets caught in my throat. I smile at my inner child as Jason looks in the washer. Seriously? I'm not that stupid.

He walks around and stops right by my hand. He puts his foot on the pile of clothes right over my stomach. He pushes down a few times, not too hard. I guess he thinks it's just a pile of clothes. He walks out and I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I start to relax, but just a little too soon.

Arms swoop under me and pick me right off the ground. I let out a scream as the clothes fall off of me. The hood of the sweatshirt falls off, revealing my long hair. I look up to see Jason smirk at me.

"Didn't think I saw you huh?" he asks.

"Well I hoped you didn't..." I respond.

He laughs and runs out of the laundry room with me still in his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck as he reaches the stairs.

"What are you doing?" I ask with a hint of panic in my voice.

He doesn't stop running and goes right down the stairs. I squeal all the way down out of fear and fun. He doesn't stop until he's in the kitchen.

"Mike, did you find Katie?" Jason yells.

"I think!" he yells back.

"Where are you?" Jason asks.

"Garage!" Mike responds. The garage?

Jason finally lets me down and I follow him out to the garage. Mike has his feet hanging out of the car.

"Mike what are you doing?" Jason questions.

"I heard something in the car!" he exclaims.

Jason walks over to the front door and opens it.

"Well, I didn't know the car was unlocked!" Mike climbs out the window and hops in through the front.

I wander around the garage. I must be hallucinating because I think I just saw something move. I turn to my right and the garbage can (the large one) is right in front of me. I slowly walk over to it as the boys are still digging through the car.

I throw the lid up and Katie pops right out.

"Thank goodness someone found me! It stinks in there!" Katie breathes in the garage air, not that it could be better than the air in the trash can.

"Oh my God, Katie!" the boys exclaim in unison. I help Katie get out as the boys interrogate Katie on why she chose that spot and how she got in since she needed help out.

Mike plugs his nose. "Gosh Katie, you stink from that trash! Go change!"

Katie sighs and turns around. "I don't take orders from you, Mike."

Mike stomps his foot as a response. Jason steps forward. "Katie," he says. "Go change."

Katie sighs and goes inside. Mike soon follows for a drink, leaving me and Jason.

I turn to him. "You could have warned me you were going to sneak up on me and pick me up." I cross my arms over my chest and smirk at him for emphasis.

He smirks back. "So like this." He takes a step forward. "Hey Mace, I'm gonna pick you up now."

I stand there before I notice him stepping closer. I run around him but not fast enough because he wraps his arms around my waist and tugs me to him. I laugh rather loudly as he swings me around the garage.

He slows down and lets my feet touch the floor, but he doesn't let go of my waist. "I love it when you smile," he says.

I smile and that's when the whole day's events wash over me. My smile slowly fades and I put my head on Jason's chest.

"What's wrong?" he asks. I can hear the concern in his voice.

"What's going to happen to my mom?" I tense up at the memory of what she did.

Jason pulls me further into him. "Don't worry about it. You did all you can to help her case. No one should have to go through this, and I'm sorry it's you. It'll be okay."

"That's what everyone says," I think to myself. Everyone says it's going to be okay when it never will. But the fact Jason said it makes it seem like it's true.

Gosh what's happening to me?

I look up to see Jason smiling down on me. I barely notice the small trace of dimples on his cheeks.

Screw diamonds, dimples are a girl's best friend.

I'm about to kiss him, but Mike interrupts, "Jason, I can't reach the cookies!"

Jason sighs. "The downsides of babysitting."

I laugh and follow Jason inside the house. That's when reality slaps me hard across the face.

I'm falling for him.