summer next door

⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊ Sam & Kiel ₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

As the midday sun bathed the trees in its golden warmth, I closed my eyes and stretched my arms up to the sky. I can hear the loud buzzing of the cicadas mingling with the quiet sounds of the bamboo trees creaking with every blow of the wind. This is it. The kind of summer I've known since I was a kid. For a moment, it felt like a dream that will disappear once I open my eyes.

I never thought I'd actually miss spending my summer vacations in this old little town that I used to take for granted but here I am. Moving to the city was a dream come true at first. I got into a well-known university and although taking up architecture was pretty hard, I thought I had it all under control. Not until the second semester of my freshman year left me in the worst burnout I've ever had.

Opening my eyes, I looked around our backyard again. The sight of the mango trees brimming with green fruits reminded me of certain memories of childhood summers spent indulging in them and then suffering from stomachaches later on. The sound of the rustling leaves was music to my ears. I could almost tear up just from the realization that I could finally have my well-deserved peaceful break here.

But then, a sudden jolt against my right shoulder caused me to stumble forward clumsily.

" Oops, sorry about that. I forgot to watch out for hobbits around here."

I didn't need to look to know that an annoying smirk is currently plastered on his stupid face. Of course, he always chooses the perfect time to ruin everything.

So much for a peaceful summer getaway. I've almost forgotten about his existence which is anything but calming.

"If you're just gonna annoy me, you should go back to your side of the yard. I didn't come here to spend my summer with your lame insults," I said, looking back at him. Only, I had to tilt my head up just to meet his eyes.

Standing before me was his towering figure that cast a shadow all over my short frame. The last time I saw Kiel Tsukishiro, he was six feet and now, he apparently has grown two more inches. Aside from his height, nothing much has changed. His sandy-blond hair still has its disheveled waves since we were kids. That irritating look in his eyes is still there as well as that provoking air he has around him. It's honestly unfair. Not only does he have the height but he also has the looks and brains to match with it. But if there's something that sucks about Kiel, it's his shitty personality.

And after spending every summer, every single year with him, I'm determined not to let him get on my nerves this time.

"What's lame is you coming back here to mope about your failing grades," he shot back. "You know it's your own fault."

"Oh shut up," I snapped. Then I frowned at him. "How the hell did you even know?"

Kiel looked down at me with a glint in his eyes. I rolled my eyes when he didn't answer and just continued smirking at me. How did this guy become a part of my life again? Looking away from him, I can't help but grimace at the memory of our first meeting.

Kiel Tsukishiro was the tall Japanese kid who moved in next door when we were six. It was his first vacation in the Philippines then after growing up in Japan. When our families finally became friends and he was allowed to play with us, he immediately sent me crying to my mother on his first day in our house.

"It tastes so bad I'm sure it'll send me to the hospital for food poisoning," was the first thing he said to me after I made him a drink which made me cry.

I should've known better than to continue playing with him back then but that's the thing with kids, we fight and then forget about it minutes later. I don't know why I kept welcoming him back despite his attitude. I guess I enjoyed having him around since he was not as childish as my sisters. Though I'll never forget that time he pissed on my slippers just because I laughed at him for crying over a character's death from a dinosaur movie that we watched.