i can see you - tsitp

one.

NATHAN PEPPERS HUFFS as he picks his bag up out of the car, hauling it over his shoulder as he scowls at his older sister, who is mocking him. He grabs her bag, tossing it into her chest.

"Dick," Carlee Peppers mutters, rolling her eyes. Nathan grins at her. "Was it too heavy for you?"

"Can't strain these perfect muscles before soccer season." he shrugs, kissing his biceps gently, which causes Carlee to shove him back into the car. He grumbles as his back makes contact with the metal. "Alright, screw you, too."

"Can you guys get along for two seconds?" Deion Peppers, their father, is standing in the doorway of their beach house, leaned up against the doorframe. He tries to act annoyed, but the small smile on his face gives his true feelings away.

Deion is the best dad the siblings could ask for— he knows his limits, he knows theirs, and he has always been more understanding than anyone Nate knows.

Nate's mom had died when he was nine, and even though she was (and still is, to an extent) one of the strongest women he had ever met, she couldn't beat the disease that had killed her.

"We are." they say in unison, glaring at one another and racing towards the house.

Both of them know spending the entire summer together is a recipe for disaster; luckily, the Fishers and the Conklins have been staying just a few doors down since before the Peppers had even arrived, and Nate knows Belly and Steven from school.

Speaking of the Fishers, Nathan felt his phone buzz in his pocket, and he grins as he sees the text on his screen.

jer
yooo just saw you
pull in

jer
come up rn i think
steve and belly r
gonna be here any min

jer
bring carlee :))))

nate
Alrightttt fine

nate
and stop hitting on my
sister

Nate swings into his sister's room, where she's dropping her suitcase on her bed. She looks up, raising a brow at the sight of her younger brother.

"How may I help you, Junior?" she teases, knowing damn well he hates the nickname he's had since he was in elementary school. He rolls his eyes.

"Jere invited us over." he knocks rhythmically on the doorframe, making her slap his arm down. "Says the Conks are gonna be here soon."

Carlee smiles widely. "Can't wait to see the girls. I can't hang out with you idiots all summer." she's referring to Nate, Jeremiah, Conrad, and Steven.

"Whatever." grumbles Nate, leading her out of the house— Deion had just left to go to the grocery store, so Carlee sends him a text to let him know they're heading over.

Carlee (somehow) convinces Nate to drive, even though they both know she's the far better driver. She quickly regrets the decision as he speeds down the street, making her scream and hold onto the door tightly.

But they arrive far faster than they would if she had been driving, and they see Jeremiah waving from the front door. Susannah is standing behind him, beaming at the two teenagers.

"Hey, Susannah," greets Nate with a grin as he approaches the house, making her wrap him in a tight hug, squeezing the air out of him. "Oh, I missed your hugs."

"And I missed your jokes, Nate." she gushes, grabbing the sides of his face and examining him. "You look older."

"Sixteen, Miss Sue." he informs her, motioning to himself. "Got my license a few months ago and everything."