CRUELEST SUMMER

2

L pov:

December 11th 1995

"Taylor come ON!" I yelled from the top of the playground

We had just been let outside for recess, and I wanted to spend every minute with my best friend, Taylor. We became joined at the hip since the incident two months ago. We even begged our mothers to buy us matching winter coats. Andrea grabbed two when she went winter shopping to shut Taylor up, and that's how we matched. Next, we traded our right-hand gloves to match them together and even switched our shoes. My mom thought we were crazy, but that's because she's never had a best friend like Taylor.

For Halloween, we both dressed up as matching cats, and she helped me draw on my whiskers. Our parents took us out together to trick or treat, and we returned to her house for dinner. While they cooked, we splurged on Halloween candy in Taylor's bedroom. Her bedroom walls were a pale yellow with teddy bears everywhere. She had an old guitar on her wall, but she never played. I tried once, and the strings shirt my fingers. Our family started becoming closer. We would have dinner at Taylor's house on Friday nights, and then once a month, our moms would take us to the farmers market. We would run around and try all the samples, begging our mothers for toys we saw and candy.

"I'm coming," Taylor yelled, giggling while she raced up the stairs.

"What you wanna play?" I asked as she finished her way up to the top.

"We could ding in the sand?" she suggested

"My fingers are cold," I pouted

"Here, I'll warm them," she smiled

Taylor grabbed my hand with the glove on and pulled the glove back just enough for her to blow hot air in. Her lips brushing the inside of my wrist sent my stomach flipping.

"Ahh, it is okay," I yelled and yanked my arm back

I don't know what that was, but I wanted nothing to do with it.

"Do you wanna have a sleepover for my birthday?" Taylor asked as we made our way across the monkey bars

"Yes, I can ask my mom."

We continued playing outside until the time was up, and our teacher was yelling at everyone to come inside. Taylor grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the classroom and back to my seats. We were lucky enough to sit next to each other, but knowing Taylors mouth shed, one of us moved.

..........................

December 13th 1996

It was Taylor's birthday, and she begged her mom to let me have a sleepover after school so I would be here for her birthday party the next day. We both knew that my mother would have no problem bringing me, especially if she would have other parent interaction time, but we wanted a sleepover. It didn't often happen because the way my mom puts it is "were out of hand." Whatever that means.

So, after school, I was in the back of Taylor's car on the way to her house. I was a tad nervous being away from home, but it was Taylor, so I wasn't that scared. I was spending two nights, and then my mom would pick me up. The first night, it would just be us, then the second night, a few of her cousins and family friends were staying. That's the part I was nervous about—the strangers.

When we pulled into her house, Taylor and I made a beeline for her bedroom. I walked in and dropped my backpack and duffle bag next to her desk.

"Mom, can we get pizza for dinner?" Taylor yelled down the stairs

"Sure, sweetie."

"Yes," Taylor cheered and slammed her door

I threw myself down onto her bed and closed my eyes. I was always so exhausted after school. I craved a nap and felt drained most days. Taylor, on the other hand, was wired.