CRUELEST SUMMER

4

Lavender pov

September 1999

We grew up. Things changed, yet we were still closer than ever. But now I'm 10. My mom got a better job with the hospital, which also has benefits.- especially for my health. It was rough the first year, bringing the doses of insulin paid for, but once she switched and we got on better health insurance, I was able to get a tracking device to keep a contrast check on my insulin and a pump that I press one button, and it will give me the dose I need. It was easy sometimes, but I didn't take it for granted. Not for a second.

   I painted my room pink and got bangs, and my mom even let me get my bangs pierced.

  "Earth to L"

A hand was waved in front of my face.

"Sorry, zoned out," I laughed

Taylor and I were outside at recess, sitting under the tree. The weather had begun to shift from summer to fall, and the temperature was dropping. It was nice enough for a T-shirt.

"As I said, do you think Ryan will ask me to the dance?" Taylor blushed slightly

It was ridiculous that we had a dance in fifth grade. I felt so out of place, and I did not like any boys who wanted to go with me. I told them all no. I tried inviting Taylor to go with me as friends, but she insisted on going with a boy.

  I was slightly jealous of a boy taking her away from me. She would want to spend wing with him over me. And I wouldn't say I liked that.

"Uh, I- maybe," I mumbled and tore chunks of grass from the ground.

"Whqta wrong" Taylor asked shifting slightly so her body faced me.

"I'm not going to the dance," I said flatly

"What? WHY?" she shrieked and grabbed my shoulders

The sun filtering in through her hair made it look like it was almost glowing.

"Because I have nobody to go with," I said, huffing and shifting back so her hands would drop off me.

"Pfft," she sat back in front of me

"What?" I sent a glare her way

Taylor laughed and just glanced around.

"I'm sure Caleb would go with you."

"Oh heck no, remember in the first grade when he shopped my hair off and gave me this, " I said, pointing to the scar on my cheek.

Taylor slightly cringed

"He not a kid anymore, we older," Taylor defended him

"Why are you so persistent about getting me to go?" I shot back at her

" Lavvie, j wanna go and have fun? I want my best friend there," she said and grabbed my hand

Her hand fit perfectly in mine, the weakness flooded from where she touched, and I felt alive. The skin almost as if it tingled where she touched me.

"I don't wanna be a third wheel," I mumbled

"You won't. I'll get you a date." Taylor smiled

"Taylor, please just stop- I don't like any of the boys here, not like that," I whined

"Fine" Taylor mumbled and dropped my hand.

Ouch

We sat there for the rest of recess in silence. Taylor was trying to braid weeds together, and I was pulling chunks of grass from the ground. Just peachy.