Midnight Summers

TWO

The drive up to Kelowna is always magical. Words cannot express the feeling I get when we drive up these mountains. Except this year, the car ride did not feel so magical. Softly in the background, Taylor Swift sings a beautiful tune yet, even the addictive melody can't calm my nerves down. I stare out the window with my head against the glass as my mind drifts to the thoughts of Ares. Will he be sitting by the pool in his bright-blue swim shorts when we arrive, or will he be on a flight to North Carolina in his Duke University hoodie? If I ask Jake what Ares's response was, I'll be disappointed because deep down, I know he won't be here. I remember the softness of his lips against my cheek, and the warmth of his palm as he'd lead me through the summer heat. No matter the coldness of his words, his eyes always spoke otherwise. The thought of a summer without him makes my heart ache. I can't help it; I've liked him ever since I could process the emotion. 

"But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain! And it's 2:00 a.m. and I'm cursing your name! So in love that you act insane, and that's the way I loved you!" Jake's off-pitch voice interrupts my silent thoughts. At the top of his lungs, he continues to sing Taylor Swift's song "The Way I Loved You," we all watch him finish his concert and begin to laugh. I practically made my entire family Swifty fans by playing her songs all day and night.  

"We could leave the Christmas lights up 'til January" I change the next song to our all-time favourite, "Lover," by Taylor Swift, our queen. I didn't realize we were pulling into the driveway because of Jake's singing and my giggles.

"beeeep, beeeeeeep," it's considered tradition when Father honks the horn, signaling that we have finally arrived. Stepping out of the car, I rush to the absurdly large door, and instantly Athena opens it. I attack her with one of my bear hugs, almost suffocating each other. She's gotten taller; I'm not sure I like that because that means my baby sister is getting older. 

"Oh my god! You have grown, miss ma'am," I exclaimed, "you make me feel as if we are the same age." I ruffle her silky jet-black hair that reaches her sharp shoulders. The Aetos' have crazy good genetics; they all look as if they could be models. She carries a positive aura around her that makes her seem so mature. Although her heart-shaped face is still childlike, her rosy cheeks always turn pink whenever she is out in the sun for too long, and when she's angry, her blue-green eyes could kill you with one look.

"And you look gorgeous!" Athena says, "Finally, you got rid of your ugly blue hair," she now ruffles my hair.

"No, stop," I block her hands, "It was a phase! Before school started, I got rid of it as fast as I could!" We go inside the house, and my heart stops as if I have died, but it begins to pump faster from coming back to life. I feel as if I'm reborn. The air seems crisper and clearer, the wood underneath my feet is smoother and softer, and the view of the mountains looks more prominent than before. Everyone is moving around me, greeting one another, but I'm hypnotized by this house. The sweet, salty scent of the lake and the smell of fresh cherries warmed my soul. This house is my home. Not Vancouver. I fell in love with this house sixteen years ago, instantly. As a baby, I knew the feeling of home and love; it felt like comfort and happiness. However, this feeling is not only felt when I'm in this house but also when I'm with my family and the Aetos'.  

I quickly go upstairs to my favourite area in this house, my room. I slowly make my way up the dark-brown creaking steps, and the large windows display the mesmerizing view of the mountains. The cotton candy clouds remind me that the sun will set soon, and I should make my way outside to get the whole experience properly. After an incredibly long drive, I deserve to sit outside and enjoy the beauty of mother earth. "How dare you walk past me and not say hello?" Apollo stops me in my tracks.

"Apollo," I gasp, "I didn't even see you." 

"I'm honestly offended," he grabs his heart, "If I was Athena, I'm sure you wouldn't walk past me then."