Midnight Summers

FOUR

I lay on the fluffy carpet to the floor of my room, staring at the smooth white wooden ceiling, with my legs propped up on my bed. I fidget with the necklace Jake, and I got for our birthday. It helps distract me from biting my nails when I'm stressed out. My mind goes back to yesterday; Ares and I took the roof off his black Jeep Wrangler and drove it down to the beach. This was our first-ever date. My hair blew all around cruising through the streets, the song "sure thing" by Miguel blasted through the speakers, and I felt like we were in a movie.

"Even when the sky comes falling, even when the sun don't shine, I got faith in you and I," he sings along to the song.

"So put your pretty little hand in mine," I finish the lyrics. Reaching over, I take Ares's hand off the gear shift and hold it close. We looked at each other, smiling so hard our cheeks began to hurt.

"Cause this love is a sure thing," the song continues to play, and we sing at the top of our lungs. That was definitely the best date ever. Even though we only drove around near the beach and sang songs, it warmed my soul.

"Clarissa, sweetie! Dinners on the table," Mrs. Aetos says. I hadn't even noticed her at my door until she spoke up. My daydreaming was getting out of hand. It felt as if I was still in Ares's Jeep, holding his hand so tight, afraid if I let go, he'll disappear.

"I'm right behind you, Mrs. Aetos," I say, smiling. The euphoric feeling, I get with Ares distracts me from what he told me in the pool. This isn't the last summer until university is over; it's the last summer ever. Ares won't always be there for me when I'm having my attacks, and my home will be gone. It's ridiculous that my parents would lie to me. Everyone knows how attached I am, yet they want to rip me away from the only place that gives me peace. My thoughts had me thinking so hard I hadn't realized I was already standing at the top of the staircase, almost falling, I caught myself.

"Okay, listen, this is a good one," Jake said, sipping his Coke cherry.

"You said that about the last one, and no one's laughing," Athena says, pointing her fork at Jake. Athena is always easily annoyed by Jake's horrible humour, and anything in her hands could be used as a weapon against him.

"Athena put the fork down," Mr. Aetos said sternly, "this better be the last joke, Jake." I quietly sit between Ares and Jake, and across from me is my mom chatting with Mrs. Aetos. At either end of the wooden table, the dads are seated. These seats have been our designated spots since we were younger, and soon this table will be gone with the house.

"Yes, boss," Jake said. "So, where do sheep go on vacation?" it's dead silent. We all look at one another as Jake shows us his ugly goofy smile. "To the baa-Hamas!" he laughs. A small chuckle leaves Apollo, and Athena stifles a smile refusing to show Jake his joke is funny. However, Mrs. Aetos is losing her marbles laughing. Her laugh sounds like a dolphin squealing, making Mom laugh. At the table, we all cackle, eyes watering, and our mouths are dry from just laughing. Instantly my mood becomes sour, and the thought of this summer being the last forever makes me anxious. My leg begins to bounce under the table, my hand is fisting my necklace locket, and my heart beats faster.

"Everything good?" Ares asks, putting his hand on my shaking thigh. I can't have him holding my hand every step of the way. I'm already so dependent on this house. If I keep craving his comfort, I'll go crazy. He will leave me soon, and I'll be unable to control my anxiety attacks alone.

"Yes, everything's fine!" I pushed his hand off. Everyone is looking at us. It seems that I have said that louder than I thought.

"I can tell when you're lying, Issa," he said softly. I looked over to Jake, unable to see the hurt look on Ares's face.

"You know what, I also have a joke," I say, "what do you call parents who tell you half-truths? Liars!" standing from my seat, I make direct eye contact with my parents, "When where you going to tell me?"

"What do you mean, honey? Tell you what?" my mom asks.

"That Mr. Aetos selling the house and that they are moving to the States" My eyes began to tear up, and I could feel my anxiety kicking in, but I tried my best to keep my breathing steady. All eyes are on me, and I can feel Ares hurt through his now cold expression.

"A lot is going on, and we didn't want to bombard you with this information," Dad says. He's using his lawyer's voice. He only talks to me like that when I've done something I shouldn't have. However, I haven't done anything wrong. My parents are in the wrong, not me. Who lies to their kids like this? I admit, maybe I should have waited until after dinner and talked to them privately and not in front of everyone, but it's too late now.

"Issa, try to understand. We knew you would act like this, so we tried to wait until we found the proper time," Jake softly whispers. I look over at Jake and stare at him blankly. What the hell, he knew and didn't tell me? What is going on? Why is everyone lying to me? I'm glad Ares told me because who knows how long my family would lie to me. Before I could understand what was going on, I began to hyperventilate.

"Get out of there and go to your room before everyone sees you panic," I hear the tiny voice in my head. I push my chair back further and try to run up the stairs. However, I missed a step and went tumbling down the stairs. Luckily, I only ran up five steps, so I didn't seriously injure myself.

"Clarissa, are you okay?" Ares says. Jake comes bolting through the dining room door. I Quickly get up and make my way to my room before he could reach me. I don't want to talk to anyone right now. I need to be alone, and if I stay downstairs any longer, I'll go insane. 

Short chapter, but a lot just happened. Let me know your thoughts!

-HKL