I hate summer

Prologue

I nervously step into the new elementary school here in Georgia. Dad decided we should move here after he got his new job and mom died. I step into the classroom and I feel my heartbeat pounding in my ears as the whole class looks at me.
"Oh! Miss y/n, welcome! Class, this is y/n, she just moved here and I expect you all to give her a warm welcome." The teacher, mrs. Wilson says, as she drags me to the front of the room, increasing my anxiety.
"Your seat is over in the corner, next to Taylor and Tyler." Mrs. Wilson points at two brown kids who are wearing matching 'yes' and 'no' shirts.
I walk over to them and sit next to the girl. I can see she's watching me in the corner of my eye. She's really pretty, though, with long shiny brown hair. I turn and look at her. She's wearing a big smile and whispers to me, "Hi! I'm Taylor, and that's my brother Tyler. You're really pretty!"
"Thanks! You're both pretty too!" I smile and lean forward slightly to look at Tyler, who's smiling sweetly with a slight pink on his cheeks. Did I say something?

I sit on the cool grass in summer, cheering Tyler and his dad Ethan as they play baseball together. Taylor and her mom, Mariana are on the bench and Taylor is Tyler's biggest supporter at the moment. Ethan throws the ball—
THWAK!
Tyler hits the ball with the bat, sending it flying into the bushes.
"Yeah! That was so cool!" I cheer.
"You're so good, Ty!" Taylor exclaims as her and I both bring Tyler into a group hug, celebrating his amazing performance.

I was so excited. My dad bought me and the twins tickets to the fair, and I was overjoyed!
We stopped in front of their house, and the twins ran to the car, Mariana and Ethan waving goodbye and thanking my dad for bringing them with us.
We did some much at the theme park. We went on Ferris wheels, crazy roller coasters, and fun games.
"Awwww! Look at those chickens!" Taylor sang as she went to pet them. As I was about to follow her, Tyler caught onto my wrist. I turned to look at him.
"What is it Tyler?" I ask. He looks nervous, as if he's about to do something uncomfortable.
"I- uh... wanted to give you this." He stammered.
He held up 2 gold necklaces. One had 'T' which I guessed for Tyler and the other had a '(first letter in your name)' for y/n. When connected, it formed a cute little heart.
"Oh, Tyler!" I gasp. I bring him into a big hug. "Thank you!" I beamed.
I kissed him on the cheek, which makes his ears and cheeks turn a bright red. He smiles as he helps me put on the necklace and I him.
I hug him again and he whispers in my ear, "Thank you, y/n."
Then we go to pet the chickens with Taylor.

I jump out of the car before it fully stops, ignoring my dad's yells at me as I sprint into the hospital.
I stop at the checkpoint area, panting. "Ethan Hernández! The Hernandez's?" I wheeze.
The blond woman lazily look on the computer and drones, "one story up, six doors down, room G7."
Once I get to the hallway of the room, I see Tyler and Taylor sitting outside room G7. I run up to them and say, "I got here as fast as I could. Is Ethan alright?"
Taylor has tear stained eye but Tyler just looks blank, almost emotionless. He says robotically, "We don't know what happened. He's not well though."
"Is he gonna die?" Taylor sobs. I frown, and tears prick my own eyes.
"I hope not, let's just hope our prayers are answered." I say comfortingly, bringing Taylor and Tyler into a hug. Taylor hugs me back, burying her head in my shoulder as she cries but Tyler just rests his head on my lap, as of about to go to sleep.

Dark, cloudy sky. Black clothes. Rain. I bet you can tell what these type of things are for: funerals.
Ethan died. Mariana was was heartbroken. We all stood around Ethan's grave stone, mourning his death. I rested one of my hands on Taylor's back as she hugged her mother, who was sobbing hysterically.
My other hand was wrapped around Tyler. He just stood there, as if not accepting his father's passing. I knew he was sad though. Eventually, I felt his tears make my shirt sleeve wet.

It's been 2 months since Ethan's death, and Tyler has changed so much. His whole family, actually. Mariana was always either at work or in her room crying. Taylor was pretty much the same, except for crying sometimes when she missed her dad. Tyler changed the most.
He stood up to the responsibilities of taking care of his family. He did everything: laundry, cooking, cleaning, you name it.
Some days I would convince dad to let me go and help Tyler, whether is was bringing him meals or helping to clean the house.
Tyler would always try to say it was okay, that he didn't need help, but I always insisted on helping.

One day, I asked dad if I could make sure Tyler and his family were alright. I knocked on the front door. No answer.
I sighed, opening my bag and grabbing a key to their house. (No, I'm not a creep, I got this key from Mariana after visiting their house everyday).
I opened the door, looking at the dishes on the kitchen counter, laundry on the couch, running TV, etc.
"Tyler?" I say quietly, not wanting to wake anyone up.
I put my bag on a chair and turn the TV off. I open the bathroom door. Nothing. I could hear Mariana snoring softly in her room. I walk into the twins bedroom, seeing Taylor asleep on the bottom bunk, and Tyler at his desk, his head in his hands.
"Tyler?" I whisper. He looks up from the desk, looking startled.
"Oh," he says, "sorry about the mess, things have been.. crazy." Even in the dark he look exhausted.
"Come, let's talk in the living room." I mutter.
He stands up, and I immediately notice his dizziness and poor balance.
I help Tyler sit next to me, then there was some awkward silence. I opened my mouth to say something, but he beat me to it.
"What're you here for?" His voice sounds tired and husky. I frown.
"Tyler, you're over-working yourself. I get it, your dad died, but you can just harden yourself and-"
"Don't talk about him."
"What?" I said confused.
"Don't talk about my dad." He said with anger in his voice. "He left us. I'm not going to be like him. I promised Taylor I'd look after her and mom."
I felt my heart break into a million pieces. Before I could think of what I was doing, I cupped Tyler's face in my hands and made him look at me. His chocolate brown eyes looked dull and his hair was disheveled.
"Tyler, I am so, so sorry about your dad. I don't know how I can help, I don't know the pain you're going through, but know that I will always, ALWAYS be here for you. But please, don't hurt yourself looking after your family." I whisper.
Tyler's emotionless face softens. I can see his eyes turn glossy in the darkness, and tears started flowing from his eyes. I bring him into a hug, and he buries his face in my neck, his arms snaking around my waist. I stroke his back, letting him cry out his pain.

After that day, Tyler ghosted me. I don't know why. But it must've been my fault.
I would still see him in school, but he'd always ignore me. Taylor was still sweet to me, but whenever I went near her, Tyler would walk away until we finished talking.

Tomorrow, we start high school.