I hate summer

Episode 39 - 43.5

I rub my aching back with my hands, praying for the pain to stop. I was in much better condition than Ashlyn, though, who had texted me this morning about her terrible headache.

Aiden had a limp, which I instructed him to not run or put much pressure on it so it wouldn't get worse.

Apart from that, everyone just needed some rest. Which was now a foreign word for the group.

"You guys are getting on my nerves."

I look up from homework and to Tyler. He was scowling at Aiden and Ashlyn, who were behind from the rest of us.

Aiden was being quieter than usual, while Ashlyn looked more pained physically than mentally today.

Tyler continued. "How are we supposed to 'celebrate' when you two are ruining the good mood with awkwardness?"

While I agreed with Tyler, his approach was a bit blunt.

Taylor gave her brother a 'really?' look before turning to Aiden and Ashlyn with a smile. "...What Tyler means is that you both seem a bit tense- there's about 10 minutes before class, how about you guys talk things out and we'll go buy some snacks?"

"Okay." Aiden smiles, waving. Ashlyn nods 'no' at me but I just give her a reassuring smile with a thumbs up.

"Okay, I really want some chips! How about-" I stop when Ben grabs my wrist making me stop my walk. "Aren't we gonna get-?"

"Of course not. We're spying." Taylor winks.

My mouth forms and 'O' shape as I move next to Taylor and Ben.

Time Skip

"Wow, that was cringy." Tyler says with furrowed brows.

Taylor jabs Tyler's ribs while I frantically bring my finger to my mouth, trying to shush him.

"I can hear you guys." Ashlyn groans.

•
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"I'm pretty sure I failed that midterm." Taylor groans on the couch.

"I probably didn't do my best. Dad hired at least 10 tutors for me and it was exhausting." I sight, laying on Taylor' and Tyler's laps.

"Catch, Y/n." Aiden calls, tossing me a cookie.

I catch it just barely, having to sit up in doing so. "Haha!" I laugh in triumph.

"Oh yeah, my parents are coming back tomorrow." Aiden remembers

"Really?" Taylor lifts her head up from agony.

"Yeah, along with Ben's family. It'll be his little sister's birthday in a week, I think." Aiden looks at Ben for confirmation, who nods.

"Oh, my mother's birthday is soon, too! Right on..." I trail off, the day hitting me like a bus. My throat closed slightly. I blink quickly and turn my attention back to Aiden and Ben.

I hear Ashlyn's dad speak, "oh, they're coming back? They never told me."

"You talk to them?" Ashlyn lifts up her head from her knees, lifting a brow at her dad.

"Yeah, a bit, to give them updates on how Aiden and Ben are doing. Hmmm... should we have a BBQ?" He asks, setting down the laundry basket he was holding.

"What...?" Ashlyn's face pretty much answers that question.

"It'll be a rare chance for all of us parents to get together, y'know?" He mentions. "We could have a BBQ in the graveyard and also celebrate Ben's sister's birthday, if they don't already have plans.