The Summer That Changed Me

Chapter 20

Cory and I talk for a few more moments before we go downstairs and find Sandy in the kitchen, making lasagna and a side of breadsticks. I walk up behind her and tap her on the shoulder and the fork she is holding goes flying in the air...and people say I get jumped easily! I laugh under my breath and she turns around with a look of shock on her face.

"Did I scare ya Sandy?!"

"Umm....yeah! You nearly gave me a heart attack child! I thought you were still upstairs with Cory."

"Nope, we came down for some free food!"

Cory and I walk through the kitchen and go in the living room and plop down on the couch.

"Wanna watch a movie, Cores?"

"Not really. I wanna go outside and do something. Let's go see what Braden's doing."

"Okay!"

I call in the kitchen to tell Sandy that we're going over to Braden's house and she says dinner will be ready in 45 minutes or so. I run upstairs and quickly brush through my hair and throw it up in a ponytail, my braid was falling out anyways. After I'm finished with my hair I meet Cory on the front porch and Braden is already standing beside him.

"Hey guys!"

Braden grins at me and pulls me into a hug. I hug him back and Cory narrows his eyes at the back of his head. I roll my eyes at him and he walks away and sits in one of the chairs off in the distance. Braden furrows his eyebrows and turns to me.

"What's his issue?"

"Ermm....I don't know. Maybe he's jealous or something."

"Why would he be jealous?! We're all friends, and plus it was just a hug."

I shrug my shoulders in response and Braden flashes me a smile.

"Soooo, did you see the photo I tagged you in?!"

"Yeah! I saw the comment too, it was really sweet."

"Yeah, I mean after the fight and everything with your Mom I kinda felt bad for you. That reminds me...what's that red mark on your cheek?"

Shit. That's where my Mom decided to take her anger out on me and hit me. I can't tell Braden what it really is, he'll fly off the handle if he knows. Cory hasn't questioned me too much about it yet, surprisingly.

"What red mark?"

"Olivia. I'm not stupid. Someone obviously hit you, now who was it?"

"Oh that, ummm Dawson and I were just messing around and he accidentally hit me."

Braden furrows his eyebrows at me and cocks his head to the side.

"Whatever you say Olivia. I don't really believe you, but I don't wanna push you into talking about something you don't wanna talk about. I saw the video on Facebook... I'm here if you need someone to talk to."

"Yeah. Thanks. Let's go over to see what Cory's up to."

"Okay."

Braden and I walk over to where Cory sat down in a chair, but he's gone. What the hell? I didn't even see him get up. I look at Braden and he shrugs his shoulders.

"Where'd he go Braden?"

"No idea. He'll catch up to us sooner or later, wanna go play the Wii at my house or somethin?"

"Well yeah....but....I should probably tell Cory where I'm going."

"Why? It's not like you guys are dating or anything. He doesn't have to know where you are every second of the day."