The Trouble With Two Seasons

Chapter 21 : Amendments

The gravel crunched softly underneath Asher's car tires.

The night was quiet and nothing could be heard but the chirping of night owls.

"Are you okay?" Asher asked pulling over in front of Summer's driveway.

She avoided the question with a deep sigh and pulled the car door open, hopping out.

Asher killed the car engine and stepped out after her, worry etched on his face. He rushed to keep up with her as she progressed towards her house.

"I feel like a bitch." She softly confessed. Her eyes were teary and she had this dejected look about her.

"No,no." Asher consoled, stepping up in front of her.

"Look at me." He said, raising her chin up with his hand

"You are nowhere close to that word Summer." He assured.

"Winter was just trying to be nice and I fucked up!" Summer cut in.

"No you did not. You both started off on the wrong foot, you were bound to have prejudiced opinions about her motives. It's not your fault you went on the defensive. We all make mistakes. I know you Summer, well enough to know that you wouldn't  hurt someone on purpose."
Asher ended.

She softly looked up at him. "You think so?" She muttered.

"I know so." He clarified, wrapping her in a hug.

"It's been a long evening. Get some rest." He coaxed placing a kiss atop her head.

Summer nodded and with one last comforting hug, Asher watched her walk into her house.

Summer pulled the front door open and walked in, the door drew closed behind her.

"Hey, how'd your night go?" Taylor asked his sister, not taking his eyes off the television screen.

He was engrossed in watching the highlights of his last game. Their coach said it was good to keep their strategy revised.

Summer mumbled something incoherent and progressed upstairs after shrugging her shoes off.

Taylor on not having heard Summer excitedly give a run down off her evening hit pause on the game and rose up after her.

"Leave me alone!" Summer yelled making a mad dash for her room.

Taylor was faster and followed suit, before she could slam her room door at his face.

She settled on her bed, bursting into a fresh wave of tears. Summer usually put up a strong facade, but she was genuinely just a little girl at heart.

Taylor hated seeing his sister cry, so he gathered her up in his arms and gave her a warm hug.

He softly rubbed her back as she hiccupped, her tears wetting his shirt sleeve.

"I had an awful day, since you cared to ask." She confessed, amidst sobs.

"I swear if it's any guy mishandling you I'm driving down to their house and giving them the thrashing of their life!" Taylor swore pulling Summer away from his chest.

It just made Summer sob harder. It pained Taylor seeing his sister this way.

"I was the bully, I did the mishandling!" She confessed, staring solemnly at her feet.

"What?" Asher scoffed.

"I pulled some girl down a pool when she was only trying to help me out. We've got bad blood between us so I automatically assumed the worst." She narrated looking up at her brother.