Never ending summer| COMPLETED

Mixed Emotions

I woke up with my blanket across the room. I had bad nightmares. No shocker that it was because of Ben and Skylar's date. I went to my closet and pulled out jean shorts and a grey cat with a flower crown tee. I pulled on blue Keds and put my hair in a bun. I heard a knock on the door and Beth and Bianca appeared. "Hey," Bianca said softly. "Hey," I said and wiped off my makeup. "We're sorry about last night. We should have told Skylar that you like Ben," Beth said. I started to simmer before I boiled. "You knew?" I asked angrily. "Kinda didn't know she was going there but knew about the date," Beth said. I laid on my bed and huffed. Beth and Bianca helped me up and hugged me. I'm going to get some breakfast Aunt Annie isn't cooking today so she is sending me and Beth to go get food from IHOP," Bianca said. "I'll come with," I said and got up. "That's more like it," Beth said. "I'll stay here with Skylar and Jacob." I nodded and walked down to my car. "I'll drive," I said and got into the driver's seat. Bianca went though my CDs and put 1989 by Taylor Swift in. Bad Blood played and we sang at the top of lungs. I pulled into IHOP and we ordered pancakes and a platter. "Listen if Ben likes Skylar, he's not for you. But he will always like you," Bianca said and I smiled. I grabbed the bag and paid. We walked back to the car and I drove to the Starbucks drive though. "Black coffee venti no sweeter or anything just coffee, red velvet frappe Venti, cinnamon roll venti, and strawberry smoothie," I said. "Order something for Skylar and Ben at least," Bianca said. "And a s'mores Frappe Venti and Passion fruit ice tea," I said plainly. I pulled up and we paid for the drinks. "Thank you," I said and drove back to the house. Aunt Annie believes in eating together so she won't let me miss breakfast. We bring in the food and I started to try to slip away. "Danny come back," she said and I went to the kitchen. Everyone was there. Skylar was sitting next to Ben and Ben next to Jacob and Jacob next to Beth. I sit down next to Beth and Bianca. I grab to Pancakes and some bacon and hash browns. Bianca hands out the drinks and I sip my frappe. "Thank you," everyone says in unison. I stab at my pancakes. "Take it easy Danny," Ben says. I grunt and kick him under the table. "What's wrong?" Ben asks. Jacob gives him the evil eye. "You hurt her Ben," Beth said. "How?" He asked. I slammed my fork down and stood up. "Everything. You know why, I like you and you like me!" I yelled. Ben started to approach me but Jacob stood up. He pushed Ben away. "Leave her alone," Jacob said. I looked to Bianca and Beth and then Skylar. I'm so angry with her. "You," I said pointing a finger at her. "You're the one who started this you knew I liked Ben. But he was too stupid to say it," I said and held back a gasped. I called Ben stupid. "Don't call him stupid. I liked him more to ask him out so you can be quiet," she backfired. "No I can't I tried to stop you but you went all, Ben is so cute and dreamy and that disgusted me. I don't like him but I can't stand you with him!" I said. "Why me? Ben has no part in this so leave him out," Skylar retorted. "No he's the reason there is a fight. I-I love him," I said and ran out of the room. "Danny wait," I heard Ben say. "Don't you think you've done enough," Bianca says and she runs after me. I slam my door shut after Bianca came in. "Skylar is crying downstairs and if Ben is going to be a jerk he's not for you," Bianca said and gave me a hug. "It wasn't Ben it was Skylar," I said. The door knob turned and Beth was in the entrance. She walked in and Bianca left. "Hey. Listen I'm standing by you cause you have picked me up more than Skylar ever has sometimes literally. And we can't bear to see you mop or be angry. So why don't we all just do separate stuff Bianca and Skylar do something and we do something," Beth said in a soothing tone. Beth has always been a good emotional speaker, she could convince a nation if she wanted to. I nodded and she left the room and I changed into my target practice outfit. I pulled on hiking boots, jeans, and a black tank top. I walked to Beth's room and she was ready but wearing tennis shoes and a loses shirt. I walked back to my room and grabbed my other pair of hiking boots. "Here all better just wear a shirt that isn't lose so it doesn't snag on trees," I said and she went in to change. Jacob walked up the stairs. "Going hunting or target practice?" He asked. "Both I'm bringing Beth want to come?" I asked. "Sure," he said happily and went to change into his gear. I heard a movie playing in the movie room it's probably Bianca and Skylar. A little voice in the back of my head asked, But what if it isn't. I slowly approach the room and there is Ben just sitting there watching videos Uncle Jack recorded, Thanksgiving, the summer, when we come over, and Ben, Jacob, and me. I walk in quietly making sure not to disturb him. "Hey Danielle," he said. "Benjamin," I say firmly and plop down on the couch. "I'm sorry. I thought it was just a harmless date like bowling not a fancy dinner. I thought it was more of a friend hang out rather than a date. I'm so stupid!" He says and I sit next to him. "You didn't know, and you aren't stupid Skylar didn't give enough details," I said trying to help. "But I like you not her," I heard him say in a small voice. I look down and mumble," I like you too." I feel his hand left my chin and he plants a kiss on my lips. "Danny?" Beth says down the hall. I jump up and sprint out of the room. "There you are is this better," she asks and I nodded. "Wait here I have to get something. Oh and Jacob is also coming," I say as walking down the stairs. Uncle jack will be playing golf right now and Aunt Annie will be making lunch perfect time. I slip into the shadows and walk into their bedroom. Uncle Jake keeps grandpa's hunting jacket in here and I love the feel of it. The closet door is wide open and I walk inside and find the jacket at the beginning of the rail. I snatch the jacket of the hanger and put it on. The leather is cold but the inside is soft and welcoming. I leave the zipper unzipped and walk up stairs. "Wow," Beth said. "Cool Jacket." Footsteps head our way must be Jacob. "How did you get that without being caught?" Jacob asked suspicious. "It fits me best of the family. And Grandpa always favored me because we lived closer and Bruce is  too muscular for it," I said and Jacob frowned he knew I was right. We walked out the front entrance just as Ben left. "Ben," I said happily. "Ben," Beth growled. "Jacob show Beth where the target practice is show her how to use a bow and arrow and a knife," I said and Jacob nodded knowing we want some alone time. "Ben, I'm sorry for blaming you or Skylar. I should have told her I liked you," I said hoping for some response. "I like you too and I should have turned her down. I never say her more then a friend. You are everything more then a friend," he said.   I punched him softly, "I hope not," I said jokingly. I kissed his cheek and walked toward the range. The spot in the woods is very secret only Jacob, Ben, and I know it but in order to go to the range we have to pass the pool. I hear splashes before I'm there. I peek behind the corner of the house and Bianca and Skylar are in the pool. I slowly walk past them when I hear Skylar's voice,"Are you here to apologize?" I whipped around angry. "Apologize for what? I tried to warn you but you didn't get it. I said that I liked Ben it's clear to see I like him. And you come in and ask him out without telling him it's a romantic dinner. You are the one who needs to apologize!" I yell and take off before she can say anything. I run to the south so they don't follow me. The rang is in the east but I can't lead them to my range. I spot the treehouse and go east. I'm heading in the right direction and then I'm in the clearing. I go to one of the trees surrounding the clearing and pull out my bow and my quiver of arrows. I put the pocket knife in the jacket's pocket. I walk towards Beth and Jacob shooting arrows at the targets. I go to the edge of the clearing and shoot an arrow. Bullseye. "Nice job," Beth says. "I've been training," I said. I start to walk into the woods. Annie usually likes deer or if we go to the lake fish. I start to climb a tree so I get a better view of the place. I spot a deer still in Annie's property. I aim for the heart and it's down on the ground. I climb done and whistle for Jacob. He comes running. "Nice shot," he says and we drag it to the clearing.  I smile and Beth comes over. "I think I got it down," she says and then looks down. "We got deer," I said and she slowly nods. We walk to the lake and look for any fish. "No luck," Beth said in her section and we nod in agreement. "Let's go back to practice shooting," Jacob says and they go back but I stay back here. I climb a tree to see if anything is here. I hear a crunch and I look in the direction I heard it. I draw an arrow from my quiver and load an arrow. The animal comes into sight and its Ben? He's wearing his hunting gear but he barely hunts. I climb to the tree next to mine and hop down in front of Ben. "What are you doing here?" I asked softly. "I came to hunt," he said. "Was anyone following you?" I ask and he shakes his head. "Did you pass by the pool?" I asked and he nodded. "Did you take the detour?" I asked. "What detour?" He said. "Skylar and Bianca followed you, I bet. Come on," I said and I started to climb a tree. I grabbed some mud and the bottom of the tree and smeared it on my jeans and I put leaves on it. I can't be seen. I helped Ben up and he was in the branch next to me. "I could've sworn I saw Ben take off in this direction," Skylar's voice rings out. The plan is to get them away from us and the clearing. I hop to another tree and then another. "There he is!" Skylar yells and I speed up. I hop down from the tree and run towards Ben's sister's house. I climb up a tree before they can see me and I make my way back to where we were. "There he went to his house," Skylar said. I climb over a couple trees till I'm right next to Ben. "What were you thinking? They could've found the clearing," I said. "But they didn't," he said which makes me angry so I kick his foot. I jump down and he follows. "Listen this clearing is my place to clear my mind and be alone or with friends. So I don't want my friends finding out about it," I said. He runs ahead so he's facing me and walking backwards. "I'm sorry, Danny," he said and gives me the puppy dog look. I sigh he knows what gets me. "I forgive you," I say and he smiles. Jacob and Beth are sitting under a tree talking. I motion for Jacob to come and he and Ben lift up the deer and we take it back to the house. "Aunt Annie, we got a deer," I said as I walk in. "Perfect," she said and we took it to the garage for Uncle Jack to tend to. We walked up to our rooms to change and Jacob let Ben borrow some clothes.  I took a shower and let the warm water cover my body. I changed into shorts, black Keds, and a shirt that says Free Spirit. I took my hair out of a bun and French braided it. I walked down for lunch with everyone. Bianca waved to me and I waved back. I grabbed a sandwich and put some chips on my plate and sat down next to Ben and Beth. "Why won't you apologize?" I asked Skylar. "Because you're the person who ruined my first date," Skylar said avoiding eye contact. "She didn't ruin it,"Ben said and he held my hand under the table. "Stay out of this Ben," Skylar said. "No. I realized he's in this conversation more than I thought. I didn't mean those things," I told him. "Fine I'm sorry can we just be friends," she said. "Not best friends but friends," I said and we went back to eating.

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It was after dinner we all sat around the campfire roasting s'mores. We always do this on the third night. I notice that Beth and Jacob slipped away. Ben's sister and everyone came over and we eat s'mores. The sun was going down so it was getting cold so Ben and I got some blankets. Everyone wrapped themselves in them but there was only one left so Ben and I shared one. Uncle jack cleared his throat and I slide away from Ben and went left to get a jacket. I grabbed he hunting jacket and passed by the pool. Beth and Jacob were swimming and talking. They were on a date. Too shocked I ran back to the fire and texted Ben what was happening since he was on the other side of the log. I sighed, when we get back I need to ask him out on a date. But I have to give it time Skylar just got her heart crushed I need to give her time to heal from then on no being close or hugs or hand holding. I wrapped the hunting jacket around me and we started to singing a campfire song. "Well this was great but it's sure is getting late so Let's get some sleep," Aunt Annie said and Uncle Jack put out the fire. We all walked to the houses and Beth and Jacob weren't to be seen. I went to Beth's room and she was already asleep. I went to my room and changed into an old middle school shirt and shorts. I crawled into bed and once my head hit the pillow I was out.