Southern Summer

Chapter Five

The next day dragged on slowly. It was only ten in the morning, yet it felt like I had been up all day. Grandma was beyond thrilled about me going to the fair with Aaron that night, but I just wanted to get it over with. I hatched the plan that when I came home I would tell her that it went horribly so that she would just shut up about it and leave me alone.

I had decided to buy the dress that I had seen at the store, and a pair of golden t-strap sandals. There was no reason I couldn't look good, right? I set the outfit on my bed and examined it. It was cute, but it needed something more. I decided I would wear a golden bow necklace that I had brought with me when I came, and the bracelet I had made the night before. Satisfied, I left the outfit sitting ready on the bed and trotted down the stairs.

I sunk into the comfy recliner in the living room and turned on the tv, which I had discovered was actually a nice flat screen one. I flipped through all of the channels and didn't find anything to watch. Sighing, I pulled my phone out of my pocket. No calls, no messages, nothing from any of my friends or even my parents. You'd think I had dissappeared off the face of the earth or something. My mom had called me once when I had first gotten to Alabama, to make sure I had made it safely. After that, it was like I was cut off from everyone I knew completely. I bet my friends were at the beach right now, enjoying their summer without me, and who knew where my parents were. Probably on some flashy vacation in Hawaii. I felt a lump rising in my throat and swallowed slowly.

I grabbed my running shoes and shoved them on, tieing them tightly. I pushed open the door on stepped onto the porch. Grandma was sitting in her rocking chair, this time she was sewing something. Stereotypical grandma, I thought to myself.

"I'm gunna go run." I stated.

Grandma said something about not being tired for tonight but I was already jogging down the path. I went up to the road and turned towards the town. I didn't go towards the Hansen Farm this time because I didn't want to see Aaron any sooner than I had to. Grove Hill was only about a mile away from Grandma's house, which should have been easy for me. But by the time I reached the town I was dieing for air. I realized that I had run a lot faster than usual. At least I felt better now.

I waited until I had caught my breath before walking back towards the house. I heard the engine of a truck coming up behind me and I turned to see who it was. Of course it would be Aaron. How fantastic.

"Hey muscles," he said, grinning at me through the open window of the truck.

He could at least come up with a better nickname. Muscles was so... masculine.

"Hey," I replied. I kept walking and he drove the truck along side me, keeping pace.

"Running again?" he asked, glancing at my work out clothes.

"Yup." I couldn't help but give him one word answers. Something about him just made me frustrated. Why did he take the time to stop and talk to me? He could have driven by just as easily and pretended not to notice, just like everybody else.

"Hop in I'll give you a ride back," he said. He stopped the truck and looked at me expectantly.

I sighed and walked around the front of the truck. He reved the engine and I jumped to the side, heart pounding. I glared at him and he laughed as I climbed in the passenger side.

"Oh come on, it was funny!" he said as I glared out the windshield.

I turned to look at him, attempting to hold a serious face. One look at his sparkeling blue eyes and half-grin and I couldn't help but smile.

"Oh so you actually can smile!" he exclaimed as we continued down the road towards the house.

I shook my head and looked back out the windshield. I glanced over at him, his messy brown curls reached down to his brows. He casually rested his arm around the back of my seat. I fought the smile trying to creep onto my lips as we pulled onto the path leading to the house.