Chapter 1:
"Good morning folks! A bright and sunny day for the first day of summer"! The radio had blared out as I awoke.
I slowly sat up on my bed so the blanket was only reaching the middle of my thighs and softly leaned against the backboard. Great. I thought. I wasn't the kind of girl who liked sunny days and I was definitely not someone who liked summer days either, but that was me. The sun rays were peeking through the blinds to form a pattern of bright stripes along my thighs. I was just so glad to have finished high school, that hell-hole of a place. This thought made me smile.
"Alaia?" A little whisper came from the other side of my closed door.
I glanced across the room and could pick up shadows from behind the door. Not now. I was not in the mood to talk to anyone. I just wanted to sit here and gaze at the sun rays that were starting to heat up my legs.
"Are you awake?" The voice from the other side of the door asked.
It was my sister, Rosie. She's 12 years old but acts like she's sixteen. We've been through a lot and I love her so much but sometimes I just needed my space.
I decided to roll out of bed and make my way to the door. I slightly opened the door and saw a glimpse of her standing there, wide-eyed and awake.. unlike me.
"What is it?" I asked groggily.
It's 9'oclock in the morning and the first day of summer. She obviously has plans. I didn't want to be the one to drive her everywhere. All the time.
"Can you drive me to Austin's?" Rosie asked, batting her eyelashes.
Austin... He's my sister's "boyfriend" but she has a lot of boyfriends so who knows where he stands in her life. Rosie and Austin have been friends since pre-school and I always imagined them getting married one day. They were perfect for each other. Well.. perfect's an illusion anyway.
"Yeah, sure. I'll take you." I automatically responded.
"Thanks sis! Love you!" She said, engergetically hugging me. "I'll be waiting!!" She yelled as she ran downstairs.
I closed the door as Colbie Caillat's 'Brighter Than The Sun' began playing on the radio. A summer tune for a summer day.. Way to get me in the mood. Today was going to be a long and "bright" day.
I pulled on a pair of light-washed jeans that were ripped at the knees and slipped on a slightly loose white tank top then grabbed my favourite pair of aviators, my wallet, the keys and headed out the door. I didn't bother putting on any make up or doing my hair because I actually like the whole "au-naturel-look" that I somehow had going on.
"Wow that was fast!" Rosie exclaimed as I approached her in the living room.
"Ready?" I asked, frustrated but relieved at the same time.
"Yes, ma'am!" She laughed sarcastically.
We had just pulled up to Austin's house as he was coming out to greet us. The Anderson's house was huge. It was a two-storey grey mansion with a circular driveway - big enough for parties that his brother Rick loved to throw.
"Hey guys!" Austin smiled as he came up to the car. "It summmer!! We're freeeee!" He added.
"Hell yeah!" Rosie replied cheerfully, getting out of the car and hugging Austin.
Rosie turned toward me. "Pick me up later?" She added.
"As always!" I chimed.
"Yo! Are we heading down to the boardwalk soon?! I'm ready to hit it up down there!" A guy excitedly yelled out to Austin from the second floor window.
"Yeah! Now! Rosie just got here!" Austin shouted back.
I looked up and saw this guy who looked as if he were about 19 years old. He had dark hair and there was something, something.. about him when he smiled that I found very intriguing.
"Who's that?" I asked Austin.
"Oh don't mind him. He's my step-mom's kid but whatever. He's just visiting for the summer." He replied.
"Ooou la la! More fun!" Rosie giggled running in to the house.
"Austin! Why don't you ask that girl right there to come with us too!" The boy from the second floor window yelled out to us.
Oh God, no. I'm not even prepared to go down to the.. boardwalk. Please don't say anything. Please don't ask.
"Do you want to come with us to the boardwalk?" Austin asked kindly, respecting his step-mom's kid's wishes.
"Uh.. yeah, sure." I somewhat replied.
What?! Seriously, why.
Suddenly, the boy from the second floor window came out from the house. He was shirtless with only a pair of black trousers. Austin glanced over at him, shrugged then walked back in the house, following Rosie. Probably to their billiard room, to pass the time waiting to head out.
"Hey. I'm Leo by the way." The boy held out his hand, grining.
Leo.
