stars ; j.s.

5

J A C O B

The last few days haven't been interesting in the slightest. All I've done is watched old corny movies that my grandparents had laying around. I was so lazy, that my grandma was actually concerned for my health. So today, I would have to be productive. Apparently, they needed help setting up for their annual Town Festival. I used to go every year and had the best time. However, this was a time when kids my age were living or staying in the small town. These days, it was just Violet and I, which I suppose I didn't mind so much.

"You're tall. Help me put up these streamers," My grandmother reached and reached but just couldn't attach it to the awning that hung above her. I hung them up with ease, pleased with the way the green hues of the streamer contrasted against the wood. "Perfect. Thank you, doll." She patted me on the back.

The festival was starting in a half hour, so most of the town had already shown up to help set up. It wasn't much really, just a few decorations and some food. But, the best part of the entire thing was the end. Everyone got sparklers and lanterns and anything with light and it looked amazing against the night sky.

~*~

Soon enough, everyone was showing up. Some old country songs were playing on a static radio, and almost everyone seemed to be having a good time. Aside from me, of course. There was really nothing for me to do, so I just took a seat on a nearby lawn chair and watched people dance on the grass.

"You look like you're having fun," Violet said sarcastically, taking a seat next to me.

I smiled. "Oh yeah, I'm having a blast."

She looked good, like really good. She was wearing a baby pink sundress and brown ankle boots. Simple, but flattering. Her dark hair was flowing down her back like usual and she just looked so pretty that it made me nervous to be around her.

"Oh, shit." She cursed, her attention suddenly drawn to someone behind her. It was a girl about my age with blonde hair weaved into two braids. She wore a crop top and shorts shorter than I had ever witnessed. As she got closer and I saw her face, I noticed how drop dead gorgeous she was.

I gawked at her. "Who is that?"

"That's my step sister Breanna. She's the worst," Violet explained. Breanna walked toward us and I couldn't help but stare.

She looked at Violet with a slight smile. "Hey, little sis. My mom made me show up to this stupid-"

She stopped in her tracks as she saw me sitting next to her. "Are you Jacob Sartorius?"

"Yeah, that's me." I grinned, pleased with someone actually knowing my existence in this place. Suddenly, she was climbing over Violet's seat to stand next to me.

"I'm Breanna but you can call me Bree." She batted her fake eyelashes in my direction as if to impress me. "Man, it must be hard to be as famous as you are, huh?"

"Well I'm not that fa-"

"Of course you're famous. Anybody who's anybody in the country knows you." She cleared her throat loudly toward Violet. "Somebody unlike Vi over here,"

Violet rolled her eyes, suddenly seeming uncomfortable with the way her step sister was talking to her.

"Speaking of Violet, I think she should give up her chair so I can sit and talk to our cute new friend." Bree suggested.

She looked at her and I could tell that she had no intention of moving. "No." Violet deadpanned.

"Fine then, you brat. I guess I'll just take a seat right here." And to my complete surprise,  Bree was suddenly straddling me on my lap. My eyes went wide as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I had no idea why she was acting this way toward someone she had just met, but I sort of enjoyed the attention so I didn't shoo her away. However, I was terrified that my grandparents might see me and I blushed at the thought.

I was nervous to tell her because I was intimidated by how confident Bree was. "I-I, um don't want my...You see, my grandparents are here and I, uh don't want them to see me like this so..."

"Right. That would be a little awkward. I think I left my phone in my mom's car. Come with me to get it?" Bree asked.

"But Vi-"

"Violet doesn't mind, right?" She said sternly.

Violet gave an awkward grin to both of us. "I guess not." Like she had a choice anyway...

And soon enough, Bree took me by the hand and began walking with me. It was hard to see in the dark of the night. I turned around to Violet to mouth an apology, but she was already walking into her house with sunken shoulders as if she was upset.

Bree interrupted my thoughts. "Here we are." She announced when we reached the black car. She had this smirk on her face as if she was up to something and then she reached in her pants pocket. "Oh right, my cellphone was in my pocket this whole time."

"Okay, so let's get back to the party then." I began to walk back, but Bree grabbed my arm to stop me.

She started coming closer and closer to me. "That party's a little boring, don't you think? Why don't we just hang out in here for a little while."

I shrugged, figuring there was nothing that could really stop me. Locked in a car with a hot girl, what more could I want? So, we both opened the doors and sat in the backseat. I could hardly see her in the dark.

She ran her hand down my arm. "So, tell me about you,"

"Um, well I'm from-"

"Actually how about you just kiss me instead." She interrupted, grabbing my face and pressing her lips against mine before I could protest. I was shocked at first, but eventually relaxed and kissed her back.

Eventually I pulled away when I was struggling to breathe.

A smirk spread across the swollen lips I'd just kissed. "I think you and I are going to get along great."