Ocean Eyes . Jonathan Brandis

Two

I get my one piece on then put clothes over. As I leave my room, I notice Lily standing at my door, waiting.

"Finally. Let's go!" She grabs my hand and we hurry downstairs and out the door.

"Slow down," I say barely keeping up with her.

I see her reach the house and she knocks on the door. When I reach her the door is opened by Jonathan. "Uh, hey," he says awkwardly. "Hey Jonathan," Lily says for me.

He didn't move. "Your mom invited us," I tell him. "Oh! Right, come in," he moves aside.

Immediately Darcy shows up and Lily and her run off in a fit of play, leaving me with Jonathan the jerk.

"Uh, everyone's out back," he says not wanting to engage in conversation. "I figured," I say sarcastically since that was were the music and voices were coming from. He mocks me, annoyed, by making a face. I roll my eyes before leaving.

He didn't follow me. Instead he left to his room.

I see everyone outside swimming and even see Lily having a blast. I didn't know anyone really but I was doing this for Lily.

"Grace! I'm so glad you could make it," Mrs. Brandis immediately embraces me with a hug. "Me too. That smells really good," I say referring to the hot dogs and burgers on the grill. "Gregory is an amazing cook," she says complimenting her husband beside her.

"I am the grill master," he says laughing at himself. Mrs. Brandis and I laugh also. "Would you like a hot dog or a burger?" He asks me. "I'd love a hot dog," I tell him.

...

"Where's Jon?" Mrs. Brandis questions to herself noticing his absence.

Since I didn't know anyone I kind of just talked to Mrs. Brandis about my mom and what's going on.

"He should be out here. It's his brothers birthday," she said with disappointment. I don't say anything since I didn't want to get him in trouble. "I'll be right back," she says to me getting up. "Why don't you go swim?" She questions me. I nod as a response.

**Jonathan's p.o.v**

I didn't know anyone here except my weird family. I was inside stuck on door duty since not everyone had arrived yet.

There was a knock on the door so I get up from watching tv and open the door to see Grace.

What was she doing here? "Uh hey," I question awkwardly not knowing what to say. "Hey Jonathan," Lily speaks up and I look down at her.

"You're mom invited us," Grace says. "Oh! Right, come in," I say moving aside for them. I probably looked so dumb.

Lily leaves with Darcy leaving Grace and I alone. For some reason I couldn't say anything. It was as though my thoughts were frozen.

She gives me a questioning look. "Uh, everyone's out back," I say. "I figured," she says with sarcasm. I mock her annoyed then leave. Why was she such a brat?

...

I was thinking about Grace for some reason as I tossed a ball in the air. We used to be friends but then she went weird and I made the decision to stay with Laura, our other friend. Laura told me some things about Grace. I didn't believe it but I couldn't tell Laura that, I had the biggest crush on her in 7th grade. Now I don't know. Grace is just so beautiful and I miss her. I know she hates me and says I'm a jerk but I can't see why. Just because I'm popular doesn't mean I'm a horrible person. Populars are just better.

My thoughts were interrupted when my mom barges into my room causing me to drop the ball on my face.

"Jonathan, why aren't you outside? It's your brothers birthday," she seemed mad. "I don't know anyone out there," I argue. "What about Grace? I'm keeping her company because you're too busy pouting about not being able to go to Lenny's party," she says. "I'm not pouting, and Grace doesn't count," I say sitting up.