Summer Dare

Chapter 3

The next morning Summer wakes up and walks downstairs. She can smell fresh bacon and eggs. Her father Dennis is up early and excited to go to the baseball game. He hands Summer a plate the moment she walks into the kitchen.

"Good morning sweetheart," he says and kisses his daughter on the top of her head.

"Morning Dad," Summer replies and takes the plate over to the table. Her black lab Nutella follows closely behind; her tail is wagging as she sits at Summer's feet expecting a few crumbs to fall. Summer breaks off a small piece of bacon and waits for her dad to look the other way before feeding it to Nutella. "That's why I'm your favorite right?" she says in a baby voice and scratches Nutella's ears. The lab cuddles up to Summer's leg and curls into a ball.

"I am heading out in an hour. Do you have anything planned today?" Mr. Ridley asks as he finishes his breakfast sandwich.

"Just going to relax, maybe play a little Xbox and read a book," Summer replies.

Mr. Ridley shakes his head.

"What?" Summer asks shrugging and looking away.

"I just wish you would go out more. See your friends, have some adventures, I don't know—try something new."

"Dad, everything's fine. I see Mimi and Andrea all the time," Summer replies.

"Just promise me you'll have a little adventure this summer? You're too young to be acting like you're in a nursing home. Go to a party, get in trouble, come on. How many fathers do you know tell their daughters to do that?"

"Probably not too many," Summer replies and takes another bite of her eggs. She finishes up and goes into the family room to watch television. Her father leaves an hour later to head to the game. Nutella begins whining and nudges Summer's shin.

"Just wait 'til the commercial," Summer says, but Nutella continues pushing her nose against Summer's thigh. "Come on Nutella just let me finish this show," Summer pleads but it's no use. Nutella is relentless and Summer finally caves, turning off the television and taking her outside. They walk two blocks and still Nutella hasn't gone to the bathroom.

"Come on, just go," Summer says as Nutella sniffs the bush outside the Richardson's house. Nutella always stops at that bush. The Richardson's have three dogs and when they're home they all bark at Nutella when she walks by. Summer usually wonders if they're catcalling her dog.

When they reach the end of the next block, Nutella finally goes to the bathroom, as Summer reaches over to pick up her dog's waste, she catches something out of the corner of her eye. Walking across the street was the tall handsome figure of Blake Dillon. Summer nearly drops the plastic bag as he walks beside her. At first he doesn't notice her, but after taking a few steps by, Blake turns around.

Summer's stomach tightens when they lock eyes. His light green iris' momentarily locking on to her as if nothing else in the world exists. Then, breaking the silence, Blake asks "do we go to school together?"

Summer remains silent. Her mouth is dry and when she goes to open it no words can come out. Instead it feels like she's choking. Nutella sniffs around Blake's ankles and nuzzles his leg.

"Aren't you a cutie," Blake says crouching low to pet the dog. "What's her name?"

"Nut—Nutella," Summer manages to get out. "Nutella," she repeats herself. It's the only word she can get out now.

"Well aren't you just the cutest," Blake says kissing Nutella on the top of the head and scratching her behind the ears. He looks up at Summer and smiles. Nutella still licking his face. "Are you enjoying break?"

Summer nods, nervously wrapping the leash around her wrist. "Yep."

"Any big plans?" Blake asks standing up and folding his arms. "I know Daniel has a few adventures planned. Should be pretty fun before college." He scratches the back of his head. "Ha, guess I'm a little nervous about that too. But you don't need to hear my life story."

Summer wants nothing more than to hear Blake's life story, but instead she just stays quiet and awkwardly looks back at Nutella. Her mind is racing trying to think of something to say. It should be so simple. She could ask him about school or the plans he brought up, but still nothing comes out. She finally locks on a simple phrase: any plans today? But before she can get the words out Blake's phone rings.

"Yeah, yeah—sorry. Yeah, I got it. Okay. I'll be there in like five minutes," he says hanging up the phone. "Sorry about that, I gotta head to work. You're Summer right?"

Summer nods her head, trying not to smile too wide. She can't believe he knows her name. Sure the school isn't that big, but this was by far the longest they ever spoke.

"Well, it was nice seeing you. Thanks for letting me pet your dog. Have a good summer." He crouches down to pet Nutella again before taking off.

Nutella wags her tails and takes two steps after Blake as he leaves, she then turns back to Summer, almost looking impatient to keep the walk going.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Summer says and takes Nutella in the opposite direction. Her stomach is still in knots and her mind is still racing. Blake Dillon actually talked to her—Blake Dillon actually knew her name.