Summer Dare

Chapter 4

"Wait! I'm on my way over," Mimi shouts into the phone and hangs up. Andrea rolls her eyes and turns back to Summer who is trying not to pay attention. She's already regretting telling her friends about her interaction with Blake during her walk.

Nutella is needier than usual. She keeps walking into Summer's room to snuggle against her leg and kiss her face before walking back towards the door, as if suggesting she needs to go for another walk. Summer has taken her in the backyard three times, and not once did she go to the bathroom, so she clearly was hoping to see Blake again.

"I can't believe you chickened out," Andrea says sitting next to Summer. Summer pauses the game and looks at her friend. Andrea's face softens; it was always easier to talk to Andrea. Mimi was always so hyped over every little detail, while Andrea knew when to tone it back a bit.

"I didn't chicken out. I don't know. He had to go to work anyway," Summer says looking down at the floor. Nutella was back and resting her head on Summer's foot. Her eyes were looking up at her in a puppy dog pout.

"Nutella liked him. He must be a good guy. She normally hates guys," Andrea says reaching down and petting Nutella.

"Yeah, she does. I don't know. He is pretty charming," Summer says and cracks a smile. "My heart was racing like crazy."

"I can imagine."

Summer shakes her head and buries it in her hands. "Maybe I chickened out a little bit," she says with a giggle.

"It happens. Hey, you did as well as any of us would've done. In my head I always see myself being able to walk right up to Blake, grab him by the collar of his shirt and say 'I dare you to not think about me,' before kissing him. But honestly I know the most I could do is 'h—hi Blake.'" Andrea laughs and pats Summer's back. "Where does he work anyway?"

Summer looks up, her eyes wide as she realizes she never found out that detail. She gives a weak shrug and laughs. "Wow I really did mess up."

"Only a bit," Andrea replies holding up her thumb and forefinger an inch apart.

As she finishes, Mimi runs into Summer's room. She looks crazed, as if she just survived a slasher film, and runs over to Summer. "What happened! Tell me everything," she says dropping to her knees and holding Summer's arms. Nutella jumps up and circles around the girls.

"And the crazy one's here," Andrea says with a laugh. Summer turns back to the television and un-pauses the game. Mimi looks at her two friends, then turns off the television. Summer jumps to her feet and shoots Mimi a you can't be serious look, but Mimi disregards it and sits in front of the Xbox.

"Talk," she says pointing back at Summer's seat.

Summer looks at Andrea who's smile has transformed into full on laughter. She is pointing at Mimi and cracking up. This makes the room more tolerable, so Summer takes her seat and waits for Mimi to ask her first question.

"So, what happened? Tell me everything. What was he wearing?" Mimi asks.

"Uh, jeans and a t-shirt," Summer says.

"You can't be serious. That's the first question you asked?" Andrea asks.

"I want to get a visual understanding of the situation," Mimi says before pulling out her phone.

"Who're you texting?" Summer asks raising an eyebrow.

"No one, just checking Facebook," Mimi replies.

"Wow, you really care about the story huh," Andrea says.

"It's called multi-tasking. Tell me everything," Mimi says. "Why did you see him? What was he doing there? Why did he leave? And why didn't you talk to him!"

"Ha, wow that's a lot of questions, uh, where to being," Sumer says rubbing her forearm.

"Maybe just with the beginning," Andrea says half sarcastically but Summer can tell her friend is just trying to give her a little push.

"I was just walking Nutella, didn't expect to run into him, or anyone for that matter. He came running across the street while I was—" Summer's eyes flicker with embarrassment.

"What? What happened?" Mimi asks.

"I was uh, Ha, I was picking up Nutella's poop," Summer says scratching her neck. Her two friends giggle and the laughter helps Summer feel more relaxed. "Yeah, a pretty crappy first impression. Pun intended. Anyway, he turned around and asked if we went to school together, and well, I kinda froze up."

"No! Come on Summer, you can talk to him," Mimi says rubbing Summer's leg.

"Yeah she really proved she can," Andrea says sarcastically.

"I don't know—I don't want to talk about it anymore. He said he had to go and left. He asked if I had any summer plans and told me he's nervous about college," Summer replies.

Mimi's mouth opens before she lets out a little squeal. "He confided in you! No, no, you don't understand," she says holding up a finger and looking down at her phone. "Where is it," she mutters to herself.

"Oh my, another Mimi phone adventure," Andrea says rocking back and forth in her chair. She reaches for the television remote on the floor but Mimi kicks it away.

"Here it is," she says pulling up an article from some long website Summer had never heard of. "The five sure fire ways to know a guy is into you. Look at number two," Mimi says holding the phone closer to Summer.

"He confesses a moment of doubt or personal fear to you," Mimi reads out loud. "Wait, into me? He doesn't even know me."

"He recognized you though, and he didn't have to cross the street," Mimi says.

"She does have a point," Andrea adds.

"You're both crazy," Summer says. "He doesn't like me."

Andrea shakes her head. "He literally came running to you, and even after your best attempts to scare him away he tried to keep the conversation going. I don't know girl, he might just be full on in love with you."

Mimi giggles. "Yeah, he definitely feels something for you."

"Can we just drop it?" Summer pulls her legs to her chest and rests her chin on her knees. "I don't wanna talk about this anymore." Nutella nuzzles against Summer.

"You don't want to ever talk it seems. Come on you had the guy of your dreams come to you. Isn't that the ideal situation?" Andrea asks.

"He was yours for the taking," Mimi chimes in. They see Summer's smile is starting to fade and stop laughing. "Come on, let's go out. My treat."

"Nah, I kinda wanna just call it a night," Summer says and walks over to the television. Mimi blocks her path and Andrea turns Summer around.

"Come on, let's go grab a slice of pizza. It'll be fun," Andrea suggests.

Summer sighs and looks back at Mimi who actually pockets her phone and nods along with the plan. "Fine," Summer says gesturing for the door and they all leave.