Flipped

Freddy

the day of Ben's pool party

I waited on my front porch for Zack to show up. He was giving me a ride to the party. I knew we were going to be early, and I hope that we were so that maybe Summer and I could be alone for a second. She was always early to events. Zack's mom pulled up in driveway and I got on the back seat. I greeted him and his mom and buckled my seat belt. She pulled out of driveway and drove to Ben's house.

We pulled up in Ben's driveway just as his front door was closing. I was hoping someone was there already. I was hoping that the someone would be Summer. I thanked Mrs. Mooneyham for the ride and I hopped out of the car. I walked up to the front door. Zack knocked for us. Ben opened the door and smiled. Zack's dm I came in. I noticed that Summer was there, but she wasn't alone. Tomika was here too. Of course Summer wouldn't come by herself. And if it wasn't Tomika, it was Katie.

I handed my gift bag to Ben. "Happy Birthday." I said.

Zack copied what I had just said and done. Ben exited the room to go out of gifts in their place. The air was awkwardly silent when he was gone. He came back a few seconds later.

So, you guys can go wait outside while we wait for Lawrence, Katie, and the others."

"Others?" Summer asked.

"I thought it was just going to be us?" Zack added.

"That's what I originally wanted, but y mom said that I had to invite more people. So I just invited the rest of the class. That's ok with you guys, right?"

"Of course." Summer smiled.

"It's you're birthday bro, don't let us dictate your party." Zack said. Ben smirks.

"Thanks guys for understanding, guys. Here, let me show you to the backyard." he said. He made motion for us to follow him, and we did. We made our way through his house. He led us into his living room where he pulled open a big sliding glass door. Summer followed him out, then Tomika, then Zack, then me. I walked out to see a pool with a slide and diving board, several lounge chairs, and a table with four chairs and an umbrella.

"You guys take a seat, I'm going to go wait by the door." Ben smiled and walked away. Summer instantly sat down in the middle of one of the big lounge chairs. Tomika sat next to her and I at across from her. Zack sat next to me.

"So, how was your weekend?" Tomika asked, trying to fill the awkwardness in the air.

"It's been good..." Zack trailed off. Katie soon appeared next to Zack and told him to scoot over, which meant that I had to scoot over. I was no longer directly across from Summer.

"Hey guys! Where's Lawrence?" Katie asked.

"Not here yet, I guess yet." Zack said. More kids started appearing in the back yard.

After what seemed like forever and listening to Lawrence drone on about space camp, it seemed like everyone was here. Ben stood up and cleared his throat.

"Alright, thanks for coming. I'm just letting you guys know that food is ready inside." 

Everyone immediately gotup and rushed inside. I waited till I saw more poeple come back out before going in. I was going in right as Summer was coming out. I started putting food on my plate when a few moments later, Summer came back inside. She pulled a folded piece of paper out of her pocket. She took a deep breath and set it near the back of the gifts. She made sure it was well concealed by other gifts, and she took another deep breath and walked away. I set my plate down and dug through the gifts till I found the note. It said "Ben" on the front. I was too afraid to open it because I knew that whatever was inside, I wouldn't like. I walked back outside and took back my spot right as Tomika was saying something. Sumemr whispered something in her ear, and stood up. I didn't hear a thing, Summer is a really good whisperer. Tomika passed the message along to Katie, I couldn't hear it from Tomika either. Where did girls learn to become such good whisperers? 

I turned my attention back on Summer. She was talking to Ben, they were standing at the edge of the pool. He touched her elbow for a second and pulled away a few seconds later. The two started slowly getting closer to each other. I stood up.

"Freddy, stop thinking whatever you're thinking and sit down." Zack commanded. I ignored him and started slowly walking over in Summer and Ben's direction. Ben was leaning in. So was Summer. They were going to kiss. I couldn't let this happen. 

I did the only thing that popped to mind. Push them in the pool.  Everyone's heads turned towards mine, Zack put his face in his hands. I looked down at the pool to see Sumemr and Ben come to the surface at the same time. Summer gave me a look of pure disgust. 

What had I done?

"I-" I started. Words wouldn't form in my mouth. 

Ben got out of the pool and pulled Summer out with him. e looked angry. He had every right to be angry. 

"What is wrong with you man?" Ben asked, radiating fury.

"You should leave." Summer said. She looked and sounded like she was going to cry. She kept moving her hair out of her face.

Ben nodded, "Please, just go." he said.

I looked at them both for a minute before saying, "Fine." 

I turned around and walked through the sliding glass door. I stopped in front of Ben's gift pile. I saw Summer's note. 

I looked at it. I grabbed it. I shoved it in my pocket and wake out the way I came into the party, through the front door. I decided to walk home. 

On my way, I stopped at the park and sat on a bench. I took the note out of my pocket.

Ben, 

I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

I just want to tell you something really important. But, I'm too nervous to tell you so I decided to write it down. I like you a lot, like really really like you. As in I have a crush on you like you. And I don't know if you feel the same way as I do, but if you don't like me like that then I ask that you to tell me as soon as possible. If you do have a crush on me, please let me now whenever you feel comfortable. Either way that you feel won't affect your job as my assistant. (Unless you don't want t keep it anymore because I like you and you don't feel the same way.) Thanks for reading this. Happy Birthday.

-Summer