The Summer of Us

six

I woke up really early in the morning, around six o'clock. I couldn't fall back asleep at all, no matter how hard I tried. Alex had texted me to come hang out with them and get some breakfast or whatever and I couldn't turn them down.

"Brennan," I whispered. "Brennan wake up." He didn't budge and he stayed sound asleep, snoring a little. "Brennan."

"What?" He whined half asleep.

"Wake up. We're going to meet up with Johnny and Alex." Sitting up, I said quietly.

"We can't do that, you're dad will kill us." He whisper-shouted back.

"Hey Brennan, have I mentioned that I hate my dad?" I asked him, looking down at the floor. We had to share a bedroom and I threatened to put Brennan in a headlock if he even thought about taking the top bunk.

"About three times already," Brennan sighed. "I don't see why though. He's just looking out for you Annie."

"He could care less about me. His whole life revolves around Hayley and you know that." I put my hand over my cheek.

"I'm sure he does care a lot about you Annie," He paused. "Plus you knew we had to be home early but you stayed to talk to Alex and Johnny."

"Alex and Johnny are cool, unlike somebody." I jeered and I could hear Brennan grumble.

"Go back to bed." Brennan mumbled.

"I'd rather not. I'm going to meet up with them, I need to make more friends." I replied, climbing down from the top bunk. I grabbed a jacket off of the bureau.

"No you're not. Do you really want to get yelled at again?" Brennan murmured, laying on his side.

"Does it look like I care? You're such a child Brennan," I tiptoed to the window and opened it a little. "Tell my dad that I left and I'll bend your arm into a pretzel."

"Annie, just stay okay?" He muttered.

"I do what I want." I snapped at him, lifting my leg over the windowsill. The cold air against my skin made me shiver.

"Wait, I'll come with you," Brennan got up from the bottom bunk and walked up behind me. "Just to make sure you're safe."

"Evaporate from this earth." I rolled my eyes, sliding out of the window.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He scrunched his nose.

"Oh nothing." I gave a sly smile, waiting for him to come down.

He eventually did, making a thump as he came down. "Oops." He grit his teeth. I put my finger over my mouth and made a 'shh' sound.

I pulled back my tangled hair into a ponytail, slowly walking down the porch. "Hurry up before my dad wakes up."

"I'm coming, I'm coming." He repeated, throwing his arms up.

"You're weird," I held back a smile. "Let's go slow poke, we're walking."

"I'm just as weird as you are." Brennan put his hand on my left shoulder.

"I wouldn't say that." I cocked an eyebrow, pushing his arm off. If it were anybody, I don't think they'd have an arm after that.

Brennan and I trotted from my dad's beach house to the boardwalk, searching for Alex and Johnny. "Where are they?" Brennan asked.

"How am I supposed to know?" I squinted my eyes at him.

"I think I see them over there," Brennan said, pointing to two teens who were just walking up the boardwalk. "It's definitely them. I'm positive."

There was barely anyone out of the house at this time, maybe a couple runners and people riding their bikes for exercise. "Come on," I grabbed his hand and pulled him along the way.

"I think I'm old enough to walk on my own but thanks anyways Annie." Brennan joked.

"Are you always such an idiot, or do you just show off when I'm around?" I let go of his hand and walked faster ahead of him.

"It'll be a miracle if you could be nice for once." Brennan caught up to me.

"And it'll be a miracle when you get a girlfriend." I shot back, laughing as I said it.

"Who says I need a girlfriend when I have you as a best friend?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Is that a compliment?" I queried, rolling my eyes.

"Possibly." He smiled and I couldn't help but do the same back.

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