The Summer of Us

nine

"Annie," I heard my name pronounced angrily.

I turned around to see Brennan, standing there alone. "Oh you ditched Alex? Man, what has gotten into you?"

"I didn't ditch her Annie. She went to the bathroom," He groaned.

"Okay whatever but does that explain why you're so mad?" I said as he suddenly looked down.

"Don't act like you don't know," He replied.

"Well I really don't know," I lied. I knew he was mad about me leaving him alone with Alex and running off with Johnny but I liked playing dumb. It really ticks him off so I know that my job is done.

"I'm your best friend. I can tell when you lie," Brennan shifted his eyes back up at me.

"Well maybe I didn't lie this time," I shrugged, turning back to Johnny who was standing there patiently.

"Annie," Brennan tapped my shoulder. "Can we talk alone?"

"Uh yeah sure," I responded. "I'll be right back Johnny. It won't be long."

"It's okay. Take your time," Johnny said back.

Brennan grabbed my arm and pulled me behind a wall where Johnny couldn't see us. "What's on your mind?" I asked groggily.

"It's Alex," He gulped.

"What about Alex?" I raised an eyebrow, looking confused.

"I think she likes me, like really likes me."

"Well is that a good thing?"

"I guess so but I don't know Annie," Brennan sighed. "I know it sounds weird but you're the closest thing that I've had to a girlfriend."

"Don't even associate me with girlfriend," I clasped my wrist behind my back.

"But how am I supposed to know if I like her back?" He normally didn't get nervous but Brennan never liked anyone else so it was different.

"Well when you're around her, for example. Do you get a weird feeling in your stomach, like butterflies? Do you ever look at her and wonder, man it would be great if she was my girlfriend? Because that's all I can tell you," I didn't know what was coming out of my mouth.

"No but I do with someone else," He rubbed his nape, looking shy.

"Tell them that," I put my hand on his shoulder. "I gotta go catch up with Johnny. I'll see you later."

"Wait Annie. I have another question," He played with this fingers.

"What could it possibly be?" I placed my hands on my hips.

"Do you like Johnny?" He stuttered while talking.

"I met him like a day and a half ago. I don't immediately fall in love with people. It takes time," I jeered.

"Just wondering. That's all," He bit his lip.

It was awkward for a few seconds until I muttered, "I'll see you later."

I walked away from him, leaving him standing there. I wondered who he liked other than Alex. Then something clicked immediately.

What if it's me? Thoughts burst in my head and I could feel myself shake. It can't be me, we're best friends. If he likes me, it'll ruin things.

That's probably why he was acting all weird when I'm around Johnny. He's jealous. Suddenly, it felt like my whole mind clicked.

It brought me back to a time where a kid in sixth grade gave me a love note and Brennan didn't speak to me for a week. He said it was because he was tired and overwhelmed with homework but we barely got any. He lied because he liked me.

Brennan really likes me?

I legged down the hallway, up to where Johnny was. He smiled at me when he told me that there's a ton of free seats where we were going. I tried to be happy but I kept thinking about Brennan.

He doesn't like you. He's just too nervous to admit his love for Alex that's all. I reassured myself in my head. I had a hard time believing it was true but I just couldn't shake the feeling.

"Annie? Hello? Earth to Annie," Johnny tittered.

"Oh sorry. What were you saying?" I shook myself out of my daydream.

"It's fine. I was saying that the movie just started so nobody will notice we snuck in," He put on a happy expression, starting to walk in.

"That's good," I said.

"Yep," Johnny was always smiling, he really was an optimistic person. "I don't know if I should ask but what was up with Brennan?"

"I don't know if I should say," I cupped my mouth with my hand. "He only told me for a reason."

"Is it about Alex?"

"Dude, how'd you know?" I asked puzzled.

"Alex told me that she likes Brennan," He answered. "Don't tell her I said it though, or I'll be dead meat."

"I won't bring it up," I promised.

"Now, shall we?" Johnny queried, looking up at the entrance.

"We shall," I nodded and sauntered in with him.

Johnny found a seat in the back and I proudly sat next to him. "Are these seats okay with you?" He questioned.

"They're perfect," I grinned.

—
okay so I accidentally posted this early on SO to those people who might've read this already, here's nothing new.
but to the people who didn't, here's a pretty short chapter that I wrote with only around 900 words, my apologies. This chapter isn't the most well written but I think you guys will like it.
But what do you think about Brennan? I wonder if Annie will start to like Brennan back.
hmmmmmm.
10 votes for more!
– meg