The Summer of Us

eleven

I stepped down the case of stairs, trying to be quiet because I knew Brennan was down there already. I didn't see him last night which was a good thing because I could not even look or even think about him without shivering.

I put my hood on my hoodie all the way up and pulled down the drawstring until most of my face was completely hidden. I was so close to getting to the front door but my dad must've heard footsteps.

"Annie!" He hollered from the kitchen. I flinched and stopped in my tracks just as I was about to open the door. My dad didn't holler again and maybe assumed I was still upstairs. I grabbed the doorknob and slowly opened the door, only to hear a loud creak. "Annie! Come here please!"

I groaned loud enough for the whole house to hear and trudged to the kitchen. "What do you want Bill?" I rolled my eyes as I opened the refrigerator.

"I was wondering if you wanted to eat. Well I wasn't wondering. I made you some toast if you want it. It's right there," He pointed to the small plate on the circular table, right next to Brennan. I shook my head right when I made eye contact with Brennan and quickly turned back to my dad.

"Actually I'm not hungry," I lied, which clearly I was. My stomach was growling and I wanted to eat more than anything right now. Well, I loved to eat any day but that's not the point I'm getting at.

"You sure?" He asked me as I grabbed a gallon of orange juice out from off of one of the shelves in the refrigerator. I popped off the cap and started drinking.

"Yes of course," I spoke, after gulping down a mouthful of juice. My dad cringed at me and covered his forehead with his hand.

"Annie! Ever hear of a thing called a cup?" My dad rummaged through the cabinets and took out a small cup. As he handed it to me, I clenched my fist and felt annoyed.

"I don't do cups," I replied before chugging more juice. "And why are you looking at me like you can't get more orange juice? Ever hear of a thing called, I don't know, a grocery store?" I jeered, walking out of the kitchen.

"That was freshly squeezed!" He bellowed, proud of his homemade orange juice. The guy was such a weirdo, no wonder why I don't like him one bit. "Freshly squeezed!"

"Don't care!" I chuckled, sprinting back up the stairs and into my room this time. After spending a night with my thirteen year old sister along with Brennan's fourteen year old sister, there was no way I could manage to stay another day. Let alone a month.

After all, this was my room. I didn't see a label saying it was owned by Brennan or anything. This is my dad's house, not Brennan's, so why wouldn't I have a reason to be in here?

Instead of avoiding him, why not make him avoid me?

I put the gallon of juice on my bureau before climbing up the bunk bed and plopping back down. Through my phone screen, I saw my reflection and immediately questioned myself. This was what I looked like. I had my messy hair tied back in a simple bun and I didn't even wear makeup or dress nicely, yet Brennan saw something in me.

Something that I needed to get rid of.

I called Alex right away after slipping my phone from out of my pocket. That was the first thing I thought of doing, even if she may see this as an opportunity to go in and ask him out herself. But I didn't care, I didn't like Brennan and he was single. First come, first serve I guess.

To Alex, 10:35 am
I need your help like now

I pressed send afterwards and waited a reply from her. She must take her time while answering since she didn't answer for another eight minutes or so.

From Alex, 10:43 am
Ooh what is it?

I thought of what to say since she did like Brennan herself and it would be awkward for her to help me.

To Alex, 10:44 am
Brennan kinda likes me a lot and I don't like him back so right now we aren't speaking. Woo.

From Alex, 10:45 am
I'll see what I can do ;)

I set my phone back down on my bed and hoped for the better. Alex seemed like the type of the girl to get stuff done no matter the circumstances. I could always assume wrong. I often wondered if Johnny ever did that to Alex like what Brennan did to me. Johnny was my buddy after all and I could tell he'd fall for Alex sooner or later.

I climbed out of the bunk bed and put my phone back into my back pocket. I sauntered out of the room and until I saw Brennan standing right in front of me. I froze, we froze. I pushed aside and ran downstairs, avoiding him the best as I could.

"Dad I'm going out!" I shouted just as I stood by the stairs. He probably couldn't hear me but I told him I was going so he couldn't hold that against me later on. I ran out of the house and down past the sand and rocks in the driveway.

Oh Brennan Donnelly, hopefully you will remember something from this. Don't ever fall in love with me.

Alex met me out on the pier with Johnny along with her. He stood by her side until he saw me, running over and cheering my name. The only thing I could do was smile at him.

"Johnny and I have talked," Alex froze, trying to hold in all of her excitement. "We have a great plan." She clapped her hands and hopped up and down.

"Great, but can you tell me?" I asked impatiently.

"But should we tell her?" Johnny raised an eyebrow, leaning against Alex's shoulder.

"What are you guys going with this?" I sighed.

"Don't worry Annie. We have it under control," Alex assured me.

"You guys are a bunch of idiots," I joked. "But you're my friends so I'll let you slide on this one."

—

this chapter is slow but what do you think the plan is??