Everything Changes

Chapter 5: Bad Memories

The sun shining through my window wakes me up, out of my slumber. Last night's dreams in the back of my mind. Where is Emma? As if on cue, I hear laughter coming from downstairs. I sat up in my bed, stretching, before pulling my comforter back so that I could go investigate.

My mom was making breakfast. Emma was sitting at the kitchen counter watching her as my mom was explaining how she got her pancakes extra fluffy. They noticed me instantly. "Good morning sweetheart. How did you sleep?" That was a loaded question. One which I wasn't particularly wanting to answer.

I walked over to the fridge as I answered carefully as. "I slept fine." She flipped over the pancake sitting in the pan. "Would you mind waking the boys up? And remind your brother to mow the lawn, please."

"Yeah, no problem mom." I place the carton of orange juice on the counter. Before heading back upstairs. The sound of my fist lightly knocking against my brother's door earns me a groan from the other side. I knock louder, but am met with a "Go away."

My knocks become louder. "Mom said to get your lazy butt out of bed, so you can eat before you mow the lawn!" I give another quick round of rapid knocks on the door before walking away. "Alright, alright,  just stop yelling."

I made my way downstairs victorious. My mom and Emma were staring at me. "Aria, did you have to yell?" She asked, shaking her head.
Emma's phone beeps. She grabs it. "What's up?" I ask.

"Oh it's just Liam. He wants to come over and go swimming." Hmm. I finished pouring myself a glass of orange juice. "That sounds fun." My brother walked by, grabbing the glass out of my hand. My drink was stolen. Andrew smirked, taking a big swig of my drink.

"That was mine, you big meanie." I narrowed my eyes at him. He does a little happy dance as he continues drinking it. "Well, sharing is caring." He replied, winking. My mom chimed in. "Behave, both of you."

"Yes ma'am." We chimed. I went to take my seat with the rest of them, but mom pulled me aside for a second. Apparently, Andrew had told our mom about the nightmare from last night. She suggested lightly that I start therapy again. I politely declined. Only offering to keep an open mind about it to appease her. Therapy didn't help me.

      After breakfast Emma and I went upstairs to get changed. I chose a one-piece to help hide my scar.
  Once we were finished changing we grabbed our towels, water bottles, and sunscreen. "What are you two girls up to?" Andrew and Zack asked as we walked past them. Grass covered all over them. "Liam is coming over so we are going for a swim."

     "Sweet. We will go get cleaned off and meet you out there." They started to walk off. "Oh? Who said you were invited?" I wasn't going swimming with an orange juice thief. "You forget little sis, it's my house as well. Plus I'm older." He teases me before walking away.
      
The doorbell chimed through the house. We greeted Liam before heading outside. He did his thing, telling us how beautiful we looked in our swimsuits. The flirt. Emma flipped her hair stating that she knew this. I chose to ignore him and dived into the pool. The cold water shocked my system.

"How can you just dive in like that? Without dipping your toes in first. It's probably cold." Liam stood. Arms crossed. Emma sprawled out next to the edge of the pool. She always soaked up the sun for as long as she could before getting in.

The backdoor slides open a little later. Zack stepped out, looking amazing in his swim trunks. I sunk into the water, it was barely just below my nose. I couldn't stop staring at him. He wasn't paying attention as he and Andrew struck up a conversation.

"Girl, how can you just jump in there like that? Isn't it cold?" I looked up and shrugged. "I guess I just have bigger balls than you." Liam stood at the steps, crossing his arms, still not getting in the pool. Emma, on the other hand, was easing to the second step.
            
Suddenly, we make eye contact and my heart skips a beat. He runs, jumping in the pool. I swim backwards to avoid the splash zone. His head pops up out of the water, his hands pushing his dripping hair out of his face. "That's pretty cold." He says in surprise. He shivered lightly. Flexing his muscles as he did so.

I could have fainted right then and there. Liam dunking Emma caught my attention momentarily. "What was that for?" She shoved him. "Not my fault you are such an easy target." She pinched him causing him to yelp.

"How about a game of chicken?" Andrew asked. "I'm in. Care to be my partner Aria?" The idea of playing chicken wasn't very intriguing. The thought of being that close to Zack? It made me feel nervous. I nod at him.

"Well, guess I am the lonely one, so I'll be the ref." Liam stated as he swam over to the edge of the pool, hoisting himself up.