Skinny Love | l.h.

Prologue

"Why do we have to go to Grandma's house every summer?" I groan as I stare out the window.

I've probably asked this question a million times today. I definitely was not looking forward to this trip. I hardly ever do, not since I was a little girl at least.

"Because, Bree, she's your grandmother and she loves spending time with you. She probably doesn't have much longer on this Earth and it would break her heart if you didn't come." My mom tells me the same thing she's been telling me all day.

"But I could be on vacation with Abby right now!" I argue.

My best friend Abby asked if I wanted to go on vacation to L.A. with her family around the last day of school. Of course, my mom declined the offer for me since we already had plans. Abby and I had a whole speech ready explaining why she should let me go to L.A. instead of Australia, where my grandma lives. I'm sure to most people Australia would be a better choice than L.A., but try making that choice when you've been to Australia almost every summer since you were born. I've already seen all that's there for me to see in Sydney. We don't really do much when we're there anyway. We mostly sit around the house for "family bonding," as my mom calls it.

"Family always comes first, you know that." My mom says sternly.

I roll my eyes, "I don't think Grandma would've minded if I missed just one summer at her house."

"Bree, we've had this argument too many times. You're going to Australia and that's that. We're already on our way to the airport so there's no changing my mind." She glares at me from the passenger seat. My dad hasn't said a word since the argument started. He has just kept all of his focus on the road. He always tries to stay out of it. The arguments between my mom and I can get out of hand sometimes.

"You just love ruining my life, don't you?" I mutter to myself, not really caring if my mom heard me or not.

"Bree Elisabeth Thompson! Do you want to be grounded the whole summer? I suggest you stop talking before you say something you regret." I know my mom is about ready to kill me by now. That's a problem I have when arguing. I just can't seem to keep my mouth shut.

I do the smart thing and just glare at her. There's so much more I want to say but I bite my tongue to keep myself from saying anything else. A few seconds later, she turns back around in her seat and faces forward. I already know we probably won't be speaking for the rest of the day.

My dad finally says something since we've been in the car, "There shouldn't be a reason why you don't have any friends in Australia. You've been going since you were a baby."

"I do, but most of them are going out of town for the summer." I have a little more attitude laced in my voice than I meant to so I change my tone before speaking again. "Except for Michael."

I met Michael two summers ago through my grandma. I guess his mom was friends with her and they both came over for dinner one night. We were both left sitting away from everyone else and we kind of just started talking. Our friendship just kind of happened. I wouldn't say it's a very close friendship since we don't speak to each other once summer's over.

"Clifford?" He asks.

"Yeah, what other Michael?"

"I don't know how I feel about Michael..." My dad shakes his head as he says this. He's never been very fond of Michael. He finds him annoying sometimes and doesn't like the fact that he dyes his hair crazy colors all the time. He's gone from pink, to blue, to bleach blonde, to a galaxy type color. Name any color and I'm sure Michael has had it in his hair.

"What's wrong with Michael?" I question even though I know the answer already. My dad has never really said the reason out loud, I can just tell.

"He's just...odd."

The rest of the ride to the airport is quiet and I'm glad. I'm not really in the mood to talk to anyone anyway. I jump when I feel my phone vibrate on my lap when I'm on the plane. The name that flashes on the screen surprises me because it's a name I never expected to see. It was from Michael.

From Michael: Hey! Are you almost here?

Michael and I exchanged numbers a while ago but we never made an effort to text each other all the time. We never really needed to. I find it odd that he's asking me if I'm almost to Australia yet.

To Michael: I'm waiting for the plane to take off so I won't be there for a while. Why?

From Michael: I have a few people I want to introduce you to. :)

To Michael: Like who?

From Michael: You'll see when you get here!

I text Michael back and tell him I'll see him when I get there since the plane is about to take off. I put my phone on airplane mode and plug my earphones into my phone. The whole plane ride I think about who the hell Michael would want to introduce me to.

(A/N)

Hi guys! This is going to be a fanfic I'll be writing at the same time as Falling Hard. The idea just popped into my head and I wanted to write it down before I lost it. I'll be updating Falling Hard really really soon. I've just been focusing a tiny bit more on school lately. School always comes first unfortunately. If it were up to me I would write all the time but I can't. This chapter is kind of short but it's only the prologue. The chapters will get longer as I go. Anyway, I hope you like it! :) PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT.