The Lake House

Chapter 1: "Nice to meet you."

Chloe's POV

Today is a beautiful day for a trip. Sorry if my handwriting is a bit messy; I haven't mastered writing in a car yet. But don't worry journal, I'm working on it.
Anyways, today is the first time I'm going to my parents' lake house... Well the first time since they passed away. I find it ironic since every lake house I know is abandoned by its owners. Especially in TV shows and movies. Maybe I'll even get eaten by a vampire... Or bitten by a vampire... I don't know how that works.
I don't know what to expect on this trip. It's been six years since they passed... I was only thirteen. I don't know how to feel.
If it wasn't for Bonnie coming along with me, I think I'd end up crying on the front porch... But Bonnie has my back if anything happens. She always has my back.

"We're here," Bonnie says, snapping me out of my journaling. I look out the window and see the long-awaited lake house. It looks more depressing than it usually does. "Lets do this."

She exits the car and heads towards the trunk. I sigh before shoving my journal into my backpack and getting out of the car. I take a minute to admire my surroundings.

In this area, there are only two lake houses. The bigger one is my parents... Which I guess is mine now... And the one next to mine is another family. Well, if they still live there. I haven't seen them since my parents' death.

I look in front of me and see the beautiful Lake George. I look at the few canoes floating on top of the river. I smile, remembering how my dad would always yell at me for not paddling. But he never really cared that I didn't help; he just enjoyed my company. I miss him.

"Come on Chloe," Bonnie calls from the door. I look as she walks in with her bags.

I walk over to the trunk and take out my two luggages. I'm planning on staying for a month... Mainly to clear out the house but I wanted some time to collect my thoughts.

My brother, Ashton, went MIA after their death. He's a couple years older than me so he took everything much harder. I've tried reaching out to him in every way but clearly, he didn't want to be contacted. I wish I knew where he was. I need him back in my life.

It also doesn't help that he and Bonnie used to date. It was weird at first but I got over it. But she hasn't. I think she has a secret shrine for him.

Once I get all my stuff from the car, I head into the lake house. I leave everything by the door and walk around the house. Nothing has changed; just the amount of dust everywhere. I walk over to the fridge and notice very expired food in there. I mentally barf and shut the door.

"I'm in the guest room, right?" Bon asks as I nod. "Alright. I'm going to head into town to buy groceries. Are you okay on your own?"

I roll my eyes, "just because I haven't been here in a while doesn't mean I can't be left alone," I say as she gives me a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry Bon, I'll be fine."

She nods before leaving. I close the door behind her before resuming my tour around the house. Everything just feels weird. Like it doesn't feel right to be here without my family.

I walk down the two wooden steps and make my way into the living room. The huge flat screen TV remains mounted on to the wall. So does Ashton's Xbox. I've tried being a gamer... Ultimate fail.

To my right was the oh so famous family picture. I mentally laugh at the sight I'm seeing. It's the most basic pose for a family picture and I dreaded taking it. My teenage self would still be cringing at the picture.

But it's the last thing I have of them... Besides this lake house.

🌲

It has been an hour or so and I've been unpacking all my stuff. Everyone was always jealous of my room because I had the best view of the lake. It also has a small balcony to relax.

My phone vibrates. I take it out of my pocket and look at the notification:

Bon Bon 💓
Heading back now... with a surprise 😉

A surprise? What kind of surprise do you get when you go to the grocery store? Watch it be a candy bar or something.

I shake my head before putting my phone away. I finish folding my clothes and put them away in my closet. I let out a sigh of relief. I'm home... That feels weird to say. I always thought of this place as a temporary vacation spot.

All of a sudden, I hear knocking on the door. My head instantly goes into panic mode. Bonnie has a key so she wouldn't need to knock. Who else could it be? ... Is it a vampire? God what's wrong with me.

I quietly made my way downstairs and contemplated on getting a knife. But it wasn't dark out just yet so this person wouldn't murder me... Right?

I open the door, revealing a guy holding a pie. Holy cow his eyes are amazing.

"Hey," he says, giving me a smile. Ugh... That smile. "I saw you and your friend move in earlier and I wanted to welcome you back with this pie."

I continue to stare at his face, "we've met before, haven't we?"

He chuckles, "yes, we have. But it's been a while and by the looks of it, you don't remember me."

"I'm really sorry I don't... Please come in," I say, opening the door wider to let him in. "I know there's no real excuse for me to not remember you but-"

"It's totally understandable with everything going on," he cuts in. "Well, my name's Shawn."

"I'm Chloe," I smile.

"Nice to meet you."