Summer Love

Prologue

April 7th, 2009

     Today is Rosaline's birthday, my best friend and my very first crush. She turns eight today, which technically makes her old enough for a peck on the cheek right? I was planning to tell her how I felt today, so I tried to look as decent as I could.

     "Andre, it's time to leave for Rosa's party!" My mom said as she grabs the keys to the house.

     "Okay mom, I'm coming." I said. I hurried downstairs excitedly with her gift, almost tripping. Rosa lives next door from us, so it wasn't a problem getting there. As I walked out the house, I practiced on what to say and how I should say it. I felt my palms getting moist, so I had to run my hands down my pants.

     While running up her doorstep, I saw the door open widely, and next thing I knew, Rosa was squeezing me tightly.

     "You made it," She said. Rosa was so close I could smell her sweet scent. She smelled like candy. It was a nice aroma that I had gotten used to over the years we've known each other.

     "Of course I made it," I said "I wouldn't miss your birthday!" I hand her her gift, which I helped pick. It was nice, my mom wrapped it and finished it with a bow on top. She loves arts and crafts. Aside from that, she also makes furniture, I found it pretty cool.

     My mom ushered Rosa and I inside so she could greet Rosa's mom. They've known each other ever since Rosa's mom moved from Philippines, five years ago.

     Rosa and I run upstairs, and we enter her room. It's pretty in here, Rosa hates it though. She dislikes all the princesses that covered her walls. She also doesn't like how pink her wallpapers are. She told me once, "When I get older, I'm going to paint this room a blue color. Something that's less bright. You should help me, it's gonna be a lot of work."

     "You ready?" Rosa asks.

     I grin, "You know it." I approach her and she holds out her hand. I shake it, then I give it a high-five, and then I clasp her hands and pull her towards me. I give her a pat on the back while she gives me a hug. We've been doing this since we were six, when we saw older kids doing it too. We found it pretty cool.

     I grabbed her wrists and held them. I let out a big sigh.

     "Rosa I have to tell you-" I started to say, but I heard my mom screaming for me to get downstairs. I look at her, and I turn away and scrambled downstairs to where my mom reached for me and dragged me to our house.

     "Mom, what's happening?"

    "We have to go home." She replied.

     We reached home, and she told me to stay in my room and to lock the door. I could see the fear in her eyes.

     "I love you a lot Andre," She cried out. I heard the front door open and slam. She ran downstairs.

     That's when I heard nothing but glasses falling and shattering. Screams filling the room. Shouting and yelling. Crying.

    Gunshots.

     Ambulance and police sirens.

     Ringing in my ears.

     Darkness consumed me.