Sincerely, Adam.

Mask it. Conceal it. Try not to feel it.

I know I am a Brookes and that I should know how to flirt and everything. I do know how to, but I have a fear of rejection. But that’s where I pull my mask back on. I’ve had this mask since Mum passed away, so I’ve had time to practise.

Lauren pointed at a guy with black hair whose back seemed very muscular. He was tall, but I couldn’t study the rest of him as he was facing the other way. There were a group of girls surrounding him and I knew for a fact that this one was a player.

As I inched closer to him I realized that he was Adam. And not far from a distance were my brothers. Unbelievable! All three had their arms wrapped around a girl that would scream ‘easy’, while Adam was just mingling edging his way to the next move.  I ignored it and recited a scene from the God, Will Smith.

I walked through the crowd of girls and slipped a twenty dollar bill in Adam’s hand and casually said, “Two margaritas please waiter!” I walked away knowing that he had a shocked and insulted face on.

“Hey! Hey, bitch!” I turned around with my left brow pointed up, “Do I look like a fucking waiter!?” He hands me back my money and attempts to walk away, but a catch his fist and hold it in place.

I smirked because he was going to give in easily, “I know, how else was I supposed to get you away from them.” I whispered in his ear.

He sneered at me and eyed me up and down. Wow! He had no idea who I was. I looked around and my brothers were still engulfed with their entertainment. But Bella was the most shocked. She didn’t notice that Lauren picked out her brother.

“How about I buy you a beer?” He asked huskily.

I shook my head knowing I won’t win a bet with a plain beer.

“No. I just need your 10 digits.” I winked at him.
He smiled and gazed at me for a while before he grabbed a napkin off of the table and a pen out of his pocket and wrote down his number. I took the napkin and placed my hand on his chest. My lips brushed past his jaw line so I could whisper to him softly and I could feel him hardening, “Welcome home Aids.” I said in all innocence.

Adam’s eyes widened at the realization of who I was. “Summer?” he choked out. I gave him a little wave as I retreated to my seat with my prize.

“I hope you took notes ladies, because that is how it’s done.” I high-fived them and shoved the napkin under my beer as a coaster. I already had his number, but I just wanted to tease him.

Bella had a genuine grin, “That was hilarious! My brother had no idea it was you until you said ‘Aids’. I can’t believe you still remember that.” We laughed and clinked our beers together, “I think you bruised his ego a bit, Summer.” She faked sounding sad but then burst into laughter and drank her beer again.

Once our laughter calmed down I noticed that Adam was dragging one of the girls to the back but he noticed my gaze. His finger traced across his throat then pointed to me initiating payback. But all I could do was  raise my beer to him.  

He wasn’t about to get under my skin. I have known him nearly all my life. I know some secrets about him that he would kill me if I told anyone. He was always quite the looker and always played games with the opposite sex, but never with me. And I never felt insulted. Should I?

But he left me. He left me. Those three words were enough for me to be pissed at him again.

Two fingers snapped in my direction to get my attention back, “Are going to dance with me, or am I going to third wheel the dirty dancing couple over there?” She said pointing to Lauren and Drew who were grinding on each other. She dragged me to the dance floor and moved to the beat.

Two guys approached us that seemed our age and asked if we wanted to dance. “I’m sorry but I’m not into guys!” Bella yelled over the music.

“What about you?”

“I’m sorry but I’m only into her.” They both left leaving me and Bella laughing hysterically. I don’t know if it was the alcohol or not, but I was definitely loosening up. Bella and I danced until two large arms engulfed me from behind. At first I was afraid of who it was, until I turned my head to lock eyes with Adam.

“I don’t like what you did Summer that was so unfair.” Adam said pouting. I unlatched his arms and folded my arms over my chest.

“I’m sorry, but I never gave a fuck.” I snapped coldly. I was pissed that he didn’t remember me, yet he seemed to remember every other girl at school. To be honest, I was kind of disappointed that he remembered every skank yet he couldn’t remember the girl who saved him from my parents yelling at him all the time.

“Woah Summer, no need to go all feisty on me. I could’ve arrived any other time but I had to come when it was your time of the month didn’t I?” He kind of killed my buzz so I did what I used to do to him. I pinched then twisted his ear and he bended over in agony.

“How are you Adam, oh that’s good to hear. Oh me? I am fine, thanks for asking.” I faked a conversation then pulled away and walked out.

I saw Tyler’s bike and I also saw that Drake came with his Jeep so I straddled on Ty’s night rod,  I pulled over the helmet and grabbed his spare keys that I kept. I sped off to the first place that I could think of.

It was early in the morning and I had been sitting on the swing on the beach for three hours waiting for my second favourite part of the day. Once Mum passed away I ran away from home to find a new safe haven. I found this rope swing attached to a tree just above the water.

“Now, just guide your way through the cones on the grass, Summer.” Mum said. I gently steered the car around the hay stacks and cones that Mum placed on the grass. We were at our Grandparents’ farm and Mum thought that she could somehow teach me how to drive.

“That’s great Summer, just breathe this is fine.” Her voice was smooth and calm, she trusted me. Mum’s blonde hair was brushed through the wind and shone in the natural light that came from the sky. Mum was absolutely beautiful.

My eyes begin to prickle at the thought of her. I missed her genuine smile and her warm hugs when I felt sad.