The Freshman loves the Sophomore

I sat on my porch swing with my best friend, Laura, eating ice cream. We were talking about the up and coming school year. I was going to be a freshman and she was going into 8th grade. We were neighbors and the best of friends despite the age difference.
"Sophie, are you nervous?" Laura asked. Her voice was a little shaky. I think she was the nervous one.
"Yes and no." I shrugged.
Laura looked at me funny. “What do you mean?”
"I'm nervous about having to make new friends but I'm excited because it's a new place." I explained. “I’m dying to get my hands on those hot high school boys!”
Laura giggled. "Don't forget about me." She said sounding a little sad. She perked up soon though. "You have to tell me about all of the cute boys and everything!"
I laughed. "Of course I will! You’re going to be the first one I tell!"
Laura hugged me. "Good! I can't wait until next year when I can join you and Carson! Gosh, Carson’s probably going to kill me in high school but whatever.”
Carson is Laura’s older brother. He’s one year ahead of me in high school so he’ll be a sophomore.
“No he won’t.” I defended her brother who I had a tiny crush on. “He wouldn’t be that mean to you!”
“You’re right.” Laura nodded. “He’ll have his friends kill me so he doesn’t get any blood on his hands.
I laughed. “Laura! Stop!”
Just then, her brother Carson crossed from his yard into mine. He was looking cuter than ever with his hair messy, tan cargo shorts on, and no shirt.
"Laura!" He called. "Dad wants you home."
Laura looked at me. "OK, I'll try to call you later or go on AIM."
"Sure." I said, a bit distracted by Carson’s hot body. "See you."
"Hey, Sophie." Carson said.
I smiled. "Oh, um, hi, Carson."
Carson did the weird bro nod at me and then turned to his sister who was walking like a turtle. "Come on, Laura! We have to go!"
"Go where?" Laura asked with a snotty attitude in her voice.
"I don't know." He replied. "Dad just told me to come get you."
"Whatever." Laura said and smacked her brother’s arm. "Bye, Sophie!"
I waved. "Bye!"
Then Carson and Laura went home.
I went inside and called for my dad. "Laura went home." I said. "Carson came and got her."
"Ok." Dad replied. He was in his office working even though it was a Saturday.
I went to my room, flopped down on my bed, and quickly logged onto my computer.
Man, Carson was getting cuter and cuter. I thought as I waited for it to load. I wonder if I have a chance with him...
Suddenly, there was a knock at the front door. I jumped up from my computer and ran to it.
"I got it, Dad!" I yelled and rushed down the stair case.
I opened the door and there was my little sister, Samantha, who’s 9, with her friend, Haley, and Haley's mom, Mrs. Carlton.
"Hello, Mrs. Carlton." I said. "Hi, Samantha."
Mrs. Carlton gave me a stern look. "Here's your sister. Haley and I have to go. We just wanted to drop her off early." She said. "Sorry for not calling."
"Was there a problem?" I asked. I strongly sensed that there was a problem.
She took a deep breath. "Yes."
"What happened?" I asked.
Not again. I thought, feeling annoyed by Samantha and her crazy antics.
"Well, Samantha and Haley were playing ball outside and Samantha broke a window." Mrs. Carlton explained.
"It was an accident!" Samantha yelled.
"Samantha, go inside." I said sternly. Gosh, I was annoyed with her. This was the third time this week someone’s complained about her doing something.
Samantha shoved past me. She was only 9 but she had a temper.
"I'm very sorry. Would you like to talk to my dad about it?" I asked, feeling genuinely sorry.
"No." Mrs. Carlton said shaking her head. "That is all."
"Bye." I waved to her and shut the door.
"Samantha, what did you do?" Dad asked walking into the front room.
"It wasn't on purpose, daddy." Samantha said, trying to act all innocent and get Dad on her side.
"I don't care. What did you do?" He asked again.
Samantha curled herself into a ball and sat on the couch. "I broke Mrs. Carlton's window." She finally admitted. "I'm sorry!"
I walked over to Dad, interrupting his and Samantha’s fight. "When's Bryson going to be home? Wasn't Ian's dad supposed to drop him off by now?"
Bryson is my other sibling. He's 13 years old- the same age as Laura. It's kind of creepy. I think they like each other.
"Yeah, Sophie, will you call Bryson for me?" Dad asked and turned back to Samantha. I knew he was going to start screaming at her so I bolted for my room.
I found my phone amongst the mess I call a room and dialed Bryson's number. While I waited for him to answer, I listened to Dad yell at Samantha which I could hear all the way upstairs.
"What, Sophie?" Bryson finally answered.
"Watch the attitude, bro." I said bitterly. I hate it when he talks to me like that. "Dad wants you home."
"Ian's dad's driving me home right now. I should be there in 5 minutes." Bryson replied, annoyed. "What's the rush?"
"I don't know." I said. "It's the last day of summer. Dad probably wants to hang out with us."
Bryson sighed. "Whatever. Bye."
"Nice talking to you too." I said into the dead call. Then I hung up.
I assume Dad sent Samantha to her room because I heard her trudge up the stairs, down the hallway, and finally slam her door right as I got off the phone.
"Dad." I called. "Is mom coming home tonight?"
Mom was a sensitive subject with dad these days. Mom was, as of last year, an alcoholic. She came and went. We never knew if she'd be home or not. Her and dad also started fighting a lot. Dad wants to try and make it work but so far it's not going well. Usually it's Dad, Bryson, Samantha, and I. But there are the rare occasions where Mom shows up.
"I don't think so." Dad answered. He sounded a little sad.
"Is she ever going to come back?" I asked. It was a legitimate question.
"She's been gone since last Tuesday and it's Sunday now." Dad stated. "You never know with your mother."
I said ok and then went back to my room.
I checked my screen which said that Laura was on AIM now.
LaughingLaura: Hey girly!
SportySophie: Bryson's coming home soon
LaughingLaura: Ok... when?
SportySophie: Any minute now
LaughingLaura: Can I come over?
SportySophie: Hurry!
LaughingLaura: Putting my shoes on now. Open the door!
SportySophie: You got it babe!
We logged off and I ran to the door to wait for Laura.
“Dad!” I yelled. “Laura’s coming over for dinner!”
“I thought she just left?” Dad called back to me from his office.
I laughed. “Well, she’s coming back!”
Dad said OK and I walked to the front door right in time.
Laura ran over and I swung open the door. She sat down on my couch and we laughed.
Then Bryson pulled up in his friend Ian's dad's car.
"Perfect timing!" I exclaimed and winked at Laura.
We high-fived.
I let Bryson in the house and he panicked when he saw Laura.
"I have to go." He said nervously. "I'll be in my room."
Then he sprinted down the hall.
Laura and I laughed.
"Typical boy!" We both said.
Later that evening but before dinner, Laura's parents, Amelia and Bob, and Carson came over. Apparently when Dad found out Laura was staying for dinner, he invited Laura’s whole family too, just to be polite.
"Hey." Carson said to me. "Are you ready for school tomorrow, freshman?"
I giggled. "Yes. Are you, sophomore?"
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Ah, Sophie, I remember when I was a freshman-”
“That was last year, Carson.” I interrupted him.
Carson glared at me. “Don’t ruin the moment.”
Laura laughed and then left the room to look for Bryson.
"So, you don't know anyone at Ironwood?" Carson asked, referring to Ironwood High School.
"Just you." I answered. "But I make friends easily so I'll be fine." I flashed Carson a smile. "Why?"
"Nothing." He was quiet all of a sudden.
I slapped his arm. "What?! Tell me!"
"Nothing!" He repeated, this time with a little smile. "I swear."
Laura and Bryson walked back into the room.
"What's up with you two?" Carson asked. “You’re acting weird around each other.”
They both shrugged.
Bryson finally spoke. "You think Laura and I are acting weird around each other? You should see you guys!”
“Bryson.” I sighed. “What are you talking about?”
“You like my sister, Sophie, huh, Carson?" Bryson blurted.
What the hell is he saying?! I thought to myself. I was so confused.
"No way!" Carson yelled immediately. His face turned a little red. "That would be weird!"
I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, totally!"
Laura smirked at her brother. “Sure, Carson.”
Bryson smirked at me too. “Sure, Sophie.”