Just Summer Things

Chapter 1- Neighbours

 "Did you hear?We're going to get new neighbours!"Calum shrieked.

"Ugh.What was wrong with the old hag?"I replied, rolling my eyes.

I wasn't too excited about 'new neighbours'.Honestly,I couldn't care less about whoever rents the apartment opposite to mine.Sure, I'm curious to see what kind of people they may be, but I doubt they'd be any better than that annoying old lady.

"Don't call her that.Ms. Eastwood's going back to England to live with her daughter or something.Where were you when she came to say goodbye yesterday?"Calum asked, disappointment coating his words.

"I dunno.Probably doing something better than listening to an old senile lady rant about how our generation is the reason for this failure of an economy."I retorted. 

Calum just rolled his eyes and walked back into his room."Apparently, the girl who's moving in next door is the same age as you.You may finally get a friend."He gave me subtle smirk and slammed the door shut.Always has to make a dramatic exit.

I decide to go back to my room and focus on studying.This is going to be the year I show them that I'm not just good looks.I sprawl on the bed and take out my textbook.Ugh..math.I do a few problems and shut my eyes, hoping to get some sleep.Tomorrow's gonna be a long day.

..........................................................................................

I wake up to the sound of my horrendous alarm, or in other words, my mother.

"Wake up, shit stain."

Wait.I doubt my mother would call me that.I was expecting an 'if you don't get your ass off this friggin bed...."but today looks different.

I flutter my eyes open,trying to get used to the light right up in my face.I looked out of the windows to see it was still dark outside.Wait, what?

In front of me lay Calum, with a flashlight in his hand.What the hell is wrong with this retard?He has to ensure that I don't get a good night's sleep.

"What do you want...prick?"I sleepily ask.Today wasn't a good day for my insult game.I glare at my older brother, who just stood there smirking.

"We're gonna spy on the new neighbours"He blankly stated.

"No we aren't"

"Yes we are"

"No"

"Yes"

"Nuh uh"

"Yuh uh"

"Nope"

"Yup"

That conversation went on for a while until I hurled my pillow straight at his hideous face.

"What was that for?!"He glared, as he tried to sort out his now-dishevelled dirty blonde hair,which I never inherited.

"For ruining my sleep.Now go."I commanded, as I tried to go back to my peaceful sleep.

But before I knew it, I was dragged out of bed and into the living room to spy on some girl who moved in next door.We took turns looking out of the peephole trying to make out her appearance in the dark.From what I saw, she looked about my age, had wavy,caramel locks, and had pale skin.I wasn't able to get a proper look at her face, as she carried a huge box covering half her body.

"Are you gonna make her fall for you too?"I heard Calum snicker.I turned to glare at him, but he was more or less right.She was perfect for my next victim.Have her fall for me, date her for a month or so,break up and leave her heartbroken.The normal routine of a playboy.I don't mean to brag,but I was pretty popular.I had a swarm of girls at all times, just looking at them would cause them to faint.Guess I'm a charmer.

Calum was no different.When he was in high school, he was the man.Breaking girls hearts left and right.But, he changed.He is a warning for me to never fall in love.He fell in love, and ended up getting his heart broken.He stopped seeing women as mere playthings.He changed, in a weird way.I never expected him to be someone who would settle down.

Well, he's an example of how dangerous love can be.But I, am not.It took time to get my reputation, and I'm not going to let it fall down because of some girl.

                                                                   ~ •~

"Ugh..these boxes sure are heavy."

"Honey, there are only two more.Just keep them in here"

"Okay mom" I replied, stumbling in the dark.I already tripped thrice.I do not want more bruises.As I entered my new home,I was greeted by the smell of cardboard, probably from the boxes.

"YES!ITS FINALLY DONE." I heard my mom yell from inside.I let out a sigh of relief and went back to lock the door.I wonder what my new neighbours would be like.

Just as I went to lock the door, I heard shuffling from inside the opposite apartment.I  could hear muffled voices.I went a bit closer to the apartment, and I could hear someone shushing someone .Weirded out, I rushed back into the apartment and locked the door.Creepy.

So far, I confirmed our neighbours were weirdos.They sounded like men.I hope they aren't perverted stalkers or anything.Since it was pretty late, I just headed into my new room and plopped onto my new bed.No matter how many times I tried, I couldn't sleep.It felt different.It didn't feel like home.The smell of the new mattress didn't help either.After a lot of twisting and turning, I finally fell asleep.

He wrapped me into a tight hug and I could feel tears roll down my back.He pulled away and tried to hold back his tears.But he broke out once again and gave me a hug.

"This isn't your fault.Always remember that I'll always love you.A-and..I'm sorry.."His words cracking towards the end.Both of us crying in each others embrace.

"Daddy..no..don't!"I screamed, choking on my breath.

"I'm so sorry.Daddy will always love you."

"NO DADDY!"

And then everything was a blur.I screamed and screamed till I thought my lungs would give out.My mother came rushing to my aid, only for her to start screaming and crying.

There he lay, with both his wrists slit.He was immediately rushed to the hospital, only to find out it was too late.Why?Why did you leave me..?

I jumped up, choking and gasping for air.I forgot to take the damn pills.Why does this always happen?When I thought I finally got over it..

"Honey, are you alright?!"My mother came rushing into my room.She knew what was going on and gave me a glass of water and kept on patting my back.

"Is it that..?"She slowly asked.I gave a shaky nod and she engulfed me into a warm hug.I could feel small tears fall onto my back as well.We sat there crying in each others arms for a while.

"Don't forget to take your pills dear.You know what happens when you do.."Her voice slowly trailing off as she gave me a kiss on my forehead after tucking me into bed.

"Get some rest.Let's go shopping tomorrow, and we'll buy some pizza.Or anything you want really.Goodnight now."She said as she switched the lights off and went back to her room.

I still couldn't sleep.I stared at my ceiling replaying the dream in my head.Every time I thought about it, my eyes filled with tears.

I need to move on.It's all in the past.I can't do anything now.This is a chance to restart-

It's all your fault.

Those words kept on ringing in my head as I tried to fall back to sleep.It's finally done.We finally moved from that horrible neighbourhood.Those wretched people, those-

My thoughts are cut off as I finally drift of to a peaceful sleep.

.......................................................................................