Summer Air

Chapter 1

I leaned against my bedroom window sill looking outside to the moving truck parked in the driveway of the neighboring house. A woman walked inside carrying a box. There were two teenage boys grabbing boxes from the truck while a little girl carried a little box inside following her mother.

I watched the teenagers as they grabbed boxes and headed inside. One stopped in his tracks on his way to the door and looked up to my window. I quickly ducked.

"Fuck,"I cursed hoping he didnt see me.

After a couple seconds of waiting I peaked my head up to find he had walked inside.

"Katherine!"my mom called from downstairs.

"Coming!"I yelled back.

I rushed downstairs and to the kitchen. She was cooking dinner.

"Yes?"I asked.

"Me and your father came up with an idea,"she said.

"Okay?"I asked,"Which is?"

"Well, since we have some new neighbors we decided to invite them over for dinner,"she said smiling.

"What?"

"Yup. But we haven't asked them over yet. That's where you come in,"my mom said grinning.

"Why do I have to do it?"I ask groaning.

"Because I said so. Now go get some shoes on and go,"she said shooing me out of the kitchen.

I sighed not wanting to argue and headed upstairs for my shoes. Before grabbing my shoes I walk to my window. I look outside to see the boys back outside grabbing more boxes. I then grab my shoes and sit on the side of my bed. I put them on and headed downstairs.

"What exactly am I supposed to say?"I asked as I headed to the end of the staircase.

"That your loving parents wanted to have a proper introduction with them and would love for them to come over for dinner!"my mom called from the kitchen.

"Loving parents,"I repeated,"that's a bit much."

"I heard that! I might be in the kitchen but that doesn't mean I can't hear!"she called.

I then rushed out of the house before I got into real trouble. The second I step outside I freeze up, making eye contact with Oliver. Oliver Night. The boy I've liked since first grade and who has lived across the street from me. The boy who has a bowl full of cookies in his hands.

"Whatcha got there?"I ask.

"Peace offering for the new neighbors. I can see you forgot yours inside,"he says looking down to my empty hands,"No signature Avery's pie?"

"We are trying something new. Called dinner,"I say as he crosses the street towards me.

"Sounds fancy,"he says,"Are we invited?"

"Ruby is always invited,"I correct.

Ruby Night is his cousin who lives with him. Who is also my best friend. She knows I like him and she supports it, thankfully.

"So we are! That's great to hear,"he says smirking.

I roll my eyes and walk with him to the neighbor's house. The boys appear to be inside. There are still boxes in the truck. Me and Oliver walk to the front door and I ring the doorbell.

"Yes! Coming!"a woman calls from somewhere in the house.

The door is half open and there are boxes everywhere. We stand there a minute and then a woman appears in the doorway. She opens the door fully, revealing the little girl from earlier behind her.