The Best Year Yet

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Once I got inside my house, I grabbed my Yeti and filled it up with some water. I decided to make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. After I finished making it, I grabbed an apple and sat down at the island and turned on some music and went through all my paperwork from school. Just as I looked at my last page, it was 3:15 and I had to meet Lily at the beach in about thirty minutes.

My mom walked in the front door pushing her deep brown hair of her shoulder. She is slightly shorter than me. Elliot and I got her dark brown hair and deep brown eyes. We got our height from her and our father. While they were still together, I always thought of them as a power couple. They work at the same firm, are successful lawyers and were once the parents that kissed in the kitchen while making dinner. They both seemed so happy back then. Our father is of a tall stature. He is going on six foot four and he and Elliot are splitting images of each other. Elliot hasn't been the same since our dad moved out; they were so close. 

"Hey honey, did you see that someone was finishing moving in next door?" She asked

"Yeah, I saw that. Nobody has lived there for a couple of years." I replied

"I think I'm going to make some cookies to take over to welcome them into the neighborhood. I'll wait until you and Elliot get home to head over." She said

"Okay. That sounds nice. Do you need me to pick anything up?" I asked

"Actually, it would be nice if you picked up some flowers to pick up to take over. I'll give you some cash." She said as she walked over to her purse to grab a twenty

"Okay, mom. I should be home around 6:00." I said

"Okay, sweetie. Just make sure you let me know when you're coming home." She said

"I will. I'm going to go get ready." I replied

I put my dishes in the dishwasher and headed upstairs to my room. I went into my closet and grabbed a light blue bikini set and put that on with a thin romper over it. I grabbed some flip-flops and headed back downstairs to get a few snacks and sunscreen. After I finished getting ready, I said bye to my mom and headed out to my Jeep. As I was starting my car I noticed a girl around my age going into the house.

After a short ride to the beach, I was ready to lay out and do nothing for an hour. I parked my car, grabbed my Yeti, my speaker and my beach bag and met Lily at our spot.

"Hey, Nicky! Long time no see" She yelled from across the beach.

"Hey, Lil!" I yelled as she was coming out of the water with her surfboard.

"I think I'm going to grab a smoothie, do you want to come with me?" She asked

"Yeah! I'm going to try the strawberry kiwi one." I said as we headed towards the smoothie shack. 

Another fun fact about me: I love smoothies. I will take them anytime I can get them. I love trying new ones, especially from the smoothie shack.

"Wow, that one sounds really good. I think I'm just going to the strawberry banana one." She replied

Lily and I both ordered our smoothies and headed back down to the beach.

"Hey, I'm so excited for what this year is going to bring for us." Lily said

"I know. Me too. It's going to absolutely be great." I said as I set up my towel on the sand so I could get to tanning.

Lily surfed while I tanned and around 5:00 we decided it was time to pack up and head home.

"Okay, I'll FaceTime you later. Love ya!" She yelled as she got into her buggy.

"Okay. Love you!" I yelled as I was backing out of the parking space.

I headed towards the florist shop on 54th street. As I was walking in, I saw these gorgeous sunflowers and I knew I had to get those. I grabbed the flowers and headed towards the register. I paid for the flowers and headed back home.

As I was opening the door, I smelled the sweet smell of chocolate chip cookies that my mom made from her very own recipe.

"Hey, mom. I'm home with these beautiful sunflowers." I said as I closed the front door

"Hey, honey. Oh my gosh, those are beautiful. I'm just about to package these cookies up and then I think we should head over to next door. Could you go get your brother? He's upstairs in his room." She asked

"Of course. I'll be right back." I said as I headed upstairs

I was about to knock on Elliot's door and I heard a girl's voice coming from his room. It sounded like a phone call or through FaceTime. I decided I would let him finish talking and I would just go get changed.

I went into my room and took off my bikini and put on a pair of athletic shorts and one of my club soccer shirts. I went into the bathroom and fixed my hair a bit and washed my face. I headed to knock on his door. 

"Hey, Elliot. Mom wants us downstairs." I said through his closed door.

"Okay, Nicole. I'll be down in two minutes." He said

I went back downstairs and hung out by the island with my mom until Elliot came downstairs. I may have snuck a cookie or two.

"Okay, are you guys ready to head next door?" she asked

"Yep. I'm anxious to see who are new neighbors are." Elliot said

We locked the front door and headed over with cookies and flowers in hand.

My mom knocked on the door and an extremely nice looking lady opened the door, smiling.

"Hello, I am Melissa Miranda, and these are my two goofball children, Nicole and Elliot Miranda." My mom said, smiling.

"Hello! Come on in!" the lady said, "My name is Alex. I'll go grab my kids. I'll be right back."

"She seems nice." I whispered to my mom.

Just then she came back in with a girl my age and a very familiar boy.

I hope you all are enjoying my story so far! If so, I would love it if you guys hit the little vote button on your screen. Thanks so much!

~ Kayla :)