I Promise

24

I decide that I'm not ready to go back inside, so I opt to call Scarlett and hang out with her. She picks up after one ring and before I know it I'm by the steps to her house.

She hugs me as she opens her door.

"What's up?" she asks, smiling mysteriously. "Boy trouble?" she asks.

I feel a bit of twisting in my gut. Scarlett has always been extremely honest with me about everything. Every time she had a problem, whether it was her parents, school, anything, she told me. She felt safe to seek advice from me, and apparently I gave good advice. But I never really went to her and told her anything personal. I never went to anyone. It just made me feel like I was burdening people with my shit that doesn't even matter because it's not even that bad.

"Earth to Rynn. You okay?" she asks. "I was only kidding about the boy drama thing."

I smile and playfully punch her in the shoulder. "Of course you were."

Scarlett laughs and I follow her inside. Her parents are out visiting her older brother in college so the house is kind of chaotic. Scarlett has three brothers in the house. She is the only girl besides her mom, so no wonder she grew up so tough and tomboyish.

Just as I walk into the kitchen I am bombarded by Chase, her ten year old brother. He was running with a football until he ran right into me.

"Hey Rynn! Sorry gotta go!" he yells as he dashes out. I don't have enough time to say anything when Eli, the twelve year old, runs right past me screaming at Chase who was winning at their game of football.

Scarlett gives me a look, then dashes out to her brothers who look like they're about to break at least one thing in the house.

She comes back a second later carrying Chase over her shoulder, and Eli following behind her.

"Go in the backyard. I am not going to let you guys tear the house down. Or better yet, go to the school field. It's empty," she hisses at them. They just stand there and erupt in laughter as they dash out in the backyard, and Scarlett just rolls her eyes. She looks at me and we both laugh.

I find it great how Scarlett is so close with her siblings. Peyton is too quiet for me to really talk to her, and JT and Ashton are always off with their favourite person in the world, nana. Scarlett's whole family plays sports together and they are always so fun and active. It's kind of hectic, but it's a good hectic. At least she doesn't have to worry about saying something wrong in front of them because they won't just yell and shut doors in her face for no reason. 

I get another sinking feeling in my gut because I feel like my dad will soon go back to normal mode, and then whatever calm he had during the whole divorce and affair situation will be gone.

I shove the thoughts aside as Scarlett opens up her fridge and begins rummaging to find some lemonade. Her older brother Damian is in the kitchen making a smoothie or something. He has a bunch of fruits piled on the kitchen island along with protein powders.

"Lay off on the protein powder, Damian," Scarlett says as she pours two glasses of lemonade.

"Make me," Damian replies. He's chuckling as Scarlett groans. "Hey Rynn."

"Hey," I reply. Damian and Scarlett look almost nothing alike. While Scarlett has pitch black hair and steely grey eyes, Damian has light brown hair and hazel eyes.

"You still playing soccer?" he asks.

I nod. "Twenty-four-seven," I reply, and he smiles. "Hey, you know, you should teach Scarlett a thing or two," he says.