𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑

𝟙𝟛

july 19, 2019
mackenzie's pov

annie, john, hayden and i find ourselves gathered in a small circle near the lake.

after finally convincing annie to come along, the four of us ventured out to the edge of the lake, and found a nice little patch of tree stumps on the outskirts of the forest.

i look at each of them expectantly.

the stare back.

"what? it was your idea to come out here." annie says.

i blink.

damn, okay she's just gonna go from zero to ten in half a minute. cool.

"i didn't really have a plan in mind. this just seemed better than the 'campfire welcoming'." i reply, rolling my eyes.

"cool. then let's just talk." hayden suggests.

we nod.

nobody says anything.

"uh...okay, i guess i'll start, then." he chuckles.

out of the corner of my eye, i catch annie staring at him. a smirk tugs on my lips.

"uh, well, i already told you guys my name. i'm from anaheim, california, and i go to hamilton high. i-"

"no way. hamilton high?" i cut him off.

he glances my way.

"uh, yeah, why?"

"i go there too. i was freshman homecoming princess."

hayden furrows his eyebrows, perhaps trying to remember something. then his face lights up.

"ziegler! i do remember you. your older sister was prom queen. my brother slept with her, i think."

"i didn't really need to know that, but okay."

"small world. hey, you know what else i remember? your neon pink braces in ninth grade-"

"okay, that's enough." i cut him off again, nervously laughing.

"anyone want to take over this conversation?"

john clears his throat.

"why the hell not. uh, like i said, i'm john, most people call me johnny. i, uh, also live in anaheim, but i go to westford. i moved here from canada when i was eight, i like ice hockey, and, um, i have a little sister named lauren." he stutters.

we sit in silence for a few seconds.

"cool. well, since none of you losers seem to be enjoying this, why don't we do something different?" i suggest.

annie looks relieved.

"no wait. i wanna hear about you, leblanc. what're you all about, acting all shy and then busting out with sarcasm." hayden asks.