Summer Lovin'

1

"Em! Can you go get your brother from Kenny and D's house?"

I groaned, "Mom, this is why Cody and I need to have separate cars"

"What's the use in that when you don't use it at the same time?"

I stuck my middle finger up and walked out. My mom was more like a sister. She was only 37 and had two 18 year olds. She had Cody and I when she was 19 with our father. They were high school sweethearts and somehow went to college while raising two kids.

I drove to their house and honked my horn. I watched Cody hug D, and bro hug Kenny. He was still talking to them and it was annoying the shit out of me. I didn't even want to pick him up, but of course, our mom made me. I honked my horn three more times, and he finally came to the car. We argued for the next five minutes about absolutely nothing and then talked about his girlfriend, Ryan. She had always liked Cody, but as a guy he was oblivious. It was such a weird day when she finally admitted her feelings... I don't even want to think back to it. The only good thing is that I think they're happy, and surprisingly have been going strong for two years. It brings a smile to my face that my brother and friend make each others lives better.

When we got home, I noticed moving trucks in the Gin's driveway. They were a nice old couple who had lived there as long I could remember. I went inside and asked my mom what was going on. She always had the answers and could practically read minds.

"Mom, who's moving into the Gin's old house?"

She rolled her eyes, "I literally told you this yesterday"

"When?"

"When you were painting"

"You know I don't pay attention to anything while I'm painting"

She sighed, "We're getting new neighbors. I met the mother a few days ago when she was exploring. Ya know, when I was gardening... Her names Trish, and she has two sons named Blake and Austin. Her husband died last year from cancer, so she needed to downgrade her house. She's a really nice woman, I can definitely tell our families will be friends"

"That's great Mom!" I said full of sarcasm

"Emily!" she scolded me

This time I rolled my eyes, "You can't blame me Ma. You know I don't like new people"

"Well. I already planned a dinner with them tomorrow night, so you're gonna have socialize with them"

"Can Lukas come?"

Cody yelled from upstairs, "IF I'M NOT ALOUD TO BRING D, SHE CAN'T BRING LUKE!"

"Sorry Em, but Cody's right"

"Fucking hell" I mumbled

"LANGUAGE!"

To this day, I still don't understand how she can hear me when I mumble. I can't even hear myself. I decided to call Lukas and complain. He always picked up, and I always picked up. We'd drop anything and everything for each other. When he answered, I told him all about the new neighbors and how I'd have to socialize. After it all, he straight up told me he didn't care and to, "grow up". I knew right then he was with his guy friends because that was our codeword. Even though we always pick up, if we're in a tough situation and it's not an emergency, we say "grow up". That translates to, "I'll call you later, but right now I'm with friends". So, I hung up and sat at my canvas. I just picked up my pencil and started drawing. I wasn't sure what it was going to be, but, had fun drawing anyway.

My mom called Cody and I down for dinner, and we rambled like a family. She talked about work, Dad lectured us on the importance of eating salad, and Cody just sat there and stuffed his mouth with steak. I took one look around the table and starting laughing. This was a typical night in my house and I love our dynamic. We were one weird family, but loved each other no matter what.

I showered, and saw it was 10 PM. I wasn't tired yet so I decided to paint. Painting helped me cope with all the anxiety and depression I deal with. Sometimes I paint my emotions, other times I paint from reference. Cody came into my room, and pulled me from my piece.

"What Cody?"

"Whatcha drawing?" he asked

I could tell he was upset about something, and I needed him to spit it out.

"Cody, what's wrong?"

He sighed, "D"

"What about Daylin?"

He started crying.

"Cody, what's wrong?"

"She has a boyfriend" he choked out

"And? You're dating Ryan..."

"She cheated on me with Brayden" he whispered

"Wow. Never thought she'd be the bitch. Can I ask why?"

He wiped the tears off his face, "I told her I wasn't ready for sex, and I guess she just got fed up. She thought we were going to for our two year anniversary. Apparently she's been hooking up with Brayden for the past year. I'll quote her, "I have needs Cody, I don't know why you won't". Then she'd hit me with the, "Don't you love me?" I never did love her, I guess it's always been D"

"Aw, C, I'm so sorry. I never realized Ryan was like that" I gave him a hug

"No, no. You couldn't have known. I never told anyone except D"

I gasped, "You didn't even tell your twin? Ouch"

"What do I do?"

I smiled, "You tell Daylin how you feel"

"I can't. She has a boyfriend now. Why are you on your phone? This is serious! I'm spilling my guts out to you right now!"

"I'm talking to Kenny just go talk to her please!"

Thanks to Kenny, I secretly knew she didn't have a boyfriend. Daylin was just tired of waiting for Cody. I always liked the two better together. I watched Cody walk out, and resumed my painting. I got so sucked in, that I didn't notice the time.

All the sudden, I heard a knock and it make me hit my paints. The good thing is that I have hardwood so it didn't affect me that much. I turned my head to see what it was, and rolled my eyes at what I saw.