This Summer

Chapter 7

 "Claire." My mom says sternly in attempt to scold her knowing it really won't do much. No matter who is in the room Claire will say and do anything she wants if it means to get her point across. My parent's have always thought that she wasn't the best influence on me, but have grown to love her as a daughter over the many years she's been in our lives.

"Forgive me, Mrs. Rayner, but your daughter has some serious explaining to do." Crossing her arms in front of her, being her dramatic self, just reminds me of how much I've missed her. Ever since I heard her voice coming from the front door I've been wondering what she's doing here. The thought of how long she's staying enters my mind as my eyes roam over the silver, sparkly suitcase beside her.

But before I can come up with words, my stomach ties in knots and I am filled with guilt. I kept something like this from my best friend, who is a sister to me. Someone I promised, a very long time ago that I will never lie to. Someone who's been there for me any time and every time I needed her.

I am a horrible person and a terrible friend and she confirms it with her pointed gaze.

She's staring at me now, with her crystal blue eyes, probably demanding an explanation. I smile at her black shorts and white crop-top with a very Claire approved, "FUCK OFF", written in bold across it.

I notice her hair is cut shorter just above her shoulders and that she added light pink highlights to her natural blonde beach waves. It suits her and complements her fair skin.

My mom stares at me with her hands at her waist waiting for me to respond to what Claire just said.

But instead, I do the one thing I've been wanting to do for the longest time. I make my way over to her and despite how angry she is right now, I hug her.

"I've missed you."

"You don't get to do that when I'm mad at you!" But she hugs me back and I smile.

When I lean away to look at her, her expression remains the same and her deathly glare stares back at me, "I promise I will tell you everything!" I just hope she won't be too mad.

"Oh. You better."

"Jade?" My mom's stares at me as her eyebrows frown in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Where are your clothes?" Looking down at myself I remember the blanket I have wrapped around me.

I shrug, "I fell asleep on the couch last night."

*

Half an hour later, Claire is all settled in a room besides mine. It's one of the many guest bedrooms of this house, but she chose the closest one to me.

I can tell she's still angry with me, but I was hoping she'd cool down.

We're in my bedroom now, Claire stands at the foot of the bed facing me with an annoyed look and her arms crossed as I lay staring at the ceiling not knowing where to start.

"Well?"

"I don't know where to start."

"You can start by telling me why you had me feeling bad for you back home, thinking you were spending your summer in a tiny cabin surrounded by bugs and who knows what else."

"You felt bad?"

She begins to pace, "Of course I did, especially with the horror stories of everything Matthew did to you and girl, I wouldn't want to come here either. But finding out it looks like this, I don't think I ever want to leave." Her bringing up Matthew makes me tense and I realize she doesn't know who he is yet. If she's mad about me not telling her about where I'm staying, she'd most likely stop talking to me after I tell her about Matthew.