Home For The Summer

Chapter 4: Double Trouble

"I'm just saying, if you're going to be living here again, you have got to get your own car. I'm surprised you don't already." Hannah was giving me grief about now having my own car. I had told her that in Ohio, I had to use either my dad's or my grandparents' until I could afford my own, which never happened.

"Don't worry, Han, I'll probably get one soon." I didn't see the big deal. Although with Hannah, everything was a big deal. She had a freakin' red Jeep Wrangler Sahara at eighteen years old.

"But that's why I have you to drive me around everywhere," I said with a smirk.

Hannah just rolled her eyes and sighed, just as we pulled up to her driveway.

We both got out and walked inside. I took a look around, the inside bringing back even more memories than the outside. We made our way into the kitchen where Hannah pulled out a couple of water bottles, setting them on the counter. "I have to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back," she said, walking swiftly away. She probably just wanted to check her tan in the mirror. Suddenly the back door slammed and Mochi came rushing towards me once again. "Hey Mochi, how's my favorite Aussie?" I got down onto my knees and started roughhousing with her. Sam came walking in and smiled when he saw me. "Hey Syd," he said. "Hey, Sam." I stood up and Mochi ran off. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, realizing that I was half-naked. But why did I feel that way? It was little Sammy Travinski, the boy who used to be obsessed with Power Rangers and making Hannah and I mudpies to gross us out.

"You look really tan. You just come from the beach?" Was Sam checking me out? "Uh, yeah, Hannah and I decided to catch up at her favorite place."

"First day back and you're already that tan? Must be nice." Sam reached over, grabbed a bottle from the counter, and took a big swig.

I shrugged. "I guess so." I didn't know what else to say. Talking to him was a lot harder now that he was so grown up.

"It's nice to see you again though, Syd. Last time I saw you felt like ages ago."

I smiled and crossed my arms. "Well, I seem to remember a certain little boy chasing me all around the house with water balloons and his mom getting super pissed because he'd miss way too many times, getting parts of furniture wet instead."

"Okay, I didn't miss that many times. My aim wasn't that bad," Sam said defensively.

"If you say so."

Sam took another sip of water and shrugged. "I guess I must've had a little crush on you back then."

Hannah walked in at that moment, looking annoyed. "Excuse me, but those were for us," she said, eyeing the water in Sam's hand. "My bad," he said, walking away.

Hannah rolled her eyes again, shaking her head. "Sorry about him, he's still the same annoying kid you know and love." I smiled. "But enough about him. I was doing some thinking, about that guy you met today, what was his name?"

"Austin," I said and Hannah's eyes lit up. "Aw, Austin and Sydney. Both named after famous cities. It's fate."

"Actually, I don't think that that's what my parents named me after."

"Still, it was meant to be. Anyway, there's this big end of the summer party happening at the Marina near the beach and anyone who's anyone will be there. I totally think you should take Austin."

"Woah woah woah," I said, "why do I have to take somebody? And what kind of party is this?"

Hannah took a quick sip of water and set the bottle back down. "It's like a charity type of party they have every year now. They have auctions and tons of food, it's crazy fun. And you don't have to bring anyone, but they always have dances and I think it's the perfect opportunity for you."

I guess the face I was giving didn't convince her that I was sold on the idea.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'll bring someone too. It's more romantic this way. Lots of people bring dates."

I sighed. "I'll think about it."

Hannah smiled widely. "Perfect! This'll be so much fun."

"But wait," I said, "I don't even have his number."

Hannah shrugged. "Look him up on Instagram. You know his last name, right?"

"Right. Who are you going to take?"

"I'm not sure, yet. Maybe Austin's little buddy who supposedly hit you with that frisbee. He was pretty cute, right?"

"Sure?" I couldn't quite remember what he looked like, I was too busy thinking about the thirsty one standing right in front of my face.

"I'm sure I'll meet someone. I mean, it's me," Hannah said, flipping her hair.

I rolled my eyes. Hannah Travinski, my best friend ladies and gentlemen.

Later that night, I sat in my room scrolling through my Instagram feed. I went to the explore page and searched up "Austin Lemont." Several profiles popped up, so I scrolled through until I found one that looked like it could've been his by the little picture. Sure enough, the profile's feed showed tons of pictures of Austin at the beach, at parties, and lots of really cool California photography. His username was 'austinslemont.ree.' How original? And not cheesy at all. His bio also had the number "424" followed by a palm tree emoji. He seemed very outgoing, something I was not.

My finger hovered over the follow button. I was debating whether or not I should go for it or not. He'd probably think I was a stalker or something, I mean how else would I have found him on Instagram? Someone like him would never be one of my suggestions.

Or could he?

'Yeah, I was on Insta and you just popped up on my explore page, I hope you don't mind I followed you.'

It could work. And yet, my finger was still hovering.

What was my problem? I was just going to follow him, it's not like we were getting married. He'd probably like it if I did anyway.

I closed my eyes and pressed what I hoped was the follow button. When I opened them, it had been done.

I quickly turned off my phone and got under the covers.

I laid there thinking about what Sam had said that day: "must've had a little crush on you back then." Back then.

I kept thinking about the things he used to do to annoy me all the time whenever I was over. I guess I never realized it could've been a crush. But the way he said it made it seem like he wasn't so sure.

Maybe I was overthinking. I mean, it's Sam, Hannah's brother who happened to be two years younger than us.

But he sure sprouted. And then there was Austin, who I knew nothing about. But he was super attractive. And also seemed way out of my league.

Why was I even thinking about this? I forced myself to fall asleep and just like that, I was out.