A Summer To Remember

Here

Jade sat down on the couch beside me and handed me one of the sodas she brought with her. "What did we decide on?"

Mel pulled her blanket up and pressed play on the remote. "The Bear Movie."

Jade rose her eyebrows at me before settling in against my side. I was sure that she hadn't planned on watching a childish movie with my little sister all day but she didn't want to be home so we sucked it up and let Mel pick the movie.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and just hoped the movie would be over quickly.

The movie was about halfway over when Jade's phone lit up beside her. She glanced at it and I could feel her body tense up. I wasn't sure who was messaging her and I couldn't see the screen over her head.

But I had a feeling.

She cleared her throat as she stood and walked from the room. Seconds later, I heard the front door open and close.

Mel barely looked up. She was too busy watching her movie and stuffing her face with popcorn. I was sure she didn't care if we were there or not, just as long as she got to watch her movie.

I pushed myself to my feet, wobbling just until I got my balance. I wasn't quite used to the prosthetics and it was taking me awhile to figure out how to use them after sitting or laying down. It would be awhile before I got the hang of it and I knew that.

I followed her outside and found her sitting on the top step. I couldn't see her face but I heard her sniffling. Who was bothering her enough to make her cry?

I grabbed the banister to help me sit beside her. I awkwardly stretched the legs out in front of me, not used to seeing the prosthetics.

Jade didn't say anything. Not at first. She kept her head down, her hair shielding her face. It was as if she didn't want me to see she'd been crying. But I could tell.

I put my arm around her and waited. I wasn't going to rush her. I wanted to be the person she could count on and trust. I wanted her to want to talk to me.

Finally, she sighed. "I have to go home."

I nodded, not really sure why going home was making her so upset. "Okay."

She looked over at me through a curtain of hair. "I'm sorry."

I thought carefully my response. I had a feeling she thought I'd be upset or mad that she had to leave. Or that she would think Mel would be upset. But we'd both get over it. What I really wanted to know was why. "Is everything okay?"

A sob escaped her chest and she covered her mouth with her hand. "No. M-my mom said I'm spending too much time over here and she wants me home. I don't want to go. I like being here with you."

"Spend a little time with her. I'll still be here."

"I want to be here."

I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her close to my chest. "When your mom decides you've spent enough time with her, then we can hang out again. She's the most important person in your life."

She shook her head.

"Even though you're mad at her right now, she is. She cares about you. Go let her know you appreciate it."

She wiped her eyes though it didn't do anything to stop the tears from continuing.

"Do you want me to get my mom to take you home?"

She shook her head. "No, I'll walk. It's not that far."

"Jade-"

"I need some time to think before I get there." She pulled back and brushed the hair from her face. "Tell your sister I'm sorry."

I rolled my eyes. "She won't even notice we left."

She let out a small laugh before standing and pulling me up with her.

I hugged her once more before moving to the top step.

She looked down at her feet, her teeth biting into her lower lip. "I'm sorry, Dyl."

"Don't be. I'm not going anywhere."

She took a deep breath before she turned and walked down the steps.

Just from letting her leave, I felt empty. I missed having her around. She was my best friend, my everything. It sounded corny but... it was true.

"Dylan, wait."

I was just going through the door when Jade came running back up the steps. She kissed me hard on the mouth, her chest heaving up and down.

I looked down at her surprised. My face was red from how off-guard I was.

She smiled at me, her face red, too. "I'll call you."