Summer Sun // Hero Fiennes Tiffin

Four

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I gasp at my sudden clumsiness, bringing my attention back to Tanya. She takes the pie from my hands and I gratefully smile at her

"No worries, hun. Diesel can be a little rascal sometimes," Tanya reassures me while bending down to scratch the dogs back.

I look back up to the person who entered the room with the dog. His demeanour is soft yet cold, and I can't help but look at his eyes. The moss green of his iris is mysterious and I find myself trying to solve the mystery of who he is; he doesn't resemble Tanya the way Ezra does. His features are structured, strong brows and straight nose. Plump rose lips with a subtle smirk and warm ivory skin. He stands across from me, towering well above me, in a white tshirt and black jeans.

I clear my throat in order to stop myself from staring but I think everyone's already noticed.

"Where are your manners?" Tanya plays off my creepy staring and turns to the mystery boy, hands on her hips.

"I'm Hero, erm, you are?" His voice resonates, a thick London accent coating each syllable.

Speak Elle! My conscious yells at me.

"I'm Elle. I'm from next door," I respond dryly, reaching out to shake his hand. He hesitates for a second, finding the formal gesture a bit weird. However, his lips stretch into a straight-toothed smile, dimples appearing on both sides, and he chuckles while clasping is hand over mine.

"Firm shake, you're off to a great start, Elle," he says with humour. His warm hand is soft and I feel my skin tingle. My cheeks flush from embarrassment. I purse my lips and nod, looking down.

I only then actually get to take a look at Diesel, and I crouch down to pet the pup. I look up at Tanya and try to change the topic.

"He's very cute," I say, giving him a scratch behind the ears.

"He's mine," Hero pipes up. 

"We just feed him and let him sleep whenever he wants," Ezra jokes from behind me. "Both of them," he adds while motioning to Diesel and Hero, and I giggle. The mood has lightened and Tanya motions for us to follow into the kitchen.

She sets the pie on the counter and offers me tea.

"Oh, I really should get going..." my voice trails when I see the spark in Tanya's eyes falter. I guess it's hard moving into a new community, and maybe she just wants another female to talk to. Her and Mom would get along so well. But it's getting late and I need to get back home, or else Eden might start to think I got eaten by a bear or something.

Tanya claps her hands together and offers, "It's getting late. Why don't we just see you at the beach tomorrow. Bring your family and we'll bring ours!"

Both Ezra and Hero don't seem as excited, but they nod in agreement anyways. I smile at her kind offer and thank her for letting me into her lovely home, making sure to reiterate how nice it was to meet them all. As I begin apologizing for staying late, I head towards the door.

"Boys, why don't you walk Elle home? No need for a missing girl on the first day of summer!" Tanya offers and I immediately go to decline her offer.

However, she's persistent, and the next thing I know, I'm exiting the neighbours door with two complete strangers trailing behind me. Neither Ezra nor Hero make any effort to talk, so I decide to let my curiosity get the best of me.

I spin on my heel, grabbing both of the boys attentions. Hero's green eyes somehow manage to glow, even in the darkness of the night, and I can see him look at me intently. 

"So are you two brothers? Or dating? I mean that makes more sense..." I say the last part to myself, but Ezra still erupts in laughter.

"You're funny! Nah, he's like my best friend slash brother, but we're not related," Ezra manages to respond between his chuckles. He then nudges Hero's side with his elbow, "or are we more?" He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively and Hero finally clues in.

"Bro, she can't know our secret!" Hero sarcastically whisper-yells and I find myself laughing along to their banter. 

I guess my echoing laughter reminds them of my presence and Ezra turns to me. "What about you?"

"Um, I have a sister. Like a real one. Her names Eden and she's 23," I decide to answer short and sweet.

"Is she hot too?" Hero comments unexpectedly and I blink. What? Ezra shoves his friend, nearly causing him to fall as we're walking. 

"I'm just asking, I'm the wingman!" Hero puts his hands up in defence, earning a laugh from Ezra and I.

"Wait, so how old are you?" Ezra questions, trying to change the subject

"I'm 20," I respond hesitantly, "21 in a month actually."

"A summer baby just like me! When's your birthday?" Ezra asks excitedly. 

"June 21st."

"No way, you're lying!" Ezra gasps, turning to Hero, "she's lying, bro."

"I don't think she is, mate," Hero chuckles at his friends reaction and turns to me to clarify. "June 21st is his birthday too."

I smile wide. I've never met a birthday twin before. Hero's lips twitch into a slight smile, but it doesn't quite meet his eyes.

"Well, shit! We're celebrating this whole damn summer then!" Ezra rubs his hands together, as if plotting something. I laugh nervously, but I also feel a sense of excitement building.

By the time Ezra has listed a hundred different things we're going to do to celebrate our birthdays, I noticed that we've reached the porch of my family's cabin.

"This is me," I point out, segueing the conversation into a departure.

"Well, guess we'll see you tomorrow. It was nice actually meeting you, Elle," Ezra waves to me as I make my way up the steps. I smile and wave back, wishing a polite good night to both of the boys.

"Make sure to bring your hot sister tomorrow!" I hear Hero shout as I push the front door open. I look back at him, a cheeky smirk spread across his lips and hands stuffed in the front pockets of his jeans.

"How do you even know she's hot?" I question back, playing along with his banter. He looks me over, a quick up-down, with a piercing gaze from beneath his hooded eyes and thick lashes. He licks his bottom lip and widens his smirk.

"Lucky guess."