AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Go ask Aaron.” He points his hand toward Aaron’s house in a way that I know means it’s not up for debate.
With a huff, I head out the door and race next door to his house. I don’t bother with the front door, and I go straight to his bedroom window that sits at the front of the house and knock. He’s quick to appear behind the blinds, giving me a slight smile as he pulls them back and raises the window up.
“What’s up?”
“Come to the lake with me,” I say as more of a statement than a question.
He runs his hand through his unruly hair, making me think he just woke up since it’s normally done very nicely. “I don’t know. I kind of feel like just chillin’ today.”
“Please,” I beg. “Dad won’t let me go unless you go too.”
He yawns nonchalantly. “So, you’re saying you need me, eh?”
I purse my lips and narrow my eyes at him. “No. I don’tneedyou.”
“But if I don’t go, I’m guessing Megan and Heather will go without you, leaving you home alone all day.”
I jump up halfway into his window. “Yes, which means I’ll be bored out of my mind and make you watchThe Little Mermaidwith me, where I’ll sing every song as loud as I can.Look at this stuff. Isn’t it neat? Wouldn’t you say my—”
He covers my mouth with his hand to stop me from singing my favorite song from the movie. “Fine. Just please, stop singing. Give me fifteen minutes to change and grab something to eat.” He stands, then points in my direction, like something just came to mind. “And make me one of your famous sandwiches so I have something to eat when we’re there.”
“Deal. Thank you!” I jump down from where I was still leaning in his window and head back to my place.
When I enter, Dad is sitting in the living room. “Is he going with you?”
“Yep.” I wave him off. “And all it took was a song and a promise to make him a sandwich to convince him.”
“That’s my boy. And, hey, make me a sandwich too, please.”
I smile at him. “You got it. Does that mean I can stay out past curfew?”
“No. That means you can go. And you’re welcome.”
I rush up and give him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Daddy.”
* * *
The lake is not far from my house, and we’re able to walk the short distance, carrying our towels and drinks for the day on our backs. Bringing Aaron was a plus, as he agreed to carry our chairs, which I know I’ll be happy to have as well.
Once we’re there, we climb over some rocks to get to our favorite spot, where we set up for the day.
It’s not long before more of our classmates start to show up and we’ve taken over the entire area. The girls are all huddled on the shore, chatting, while the guys are throwing the football around or out on the paddleboards that some of them brought with them.
When Aaron brings his wet ass to my towel and sits next to me, flinging water on me, I know he wants something.
“I’m hungry,” is all he says.
I push him away from me. “You’re getting me wet!”
He runs his fingers through his hair, purposely flinging it on me to get me wetter in response. “You’re the one who wanted me here.”
I reach for his sandwich. “Here. Now, go.”
He takes it from me. “Nah, I like this spot. I’ll sit here and eat, thank you very much,” he says, sure of himself.
Before he opens the sandwich, he reaches in his pocket and pulls out a shell he found on the ground and hands it to me.
I give him a smile as my thanks. He knows I’ve been collecting these for years, so no words need to be said as I tuck it away in my bag.
