“Don’t feel like you have to. Reagan just-” Luke interrupted me.
“Trust me, I’d like to.” Just then he hopped back on his bike and sped away.
I turned to Reagan, fury in my eyes and she ran up ahead with Gia on her tail. As she got further and further ahead she screamed back behind her ,“I told you I would make it happen!”
Gia joined in, “Sutton’s got a boyfriend!” Shane looked at me and shrugged and we followed Reagan back to the house.
..
I rolled over on the floor in my living room and opened my eyes. Right in front of me was the time flashing on the cable box. It was 6:57. I sat up and stretched gazing around me. Shane was squished on the left arm of the couch Gia’s head leaning on his side. Reagan was sprawled out taking up the rest of the couch. They were all knocked out. The “Are you still watching Netflix?” box was displayed on the screen. I stood up and stretched, strolling into the kitchen.
There I found my mom and Aunt Helen sitting across from each other at the table with sugar cookies and tea. “Hi baby girl.” My mom said kissing the top of my head. Come join us.” I grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured some tea from the kettle into it, taking a seat next to my mom at the table.
“So how is the summer treating you so far sweet pea?” My great Aunt questioned.
“Not too bad,” I replied, clinking a spoon against the mug as I stirred the tea.
“Oh my God! What happened to your face Sutton?” My mom looked horrified. I lifted my hand up, and felt my temple. It stung just from the gentle touch of my hand.
“Is it bad?” I asked nervously standing up looking for the nearest mirror.
I approached the antique mirror on the wall in the hallway and studied the side of my face. There was a big cut across my temple. It was surrounded by a yellowish bruise. It was not pretty and it hurt bad. “I fell into the seawall on the boardwalk earlier.”
“Wow. How did you manage that? Did you put anything on it?”
My Aunt Helen rolled over to me in her wheelchair. “Let me see.” She pulled me down to her level and examined my face. “I have been on that boardwalk many times. I’ve never heard of anyone just tripping into the rockwall. You’re a true klutz my dear.”
“Ok. well it’s kind of funny actually I was trying to make sure Reagan didn’t fall and I wasn’t paying attention and a guy on a bike slammed into me.” I forced a giggle.
“Ouch,” my mom said, walking over to me with an ice pack covered in a cloth. “Did he at least stop to make sure you were okay?” We all found our way back to the table.
“It was actually the guy you pointed out on the boardwalk the other day.” I said matter of factly shoving a sugar cookie in my mouth.
“What are the odds of that?” My mom laughed. “But you do need to take care of it.” She said pointing to the side of my head.
“Oh. Hush Lynn. She’s fine. Always playing nurse.” Aunt Helen rolled her eyes and flashed me a crooked smile.
“I made chicken for dinner. There's plenty left for you sleepy heads if you’re interested.” My mom said sipping her tea.
“Thanks. Sounds good. We’re actually going to hit the boardwalk soon. It’s wristband night.” I said, unwrapping the tinfoil on the plates of grilled chicken and corn on the cob.
“That sounds like a lot of fun. My mom replied. “Ronnie’s family is actually taking Gia.”
“Oh are they? 8 pm is late for her don’t you think Lynn?” Aunt Helen questioned raising her eyebrows at the thought of it.
“I think she’ll be just fine Helen. It’s one night.” Aunt Helen rolled her eyes.
“What are your plans for tonight?” I asked, my eyes wandering back and forth between the two of them.
“The band is playing in the common.” My mom said.
“Your mom wanted to go see them but I said no, no. It'll be too chilly and we can watch it on channel two.” I nodded.
“Well that sounds like fun,” I replied, half sarcastically.
..
“I wish I brought a sweater.” I said to Reagan rubbing arms. I was both shivering and sweating at the same time. I clicked my phone screen on. 8:50.
“Oh stop Sutton it’s summer!” Reagan said. She was wearing a crop top and her belly ring was peeking out. I had on a tank top and a pair of jeans to cover the cuts on my knees from the incident earlier and I did my best to cover up my temple with makeup.
“I gotta piss bad.” Shane said dancing around. “I’ll be right back.” He explained to Reagan shuffling to find the bathrooms.
“Are you ready for this date Sutton!” Reagan seemed to be more excited than I was.
“It isn’t even really a date. You basically forced him to come.” I snarled, looking at my reflection in my phone screen for the hundredth time.
“Didn’t sound that way to me.” She mumbled.
A few minutes later I noticed Shane walking back towards us but this time he wasn’t alone. I squinted trying to make out the figure beside him. I gulped and swallowed already knowing who it had to be. It was Luke. He had his usual Pizza Shack uniform on with his hat turned backwards. He also had a black drawstring backpack on his back.
The guys walked up to us and Reagan tried to discreetly squeeze my hand. “Look who I found in the bathroom.” Shane said with his hands on Luke’s shoulders. “Your lover boy.” He
