Untitled
Part 1
My best guy friend, Sam, threw a piece of popcorn in my
direction. I skillfully caught it in my mouth, and threw a piece
back in his direction. We had too much time on our
hands.
“Hey, you wanna do
something?” I suggested. “We are doing
something.” Sam said back, throwing a piece of popcorn in
the air and trying to catch it in his mouth. I rolled my
eyes. Then, I got up and stretched. I played in his dark
brown hair. It was really soft, and I was about the only
person that he lets play in it. I took his hands and pulled him
out of the seat he was sitting in at my kitchen table.
“Let’s go to your house. We can jump on the
trampoline.”
Sam
sighed, but I knew he couldn’t resist. He loved the
trampoline, and wouldn‘t pass up a time to jump on it, or,
as we were doing more nowadays, just hanging out there. Even if
it was on his laziest day. I’ve known him forever,
and I know that he loves the trampoline that much because his dad
got it for him. His dad died a when he was ten, and we’re
fourteen now. He didn’t have the heart to give up the
old trampoline, especially since he felt that it was one of the
best memories he had of his dad. He was hesitant to let me jump
on the trampoline after his dad had died; it was like this sacred
thing to him. But, after awhile, he gave in and we would spend
hours on it on good summer days. I remember his little sister
saying to me with envy “You sure must be special. I have to
BEG for him to let me have a couple minutes on that dumb
trampoline.” And, well, I DID feel special, being able to
share something that important to him.
Anyways, he finally gave in and we
made our way to my front door. Slipping on my flip flops, I
opened my door. Feeling the hot summer air hit me in the
face, I almost felt like turning around to sit in the kitchen
some more. But Sam was already out the door. I closed the
door and followed him to his house, which was diagonally across
the street from my house. He has a two-story and I’ve
always loved being there to hang out. He has such a cute family
(especially since Sam‘s mom got remarried), like the kind
seen on Disney Channel or on other kid shows. His family
has always been welcoming, and I’ve kind of become part of
the family. Being around my dysfunctional family always
made me grateful to have a ‘side family’ that was
actually ideal. And that I liked being
with.
Walking into the kitchen, I was
welcomed by Sam’s little sister, Taylor. She’s nine,
and adorable. “Hey guys!” She said while twirling in
her pink tutu and matching ballet shoes. For as long as I’d
known her, she’s wanted to be a ballerina. “Hey, Tay.
You’re looking so professional already.” I smiled.
She beamed. We went to the kitchen, where, as usual,
Sam’s big brother Michael was searching through the fridge.
He’s sixteen and always hungry. He popped his head up.
“Sup, Sam. Nugget.” he said, referring to me. He
calls me Nugget because every time I was over their house for
dinner and Sam’s mom got takeout, I would get chicken
nuggets and I would devour them. Michael would always
chuckle watching me eat, and mumble, “One day the
girl’s gonna turn into a nugget…” I
didn’t mind him calling me that
though.
“Hey Mike.” I said,
blushing. Oh yeah, and I’ve always kind of had a crush on
him. He had dark brown flippy hair like Sam, but his eyes
were greenish-gray, as opposed to a hazel color like Sam’s
and the rest of his family. They were gorgeous, and I
always got lost in them. Sam rolled his eyes at my
reaction, and waited for me to come back to earth. I knew I
never had a chance with Michael, but I still always hoped.
I could only dream for a guy like him. He was tall, and,
well, just the ideal boyfriend. Sam was like a shorter and
less cute version of him, and when I told Sam this when we were
little, he got insulted and would bug me about how he could
become more ‘manly’. I chuckled at this memory and
Sam turned to look at me.
“What?” he said
accusingly. “Nothing, nothing.” I said dismissively.
“Tell me.” Sam demanded. He didn’t like
being left out on a joke. “It’s nothing, just thought
about something.” Mike shrugged and turned back to
the fridge. Sam grunted and hopped onto the granite island that
was in the center of his kitchen. “Hey, get me some iced
tea while you’re in there.” he said to Mike. Michael
dug around in the fridge and came out with a pitcher of iced tea.
He thrust it at Sam, who hopped off the island to get glasses. He
poured us each a glass and we stood around sipping from them.
Sam and I were stalling from going back outside; even
though he loved the trampoline, he also kind of hated hot
weather.
“Oh, yeah, I want a rematch
in volleyball.” Mike said to me. I play volleyball for our
high school team, and Mike, being athletic and all, practices
with me sometimes. I, of course, was not going to pass up an
opportunity to practice with him. “’Kay.” I
smiled. Sam snorted.
Just
then, Sam’s mom walked in with grocery bags. “Oh,
hello, Nicole.” she said to me, smiling brightly.
“Hi, Mrs. Peterson.” I said politely, smiling back.
Mrs. Peterson loved me, and Sam told me when we were twelve
that she wished we would end up together. I don’t know if
she still wants that, seeing as how it’s been two years.
Considering how happy she always is to see me, I’d say yes.
But me and Sam, we didn’t like each other. We knew it would
be awkward liking each other like
that.
“Need some help with those
groceries?” I asked her. “Oh, no, no, you kids go
have fun.” she said, shooing us. “C’mon,
Nikki.” Sam said, pulling me out the back door that
separated the kitchen from the backyard.
ehh. yes?
no?