In One Year

Do I really have to?

Slowly waking up to my alarm, I feel better and lighter from the quick nap. Glancing at my phone I see a text from dad.

-Hey kiddo, come on down when you are feeling better lunch is ready-

Checking my other texts, I’m not surprised that my group chat has been blowing up in the last hour after I told them the reason by the impromptu trip.

-Really?!?!?- (H)

- Get it Mr. J – (C)

-Wait, so what is her kid like? – (R)

- DO NOT DROP A BOMB LIKE THIS AN GIVE US NO DETAILS IIIVVVYYYY- (H)

I will answer all their questions later, right now my stomach is making its protest for food very known. Groaning I rolled out of the bed and back tracked to the main level where I saw Christine and Dad in the kitchen looking all playful, I almost felt like I should abandon this mission and give them some privacy. Just as I was waring with myself on whether to make my presence known or gracefully sneak out, Jaiden appeared behind me rubbing his face. He must have also fallen asleep.

“Why are we standing at the base of the stairs?” He wonders gently pushing past me.

“I wanted to give them some privacy, they were having a cute moment.” He just smirks at me and swaggers into the kitchen. “Break it up you two, children present!”

Startled his mom moves away a bit from my dad blushing and leans over to smack her sons’ arm which he easily dodged. “You hardly count as a child anymore; I’ve heard what you and your friends talk about. Do not act like I’m clueless.”

He just shrugs and opens the fridge, pulling out a water he gestures one to me. Nodding my head, I take a seat at the island and look at the food. Everything smelled and looked so good, as my stomach made another loud protest, I started piling food on to my plate.

“So Ivy, after your done eating we can go through my closet. Your dad and I would love to take the both of you out on the lake this afternoon maybe visits one of the lake side restaurants?” Christine was practically sparkling at the thought.

“Uh, sure, that sounds great.” It was not great, not in a million years but I kept my smile plastered and focused on my food. Jaiden slid into the seat beside with double the amount of food, it was practically overfull. How did he eat all that and where did it all go? Catching me staring he just winked and shoved a fork full into his mouth.

“Actually, while you girls are doing that, Jaiden can you help me prep the boat? I wanted to get a chance to talk with you a bit.” Nodding he looked at his mom, “I also wanted to ask if it was okay to take the smaller boat to Brandon’s Lake house, he is having a party tonight with a bunch of other kids from school.”

“I mean I have no problems with that, but I wanted to do a bonfire tonight with all of us.” She looked a little disappointed. “Plus, what about Ivy. I would prefer you hang out with her a little bit while you are here.”

I guess she was guessing where this trip was going, she was almost pleading with her eyes to her son. To be completely honest I was fine calling it an early night.

“Actually he invited her too, I was hoping that if your okay with it you would come with me.” He said turning to me. I was to shocked to answer. My first high school party, at a lake house no less! “And you and Mr. Gregory can have a bonfire date night. Do not think I did not catch you two in the kitchen. We can do the four of us another night this week, the pit is not hard to light.”

My dad lit up at the idea, “Just call me John, will there be adults there?”

“Yes sir.”

“Well, the I think that is a wonderful idea and very kind of you for inviting Ivy!” He turned to Christine and gave her a look, which halted her protest. Slowly she started to grin herself. I am pretending to be oblivious to what is going on.

“Its cool, you can go without me, I wouldn’t want to crash your time with your friends. I don’t think I have anything suitable to wear.” I will not deny that a part of me was intrigued by a lake party but at the same time, I am daunted by the thought of being around to many people.

“I already told you, you can borrow anything you would like from my closet.” She was now all on board with the plan, great. “Thank you.” Losing my appetite at the thought I took my plate and put it in the sink. “I’m all done.”

With an excited giggle she grabs my hand and pulls me to her room. Her room was three times bigger than mine and the closet just as proportional. How much did she bring with her? Tentatively looking around I pull out a dress with the tag still on. It was a off the shoulder little red dress. Taking a quick look at the price that little bit of fabric cost over $600! Flushing I carefully putting it back I did not even want to touch anything else. Christine proceeded to rummage around with no care in the world tossing cloth haphazardly on to the closet seating searching for something specific. I already knew I was not comfortable wearing any of it if they were all this expensive. Walmart was this girl’s best friend.

“Ah, there it is! Here try these on, I have not worn any of these. They should fit you.” As she shoved a good pile of strings into my arms. “Go through there and try put one on and come show me, while you’re doing that, I’ll grab the matching cover ups, shoo shoo.”

Going through the door she indicated all I could think about was what I was getting myself into.