Seasons of Love

02 | SUMMER | William

Avery Johnson was not the type of girl you should cross no matter how high you are in the social ladder. As the sister of the best quarterback and the best friend of the next queen bee of Lakeview High School, it is an unspoken rule that each and every student respect her. What was even more amazing about her is that despite her social status and her good looks, she has is a Math whiz. In addition to that, she is really kind to everyone. Heck, I doubt the girl could hurt a fly.

So, when I accidentally squirted my water gun at her, I immediately panicked because nobody wants to see the Avery Johnson upset. I was really aiming for my best bud, Hiro, a half-Japanese half-American dude, who was talking s**t that I cannot win the game, but he ducked just in time. I apologized stuttering, and gave her my ugly orange Summer Fair shirt. I knew it was big for her as she had a slender figure, but it was the only extra shirt I had at the moment.

"Hey dude, you okay?" Hiro asked. I smacked him in the head for his stupid question.

"You think I'm alright?" He just laughed as a response like the i***t he is.

"Man, I can't believe you just did that to Johnson! It's a good thing her cronies weren't here or you're a dead meat already."

"You're really stupid, aren't you? That was supposed to be you, but you ducked. You moron!"

"Come on, let's get our move on."

☼

A heavy object landed on my back, surprising me. I turned around to see that it was Livvie, my youngest sibling. At seven, she was a ball of sunshine, as my mother would put it whenever she introduces her to all of her business friends. She's incredibly smart, too. In fact, she is too smart and mature for her age. She understands everything that is going on around her. Well, not everything, but most of them anyway.

"Hey, princess! How was your day?"

"It was really great! Anthony took me to the pet shop today. There were a lot of dogs and hamsters in there, too!" Anthony is my other sibling who is three years my junior. He was ordered to stay with Livvie for the entire week as punishment because he was caught stealing from Livvie's stock of chocolates.

She has a sweet tooth and would throw a tantrum whenever she does not get to eat chocolates and candies every after meal; hence she was always given a stock twice a month. Also, the said chocolates and candies were strictly for her unless she gives you the permission to get some (which never happens), or she gives them to you from her own will (which also never happens). And with that being the problem, Anthony was punished. For others, she would be called spoiled, but heck if our parents can afford it, then why can't she have it?

"Well, did you buy any pets?" I settled her down on the sofa then sat beside her after turning on the television.

"No," she pouted, "you know they won't allow me to have any." Our parents were against taking any type of pet, saying that they were just a liability and a waste of time and that when they die, we will not get anything from them in the end. When I told them that they were wrong, that having pets will teach us to love and care for others, they were not having any of it. They told me that if I dared to get one, they would just throw it out or sell it again. Afraid, I backed off. After all, what could a ten-year-old do against his parents?

"Where are they anyway?"

"You know they're not here," she replied sadly and walked away, probably towards her room.

I always loved to think that our family was special seeing that our family is a bit different from other families. In this little town where close family ties were important, ours was not - the parent-child relationship, at least. Our parents were always away for business, flying towards different places for business meetings and seminars. I understood why they were doing it though, so I'm not really one to complain. My parents, they were practical and very hardworking people. They always told me that money was everything in this world, and that we should work hard to achieve what we wanted in life. But sometimes, providing money, food, shelter, and good education for your children is just not enough. Sure, it is essential in today's world and could buy you anything you want when you have a lot of it, but I do not think that it can give you joy. I think of it as a means for happiness, but to say that money itself can make a person happy? I don't think so. My siblings don't think so, too.

Two years ago, during Livvie's birthday, every single help in the household was there. Every single friend of Livvie and Anthony was there to celebrate her birthday. Heck, even Hiro was there. There were balloons everywhere, party songs, and food were all ready. She had so many gifts, but she was crying really loud inside her room while all of her guests were at the garden, having fun. I asked her what was wrong, whether she did not like the cake or the color of the ballons, she said it was not her problem.

"What is the matter then, princess? Did you not like any of the gifts you received?"

"I don't like all of those gifts. Not anymore!" She cried, still wearing her pink princess gown and her tiara, with her face all pink and snot running down her nose. I went to her and wiped it with tissue.

"What is it that you like then? Are you sick of Barbie dolls?"

"No! I just...I just...Willie, I want mummy and daddy here on my birthday! I just want them here! Please tell them to come here!"

"But you know that they are away for business, princess."

"B-b-but they promised! They promised me that they were going to be here! They promised me that they would blow the candles with me!"

"Well, Anthony and I are still here to blow your candles with you. Maybe next year? Okay? Now, wipe your tears and keep your head up like the princess you should be. It's time for you to blow your candles."

"Okay. But I still hate them."

She forgave them after sending her lots of chocolates, dresses, and lots of Barbie dolls. They missed it again last year. The point is that they should be here for the important events for their children.

"Hey Will," Anthony interrupted, "Livvie asks for you upstairs."

"Where are you going?"

"To Jake's," he replied, then headed out.

I went to Livvie's room, only to see her munching on her chocolates while watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She has probably watched the film a thousand times. It was her favorite movie because it involved chocolates and she thought Charlie was cute. I told her once that in reality, the guy who played Charlie was probably twice or thrice her age. She said with the exact words, "I don't care. Besides, you're in it. You're Willie Wonka."

"Oh, you're here. Come, watch with me." I sat on her bed beside her and watched the movie with her.

After a few minutes, I heard snoring. It was my cue to leave. I turned off the television and looked at my sister. I kissed her forehead before leaving the room.

I know that our problem was very little compared to other people's problems, but I knew one thing for sure. Like a ripple, it can affect everything in our lives. That poor girl, at a young age was already scarred for life. We all were.