Summer Love

Chapter Two

Big Pine wasn't all bakeries but also of some bookshops. The town was U-shaped and the heart of it was the curve, where the yard and bakeries were located. But the bookshops were just roadside that you can run to them anytime you ran out of reading materials. 

I stepped at the veranda of Mr. Harrison's house and push the little button. After a while I can hear the voice of Mrs Harrison attending to the door.

"Oh dear Ayn, I have missed you," she opens the door with that usual charming smile of hers.

"Come in, come in." I can't help but return the smile as she hugged me.

The house was painted a soft green and would be enough for four children.

How I wish I have a little brother. 

"Boys, Ayn is here" she took me to the kitchen, turns out they were having a snack.

My throat runs dry after realizing why she said "boys" rather than "boy" but of course Mr. Harrison isn't a boy. I could sprint back through the door but it would be so weird.

"Have you met our little Jepperd, darling?" 

The emerald eyes. He stared at me for a while but seemed like a decade. My heart was pounding. Like what I felt the other day. I was really becoming a melodramatic stupid girl. Then his mouth curved into a smile. I looked away.

"Ayn, come sit" it was Mr. Harrison.

I did what I've been told and play a fool of myself. 

"Your aunt was doing jam this morning and we tried them now, here are also some lemon juice, if you'd like," he added.

"I'm Jepperd" the other boy across the table offered his hand.

"Ayn"

"How's your dad, Ayn?" 

"Oh right dad, hum, uncle can I borrow your wrenches? He's fixing the car again." 

"Of course, go to the garage after you eat we'll leave you kids alone, your aunt and I have to repair the lawn sprayer"

"Oh, and Jep escort Ayn back home will ya?" Mr Harrison added.

"Aren't kids beautiful honey?" there was a slight sadness on Mrs. Harrison's voice. I really believe they would be good parents. 

"Oh darling" was the only words Mr. Harrison can utter before they vanish for outside.

I didn't had the apetite but there was nothing else to do. 

"I saw you last day..."

xxx

I was tall but he was taller. The afternoon was warm and cold altogether, a perfect time to stroll but I can't seem to enjoy it because I've been sweating like crazy for this boy walking beside me. He was keeping his two hands on his back intertwined and taking steps lazily, eyes roaming around.  

"So, what do you do?" he said out of nowhere.

"Huh?" 

"I mean this summer, what have you been up to?" 

"Ah, books mostly" I said running out of ideas.

"Really? I like reading too myself, hmm who's your favorite author?"

"Sparks, his novels were dreamy" indeed they were, until now I can't quite get over them.

"Yeah I like his style, specially The Notebook, it's lovely to choose love over everything, that would require a strong one y'know?" 

"Yep, their love was beautiful, but almost unrealistic" I admitted. 

"So...you don't believe in that kind of love?" 

I look towards Angeleque Bookshop as we were passing by, I can smell the books from here. Dad said mother likes reading.

"Out of 10 people, only one can have that kind of love, I think." 

He chuckled and clears his throat.

"You could be that one" he said after.

I don't think so.

"Ah we're here," he said smiling. 

xxx

That was the last time I saw Jepperd that week after being pulled away by his gang right after we reached the yard. The other day I was requested by Dad to attend to our bakery because Dani, our regular tender was out of town due to her grandmother's condition and it might take a week. Hayn Mira Cakes and Pastries was named after me by my father, I guess his love for me is evident in everything he does, I am one lucky youth. We have three bakers a boy and two girls. Ivan is my age, he was an orphan and only lived with his distant relative--but decided to live alone due to oppression. He is a thin blonde boy with blue eyes--a real strong boy I know. Then there is Ida, a woman in his early thirties, she was a genius in baking and she's the backbone of our bakery, and lastly Tina, her assisstant. She's a shy woman in thick glasses only three years ahead of me. She was sweet and mostly silent. 

"I told your dad we can handle the establishment without bothering you, you must be enjoying the summer Ayn" Ida paraded at the counter for the new bread she was inventing. 

"Nah, I don't have that much to do Ida" I said with a faint smile. She frowned her brows and stared at me with bright eyes. 

This woman, is what I've dreamed of having a mother, she's sweet and authoritative at the same time--it warms my heart. 

"Your seventeen honey, when I was your age I keep hitting the floor and drawn in a lot of boys."

She chuckled, she is sexy and tall, got curly hairs and adorable face, surely she did.

"And I really hope one of them's my father," I said in between a fact and a tease.

"Silly girl, your dad and I were just friends, oh let's talk about you," she said with a devilish smile.

"Who was that boy you brought home with?" 

"Psh, dad told you? And I thought he didn't over reacted." I rolled my eyes.

"Don't do that on me lady." 

I laughed not able to hold the tickle in my stomach, "he's just a friend, I guess? He's uncle Rio's nephew."

"Well, George told me he was... cute" then the devilish smile again. 

"He's...Nah, he's just a typical teenager Ida" 

"Why are you blushing?" 

"I'm not!" 

"You are, lady, don't worry, keeping secret's my best talent..." she winked. I shook my head, silly woman.