COUNTING DOWN THE YEARS

LONG WEEKEND

When the boys arrive it's chaotic. For me anyway because everyone else is living their best life. Know they give my parents valid and sensible reasons to not share a room so I end up getting kicked out of my room because, "We are a loving and welcoming family who treats visitors with kindness so they come back again. "

The boys take five minutes to eat everything in the fridge including vegetables all the while complaining how they don't like healthy foods but my mom is the best cook they've ever met. They plan to watch a soccer game later with dad who is more than happy about it. 

"Oh how I've always wanted a son to watch a soccer match with. Best day of my life. " Dad says excitedly. 

"These boys are just too adorable eating carrots and celery. I've always wanted Annie, you call her? , to eat healthy but she never listens. " Mom announces. 

"You guys are too kind. Annie you never mentioned your parents are so cool. I love them! " Peter says kissing mom's hand. 

"So cool man! " Drew agrees .

"Honey, they just said we are cool! " Dad exclaims and mom giggles. 

I hope I already said I'm going to die this weekend and that everyone else is living their best life. Dreams coming true and all that! Why don't I just drop dead! They won't even notice. I feel my mother's eyes on me. Scratch that, she'll notice. 

"Would you be kind enough to try look happy being here because you are home and not in prison. " Mom scolds as usual. 

"You know Bethany I've been meaning to ask if she's adopted. I mean I see she resembles you guys but is she really yours? You guys are cool but she is like that... " Points at a sulking me, " She acts like she was raised by a pack of wolves or something. "

They all burst out laughing. Including the pack of wolves that raised me. I glare at Drew. He laughs harder tormenting me further. 

"Seriously though Annie, what crawled up your ass and died? Be cool man! "

I'm more than ready to finally end the guy. And he is the last person to say such a line to anyone. I'd rudely tell him off with a, "Look who is talking. " But I'm really good at silent treatment so I don't even look in his direction . They laugh a bit more but it ends like any other stupid thing.

"So when are we watching that game? " Mom acts clapping her hands together happily. 

Alright, even she dreamt of a son to watch a soccer game with ! 

"In an hour or so. " Peter says just as enthusiast. 

When did he have any interest in any sport ! 

"Honey we'll need a lot of snacks. This is the best day of my life! "

He already said that didn't he? 

"Yeah, let's go grab some. You boys have any special requests? " Mom just being the guests lover. 

"Pretzels. "

"Pizza "

"Popcorn of course.  "

"Chicken nuggets in a tiny bucket, can I have chicken nuggets in a tiny bucket? "

"Some soda. "

"Coke for me. Lots of candy. "

"I'll take whatever. If you find nachos remember extra cheese please. "

"And what else Peter? Fruits? "

"Yeah definitely fruits. And ice cream for Annie. "

My parents actually write all that down. 

"How long is a soccer game again? " I had to ask. 

"Ninty minutes! " Everyone answers me in unison. 

I see. 

"So why do you want three days worth of food? "

Everyone blinks at me. I blink back. Challenging them. 

"Scratch the ice cream for Annie. " Drew says seriously and everyone watches my dad drag his pen across the  page .

He actually did it. 

"We'll be back shortly. Have fun and miss us. " Mom says .

That they should miss them! 

"Oh you know I will. " Drew says in a coaxing voice that makes my jaw clench without permission .

"Dude seriously, knock it off. " I warn him. 

"Just picked up a little skills from a certain talented someone. " Drew mutters under his breath. 

Peter and I exchange glances. I glare at his amused face. Doesn't he see he's only encouraging stupid Drew. Then he laughs heartily at my discomfort. 

"Just so you know Peter, and you stupid Drew , we didn't have anything going on. I rejected you because I valued studying. And now you are just a pathetic kid torn between following your passion and accomplishing something in your life and being the cool popular guy who is just some stupid community boyfriend to be used by any and everybody. Then Drew, stuck in the shadow of a guy you wish to be. No wonder you went to MIT just to be my camera man. You think you know a lot, that you are so smart but Drew, you are so wrong! Your career was never meaningful without me. I break the ground and you bask in my glory with me. Because in the shadows is where you belong. Tomorrow morning I want you guys to leave and never show your faces here ever again. "

Whoa, looks like I had locked a lot in there. Sweet release and I'm not sorry for anything I've just said. The boys are quiet with their eyes glued on the TV. Maybe I shouldn't have lashed out at teenagers like that and even went further to actually kick them out. They are quiet still. I can't meet their eyes right now. Guilt could kill me. So I may be a little remorseful for what I've said. 

"You don't even know why we are here Annie. " Peter says quietly. 

"We'll leave when Bethany and Josh say we do. Peter give them to her now. " Drew orders. 

"Give me what? " So my voice is still snappy and I internally cringe at that. 

I hadn't realized just how much worked up I was, still am till I blew. 

Peter leaves to I think fetch whatever it is they're supposed to give me. Then we exchange looks with Drew and he does not look pleased with me. 

"I won't apologize Drew. You've been getting to my last nerves and you know it. " I inform him in case he was dreaming about it. 

"Yeah, because we are teenage boys and it's what we do. There were never hard feelings in there Annie, not from us anyway. "

"No Drew, I think that's just who you are. "

We are silent again. A few awkward moments pass and Peter comes back. He dumps a black duffel bag next to me. 

"I see you went ahead and scratched each others eyes out. Somebody spare mine. Girls at school love them you see. " Peter says chuckling humorlessly.

"I've told Drew I'm not apologizing and that stands. " I say casually like I don't care. 

"I wasn't looking for pity Annie. I chose the life myself. " Peter responds quickly. 

"What's in the bag? " I question attempting to change the subject. 

"Open it. " Drew tells me not caring to show an interest. 

I see what I've done here. But I'm still not apologizing because being in this house makes me such a baby and I don't know why for sure. No way I'm being the bigger person even when I actually am . I open the bag after sighing. 

"What's all this gadgets for? " I ask sheepishly. 

They both give me looks of, 'You know what they are for! " I challenge them with a look of, ' Oh but I don't! '

Drew snorts as Peter rolls his eyes. I look at the gadgets again unpacking them one by one on the couch.

"We told your parents we are your interns. Said you've taught us a lot with a lot of passion. " Peter informs me. 

Clever! 

"We didn't tell them about your little coming from the future issue. " Drew adds. 

"I've taken the machine apart studying it while taking a break from a make out session. I told Drew you'd be proud. " Peter says actually smiling. 

I don't know if it's genuine or not. He should have done that earlier. 

"The future thanks you both! " I say dryly. 

"You think it's her time of the month Drew? " Peter asks him lowly but looking at me like he actually wants me to react . 

"Some people from school said you should have podcast episodes for your blog stories. Call them in for interviews and inputs . Make it livelier because some are too lazy to read. Generally most of them love your blog. " Drew says seriously. 

He has never sounded and looked so serious . 

"You are good Annie. " Peter says quietly. 

"Was that a compliment? " I question suspiciously. 

"Don't get used to it. " Peter mutters. 

He looks mad still. Maybe he needs to because I'm done cuddling them. They have to learn to act like grown ups now. I mean, they are grown up right? 

"So the podcast? " Drew enquires impatiently. 

"I'll think about it. " I say flatly. 

I'm being so immature and loving it too much. Before anything else is said to rekindle the leftover embers, my parents walk in carrying a whole store. I'm not worried they will find out what happened here in their absence. If the boys want to rat they should do exactly that. What will the parents do, ground me? They could try. 

They waste no time watching their soccer game and being the cute little family they are not without me of course stuffing their faces with food too. I've never been so bored in my life. Even mom seems to understand and love what's going on. 

All I hear are whistles every now and then and of course the commentators who won't shut up. I don't remember when my eyes closed. I'm just too sure after a while I was not a part of them. Eyes open or closed.