Between Our Pages

Chapter One Almost Summer

I stared at the bright light of my alarm clock, hoping the time would go into reverse. The window let in a nice breeze that made it so hard to get out of my warm bed. I gave one final yawn and removed my blankets, shivering as I rushed to grab my sweater. 

"Just a few more weeks" I said putting my slippers on. 

"June!" I heard my mom yell up the stairs, knowing that I was probably still in bed.

It's my last year in high school, just 6 more weeks until summer. Then I will be finally free and off to college, away from everyone and everything. Alone. I smiled at the thought of it. Right now all I need is a hot shower and coffee.

I knew a fresh pot would be waiting for me once I finished getting ready, so I rushed to get downstairs. 

"Morning mom" I yawned as I filled my cup. 

"Good morning June" she said slowly, which made me look at her from my sip of warm deliciousness.

"What did I do."

"Your father and I have been talking about college-" 

I immediately rolled my eyes.

"June listen seriously. You are our eldest daughter and I think it's important that you stay close to home."

"We're not talking about this right now mom, I told you I already decided where I want to go. You and dad can't change my mind"

With that I took an apple from the counter and left before she could get another sentence out. I know I'll hear more about it when I get home but for right now I need to get out of that stupid house.

I took a bite out of the apple and got into my car, making sure my music is connected before I leave. I put the car in reverse and slowly backed up, taking another big bite. All of a sudden I see something flash in my rearview mirror and I slam on my breaks. I put the car in park and got out quickly.

Before I could even take a step forward the man was already in front of me.

"Don't you look where you're going?" he said quickly and loud.

I took a good look at him, my eyes travelling far up just to see his face. He wore a black t-shirt that hugged his arms and black baggy jeans, his arms crossed in front of him as if he was scolding me. His brown hair was messy like he had just woken up and his eyes-

"Hello?" he waved what looked like mail in my face. 

I snapped back into reality, squinting my eyes and crossing my own arms. 

"I do look behind me thank you very much. Maybe if you see a reversing car you shouldn't go right behind it." I snapped back. 

"You know what-" he looked me up and down and took a step back. "Just watch where you're going, one day you'll hit somebody."

"I wish I hit you" I said quietly.

"What was that?" he said looking back at me as he walked away.

"Nothing, just calling you an asshole!" I yelled back.

His smile faded quickly and he looked away without saying anything, hopefully walking away from my life forever.

No. No, no , no. I started to panic. 

He didn't make it far until he turned, walking towards the house that stood right next to mine. 

"Nice to meet you, new neighbour" he yelled at me, grinning like a stupid child as he walked into his house.

I felt like I had hot air spewing from my ears.

"What an idiot" I whispered to myself, carefully driving out of the driveway and towards the school. Thinking about all the ways I could avoid this man.

"Just a few more weeks" I reassured myself. "It's almost summer."