Five Reasons Why

Chapter 1

     Cranking down my car window, I wipe my forehead, trying to get rid of the sheen of sweat that's magically appeared. In Texas, I knew it was supposed to be hot, but not this skin-melting-off-your-face type of hot. Smirking, I laughed at myself for not being prepared. What had gotten into me the day I decided to come help my aunt with her shop..... I  still have no clue. Sighing, I slowly pull into the little two-storied building that will be my home for the next month or so. "Aunt Emila! Did you miss me?" I holler as I struggle  with my luggage," Do you think you can give me a hand?"

     "Hey, look what the dog brought in."she smirks, "Estie! I didn't think your flight would arrive so early!" I hear from behind the giant bags blocking my view, "Hold on, I'll get that. They'll be in your room on the left." she says as a pair of smoky grey eyes emerge when the bags are taken off. My aunt, more of a sister to me then anything, is only a couple of years older than me, with beautiful golden curls and a sharp personality. She leaves, grinning  a cheeky smile, and disappears into her shop. 

     I roll my eyes as I turn towards my jeep,"Come on Mica! Hurry up baby!" I whistle at my 2 year old husky-mix. She bounds out of the car, and I secure her leash before greeting the AC. As I look around I notice the shop hasn't changed much, except for a new stand of cupcakes in the window. Heading upstairs, Emila coos," Who's that cutie you picked up?" as she eyes my puppy. I grin and explain,"That's Mica. I found her wandering near a park in California. The poor thing was all alone, trying to eat out of a trash can." "Aww," she sympathizes,"well, anyways, you guys get settled in and ready for lunch." as she walks towards her room, her heels making a loud clicking noise.

     I turn slowly, pausing to look at my surroundings. One main sitting room with a kitchen behind it, and two hallways leading off to the left and right. I go towards the left hallway, and Mica follow, trotting behind. Once I get into the room, I sit on the bed, a wave of exhaustion, suddenly overtaking  me. Slouching there for a few minutes, I stare at my reflection in the mirror, approximately five foot seven  with average brown hair and eyes that are green like a swamp. My father has the same color of eyes as me. I think as I hold back a sigh. He left to join the army a few years ago, and I haven't really heard of him since. Grudgingly, I sit up, and start rummaging through my bags for a suitable outfit to wear. I finally find a pair of jeans and a black crop top that hangs loosely off my shoulders, complementing the tan I worked so hard to cultivate at the beach. Dani, my absolute best friend, insisted we get tan the natural way, which consisted of many hours in the sun, and at least two tubes of sunblock. I try running a comb through my unruly waves, and throw on some sneakers, before filling Mica's dog bowl with some kibble. "Are you ready yet?" Emila calls from the living room, "we have to leave to pick-up something on the way, so I'll meet you downstairs in my car." I shout a quick,"Ok!" to her as I grab my sunglasses and hurry downstairs.

     Once the car door closes and we're on our way, Emila asks," So what have you been doing this past year?" I really hadn't done much as a junior, but I had to at least pacify her with something. "Umm, well, I've been pretty busy with life and stuff.... oh, and Kayden sends you a hug." I think of my boyfriend with his next-door-neighbor looks and sweet smile. I hadn't seen him since July when he went to the lifeguard camp in Florida. Emila nods and pulls into a parking spot near a house. "I'll be back in a sec!" she says as the car door shuts behind her. 

     Sitting in the car, with the air-conditioning whining, I think back to the times Em used to ride up to a complete stranger's house and 'Ding-dong-ditch' them before riding away. A sudden knock brings me back to the present. Emila looks at me expectantly before gesturing to the pile of boxes in her hands. "Here, I'll help with that." a voice, belonging to a guy, chimes in. I slowly turn, thinking some creepy stalker has been watching us, when my eyes land on the most gorgeous pair of eyes I've ever seen. Hazel eyes with accents of gold are staring at me. Covering the awkward pause, I smirk," Finally, help from a guy......... I think." I say as I eye him up and down. Maybe five foot eight, with a tan body and brown hair tipped in blond, I think, even Kayden has some competition now.