The Boy Next Door

Chapter 1

"Yeah, okay, I will. Derek is leaving in a couple of hours, but I'll be over after we drop him off and stuff."

Summer break is coming to an end, and it's time for Derek to go back to the dorms for his junior year. I would've thought he'd move out of the dorms this year, but I guess he sees no reason to.

"My baby is leaving?" I heard Hayden, her twin brother, shout in the distance.

"Yeah. You should come over and give him a kiss." I joked, making kissy sounds into the phone.

"Ugh, don't tempt me, you know I'll do it."

Kristen scoffed, and I could practically see the eye roll she most likely did with it. "Oh, shut up. This is exactly why you're single."

I looked out the window as I listened to those two bicker. The sun was low in the sky, casting its golden rays into my room and across the lawn. My gaze wandered over to the 'For Sale' sign next door. That house has been empty since I was eight years old. . . the bank should just buy it already.

". . . if anything Derek would shove his di-"

"Whoa whoa, what?" I exclaimed into the phone, thankfully cutting Kristen off from her comment about my brother.

"Nothing." They both deadpanned at the same time. I rolled my eyes, listening to them continue their conversation as I walked over to my bed to grab my clothes.

"Please keep your fantasies about my brother to yourself. Thank you."

"Cameron. . . sweet, sweet Cam." Hayden said, his voice clear in the phone. "Your brother is hot!"

No. He's really not.

"Hey guess what?" I began, ready to mess with his fantasies. "He's not gay or available! Two things which you are, so I guess you're out of luck." I retorted, a smile forming on my face.

"Ha! That was good." Kristen laughed in the back.

"That hurt, Cammie. You're probably just mad I won't get with you." He whispered into the phone.

I scoffed and chuckled at his little comment. I heard faint footsteps, indicating he most likely walked out of the room. Now in the bathroom, I turned the shower on, letting the water run until it got to the desired temperature.

"I love you, too." I mockingly said with a laugh. "Hey, Kris, I'll text you when I get back and everything. Are you trying to go swimming?" I asked, removing my pajama shorts and tank top.

"Yeah, probably. Okay, I'll see you later. Bye!" She said holding out the 'bye' longer than necessary.

I shook my head and ended the call before stepping into the shower. The water hitting my skin thankfully woke my body up, allowing me to move at a normal pace. I avoided getting my hair wet since I forgot to put my shower cap on.

After a few minutes I grabbed my towel from off the railing and stepped out, almost slipping on the tile floor. I'm so clumsy. I wiped the foggy mirror, allowing my reflection to be seen. I tightened the towel around my body and grabbed my phone to take some pictures.

I got dressed and brushed my teeth before walking out the bathroom. I walked down the stairs and rounded the corner towards the kitchen, the aroma of maple filling the air.

"Ooh, pancakes." I happily stated, grabbing one of the pancakes off the large plate. "Oh, hey Mom."

"Mmh, good morning to you, too. Where is your brother?"

"No idea. . . I thought he was down here." I replied, taking a glass down from the cabinet.

"I just need to know if he has everything re—there you are." She said while looking behind me, Derek clearly entering the kitchen. I poured the last of the orange juice before chucking the carton at him.