One

"Nooo! " She screams, laughing as she runs away. Tripping over her feet, I stumble falling on top of her tickling her more.︎ "S-stop, p-please!" She screeches in between her fits of laughter.

"I'd rather not." I smirk down at her.

She pushes me with all her strength making me fall over while she straddles my hips gripping my wrists above my head smirking down at me. She leans down near close to my lips, taking ahold of my cheek using one hand to pin my wrists. I close my eyes and close our distance, but she suddenly shoots up, fleeing and laughing.

"Hey!" I groan as I watch her escape upstairs. I follow her as fast as I could still in my daze to find her on my bed with an innocent look.

"That wasn't very nice." I say with a crooked smile. She just rolls her eyes still smiling at me. I jump on top of her as lightly as I could and pin her down exactly how she had moments before. "I'm going to finish what you started." I say leaning down connecting our lips once and for all.

She gives in to the kiss easily, electricity surging through my body. I let her hands-free and she instantly tangles them in my hair. I happily moan in response as she tugs lightly.

She pulls away after a minute, biting her lip. I go in for a second kiss, but they mash into her cheek instead. She laughs when I groan in discontent.

"Summer." I whine pouting, in one fall swoop, I'm on the bed next to her.

"You love it." She says turning her body to look at me straight on.

"I love you." I correct her as I pull her closer to my side.

"I love you too."

We stay like that for what seems like hours until we eventually fall asleep in each other's arms. God, I love her so much.

---

I make my way through the crowded hallways. My friends had been extra cautious with me today which only added to the burning hole in my chest. I just want to go home, and sleep this day away. I knew I should have just stayed home.

"Bryson! Wait!" I turn around reluctantly and face my friend, Reese. He had the classic look of concern written all over his face as he runs up to me.

"What?" I sigh, running my fingers through my hair.

"You sure you're going to be okay?" He looks at me. I've been hearing this for a couple of years now. I'd think he'd get the point that I'll be just fine, but no. I groan turning away. He grabs a hold of my shoulder turning me back.

"I'm serious."

"I'll be fine." I force a smile. He gives me a stern look, seeing right through my lie. He sighs, nodding before giving up.

"Text me if you need anything." He turns away, taking one last uneasy glance at me. I never do, but he still says it.

On this day, I never follow my friends to lunch. I preferred to be alone away from the curious glances of other students. I didn't understand why people still stared at me like some crazy person who'll explode at any given second. Yes, something bad happened, but it doesn't mean I have to be treated any different from everyone else.

I maneuver through the random people making their way to lunch and push open the doors, and leave the school. I walk around until I find a spot that isn't occupied and sit down waiting for the bell to go off.  

I was sick of the fact that over half of the school body was acting as if I could snap at any given moment. I was just a normal teen like them, I just got the short end of the stick.

I couldn't wrap my mind around how bad things happen when you least expect it. It happens to a lot of people. But I never expected it to happen to her. To us.

The end of the school day doesn't seem to come fast enough. I sigh making my way out of the school to my car. I hop in starting it up and mess with the radio before driving home.

I take my time getting there. This will be my last moment before I go home to my overly cautious and concerned parents. They have really gone easy on me since it happened. They let me do anything I want, even if it were a party, they said yes. I liked it at first, but now it just irks me.

As I pull into my driveway I notice a familiar car parked outside by the curb. I look into the living room window and see my parents talking to Summer's parents. Great.

I get out of my car locking it and make my way up to the front door. I stand there psyching myself to face them. I finally get the guts and open the door and try my best to act normal. 

"Bryson." Summer's dad nods to me as I walk in. I nod back before walking upstairs to my room. I was in no mood to converse with them. Nothing has been the same since she left us. Everything reminds me of her. My room. My bed. My car. Everything.

A couple of years ago today is when it happened. Everyone has been so nice and over-caring since the incident. I hate it. I'm old enough to take care of myself. Why can't they understand that and stop babying me?

I hear my name muffled downstairs and I step back into the hallway to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"How is he?" Summer's dad asks.

"He's made a lot of improvement over the last year-" My mom starts but gets interrupted.

"I can imagine how hard it must be for him... I'm barely coping myself" Summer's mom starts sniffling. "I'm sorry.."

"No, it's perfectly okay." My mom says. I can just picture her trying to comfort her.

"I just wish he would talk to us about it, I know he's not fine.." She continues to go on. I don't want to bring back the memories. Or bother you with my issues. . .

"Have you tried to get him to talk to someone?" Summer's dad asks since his wife is still a sobbing mess.

"Yes, but he won't listen.. he claims he's just fine the way he is." My dad answers. Why would I? They're just going to drug me up and force me to move on. It's bull shit. I'm just fine the way I am.

I've decided I've had enough, getting up to go back to my room to lay down.

I hear footsteps coming up the stairs after a few minutes, and I continue to stare up at my ceiling. I roll over knowing my mom is coming up to check on me. As if on cue, the door opens.

"You okay?" How many times can someone hear that in one day?

"Yes, mom." I turn to look at her. She gives me a small smile and nods before leaving. That was easy.

I turn back to my side, staring at the picture on my bedside table of Summer and me. I couldn't get myself to get rid of that picture even though it causes me so much pain every time I look at it. I couldn't forget her.

I hate that she left and that it happened so fast. I knew something was wrong when she didn't text me back. She always texted back right away. And then I found out what happened. . .

I remember running out of the house not believing it. I went to her house and saw her parents crying together in front of the police. It was so surreal. I didn't go to school for the longest time after that. I don't think I'll ever be my normal self again after that night.

Why can't people just accept that? There's no hope. I've given up, why can't everyone else just give up on me too?

Sleep finally comes after what seems like an eternity, and I gladly welcome it.

♡