Chapter 1
8 Years Old
It had already been fifteen minutes since my babysitter, Julie, had arrived. Why were my parents still here? I had a very strict schedule to stick to if I was going to get to see Miles tonight. Just thinking about him made my heart race.
"The pizza should arrive any minute," my mom said for what had to be the tenth time. "There's money on the counter. And there's juice and soda in the fridge."
"I got it, Mrs. Brooks," Julie said with a smile.
My mom always went on and on whenever her and Dad had a date night. Julie had watched me a million times, though. She already knew all this. Besides, I was too old for a babysitter. I sighed and folded my arms across my chest.
My dad turned his head and saw me scowling.
A smile spread over his face as he walked toward me. "What's the matter, Summer? You need to turn that frown upside down."
Whenever he said that, I couldn't help but smile. "I don't need a babysitter, Dad. I can take care of myself." I'm sure it sounded less convincing when I wasn't scowling at him. "I'm almost two whole hands." I held up eight fingers to prove my very valid point.
He ruffled my hair. "Well, I know that. But you know how your mom worries. Besides," he knelt down in front of me, "you're not quite two whole hands yet. You still have a couple of years."
"I'm rounding up."
He laughed.
"Isn't your movie at 6:30? You're going to be late. You really should get going." I loved my parents to death, but they were being ridiculous. Nothing bad ever happened on my cul-de-sac. It was probably the safest place to live in the world.
"And why is it that you're so eager to get rid of us? This wouldn't have anything to do with sneaking over to Miles' house would it?"
I'm sure my eyes got huge.
Which just made his smile grow. "It's okay. Just don't tell your mother," he said with a wink. "You're right, the stars are brighter after your bedtime. It can be our little secret."
"You ready to go, sweetie?" my mom called from the door.
"Just be back in your bed by 11 when we get home," my dad whispered as he gave me a hug and a kiss on the forehead.
That wouldn't be a problem. Since Miles lived at the top of the cul-de-sac, it was easy to see my driveway and front porch from his tree house. Even if I was still out when my parents got home, I'd be able to see them pull up and sneak back just in time. If I ran really fast, I could be tucked in bed before my parents came to check on me to make sure I was asleep. And I was an expert fake snorer. I gave my dad an innocent smile.
He smiled, as if he knew what I was thinking. "And go say goodbye to your mother."
I ran over to the door. "Bye, mom," I said and gave her a swift hug.
"Behave yourself."
I shrugged my shoulders in what I thought was an innocent way. But I wasn't planning on behaving. I was planning on annoying Julie to no end and getting sent to bed early. I had this babysitter thing all worked out. It was the same every time.
My dad ruffled my hair once more, and then they both walked out the front door.
Finally. I closed the door behind them. Phase 1 was complete.
"Hey, kiddo," Julie said as I turned around.
I hated when she called me that. I wasn't a kid anymore. Time for phase 2.
***
"And he bought me these," Julie said and stuck her foot out from under the table so I could see her new Converses. "Aren't they awesome?"
"Mhm." But they weren't really. They just looked like any other pair of shoes. My bunny slippers that my dad had bought me were much more awesome. I glanced under the table at my fuzzy slippers. My feet didn't reach the floor, so the bunnies' ears sagged slightly forward, which made the slippers look even cuter.
"Jacob is seriously the best boyfriend ever. I'm so lucky. We already got our tickets for homecoming and it's not even until the end of the month. He bought a tie to match my dress. I can't wait to show you pictures."
"What color is your dress?"
"It's this really deep purple."
"What color shoes did you get?"
"Silver. They're really pretty. They have these little gems on the straps."
"Is he going to buy you a corsage?"
"I think so."