Chapter 8
1594 Words
Mia's POV
"Ugh, my head is spinning," I groan as I open my eyes to sunlight streaming through the window.
"I brought you water and aspirin for that headache," Ally says as she sits on my bed.
"Thanks. Did I do anything embarrassing last night?"
"Well, you did shake a pineapple looking for SpongeBob and almost told Asher you liked him," she shrugs.
"I did what?!" I shriek.
"Don't worry, I stopped you before he heard it."
"You're such a great friend," I say, getting up to hug her.
"I know. Now take your medication." She hands me the glass and tablet.
"Yes, Nurse Ally," I laugh, and she rolls her eyes.
"You mean General Ally; I'm going to lead the army for war."
"They'll all be dead before the war even starts," Mason says as he enters my room.
"Shut up!" Ally snaps at him. "I'm leading the army, and you’re first on my list."
"No, you love me too much. Just look at how handsome I am," Mason smirks, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Don't you have practice or something?" I sigh.
"Not today, and I’m in charge," he grins.
"Dad left us alone?" I ask, resigned.
"Yep, so sis, you have the laundry to do." He brings in a basket of dirty clothes.
"Couldn't you have drop it in the basement for me?" I grumble.
"I'll help you," Ally offers. "Now I'm going to make lunch."
"Lunch?"
"It's 12:15 PM, Mia."
"Mason, I’m still trying to recover from my hangover. Please just take the laundry downstairs," I plead.
"Fine, just because I’m feeling generous today." He picks up the basket. "But you're carrying your load."
I brush my teeth and shower, then head to Mason's room to grab sweatpants and a T-back top.
"Mia, I’m leaving soon, so hurry up before Mason eats all the food!" Ally calls out.
"Coming!" I finish putting on my top.
I get a text from Asher:
Ash: Last night was great, except when you hung out with Alec and got drunk.
Me: Where were you?
Ash: With Sam. Derek was hooking up, so I barely saw him or your brothers.
Me: Mason isn’t a hooker; he’s just a flirter.
Ash: True. What are you doing today?
Me: Dad's away for the week, and Mason's in charge = my torture.
Ash: I’ll swing by later with my little sister.
Me: Where was she the other day when I came?
Ash: At her friend's.
"Mia!!"
"s**t," I mutter.
***
I walk to the basement with my basket of laundry, load Mason and Matt's clothes into the washer, and head back upstairs.
"My head hurts," Matt groans as he comes down the stairs.
"If you hadn’t drunk so much you lost count, it wouldn’t have happened," I reply.
"Where’s Mason?" he asks.
"Probably out back," I shrug, heading into the kitchen.
"Who cooked?"
"Ally did."
"No wonder the house isn’t smoking," he chuckles, and I glare at him.
"Kidding."
"Hey guys, I’m going out. See you later," Mason announces.
"Where are you going?"
"Out. See you later."
"Want to follow him?" Matt grins.
"Nah, I have better things to do."
"Same," he says, grabbing a magazine from the counter before leaving.
After finishing the laundry, it’s already 2:30 PM.
When will Asher get here?
I text Ally, Gloria, and my brother.
_______
Asher's POV
"Come on, Allison, we’re going to Mia's house," I call to my ten-year-old sister.
"Yes, I miss Mia so much!" she cheers, skipping down the stairs, her blonde ponytail bouncing.
"Dad, we’re going!" I yell.
"Yeah, whatever. Now shut up; I’m trying to watch my game," Dad snaps.
He’s always like this during games or when work is stressful.
"Let’s go, Ash," Allison tugs at my shirt.
"Okay."
We walk down the street and turn left at the corner.
When we arrive, Mia opens the door. "Allison!" she screams, hugging my sister.
"What about me?" I pretend to pout.
"I see you every day."
"Oh, burn," Allison laughs.
"I still want my hug, cupcake," I insist, and she rolls her eyes before hugging me.
That’s better; I wish I could stay like this forever.
"The shrimp is here," Matt appears next to Mia.
"You're still living off your father's salary," Allison snaps, and I laugh.
"I'm not eighteen and too lazy to find a job. What do you expect?"
"Go swim or something, Matt," Mia suggests.
"You should have told me we were going swimming, Ash," Allison nudges me.
"I think I have a small bathing suit somewhere from when I was your age. It should fit you," Mia says, grabbing Allison's hand and pulling her inside.
"So when are you planning to ask Crystal out?" I ask Matt, who is engrossed in a game on his phone.
I remember what she told me last night.
"Soon. I'm just afraid of being rejected since I have a reputation for breaking girls' hearts," he sighs.
"Just ask her out. No fear."
"No fear," he nods.
****
I watch Mia and Allison swim and laugh in the pool. "Want to join us, Ash?" Allison asks.
"He's allergic to water," Mia smirks.
"Oh, I'll show you who's allergic," I say, getting up, stripping down to my boxers, and diving in.
I swim over to Mia and start tickling her. "Stop, Ash! I'm s-sorry," she giggles. "I'll pee myself if you don't." I stop immediately, grinning.
"Smile, you lovebirds!" Allison calls, holding up my phone with a broad grin.
She snaps a picture. "Perfect for your future kids."
I shake my head but notice Mia blushing.
"I'm back, guys," Mason declares as we dry off.
"Where were you?" I ask.
"Out."
"Is that a hickey?" Mia gasps, staring at his neck.
"W-what? No," he stutters, covering it.
"My brother finally got laid!" Mia fake cries, throwing her arms around him.
"Who finally got laid?" Matt asks, walking out with ice cream.
"Our brother! Look!" she points at Mason's neck, causing Matt to drop his ice cream.
"Who did you—"
"Wait!" I shout, covering Allison's ears.
"Who did you bang, bro?" Matt slaps Mason's back.
"No one! Mia's just being dramatic," he grumbles.
"So you have a hickey but didn't hook up with anyone?" Matt frowns.
"Pretty much," Mason shrugs.
"What a waste of my two minutes," Matt says, heading back inside.
"So who is she?" I smirk.
"She goes to our school."
"Obviously."
"She's on the squad."
"A cheerleader? No way!" Mia gasps.
"Also, she's gorgeous."
"Well, it can't be Claire, and Matt wants Crystal, so..." I trail off.
"Don't worry about it, guys. I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone about us."
"Us? You guys dating?" Allison asks.
"Not yet. I don't know," he sighs. "I think I should go lay down." He heads back inside.
Strange.
"Let's watch a movie next," Allison suggests, and we agree.
"What do you want to watch?" Mia asks as we sit on the couch.
"The Lion King 2," Allison demands.
"There's a part two?" I frown.
"Yes, there's a part two. Where are you living? Under a rock?" Allison rolls her eyes.
"No, I just don't keep up with Disney movies," I grumble.
"Lion King it is then," Mia says, starting the movie.
"Wait, popcorn!" I snap my fingers. "Pause the movie."
I head to the kitchen to grab popcorn, drinks, and chips.
My phone buzzes.
Crystal: hey, I need you to babysit. I have my hands full today.
Me: sure, where are you?
Crystal: walking to your house.
Me: wait there; I'll come meet you.
"Hey, Matt, can you drive me over to my house?" I ask when I reach his room.
"You have a license. Drive yourself," he replies, tossing me the keys.
"Where are you going?" Mia frowns when I come back downstairs.
"To my house. I’m picking up a doll for Crystal," I explain.
"Oh," Mia looks unhappy.
"I'll be back in fifteen minutes," I say, kissing her hair.
I drive quickly to my house and see Crystal waiting patiently.
"Hey," I say as I get out of the car.
"Oh, you're here," she smiles, handing me the doll. "Thanks, I owe you," she kisses my cheek.
"Yeah," I nod.
"So where are you going?" I ask, noticing she's dressed up.
"I promised my cousin I'd meet her at the mall, but I don't have a ride, so I'll call—"
"I can drop you off if you want," I offer, cutting her off.
"Really?"
"Sure, no problem." I open the car door for her.
"Thanks! Now I owe you double," she chuckles.
__
Mia's POV
Fifteen minutes later...
"Where's Ash? He said he'd be back in fifteen minutes," Allison whines.
Yeah, the popcorn's getting cold.
"I'll call him," I say, dialing his number.
"What's up?"
"Where are you, Ash?"
"I'll drop off here, Asher. Thanks," a girl's voice replies. Crystal? "Thanks for the ride."
"Was that Crystal?"
"Who's Crystal? I didn't know Ash had a girlfriend," Allison frowns.
"Yes, it was. She needed a ride to the mall, so I offered."
"Were you going to carry her bags around too?"
"It's not like that, cupcake," he sighs.
"Just hurry up and get back here." I hang up and resume the movie.
I don't care if I'm acting like a jealous girlfriend; ever since Crystal showed up, my friendship with Asher feels different. He shouldn't even be babysitting today.
"I don't like that Crystal girl; she's taking up my brother's movie time with me," Allison grumbles.
Me too, Allison. Me too.
_______________-
- Writer
