Chapter 16, Fourth Of July

Bro, what if we actually die on the fourth of July?

"Is Val bringing the tacos?"

My mother asked as I helped her set up the chairs and tables before nodding my head, it was the fourth of July and we were currently at the pool for a barbeque.

Val was bringing the iconic tacos and steaks, Marceline was bringing chicken kebabs and baked potatoes, Kyla was bringing hotdogs and burgers, Angie was bringing all the snacks.

I brought a bunch of drinks, we had three coolers for different drinks.

We had sodas, juices, waters and alcohol for the adults but the alcohol is usually all in the Gatorade.

"Are you going to invite Miguel and his friends?"

My mom suddenly asked me as I was putting some sunscreen on Venus, I looked at her and took a deep breath before shrugging my shoulders.

I didn't want to invite him and make everyone uncomfortable but I did want to invite him so that we could get to know each other better, this is probably why I'm not allowed to make a lot decisions.

"Well, text him and have him come."

Venus told me, I looked at her and smiled before nodding and walking to my phone that was resting on the table, I grabbed it and sent a message to Miguel, inviting him and his friends.

I turned my phone off and waited for my best friends to arrive to the pool so that we could go into the pool together.

There were a bunch of people at the pool already, so you could imagine the awkwardness there was when you see a fourteen year old girl just pacing back and fourth.

Marceline and her father walked into the pool party first with Marceline's father's grill, they had the best grill ever and it made the good taste more flavorful.

"Hey Marcy!"

I squealed as I ran over to her, she embraced me with her warm hug before walking to the table and placing the food she brought, on the counter.

Marcy put her sunscreen on and then grabbed my hand.

"So you invited Miguel and his friends?"

Marceline asked me as she wiggled her eyebrows, I laughed at her and rolled my eyes playfully.

Bro, what if we actually die on the fourth of July?

Angie suddenly blurted out, I looked at her with wide eyes.

I was sitting next to Mason and Madeleine.

"Why, why did you feel the need to say this?"

Kyla asked as she looked away from her phone and at Angie, Angie shrugged her shoulders and went into the pool.

I swear she's going to be the reason we're all in jail one day, or Val.

"Do we all pretend to drown to see if anyone cares, or is that just me?"

Madeleine asked, I looked at her and chuckled before agreeing with her.

I feel like everyone tried to fake drown just to see if anyone would care, then eventually stopped when you realized that nobody cared.

Miguel had gotten up to get something to drink, although all he did was make eye contact with me, it made me feel butterflies.

I smiled at him and looked back at Mason who was talking to me about his new movie, he was super excited to be in the movie but when he noticed me look at Miguel, the topic switched.

"Y'know, he really likes this one girl. Always bragging about her, always complaining how she doesn't text back for an hour.."

Mason began as he took a sigh and went into the pool, I looked at him curiously and got into the pool before swimming towards him and grabbing his arm.

"Not that I care, but, tell me more about this, 'mysterious' girl?"

Although I knew that I was the mysterious girl, I wanted to hear Mason unknowingly expose his best friend.

Mason went on about how Miguel would talk about this girl and how he would smile more whenever texting this girl, I looked over at the boy and smiled.

I swam towards the edge and got out of the pool, I sat down and closed my eyes, have you ever had so much fun but then there's a wave of sadness that reaches you and takes a toll on your energy?

Sometimes I think I'm overdramatic or over exaggerating everything has happened to me, although the divorce was like years ago, it did take a toll on me.

You can't force someone to stay in your life and love you the way you love them but you can only hope they leave without burning every bridge they had with you.

My dad wasn't always the good guy, I'm not happy to admit that because I don't want anyone to tell me that "at least you have a dad!", I should be grateful that I have one, but the things he had said and done made me wish I never had one.

"Rei?"

I opened my eyes and had to blink a few times to adjust to the sunlight, I didn't know that I had been so zoned out.

Miguel grabbed his glasses from his small bag and gave them to me, I smiled at him and put them on.

"Sorry, I was too far in my mind, were you calling me earlier?"

I apologized as Miguel settled himself next to me, he shook his head and grabbed my hand.

"Fireworks are about to start in like two hours, wanted to know if you wanted to sit with me and watch them?"

I find it so cute when guys get so nervous around their crush or lover, like that is so cute to me.

"Yeah, we could take some photos as well."

Miguel smiled at me and nodded before being called over by Brady, Brady and Marcy had became best friends.

He was sixteen years old and doing online school, they seemed to be getting along well.

Brady was the father of his friend group while Marcy was the mother of ours, it wouldn't be weird they started going out.

When the sun began to set, everyone began to take out their fireworks and firecrackers, although I don't like celebrating the fourth of July for the reasons that we're not being treated as equal, it didn't mean I hated the fireworks.

I walked over to Miguel and grabbed his hand before leading him to the big group of people, they were circling around our parents and few other adults who wanted to start the fireworks.

When he interlocked his fingers with mine, I felt my heart beat just a little faster and my breath hitched for a moment before going back to the normal.

This fourth of July was definitely better than the last one, that's for sure.

Since I practically spilled my heart and soul out to you earlier, are you ready to hear the backstory of my parents divorce?