"Maddie, get your arse up!" Mum shouts from down the hall. I ignore her and put my head back under the covers. The next thing I know, I'm being assaulted with a large, soft object.

"It's the holidays, leave me alone!" I shout back, still hiding away.

"Hunter has rung the house three times telling you to hurry up, if you're not out of bed before he rings again, you're coming to work with me instead of hanging out with your friends all day at the beach!"

"Agh, whatever, I'm getting up!"

"Good, now stop being a grumpy, pain-in-the-arse teenager. I cannot deal with that on a Monday morning!" she says, poking her head through the doorway.

"Fine!" I whine dramatically, whilst pushing out from under the covers. She looks at me, shaking her head, trying to suppress a smile.

"I know, that you know, that I'm the best daughter in the world. So while I'm getting dressed, could you pretty please make me pancakes for breakfast?" I pout for full effect.

"Ha!" she says a little too loudly.

"There're eggs in the fridge and bread and cereal in the pantry. Help yourself, world's best daughter, I'm off to work."

Oh well, was worth a try. Once Mum shuts the front door I finally roll out of bed, knowing if I don't show soon, Hunter will just come over and force me out the door with his stupid sexy smile that pretty much makes me do anything. Not bothering with a shower, I stand in front of the mirror to put on a little make-up. I look at my reflection-scratch that; I need to remove yesterday's make-up, then re-apply. I stare a little too long, scrutinising myself, comparing myself to Emily-of all people. What does she have that I don't? Hunter and I love all the same things, that's what drew us together in the beginning. But him and Emily? I just don't get it. Is it the way I look that doesn't do it for him? Or is it as simple as opposites attract?

I hurry and finish up before I get too depressed. Constantly comparing myself to Emily can't be healthy. I head to the kitchen and am scoffing down some toast when the phone rings again. I know it's Hunter, so I ignore it. Once my fingers are licked clean of strawberry jam and crumbs, I go rummage through my drawers looking for my one piece. That's when I spot my never-worn skimpy red bikini poking out from the back, the one I got ridiculously cheap at a sale last autumn. My intention was to wear it this summer and make Hunter's jaw hit the floor. Which would then lead to him declaring his undying love for me. Obviously, that plan is now down the shitter, since him and Emily have been inseparable in the three months they've been dating, but perhaps I can set some other tongues wagging instead, so I muster up some courage and wear it anyway. I need to stop being a pathetic, lovesick loser and put myself out there. Maybe today I'll meet the man of my dreams and finally get over Hunter, or at least a nice guy who asks me out; I'm open to either.

Hunter's place is right on the beachfront, so we're meeting up there first. I walk the two blocks from my house at a snail's pace, trying to delay the inevitable. An entire day of watching Emily and Hunter all over each other, yet again-shoot me now! Once I get to the end of his long driveway, I take a second to prepare myself and stare up at the house. It's a massive three storied place, it's pretty much a big white box with lots of tinted windows. I've always thought it lacked character, but it seems to be the in-thing these days. I can hear yelling and laughter coming from within. I jump up and down on the spot and stretch my arms up high; one side, then the other. Right, let's do this! As soon as I knock on the front door, Lexi swings it open.

"Maddie!" she yells and jumps up to give me a big hug. It doesn't matter if she saw me yesterday or last week, I always get the same reaction. Hunter's little sister's Lexi and Zoe are the sisters I never had and I love them to bits. Zoe is about three years behind us at school and Lexi will start high school next year. It's a shame I won't be there to help her adjust like I did with Zoe, but I'm staying close by to study marine biology, so I'll definitely be around if she needs me. Which I'm sure she'll appreciate since Hunter plans to go to Auckland University and I can't see Zoe helping her annoying little sister.

Walking through the house and out the back, I see that most people are here, including a few fresh faces. Usually, they're family visiting from out of town. A couple of shirtless guys catch my eye. One sees me and winks. Hmm, today might not be so bad after all. Then out of nowhere, Hunter's arms wrap around me from behind and he squeezes me tight. I think Emily has accepted the way he is with me, but I don't think she's very comfortable with it. Hell! I'm not all that comfortable with it, especially because every time he touches me, my skin breaks out in delicious tingles from head to toe. It's an addictive feeling, but one I need to overcome. I often wish we could go back to the way things used to be; best friends, no attraction, just having fun together. Instead, I'm destined to be friend-zoned forever.