Book 2: Chapter 37

**Chapter 37**

I managed to finally make it to my family's corridors hoping that there wouldn’t be so much drama this time around. Sadly, it’s like everyone needed to let out their grievances this week. This time it was my sister who was finally letting out all those pent emotions she’s been having. It’s been a year since she’s said anything about the whole Jeremy situation. Hearing the news that he was going to propose to our mom must’ve set her over the edge.

Before I could even make it to knock on the door, Summer came running out not even glancing up at me. Jeremy was there with a sad expression on his face while my mom was missing. I had no idea where she went but I figured Jeremy wouldn’t talk about the proposal with her around. Summer was not happy about this and maybe never will be. Though she couldn’t avoid Jeremy forever. He would be a part of our lives essentially forever now. We couldn’t be a family with tension looming around us all the time.

Jeremy sighed as I could sense the sadness he had radiating off of him. “I just don’t know what to do anymore, Autumn,” he began to speak. “Giving her space didn’t work, trying to be cordial and show her that I’m there for her doesn’t work either. Your mother said to just give it time but it’s been a year now. How much more time do I have to give?”

I felt bad for him because all he wanted was to be there for Summer but she was being a bitch. Our situation is something no one would be able to relate to except for Jay. And yet, she was so young when it happened. I’d figured she would be the one more open to Jeremy. If anything, I should have been the one acting like Summer. I was old enough to be able to understand what was going on with our father. Whereas she was a bit naive to the matter. It took a few extra years for her to realize that he wasn’t coming back, but up until now, she always seemed to be dealing with it well. I guess that was just a facade.

Not wasting another moment, I hugged Jeremy tightly because I understood his pain. There had to be a way to get Summer to understand what was happening and being the big sister that I am, I had an idea. It’ll be emotional since we haven’t been there in a very long time due to some life struggles. This could be what Summer needs to get her head out of her ass and see the bigger picture. Her happiness was just as important as our mom's and I wasn’t going to let her be selfish. Especially not when Summer could be just as happy.

“Don’t worry Jeremy, I’ll get her to come around,” I say scheming like I always do.

Jeremy knew this and didn’t want me to take it too far. “Just don’t push her too much, okay? I want her to come around because she wants to, not because you made.”

I pat his shoulder telling him to relax. “She will, but I have to do a little pushing,” I said. It’s true though. Summer doesn’t respond without someone pushing her.

“You think you’re mom will be upset if you did?” He asked, not wanting me to get in trouble.

That I didn’t have the answer to though. “It’s hard to say, but my mother is never going to be hard on her the way she should be. So, big sis is taking over.”

He chuckled almost agreeing with my point. Don’t get me wrong, I understood why my mom wouldn’t push her. She was the baby technically and every parent was soft on the baby of their children. There is also the point that Summer truly was young and didn’t get to experience our father the way I did. My mom wanted to give her those experiences and if that meant spoiling her a little bit, then that’s what she was going to do. Now, that needed to change and it was starting with me.

Saying goodbye to Jeremy, I promised him things would be okay in no time before texting Saida to see where they were. I was going to take things slow and since they’ve become best friends; I figured having Saida with us would make it easier for her. The only problem was convincing Farah to let Saida come stay over at Jay’s house with us. She seemed fine with Saida being friends with my sister though and I appreciated that from her at least.

“Can I please stay Mom?” Saida begged.

Farah wasn’t convinced, but she has been more open to letting Saida do more things. “I don’t know, Saida. Are you sure this is a good idea?” She questioned. We did just have a falling out before this, but it wasn’t about us.

“It’s only one night. I’ll even put in an extra hour of violin practice if you let me.” Saida negotiated.

Farah pursed her lips before caving into her daughter. “Fine, as long as you’re back by 2 tomorrow.”

I didn’t plan on bringing her back so soon, but that only meant we needed to do what I planned early in the morning. The girls didn’t seem to mind since they were having a sleepover either way. I gave them both time to pack up a bag before Jeremy drove us to Jay’s. He was still out with the guys and I had no idea when he’ll be back. I wasn’t worried as I’m sure he was fine and he would agree to my plan tomorrow. I needed him to drive because I just didn’t feel like it.

In the meantime, when we got to Jay’s house, we immediately changed into some pajamas while I ordered pizza and wings for us. While we waited for that to be delivered, I thought we could each take turns doing something we all loved to do. First, we started with Summer. Her favorite thing to do was dance and if we were able to afford it my mom should have put her in classes. Unfortunately, none of us were choreographers; so instead she showed us some of her favorite dancers and or dances on the tv. I can see why she loved it so much and she could develop a career out of it. It’s not something I ever would have thought about.

“Wow, can you do all of that?” Saida asked, impressed by what she was seeing.

Summer shook her head. “I wish, but maybe one day I’ll be able to.” She said.

Saida smiled. “You’ll be great at it,” she says as Summer smiled back.

“Did you ask Mom about it, Summer?” Now I question her.

“Not exactly, I’ve mentioned it but money has always been tight.”

That was true but now Jeremy was here. If she were on better terms with him, this wouldn’t even be a topic of conversation. Her stubbornness was stopping her from experiencing opportunities that could be in the palm of her hand. That was Summer for you though. If she was going to force herself to do something best believe she was going to stick to it.

Afterward, we did what Saida loved to do most which was painting. We pushed the couch and the coffee table back a bit in the living room, setting up on the floor. Summer and I were horrible at this, though Summer was a lot better than me. I chalk that up to all the time she’s been spending with Saida. It’s done her a lot of good as well because I can tell just how happy she was being around her. It’s like her whole world lit up ever since. It made me happy that if she felt she couldn’t talk to me, there was Saida, ready to listen.

“I’ll never understand how you’re able to make pictures this way,” Summer said. “It’s so difficult and quite the annoyance.”

Saida laughed. “You’re getting so much better, Summer. You were a lot better than Autumn when it was her first time.”

Summer agreed. “I’ve always been more creative than my sister,” she chimed in.

“I’m gonna pretend like you guys aren’t dissing me right now,” I say as we all laughed.

With that the doorbell rang, signaling it was the pizza man. I went to grab it and tipped the guy before bringing the food into the kitchen. They wanted to finish our pictures first before eating, so that’s what we did. Then we happily grabbed slices of pizza with chicken wings on the side. It was fun getting to talk to them and see what they had going on as teenagers. Things have changed since I was their age. It’s hard to tell what was still cool and what wasn’t. Boys were also a topic of discussion, especially with Saida. Summer has never been one to like anyone, that I’ve heard of. But Saida was very much smitten.

“I don’t even know what to say to him,” she explained to Summer and me. “I become a babbling idiot whenever he’s around.”

I laughed, feeling her pain. “What’s this guy's name?” I queried.

“Issac Hampton. He’s only the most popular boy in my grade and of course, my mom loves him because he’s a Hampton,” she rolled her eyes at the last part.

I bit my pizza, understanding the situation. “Better hurry and lock this guy down, Otherwise you’re gonna be playing a game of Bachelorette,” I warn.

Summer laughed. “Oh god, could you imagine?”

“I wish I didn’t have to,” Saida said.

We continued talking while eating our food and then to end our night, I decided we should bake something. Tonight we were going to bake some sugar cookies and I guided them through the process. It got a bit messy, but that was all part of the fun. Needless to say, the cookies were going to come out fantastic and I couldn’t wait to eat them.

While they were mixing up the dough, I preheated the oven to be hot and ready to go. While that was happening, I lined a sheet with parchment paper before checking on the finished product of the cookie dough. We let it sit for a minute before each grabbing spoons to bake the cookies. While we were adding it to the sheet, Jay finally got back home, surprised to see us in the kitchen. Mainly surprised to see Saida here with us.

“Hey, what’s going on in here?” He asked amused and excited about seeing the cookies.

I walked over to him, happy to see his face. It’s been all day since I’ve spoken to him. “We’re having a small sleepover if you don’t mind,” I say.

He nodded. “Of course, I don’t though a little shocked that your mom let you come over here Saida.”

“We all were, believe me.” She said.

Then Jay smiled as he looked at my sister. “And you’re Summer, right?” He questioned.

Summer nodded, already knowing the situation between him and me. “That’s right. You better be nice to my sister or else,” she warned.

He laughed taking note of what she said. Saida looked a little confused but it wasn’t something I wanted to get into at the moment. She was Cyrus’s sister and I didn’t want to create a conflict of interest for her. Not only that, but she knows Jay is also her brother's best friend in every sense of the word. Knowing about our relationship might make her upset at me and I didn’t want to ruin the friendship she had with Summer either. The situation was over-complicated and very tiring, to say the least.

That still didn’t stop me from embracing Jay as tightly as I could as he hugged me back. He smelled heavenly and seemed like he had a good time with the guys. Though I was surprised to hear where they went. I thought it was kind of funny and low-key kind of mad I didn’t get to go.

“Someone missed me today huh?” He whispered in my ear. I can tell he was smirking.

I didn’t mess with him about it though because I did. “I did a lot. Where did you go?” Not that it was any of my business, but I liked to know.

He let me go, looking at me. “Well, we went to a bar at first, and then somehow we ended up at a strip club,” he said.

I cackled. “And without me? Dang, that’s a bummer.” I pretend to be sad, but I would go to one.

“Yeah, yeah strip club woo!” He was being sarcastic. “I was thinking about you all day if I’m being honest.”

“Even with partially naked women around you? I must have truly scored then.” I tease.

He laughed before he headed off to take a shower. The girls and I put the cookies in the oven, waiting for them to bake. By the time Jay got out of the shower, they were ready to go and we let them cool down before eating them. Afterward, we got the living room set up for the girls to sleep in and watch movies. I told them we had to be up early so they wouldn’t stay up too long. We needed to get where we were going early enough to bring Saida back on time.

I said goodnight to them before going up to Jay’s room with him. As soon as I closed the door I felt myself being pulled into him. His lips connected with mine fiercely before holding me close. It was surprising but I loved every minute of it. We were made for one another.

“I’ve been waiting all day to do that,” he says, holding me tight.

My arms wrap around his neck with a smile on my face. “That’s what happens when you stay out so long,” I say.

He chuckled. “That’s never happening again,” he was merely joking. “Care to tell me what’s going on with the girls being here?”

I figured he would ask that. “Well, you know Jeremy is planning on proposing to my mom and I guess he told Summer,” I explain. “Long story short, I need to talk to her about the whole ordeal to get her to come around to him. That’s where you come in.”

He raised a brow, confused by that. “Why do I come in?”

“Because…” I trail off a bit. “I want to pay someone a little visit.”