Book 2: Chapter 14

***Chapter 14***

Gaining my composure, I walked to the room my mom was staying in with Summer. I was still on edge from my encounter with Cyrus. It was wrong to feel thrilled about his jealousy of me staying with Jay. That shouldn't be something to celebrate, but my mind loved knowing Cyrus possibly still wanted me. Though, it made things more difficult.

Pushing that aside, I got to the room to see Summer ready to go swimming. Her hair was braided up with a towel in her hand. My mom looked happy to be rid of her for a few hours. As stated before, Summer has become a lot to handle with things changing. Having Saida around should mellow her out a bit. She'll have someone her age with whom she could talk and maybe hang out. That is if Farah would allow it.

"Finally, you made it," my mom sighed with relief. "Take her and go please."

I laughed as Summer came over to me. "It's only for a few hours so don't go disappearing," I warned her. There was no way I was getting stuck with the attitude she clearly had.

My mom nodded, getting the memo. "That gives me plenty of time to get a drink."

Summer rolled her eyes annoyed that we were talking about her. "Can we please go, A? I really want to swim." She said wanting to get away from mom as well.

Something obviously happened between the two, but neither one would say anything about it. I would be surprised if my mom were finally scolding her ass about the whole Jeremy situation. She wasn't nice to him the way she should have been. Understandable from the perspective of a kid whose father also passed. However, Jeremy was doing his best and Summer was a complete asshole. Things were bound to be rocky at first, but it's been a year now. It was high time she got off this high horse she was on and got to know Jeremy. She'd love him if she did.

That aside, we got to the pool area, and it was exactly how I remembered it. Memories flooded my thoughts about when Cyrus had us playing volleyball in here. Of course, Jenna and her crew won but it was a well-fought fight. That day is a fun memory I hold onto as well. The best part being Summer could make memories here with Saida who was waving frantically at us.

Her blonde hair was pulled up in a ponytail as she strutted her way over to hug me. Summer didn't know how to feel at first because this was some random girl hugging her sister. This could go badly or extremely well. It was a chance my mom and I were willing to take.

"Autumn, I was starting to worry you wouldn't show," she exclaimed relieved that I did.

I laughed, apologizing. It's someone's brother's fault but I won't mention that. "Sorry about that, I ran into some trouble," I say. "But here is the person you need to meet, my sister Summer."

She looked to the side of me with a smile so bright. Summer, on the other hand, stood there with her arms crossed. This isn't exactly the warm welcome I pictured happening, however, Summer did surprise me with how she handled meeting Saida.

"Tell me, what exactly do you do around here that's fun?" Summer asked her.

Saida thought for a moment before going back to smiling. "Well, I'm a painter so there's that, but I also happen to know where my mom keeps all the secret sweet treats," she said with a devious smile. "I also happened to have access to the said secret spot."

Summer smirked liking her attitude. "You lost me at painting but reeled me back in with sweets, let's do this."

They started to walk away, and I giggled to myself. At least there was something that made her want to hang out with Saida. Even if it were a mischievous act. Summer needed a friend and Saida was the perfect match. Farah may have her qualms about it, but I'm sure if Saida begs her enough she'll cave.

In the meantime, I focused on the hot tub where Twila, Bradyn, and Kira were already waiting for me. We smiled at each other as I walked over getting out of my cover-up and shorts. Bradyn gasped in awe at the swimsuit when she saw it. A lot of it was revealing, but up Bradyn's alley because hers wasn't far off from mine.

"You said it was cute, but not this cute!" She yelled embracing me when I got in the bubbling hot water.

Laughing, I sat next to her thrilled that she loved it. "It's a bit much, but I'm happy it fits."

Twila raised her brow at me. "I'm sure Jay had some lovely things to say about you in that," she teased.

Honestly, despite his reaction, I was surprised he didn't say more than he did. Jay was keeping himself in check around me, which was great, but I did miss the flirting he would do. Maybe because I won't tell him exactly how my mind was thinking. He can't know what's going on with me unless I come out and tell him. There were so many opportunities over the last week for me to do so, but I chickened out. If we were going to be how we used to be then my mouth needed to speak words!

Sighing, I sank deeper into the water. "His face was priceless, but he didn't say anything about it," I say almost feeling sad that he didn't.

"You're staying at his house, and you mean to tell me nothing happened?" Kira asked appalled. "Like at all!"

I shake my head not wanting to talk about this. Jay and I's relationship was in a weird place right now. There was hope we can get it together considering Cyrus is getting married. The thing is, would he be upset if Jay and I got together now? Technically Cyrus is off the market, and we are free to date who we wanted. I'm unsure how boys go about things, but I must assume that would be breaking the code of some sort. Even if things were to happen between us, it would have to be kept secret because of Cyrus. Why did all my relationships have to be a big secret?

Changing topics, my eyes and ears were ready to hear everything about the date they had yesterday. I'm impressed Twila mustered up the courage to ask her. There wasn't much doubt in my mind that she wouldn't. The way she made a big deal out of it said otherwise. However, I assumed it went well as they were sitting close together with Twila's arm wrapped around her. It wasn't clear what Kira identifies as, but as long as she was happy it was okay with me.

"I believe two of you went on a date that I need more information on," my eyes squinted at them.

Kira's cheeks blushed as she looked away from me. Twila wore a bright smile on her face signifying the fact that things went great. It made me so excited to watch how their relationship develops. I've been rooting for them since Twila told me about her crush on her. It's a fresh start for Twila, especially knowing what went down with her and Sienna. There was no way she'd make the same mistakes and Kira was out in the open about their romance. Unlike a certain someone.

Speaking of that someone, Jenna and the rest of her friends along with Kameron walked in. Kameron, of course, had to outdo us all with her bedazzled swimsuit. Only her embellishments were made of real diamonds and not fake ones. It was tiring seeing her showing off everything she owned, but could I blame her? If I were her, I would do the same thing, to be honest. It was just so annoying that it had to be someone like her doing it.

That's not what my concern was though. My concern was the look on Sienna's face when she saw Twila with Kira. They weren't doing anything out of the ordinary. A simple handhold was nothing to get bent out of shape about. Sienna's face was telling me a different story though. She was the one that wanted to end things with Twila. Was she possibly feeling jealous? There was only one way to find out.

"I'll be right back," I say before getting up.

Sienna locked eyes happy to see me. She and I were friends after all it wouldn't be weird for me to go talking to her. I'm sure she wasn't expecting me to come over here, but I was being a bit nosey.

"Hey Sienna, how have you been?" I asked, going in for a hug.

She hugged me back with a smile on her face. "Good, Autumn, it's great to see you!" She spoke excitedly. Her eyes kept reverting over to Twila and Kira who were now laughing.

"Anything exciting going on with you?" I tried to get her attention off of them, but it wasn't working.

"Oh, you know the same old same old," her eyes looked back at them once more. "Hey, who is that with Twila? I have never seen her before." And there it was.

I crossed my arms looking back over at them as well. It wasn't out of the realm for her to be jealous. This was someone she spent a lot of her time with. Despite the insane argument, they were in love with one another. There didn't seem to be anyone Sienna was talking to or even crushing on. Seeing her ex-girlfriend with someone else probably drove her mad. That's exactly how I felt with Jay and Cyrus.

"That's our friend, Kira," I try to explain. "They're not officially dating, but somethings brewing."

Sienna pursed her lips a little perturbed about it. "Are-are you sure?" She asked me stuttering. I can hear the hurt in her tone.

I nod. "I'm positive, they just went on a date yesterday." I didn't want to make her jealous, but she had to know the truth. "Don't stress over it though. Anything can change."

That wasn't something she wanted to hear as her lips were still pursed. Sienna might have jumped the gun breaking up with Twila so soon. A year ago, I was fully for them not being together. It seemed toxic and like it was draining both. At the same time, they could have also given it a year to see if things would work out before officially dumping each other. That way Sienna wouldn't have to see this happening in front of her eyes.

All that to say, Twila was very much over her and only had eyes for Kira. Whatever chance Sienna thought she had was long gone. Acting jealous wasn't going to get her very far nor was it worth it. Sienna was just as gorgeous as Kira. Compared to her friends, she was nothing like them. I'm sure someone would be lucky to have her just not Twila.

Before we could continue to talk about it, we were rudely interrupted by Kameron and her big mouth. "Sienna don't fiddle with the enemy. Get over here!" She demanded her.

I rolled my eyes looking in her direction. "Ha-ha, you are hysterical you know that Kameron," I say sarcastically.

"I know, I'm good at everything I do." She flipped her luscious blonde locks over her shoulder.

Rolling my eyes, I look back at Sienna who was very much still looking at Twila. "You better get over there before she has a bitch fit."

Sienna looked at me snapping out of whatever trance she was in. "Okay, yeah. It's always nice talking to you Autumn," she said before walking away.

It's safe to say that there was going to be a bit of drama between the three of them. With that happening on top of my own drama it was all too much to handle. But of course, something is always happening in Sunbury.