"What do you mean you're not coming?" I asked, my jaw dropping. Janae let out a huge sigh from across the phone.

"I told you, Piper- my parents are batshit crazy. They only ever let me leave the house once a week." She explained.

I rolled my eyes at her parents. Janae was nineteen, yet, her parents had more of a hold on her then mine did. You'd think because she passed the legal age of eighteen, her parents would have backed off- but no, they're even more protective. It doesn't add up- especially when I'm not even eighteen yet, and my parents don't really care about what I do.

Okay, that's a lie. They care strongly, but I'm convinced they've just given up on trying to control me. It never works out well for them.

"Janaaeeeee." I whined, turning the Mercedes I magically received permission to use off, "I can't go in there alone! One of his friends is already here."

She groaned, "Oh grow up, would you? He's not a shark- he wont bite."

"But you know how I am with meeting people who are older than me." I reminded her, thinking back to the day I shockingly exposed my true feelings. Janae is definetly the only person I would ever get emotional with. Normally, It's not something I'd do.

Even though all of my friends are older than me, I still get butterflies when meeting new people. It's merely because my age makes me self conscious, and I'm afraid they'll all look at me differently just because of it- which yes, usually does happen. Sometimes I get lucky, like with Janae and them, but there's always that few that can't seem to get past it.

"Listen-" She began, and that's when I realized she was going to deliver a speech, "You don't have anything to worry about. You're a fun, lively person to be around- and if some low life can't seem to see that- well, fuck them. Now go have a bomb ass time on the-"

Before she could finish, the call ended. I laughed, because I knew she accidentally hung up like usual. I sent her a quick text saying thanks, right as Miles came out of his house to get me.

"Piperrrrrr." He dragged out, throwing up those weird finger signs people tend to use when saying hello to their friends now-a-days.

"Milessssss." I returned, making sure to respond in the same exact way he did.

Miles gave me a small hug along with a friendly back rub. I didn't think much of it because Miles and I were tight. I was the one who forced him to go to that concert with us after his girlfriend broke up with him, which only led to our awesome friend group.

Carmen likes to argue with me that Miles got over his ex so easily because of her- and not me. I already know this is not the case because Miles and I had a heart to heart one day and he just recently had explained that all because of that small, tiny talk, he finally felt better.

Carmen believes that because of the annoying little thing they currently have, Miles just doesn't think about his old girlfriend anymore- which is severely stupid, because even though he might be over her, I highly doubt he just forgot about her. Besides that too, Carmen is clearly just a rebound with a slight mixture of summer fling. They only ever fuck, or make out, so.

"I think this is the first time I'll get to meet your other friends." I said, grinning widely. I've tried on numerous occasions to meet his other friends, but Miles has never been down for that. I think it's because he doesn't think we'd all get along, but I'm not really a shy person. I'm loud, energetic, and can talk for literally hours.

Miles rolled his eyes as he opened his front door for me (what a gentleman!), "They're not all that great- and only three of them are coming."

"So?" I scoffed, "It's better than none of them!"

The two of us walked through the main foyer, and up the stairs to his little bonus room. That's where we usually hung out, other than the boat or dock. When we entered the bonus room I had expected to see the other friend that was clearly here already- but it was empty.

Making myself comfortable on one of the large couches, I looked out the window and studied the black Tacoma that was parked on the side of the road. "Who's car is that?" I asked.

Miles was already back to his video games, but managed to respond to me. "Oh, that's Blake's car."

"Blake?" I questioned- wanting a response from Miles, but instead, an unfamiliar male strolled in, and he made sure to answer my question.

"Hey, I'm Blake." His voice rang throughout the room.

"Piper." I vaguely responded. I normally would have said hey too, but I was too infatuated with this Blake.

He wasn't drop dead gorgeous like the boys from yesterday, but at the same time, he wasn't exactly ugly, either. Blake rested neatly in between sexy, and 'ehh'. There was definetly something special about him, though. I couldn't put it into words, merely because I wasn't sure what that special thing was. It was almost like a vibe to me.

His hair was a chalky brown, mixed with natural blonde highlights. It was a tad bit longer than short, and mainly hung in his face with little, loose curls. His hair covered up his dusty brown eyes that you couldn't really see into anyways because something odd was blocking your vision. Blake did have a nice set of teeth, and a pretty decent body- and the little smile he gave was kind of... cute.

No other words were exchanged between the two of us, and Blake sat down next to Miles in order for them to resume their game of Fifa. While they went on about their game, I just continued to study Blake- but in a non-creepy or obvious way. I just wanted to be able to figure him out.

Not long after the others showed up. First it was Carmen, who yes, was all over Miles instantly, then it was Oliver, our other friend, and then the last two of Mile's friend group. Their names were Louis and Landon, who were actually supposed to be twins, even though they looked nothing alike.

They both were tall and had the same features, just extremely different. One thing they did share was their humor. The two of them had me in tears instantly from laughing, which made them bond quickly with Oliver, who suddenly didn't seem to weird about coming anymore.

"Are we all ready?" Miles asked, grabbing the cooler he had just stocked fully.

Everybody nodded in agreement, and the seven of us headed out towards the familiar dock. It took us quite a while to get on the boat, because we're all dysfunctional human beings, but eventually, we got out there.

The lake was amazing. It's water was a deep shade of blue, but when you picked it up in your hands, turned as clear as water could get. Usually lakes smelt disgusting, but this one smelt very refreshing. The temperature was perfect, too. You'd expect it to be freezing cold, but actually, it was warm. Sure, when you first got in it was chilly, but eventually you got used to it. It slowly became just the right temp.

For the two separate group of friends that came out, we stayed on our own turf. Miles' other friends grouped together on their own, while we bunched together on the opposite side of the boat. Miles had been in between groups the whole time, and I definetly felt bad about it. One thing I hated the most was when you had- or showed up to a party with different friend groups and none of them mingled much. They all just stay together, and group up throughout the space. I wish everyone would just hang together and meet each other.

It's not like I would try to change anything, though. I was quite comfortable with just my group of friends- even though we did lack the outrageous humor from the twins. Blake on the other hand was fine over there for now, just until I could successfully figure him out.

"Maybe he's not a friendly guy, and I can just sense that." I whispered to Carmen, who stared directly towards Blake the same way I did. We just watched him talk to his friends, Miles included this time around.

Carmen shrugged, "He's cute, though. I know that if Miles and I weren't something I'd be all over that."

As Carmen swam away, I rolled my eyes. She always had to bring up the fact Miles and her were a 'thing'. She did it on purpose, too- because for some reason she feels like I have a huge crush on him. That's not the case. Miles and I just have a really strong friendship going on. Carmen just needs to chill, in my opinion.

We were out on the lake for nearly two and a half hours. As much as we wanted to stay out longer, a few of us had to work tonight. I hadn't spoken to any of Miles' friends that much today, but that oddly changed on the way back. We all just started connecting, and It was very sudden since we didn't talk at all while in the lake.

It started off with Blake and Landon discussing Landon's recent transfer from one college to the other. Apparently, University of Georgia, which was where Landon started, didn't have a particular program needed for what he wanted to do after school. Now, he's starting at Auburn this fall for their flight school.

That's when he turned to all of us, and asked, "Where do y'all go?"

And there it was. The conversation I was dreading most.

Of course I knew the topic would come up, since it's a standard 'getting to know you' question- but I didn't want to have to expose myself by saying I was still in high-school. It shouldn't be as bad, since Carmen is younger than me, but like I had said, she'll be going off to college this year- which automatically places her above me.

Speak of the devil, Carmen was first to answer with her peppy attitude, and proud expression, "I'll be starting Clemson in the fall."

Blake and them nodded, turning to Oliver who sat between Carmen and I. Great, they were going down the line. This only increased my anxiety.

Oliver pointed to the logo on his polo shirt, "Tennassee."

Louis applauded, "I still can't believe I've never seen you there."

"I am two years ahead." Oliver shrugged, putting Louis' surprise to rest.

Then Blake turned to me, as well as the rest of their heads. "What about you?"

I gulped as if this was a question to an important exam that I just didn't know the answer to. My instincts were telling me to lie and just make something up- because my friends would surely back me up, I know they understand. But who would I be If i lied? That's only more immature then just being young in general.

So, with a long, disappointed sigh, I answered honestly. "I still have a year left."

Blake's eyes popped, "In high-school?"

I slowly nodded, wishing I never saw the bewildered looks in all three of their faces.

"So, you mean to tell me that you're only seventeen?" Landon asked, one of his eyebrows cocked upwards.

I nodded once again, "Unfortunately."

Nobody said anything else about the matter, but I know for a fact Blake shook his head a few times. I saw it through the corner of my eye as I purposely looked forward instead of at any of them. Now that I think about it, nobody said anything else at all. The rest of the ride was pretty silent- and I knew it was because I had just made them super uncomfortable. These were the types of people who thought age was a dramatic thing. How convenient.