Waking up can be so exhausting. Last night, I went to sleep thinking about how today is our last day of summer. Which I regret because a lot of the time my worries become the plot of my dreams.

Change can be overwhelming sometimes. (or all the time)

After brushing my teeth, and getting dressed. I start to make my way downstairs; to the kitchen. I see my mom rushing around the kitchen like a chicken with its head cut off. As I make my way to the refrigerator she finally spots me.

" Hey, kiddo. Have you seen my keys? I can't seem to find it." She says while still searching.

"Mom, your keys are in your hands," I say pointing to her hands. Not waiting for her response I turned to grab the milk out of the refrigerator.

She sighs " All this time. Now I'm going to be late. What would I do without you?"

"Be unemployed," I mutter

"You say something?"

"Nope. You should get going though. Don't want to be even later, do you?"

"I suppose you're right."

"Hey. Before you go I just wanted to let you know Payton and Julia are coming over today" while pouring my milk into my bowl of cereal.

"Yea, that's fine. Tell them I expect them to not burn down my house." She has a point. Payton once put a frozen pizza in the oven to cook while it was still in the box. And Julia is very impatient so when she cooks something most of the time it is still frozen but somehow still burns.

"Don't worry Mom. If we get hungry we can order out or eat snacks. Or I could cook." With my last statement, she looks at me as if I were crazy. Which isn't fair because I can cook I just don't like to.

"Really?" asked in disbelief

" You're right. I probably won't cook." I say taking a bite of my food.

" Bye. Love you kiddo." She says heading to the door.

" Love you too" I reply. And with that, she leaves for her shift at the hospital. She is a nurse.

After finishing my cereal. I start to text Payton and Julia, to ask them when they will be over. They don't respond right away. I mean it is half-past eight in the morning.

So instead of waiting. I wash my dish and then head to my room. Maybe I will be able to finish the book I am currently reading. It's about this girl and this boy who start fake dating because it's a kind of forbidden love on her side. It is very cute.

I put the book down after a few chapters because secondhand embarrassment is very powerful.

***

I grabbed my phone and saw that Julia and Payton had responded to my text almost half an hour ago. I opened our group chat.

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When will y'all be over?

Payton typing...

(Payton)

It will probably be around an hour for me.

Julia typing...

(Julia)

Same. But I don't have a ride so Payton you will have to pick me up. much love :)

Payton typing...

(Payton)

You literally live two houses from Rora.

Julia typing...

(Julia)

But I'm not at home. I'm at Alex's house.

Payton typing...

(Payton)

Then get him to take you. He has a car.

Julia typing...

(Julia)

I would but he would consider that an invitation. So will you pick me up?

Payton typing...

(Payton)

No.

Julia typing...

(Julia)

Come on, don't be like that.

Payton typing...

(Payton)

Fine, whatever but only bc you are a COWARD

Julia typing...

(Julia)

Love you too

I roll my eyes at their banter. They have always been like that.

I would have disliked the idea of Alex dropping Julia off. I mean they have been friends almost as long as Julia and I have been friends. We have only met a handful of times over these years. But he seems like a pretty decent guy.

I still kind of want this year to be different but at the same time, the thought of him being at my house is nerve-racking. Julia's and Payton's presence would have made it bearable.

I would like to befriend him.

But what if he doesn't like me or I do something embarrassing and he tells all his friends? Or what if I offended him somehow and he and Julia gets into an argument? Then she realizes how boring I am, leading to her not wanting to be my friend anymore. I will still have Payton unless she also realizes that I am a boring, lazy, worthless waste of spa-

I am brought to reality by knocking and voices coming from my front door. I make my way to the door. As I opened it I saw Payton and Julia standing outside.

As soon as they saw me; I was pushed out of the walkway.

"Oh yeah, just came in," I say to the air. They have already made their way to the living room.

I turn facing the door moving my hand to shut it when my action is put to an abrupt stop. I glance downward only to find a foot. A large foot. A man's foot.

Still in my startled state. I kicked the foot of the mysterious person causing it to leave the foothold. Before he can react I slam the door in their face.

About two seconds later there is a knock on the door.

'Where is Alex?' Julia questions with furrowed brows. While looking around as she approaches me.

It took a slight second before I felt myself grimace with the realization. Alex.

Did I just slam Alex Greenwood's face in my front door? No.

Julia furrows her brows, even more, when she lets a closer look at the expression on her face. She opens her mouth looking as if a question is on her tongue.

Another knock.

Startling the both of us from our thoughts.

She takes a step closer to the door and I let her. I on the other hand quickly dashed into the living area. Only to find Payton setting up a board game. Monopoly.