While lying on my bed, my fingers brush over the pink, green and blue pastel flower quilt my grandmother made for me when I was only nine years old, and a small smile lights up my face. "She still has it," I mumble to myself. That's the same year I started spending summers with her, the year my summers started being fun again.

I love being with my grandmother. Over the years, we would sit out on the porch at night looking out at the lake, calm from any of the day's activities. She would make her iced tea and tell me the best stories about when she was young. The ones about her and my grandfather were always my favorites. During the day, she'd take me canoeing, hiking or swimming. We'd make all our meals together and go into town shopping at the Farmers Market on Saturdays for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Sometimes I wish I could stay here all year. Don't get me wrong, my parents are good people; they're just never around and too busy to take me anywhere or do anything with me for that matter. So, in the summers, the only person I ever did anything with at home was my best friend, Amy. She lives across the street from me in Massachusetts and she's like a sister to me.

We used to do everything together, well as much as you could when you're that young. But when we were six, she started going to a day camp, so I would only get to play with her for a couple hours before dinner. I'd spend the rest of my day at home with a nanny who didn't care what I did, as long as it was inside or in the fenced in back yard, so she could watch her talk shows and soap operas without having to chase after me. When my parents finally realized what was happening, they "rewarded" me with spending the summers with grandma on the lake.

I do love my summers with grandma, but I know I miss out on a lot of things back home. Amy keeps me updated as to what's going on with everyone like who's dating whom and what new activity, movies or songs everyone seems obsessed with at the time. She tells me about parties she goes to and about all the boys. I call Amy my personal gossip columnist, which fits her personality perfect, besides being the complete opposite of me.

At five-feet, three-inches, Amy has blonde hair that hangs in waves down her back and beautiful blue-grey eyes. In my opinion, she's gorgeous. She's involved in everything; her favorite being cheerleading. She loves to be the center of attention. I on the other hand have chestnut brown hair and my dad's brown eyes. I'm taller than Amy by about three inches. My parents don't have time for me to be in any activities and I hate being the center of attention. In fact, I like the quiet at my grandma's.

This summer, Amy and I tried our best to get my parents to let me stay home and spend the summer with her before our last year of high school. We used every excuse we could think of. Amy's parents even offered to let me stay with them for part of the summer, so I could spend some time with Amy. My parents didn't want me to be a burden to anyone outside our family, so no matter what we said, the answer remained no. We finally gave in to defeat.

The worst part is there's a cute new guy, Blake who I really want to get to know better. I had just been allowed to start dating when I turned sixteen. But I didn't have any interest in dating the boys I grew up with when I've seen them do everything from picking their nose to throwing dirt at me. I guess I never got over seeing some of the gross things you do as a kid and couldn't picture any of them as more than a friend.

Then, Blake moved to town over spring break and for the first time, I was interested in a boy. Now, instead of being home with my friends, I'm lying on my bed at my grandma's house, thinking about them at the summer kick-off party and feeling sorry for myself. I miss everything!

I hear a light knock on the door. "Briann," Grandma calls through the door.

"Come in," I reply. "I finished unpacking and I'm just chilling."

If it weren't for my grandma's gray hair, you would think she's a lot younger than her age. She's tall and thin, but very strong with gray eyes that sparkle when she's happy, which seems to me to be most of the time. Her face is defined with laugh lines around her eyes and mouth that I think make her more beautiful. She gives me a small smile and asks, "Do you have everything you need?"

I nod in confirmation before I reveal, "I was just remembering the summer you gave me this blanket."

She laughs and murmurs, "That was a good summer. I'm glad you're here. But it looks to me like you're missing home."

I can't help but sigh. "You know me better than anyone," I relent, looking fondly at her. It's not her fault my parents send me away from my friends every summer. I do love her more than anything and cherish my time with her, but she's right. "I do miss my friends, but I'm happy to be here with you too, Grandma."

"I know, but I also know that doesn't make it easy to be away from Amy and your other friends. Are there any boys you have taken a liking to?" she prods. I blush and she laughs, gently patting me on the knee. "There is, do I get to hear about him?"

"There's really not much to tell. He just moved to Mass in the spring. He's really nice and pretty funny," I admit and shrug my shoulders with nothing more to say.

She nods her head and informs me, "You know there's a nice-looking young fellow I've seen quite a bit the past month out on the lake in our cove. He always waves to me when I'm sitting outside. He looks about your age. Maybe there will be someone else to entertain you this summer besides me." She grins and winks at me. "Besides, I'm getting too old for some of the things you like to do, I can hardly keep up with you."

I smile, shaking my head at her. "You're more than enough to entertain me Grandma and you're not too old! You know I love to do anything with you." I wonder what she thinks a cute boy my age looks like. I shrug thinking he's probably a fifteen-year-old with skinny arms and glasses that don't stay on his nose. "I think I'm going to get some sleep so I can get up early and go kayaking. I haven't checked out the lake yet."

"Ok, I think that's a great idea! While you do that, I'll make you your welcome breakfast," she proudly announces and gives me a quick hug. "I love you. I'll see you in the morning dear. Goodnight," she murmurs as she stands up, closing the door as she walks out.

"I love you too, Thanks for having me." I call through the door, "Goodnight!"

My phone beeps with a text. I pick it up seeing a message from Amy, "Wish you were here! Brett has the biggest bonfire I've ever seen in his backyard!"

I text back, "Wish I was there too, but hope you're having fun without me!"

Before I set my phone down, it beeps again. "I will and I'll be sure to keep you posted. I miss you!" I sigh and put my phone away. I don't want to see anymore messages tonight. I'll talk to Amy tomorrow.

I'm sure we've all had that feeling of missing out or wanting to be somewhere else for one reason or another. Hope you enjoy!

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