Chapter 1

Emma POV

"Why do I have to go!?" I asked my mom.

"Because I want you to have a good summer, and being stuck in an apartment all day every day won't be fun," said my mom.

My mom had enrolled me in some program. It was for city kids, like me. Families that didn't live in the city volunteered to take in kids from the city for the summer so they wouldn't be stuck in tiny apartments. I didn't like the idea of leaving home for the summer and staying with people I didn't even know.

"I don't care if I'm bored out of my mind. I don't want to leave here! I'm not even going to know the people I'm staying with!"

"Emma, of course you're not going to know them. But you'll eventually get to know them, and then you can enjoy your summer."

"There's no way I'm enjoying my summer if I'm not here."

"Emma, we've already talked about this. You're leaving tomorrow, so I would suggest packing."

I sighed and looked down at the ground.

"Emma, it won't be as bad as you think it'll be. And you know you can call, text, or email me anytime you want to."

"I know, but I just don't want to go!"

"Emma, please. We can't change it now even if we wanted to. Go pack some bags so you're not late to get on the plane tomorrow."

"Fine!"

I ran upstairs to my bedroom. I was so mad and upset my mom was sending me away for the summer. Both my parents worked, so I'd be alone every day for the summer, and she figured that sending me away in this program would make my summer more enjoyable. She wanted me to experience living in an actual house with a backyard instead of a tiny apartment building in the city.

I grabbed my suitcase and started packing my clothes. I couldn't stop worrying about flying alone on a plane, and what kind of a family I'd be staying with. After I had packed my clothes, I packed up some random things like my laptop. I knew I couldn't bring much else. I would be flying to some house in Colorado, so I couldn't bring much, otherwise it would cost a lot.

This was my last night in my own bed. I was going to miss it so much! I wasn't even going to have my own pillow! I'd be using one from the people in Colorado... But why Colorado!? I lived in New York City, and Colorado was so far from here! Why couldn't there be a family somewhere in New York that I could stay with? Then I might be able to visit home... And I wouldn't have to fly alone!

As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't get these thoughts out of my mind.

The Next Day...

Emma POV

"I love you Emma. And I'm sure you're going to be just fine," said my mom as I was about to get on my flight.

"Mom, I'm going to be all alone!"

"But the family will be waiting at the airport to pick you up as soon as you land."

"How am I even going to know it's them!?"

"I'm sure they'll find you."

They made the last call for my flight, so I hugged my mom, ran onto the plane, found my seat, and sat down. It was official. This was the beginning to the worst summer I'd ever have.

Later...

Rydel POV

"You're wearing that!?" I exclaimed, looking at my brother.

"Yeah, this is how I normally dress," said Riker.

"Riker, we're meeting the girl we're housing today! You need to change!"

My brother was always wearing stuff like leather jackets, and dark sunglasses. He was convinced he was a bad boy. He used to be so sweet and nice until his girlfriend broke his heart. Now he just wore dark clothes, and acted all tough.

"Riker, come on! Go change!" I said.

"No way!"

"Guys, come on! We need to get to the airport!" Our mom called.

We all piled into the car. I was sitting in the backseat next to Riker. I kept looking over at him. I was worried. Ever since he broke up with Lauren, he's been acting like a jerk with no feelings. He constantly brought girls back home just to make out with them. And then he'd break their hearts! I just didn't want anything to happen to our guest.

"Why do you keep looking at me?" Riker asked, obviously annoyed.

"Because you're unbelievable sometimes!"

"Why?"

"You look like you're about to get on a motorcycle after you beat someone up!"

"I don't see a problem with what I'm wearing."

I rolled my eyes. Riker pushed me into Ross, and our shoulders banged hard.

"OW!" Ross shouted.

"Oh, stop," said Riker.

"Mom, Riker pushed Rydel into me!" Ross shouted from the back of our van.

"Riker, be nice," said our mom.

"Rydel started it! She's picking on me for what I'm wearing!" Riker shouted.

"Well it would be nice if you dressed better, especially since we're meeting the girl we're taking care of today," said our mom.

Riker rolled his eyes and looked out the window.

"Mom, do you know her name?" I asked.

"Yeah, I've been emailing her mom. Her name is Emma. Her mom said she's really nervous, so you all need to be really nice and make her feel welcomed. Especially you, Riker," said our mom.

"What makes you think I'm going to do something?" Riker asked, as if it weren't obvious.

"Because you treat all girls horribly!" Rocky shouted from the seat in front of us.

Riker stayed silent. We all knew it was true.

We arrived at the airport. We walked to gate 18 which is where Emma was supposed to come from. I had made her a sign so she'd know we were her summer family. It had these cute pink letters. As we stood there waiting for her plane to arrive, Riker just picked on me for how my sign looked.

"Rydel, I think your sign looks amazing," said Ross.

I knew he was just trying to make me feel better, and I knew my sign was cute! Riker was just being a jerk. Like usual...

Emma POV

We finally landed, and I was scared to death. I was scared I was going to be lost, wandering around the airport in Colorado, and I'd never find the people I was staying with! How would I know who it was!?

The woman who had been sitting next to me on the plane helped me get my bag down from the overhead compartment. I walked into the airport and over to the baggage claim. I grabbed my suitcase, and then I wasn't sure what to do next.

I looked around, and I saw a group of people standing off to the side. There was a woman, who I assumed was the mom, and 5 kids. There was a girl who looked about my age, holding a sign. It said my name on it! It had all these pink sparkly hearts on the edge. I assumed the girl made it. As I walked over to them, I couldn't help but notice that they all looked really nice. Except the tallest boy... He was wearing dark skinny jeans, a black shirt, and a black leather jacket. He had his arms crossed, and he looked mad.

"Hi. Um... My name's Emma," I said, walking over to them.

"Finally!" The tallest blond said, annoyed.

"Please excuse my obnoxious brother," said the girl.

"It's ok..." I said, looking at my feet.

"My name's Rydel. This is my mom. And these are my brothers, Riker, Ross, Rocky, and Ryland," Rydel said, pointing to each one of her brothers.

So the tall guy was Riker. I'd better steer clear of him...

Rydel POV

"So do you have all your bags?" I asked.

"Yeah. But can I stop at the bathroom first?" Emma asked.

"Sure. Here, let me take your suitcase for you," I said.

We walked over to the bathrooms with Emma. I held her bags while we waited.

"She's taking forever!" Riker shouted.

"Riker, shush! It's been like 30 seconds. Have some patience," I said.

We all walked out to our car. I put Emma's bags in the back of our van. Rocky sat up front with mom. Ryland and Ross sat in the back. Riker, Emma and I sat in the middle row. I sat between them. Riker kept glaring over at us. Emma looked kind of scared. I didn't blame her. I was even a little bit scared of Riker now that he was... different...

We got home and I led Emma inside.

"So this is our house. You can sleep in my room," I said, leading Emma upstairs.

I helped her carry her bags. Once we were in my room, I closed the door and sat down on my bed.

"Rydel, your room is so... pink..."

"I know," I said, smiling.

"It's awesome!"

"Thanks."

"Do I really get to sleep in your room?"

"Of course!"

"Ok."

"Why? Is my room ok?"

"Yeah, I was just... Rydel, can I be honest with you?"

"Yeah."

"I've just been really super nervous and scared about this whole thing. I've never been away from home before. I never went to camp or anything. The most I'm away from home is when I'm at school. I'm just stressed, and you're really nice, and I was scared I wasn't going to get along with your family, and-"

"Emma, calm down. Everything's going to be fine."

"I was just worried I was going to have to sleep on the couch in the basement or the attic or something."

"No way! My room is your room too, now. I even cleaned out half my closet for you!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! Do you want to see?"

"Sure."

I opened my closet door, revealing the inside of my closet. Half of it was empty. She had room to hang her clothes, and some shelves for other stuff.

"Do you want help unpacking?" I asked.

"Sure. That'd be awesome!"

I helped Emma organize everything. She had really awesome clothes. They were so stylish, and I was a little jealous. But we were the same size, so maybe I could convince her to let me borrow some of her tops.

Emma told me a little bit about her home in New York City while we unpacked her stuff. She was an only child, and she had a tiny apartment. I told her a little about where we lived, and our family. I was just trying to make her feel less nervous. I could tell she felt a little more relaxed after a little while, and I was glad.

"Time for dinner!" My mom called from downstairs.

Oh boy... Emma's first dinner... I can only hope that Riker keeps his mouth shut.