7 Years Old
When the Kelly's got to their cottage, it was a struggle to get their daughter of the car and when she did, she ran down to the water. Her father hot on her heels, making sure she didn't get hurt.
"What's wrong squirt?" Alex was practically in tears as she looked at the other large sized cottage. "Oh, I see. How about we go back up to the cottage and unpack and then we can make some food, I know you're hungry. After that then maybe we can take the boat out?"
Alex nodded and took her fathers hand as he lead them back up to their cottage. Normally she'd already be in the water having fun with Jodie but things this summer were going to change and she knew it, even at her young age.
A few hours later the Coopers arrived at their new summer cottage. "What do you think Ris?" Julie asked. Marissa huffed and refused to get out of the car. "How about we eat and then go swimming?" Marissa gingerly exited the car and looked around.
"What are you doing pumpkin?" Jimmy asked as he picked his daughter up.
"Oh nothing, just looking for bears, deer, anything that can eat me alive." Jimmy laughed and carried her inside.
Kelly Cottage
"Alex, Jodie isn't coming back, please try to have a little fun this summer." Alex shook her head and ran out the back door. Her mother went to go after her when her father stopped her. "What are you doing, go after her then, she's 7 years old not 17."
"You know where's she's going and I'll give her five minutes and then go."
Cooper Cottage
"So Mariss what do you think?" Julie asked her daughter as they sat around the table eating.
"I think I'd rather be home with Summer."
Julie put down her fork. "It really won't be that bad it's just going to take some getting used to."
"I
don't wanna get used to it, take me home now!" Both her parents
just looked at her, so she decided to get up and storm off outside.
Once she closed the back doors behind her she started to run.
Dock
Alex sat on the edge of the dock with her feet dangling over the side, not long enough to reach the water. She wasn't normally one to cry but she really missed her best friend, the summer was their time and even though she had only been there for a few hours she already missed her. As young as she was she really didn't understand everyone reason as to why Jodie wasn't coming back.
Marissa didn't know where she was running to but she knew her parents would probably be hot on her heels. Tears streaming down her face she found her way to the dock where she seen someone at the end of the dock looking out over the water. Not knowing who it was she stopped dead in her tracks.
Hearing someone come running her way Alex turned around and was face to face with a light haired brunette. The two girls stared at each other for awhile before one of them said anything.
"Got a staring problem? Maybe you should go to the doctor." Alex was not in the mood for any company.
Marissa swallowed the lump in her throat. "I don't have a problem, so I don't need a doctor, do you?" Alex turned back around, tears still in eyes. "Why are you crying?"
"Why are you crying?"
"I asked you first." Marissa retorted.
"Do I look like a kid that cares? I dun think so."
Being stubborn as she was, Marissa walked to the end of the dock and sat down next to Alex. "What are you looking at then."
The blonde girl huffed. "The water."
"Just the water, isn't that boring?"
"No, do you always talk so much?" Marissa shook her head no.
The girls sat in silence for what seemed like forever to them but was only about a minute. They were unaware of their parents standing behind them, introducing themselves, and hoping the girls would become friends.
"I take it you're the new girl around here?" Marissa nodded. "Got a name, or am I gonna hafta call you new girl?
"Marissa, what about you?"
"Alex."
"Isn't that a boys name?" Marissa raised an eyebrow.
Alex rolled her eyes. "It's a nick name."
"So what's your not nick name then?"
"I'm not telling you that, you'll call me that then and only my mom does that when she's, argevated with me?"
Marissa shook her head. "That's so like not a word."
Alex thought for a minute. "Is now." The girls went back to their silence.
"So what is it?"
"I'm not telling."
"Please?"
"No.""
"Ice cream?"
"No, I'm not telling you."
Marissa thought of something else she could give the girl. "Tell me and I won't…I won't push you in the water."
Alex looked over and let out a small laugh causing Marissa to look down, both girls knew that there wasn't going to be any pushing of anyone in the water.
"You're really not going to tell me?"
Alex shook her head. "Nope."
"Gonna tell me why you were crying then?"
"Will it shut you up?"
Marissa looked down, and felt tears
starting to build in her eyes again, she really wanted Summer right
then.
"I'm sorry, I just miss my best friend. Is it your
fault she's not coming back? You bought her cottage right?"
Marissa nodded. "I think my daddy did, I'm sorry."
For some reason unknown to little Alex, that statement was all she needed. She still missed Jodie terribly but she couldn't be mad at this new girl for some reason, even though she was really trying.
"It's okay, not your fault. Why were you crying then?" Marissa shrugged. "I told you so you have to tell me now, that's the rule."
"Since when is there a rule?"
Alex thought for a minute. "Since…right now so out with it."
"I miss my best friend and I'm mad my parents made come here to the boonies, so that the bears and dear and evil rabbits can eat me alive." Her statement made the other girl start to burst into laughter. "What's so funny?"
"You, you big monkey head."
"It's not funny I'm scared."
Alex rolled her eyes. "Don't worry I guess I could protect you."
"Really?" The blonde girl nodded. "Want to tell me your non nick name now." The blonde looked at her. "Okay, sorry I'll give it up."
"Good."
That summer had gone by quicker than either girl had realised and even though they weren't best friends, yet, they used each other to miss their best friends less. It was now time for them to get back to their lives, little did they know what they had started that summer or how much they would miss each other. After spending practically every waking moment with each other it was going to be harder than either thought.
They had their share of fights, being young kids but they made up within seconds. Both families were now packed and ready to leave.
Kelly Cottage
"Can I go say bye to Marissa again mom?" Her mother smiled and nodded. "I hope their not gone yet."
Cooper Cottage
"Marissa, come on let's go stop looking out the window." Julie said walking into her daughters bedroom.
"Before we go can I say bye to Alex?"
"I thought you already did that sweetie? We're going to be late for dinner at the Cohen's." Marissa looked down and pouted. "Okay, fine let's go."
Dock
Both girls stopped in their place when they seen each other walking towards them.
"I was coming to say bye to you." They said in unison, both mothers smiling.
The two girls hugged each other, and said that they'd miss each other. "You're coming back next summer right?" Alex asked not wanting to lose another friend.
Marissa wasn't sure of her answer so she looked at her mother who nodded. "Mhmm, I'll be back cause you protected me and didn't let the bears eat me."
"Don't forget about the deers and evil rabbits." Alex started laughing to herself before realising no one else was laughing. They stood there for a minute not sure of what to do next.
After a minute Marissa gave Alex a hug and Alex didn't complain so Marissa hugged her tighter. Both mothers took their daughters hands and said goodbye to each other. Just as the Coopers were out of sight, Alex realised she had forgotten to tell Marissa something. So she took of running towards the Cooper cottage, calling Marissa while her mother ran after her.
By the time Alex got there she ran around to the front to see Marissa getting into the car. "Marissa!!!" Marissa was already in the car with her seatbelt on though.
"Daddy wait." Just as she said that Alex ran up to the side of the car, and Jimmy rolled the window down for her.
"Alex..Alexandra." Alex said out of breath as her mother caught up. "But don't you dare call me that, or else." Marissa nodded.
"Okay, Alexx." She purposely made it sound like she was going to the girls whole name. Jimmy rolled the window back up as the two girls waved goodbye to each other, both hoping next summer would come sooner rather than later.
