The Tangled Webs We Weave

-another moment gone-

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(slight spin-off from The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han)

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Dreams and reality are two completely different things.

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Chapter 4

The first thing that happened when Cam and I returned home, at exactly ten-thirty to Kendra's approval, was the interruption of Harris Fisher.

"You guys looked pretty cozy up there," he noted with his infamous smirk. Harris leaned against the marble counter lazily and sipped from his glass of god-knows-what.

A lot can change over the course of three seasons.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said without looking at him. I couldn't even spare Cam a glance.

"Where's mom?" Cam asked, shooting me a changed the subject face. I smiled.

"Sleeping," Harris grumbled.

"Where's Derrick?" I asked, glancing around the room for the blond-haired boy.

"Upstairs watching TV," Harris answered. "See you dudes later." He left the room but not before wiggling his eyebrows in Cam's direction. Harris was never a very subtle kid.

"Thanks for tonight," I heard myself squeak. I looked Cam for a moment, trying to scrutinize his face, but as always, he remained a huge mystery to me.

"No problem," he said easily. "Night, Massikur."

At the sound of my old-time nickname I smiled. Ever since we were young, Cam had been calling me Massikur. He said it suited the drama that somehow ended up weaving itself in my life over the course of the school year. Cam and Harris went to the brother school of my school for the off-season football games but whenever we visited them in Washington, it seemed to be I only saw Harris during the night football games. When I brought Cam to our grade-parties, my friends made a point to show that they weren't shy to point out the fact that Cam was a good-looking kid.

"Night footloose," I retaliated over my shoulder. I gave him the nickname because I've busted him multiple times dancing in his room to oldies music. 'Mom got me into it,' he'd claim.

I started up the staircase then realized I wasn't sleepy, even though the games at the fair were kind of tiring. As opposed to running up the stairs, I decided to take a walk on the beach with my iPod.

When I stepped out onto the porch, I relished the smell of ocean salt. The ocean had its own scent and the smell was as distinct at Kendra's cooking. I walked along the cool sand with bare feet, listening to 'You Get What You Give' by The New Radicals—a personal favorite—and focused on enjoying this not-too-hot summer evening. I also recounted the best highlights

Just as I was about to walk back, I noticed a small figure over the dunes. The figure was spread out like starfish and I found myself walking closer to it.

The unmistakable blond mesh of hair was a dead give away.

"What are you doing here?" I pulled out an ear-bud. I towered over him.

"Star-gazing," he mumbled so quietly I had to strain to hear his voice. He wasn't looking at my dumbfounded face.

"Why star-gazing?" I replied.

I half expected him to give me a smartass remark about how I was too curious, and then I also expected him to say 'because.' But no, Derrick Harrington surprised me.

"It helps me think," he said deadpanned.

I took a seat next to him, contemplating whether or not I should lay down too. "About what?"

"Lay back," he ordered without looking at me. "Then close your eyes."

I was a little suspicious about his demands but I did it anyway. Soon, everything became quiet except the distinct noise of the ocean waves pulling in and out. The moon was a full and it reflected off of the ocean.

Tonight couldn't have been more beautiful.

"What does this do?" I asked with my eyes shut.

"You tell me," he shortly replied. I didn't look at him but I swear he was smiling.

"Why are you really here?" I blurted.

He sat up; I could feel his figure next to me. "What do you mean?"

I remained on my back, staring up at the many constellations. "Why are you here with the Fisher family?"

Derrick didn't answer, he chose instead to lie back down and stare up at the stars as well. "Look at that," he murmured, his pointer finger pointing straight up, "it's Cygnus."

"Huh?" I could feel my face scrunch in confusion.

"It's a summer constellation," he explained, "it's a swan."

"They pair up for life," I said lamely.

"I know."

I looked for Cygnus in the illuminated sky. I've always wondered what it would be like to be named after a beautiful, bright star.

"Where is Cygnus?"

"There," he pointed again.

"Oh," I whispered. I gazed at the stars displayed above me. How much more beautiful could the night be?

Night and day were so different and each had their own perks and negatives. Personally, I favored the night over the day—things and people tended to be much more spontaneous.

"Shouldn't you be asleep?" He asked after the dead silent moment.

"Probably," I admitted, "but I wasn't tired."

"Are you now?" He asked thoughtfully. It almost felt like he was calculating and scrutinizing me with those brown, brown irises.

"Kind of," I fought a yawn.

"Better go to bed," he answered, "we're got a big day tomorrow."

"Oh?" I played along.

"Yeah," he nodded, "we're going sailing."

"Whose we?"

"Cam, you and me."

I didn't respond. I started to get up though, figuring it was a good time to dismiss myself. As I was just about to walk away, Derrick said quietly, "Tonight was nice."

"Yes," I lamely answered, "night Harrington." I picked my feet up and began to walk back into the dark, quiet house. I could hear Harris snoring from the kitchen floor.

Although nothing really happened tonight, I found myself wanting to keep this moment to myself.

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Longer chapter! Sorry about the long, long wait.

Review perhaps?

-another moment gone-