Living In The Radio

I stumbled a little in my new pink heals and continued to walk beside my best friends. I was walking between my friends Hanna and Liv. My white pleather bag swung at my hip from my arm and my sunglasses tinted the bright Baltimore sun. My long blonde hair was pulled back into a pony tail as usual, with my crazy side bangs pulled into a puff at the top of my head. My big hoop ear rings swung and hit my cheeks as I walked, with my heals clunking on the ground on my way out of school.
"Graduation tonight," Liv sighed and looked down at her phone. Her long black hair was pulled back too, but she let her straight bangs hang in her eyes. She was Asian with a perfect tan.
"We're free," Hanna laughed to the both of us.
"I can't wait to spend my whole summer at the pool, with my best friends. Beach everyday!" I shouted aloud for the whole parking lot around us to hear.
"We're going to a party tonight, 'you coming?" Liv looked to me from her phone.
"Nah," I shrugged. I didn't like the whole party scene. It's not my thing, and never has been.
"You're such a downer," Hanna shook her head.
"Am not," I rolled my eyes. "See you guys tonight," I waved goodbye and unlocked my yellow convertible bug. I took a seat in the drivers seat and headed home as fast as possible to get ready to graduate from that wretched high school.
***
After graduation I sat alone on the couch. My mother and father had cheered my graduation with wine and offered me one glass, but I refused. I sat with my legs draped over the arm of the chair and sighed. I wish I could've been with my best friends right now at that party, but I knew I'd be awkward there. They'd play music I didn't know, and they'd probably be drinking and smoking underage, and there'd be lots of swearing. Not my place.
My mother sat on the couch beside me and looked at me with happy eyes. "What did you have planned for this summer?" She cocked her head. She was always bothering me to have more productive summer. I usually spent every weekend with the same girls (Liv and Hanna) at the beach, or at Liv's pool. She always wanted me to go with her and Dad to visit my brother for a week, or go get a job or something. I always stayed behind with my friends and did nothing.
"Beach and pool," I sighed and rested my head back. I knew she was going to try and argue me to start doing something. As always, it wasn't going to work.
"That sounds like the last four summers to me," She raised an eyebrow. She means well, but she needs to butt out of my life.
"Well then it's a good thing that the last four summers have been fun," I chuckled and rolled my eyes.
"I have a better idea," She smiled and dad came over to sit beside her, putting his arm around her waist like they're both about to lecture me. "You haven't seen your brother in year,"
"I've seen him," I rolled my eyes yet again. I'd obviously seen him, I just hadn't made eye contact with him, or spoken to him. He'd been here when he was off tour.
"It's like you haven't with the way you treat him!" She cried.
"I hate him," I snarled.
"He didn't do anything Harley," Dad interrupted.
"Okay," I scoffed sarcastically.
"He misses you," Mom held out a hand and patted my shoulder.
"I'm not surprised," I flipped my pony tail pushed her hand away.
"Harley, you need to talk to your brother," My father scolded.
"If I do, it won't be anything nice," I laughed.
"Harley Anne Merrick!" My mother yelled shrilly.
"What're you going to do? Force me to talk to him?" I laughed.
"No, you're coming with us when we visit this summer," Dad said calmly.
"And you'll be nice when he gets here tomorrow for your mini-family graduation party," Mom grumbled.
"And who will be there?" I raised an eyebrow angrily.
"Us, Zack, and your two friends," Dad explained.
"Liv and Hanna?" I got a little hopeful.
"Yes," My mom agreed through gritted teeth.
"Good! I'd die," I sighed.
***
The next day, I sat in the same chair with Liv and Hanna on either arm rest. We were waiting for my stupid brother to get here. He'd better not bring his friends. I'd never met them, but I never want to.
"What's his name again?" Asked Hanna with a whine.
"Zack," I rolled my eyes. Both my friends thought he was hot.
"And you're sure he wouldn't be interested?" Murmured Hanna.
"Yes," I rolled my eyes yet again.
"Damn," She groaned.
"Language," I hit her forearm.
"It's just damn! It's not even that bad," She scoffed at me.
"Swearing's a waste of words," I stated as the front door opened and slammed quickly.
"Home!" I heard Zacks annoying voice come from behind me, where the door was. I shuddered and sighed angrily.
"Hi Zack!" Hanna turned and waved at him as Liv did the same. I slumped into my chair and ignored him.
"Hey?" He sounded confused as he walked past us to my parents in the kitchen for hugs. I could hear them all arguing for Zack to go wish me congratulations.
"Fine!" I heard him yell and Hanna and Liv both looked at me in horror. Zack rushed into the living room and leaned towards me. "Congratulation's you bratty, selfish, whore!" Zack screamed in my face. Hm, well I suppose it was called for after all I've done to him, but I couldn't help but laugh. He'd changed a lot. His hair was longer but still brown with a little blonde. It was a little curly, and a little spikey. He had a nose ring and numerous tattoos.
"Thanks, you annoying waste of time and space!" I screamed back, and Liv and Hanna both rose from their seats and looked at the both of us in disgust.
"Hey, hey. Let's all calm down here," Hanna slurred in the voice she had used oh-so many times to seduce the guys at school.
"Awe great," I mumbled under my breath in horror with myself.
"Yeah, this is all a misunderstanding," Liv joined in. Neither of them even knew the situation to be stepping up like that.
"Shut up and leave," Zack rolled his eyes and pointed to the door.
"What?" They both gawked.
"Maybe you guys should go. I'll text you later," I spoke through gritted teeth and warned them to go. They both shot me a glare and scurried out the door awkwardly.
"Thank you," I sighed to Zack.
"Oh so NOW you're talking to me?!" He yelled.
"Apparently I'm supposed to," I shrugged at him and shot him a glare.
"Then will you listen to me?" He said sweetly with sarcasm all over his face. Zack was shy as heck, but he's been always rude to me ever since I started hating him.
"Sure," I returned the sarcasm.
"I hate your guts," He spat.
***
Well that fight turned out just perfect because now we're both sitting on the couch like two nine year olds when they get in trouble with their parents. We weren't looking at each other and our parents were standing in front of us with their arms crossed.
"You're in big trouble," My dad pointed an accusing finger at me. My jaw dropped in shock.
"Ha. Sucks to suck," Zack scoffed.
"You are too!" Mom cried.
"What?! I can't get in trouble! I'm too old for that! You can't!" Zack stuttered angrily and I chuckled under my breath.
"You two, are going to be like you used to be, by the end of this summer!" Mom yelled.
"And how're you going to do that?" I grimaced.
"You young lady, are going to spend the whole summer with your brother," Dad stated proudly.
"Like that's going to happen!" Zack flung his arms into the air.
"Oh it's going to happen," Mom shot him a glare.
"But I'm going on a huge tour with the band. Vans Warped Tour? I can't bring my annoying little sis'," Zack whined.
"Yes you can," Dad argued.
"I won't though! I refuse. She's a little bitch, and none of the other guy's are going to want to deal with her," He shouted back, and I crossed my arms and looked at my mom with anger.
"I'm not going anywhere," I scowled.
"Yes you are," Dad turned his attention to me.
"I don't want to! What about Liv and Hanna?!" I screamed.
"They can spend a summer without you!" Dad groaned.
"I hate you guys," Zack slumped into the couch with a groan.
"You'll thank us at the end of it," Mom grinned.
"Why would I do that?" Zack shot.
"Because you and your sister will be close again," She sighed.
"Doubtful," I murmured under my breath.
***
I woke up the next morning dreading the fact that my brother was still here. I knew I'd have to leave at some point today too for that stupid Warped Tour. Gosh; I hate music. This is going to suck. I'll bet Zack's friends are ugly too, just to make it worse. I know they're all idiots, but that's it.
I do sort of feel bad that Zack doesn't think I support him. I mean I don't support him, but I still feel a little guilty. He's doing what he loves...even though I hate it. My parents know I hate it. They're sending me away to torture me. Kill me now. I don't even know how to live on tour! Do we get fancy hotel suites?! We'd better. And how'm I supposed to live with 4 boys all summer? I'm literally terrified of this turnout.
I headed into the kitchen sluggishly were Zack was sitting at the table with his head in his hands. I glared at him before taking a seat across from him silently. We sat like this for a while before I spoke up with the questions I needed answered.
"So, what're your friends names?" I still spoke angrily so I wouldn't confuse him with thinking that I don't hate him.
"Rian, Jack and Alex," He grumbled.
"Do I get my own room?" I brought up the hotel business.
"You get your own bunk princess," He chuckled menacingly.
"A bunk?!" My jaw dropped.
"Yes, a bunk. We're not staying in 5 star hotels either, if that's what you're getting at," He looked up at me.
"Can you just drop me off someplace and not tell mom and dad?" I whined quietly in case they were awake.
"Half of me would love to leave you in the middle of a desert, but the other half wants to bring you for amusement and torment," He grinned like the brat he is.
"Gee thanks. What time are we out of here?" I grumbled.
"A little after noon," Zack shrugged annoyed.
Just then, footsteps came down the hall and my mother stepped into the kitchen. "Why aren't you packing?" She stopped in her tracks and looked directly at me in horror.
"I packed last night," I glared.
"Do you have all your medicine?" She brushed past me in my chair and opened the kitchen cabinet that would hold my medicine bottles.
"Mm...nope," I shook my head.
"Do the bottles need to be refilled?" She pulled the two CVS bottles out and examined them closely, squinting.
"I don't think so. I'm set for a few weeks," I yawned.
"A few weeks?" Mom scoffed and shook her head. "You're there for a few months!"
"What?!" I exclaimed angrily.
"I'll just send you with two bottles of each," She pretty much spoke to herself. Now I was really annoyed though.
"What medicine?" Zack looked at me weird.
"Nothing," I stood up quickly and took the bottles from my mother. "Don't tell him," I warned her angrily. I uncapped one of the bottles, and took out 1 pill. I filled a plastic cup with water and popped the pill and a sip into my mouth.
"Whatever. Look, just don't hit on my friends, okay?" Zack whined, trying to tease me.
"Very funny. You're friends are disgusting," I grimaced.
"Do you even remember them?" He scoffed at me.
"No, not really. You guys didn't spend much time here. But sense you hand out with them, they have to be disgusting," I rolled my eyes.
"Harley!" Mom exclaimed.
"You're so rude," Zack spat.
"Your music sucks," I grinned. I loved pissing him off.
"Have you ever heard it?!" He yelled suddenly.
I felt like an idiot now, and I knew it was blushing. "No,"
"Then what are you judging?" Zack growled in defense.
"All music sucks; that includes your crap band," I spat and stomped off to my room.
I slammed the door shut behind me and glared at my packed bags. I didn't want to go anywhere with Zack, Alex, Jack or Rian. This was going to be an insanely awkward summer.
I had three oversized bags that were packed higher then the bags I'd packed for my 8th grade trip to Disney World. Worst trip ever by the way. This Warped Tour thing was definitely going to be ten times worse though. No matter what, I won't listen to Zack's stupid band. I never have and never will. The only albums I've ever even heard of that they'd released were Nothing Personal and So Wrong It's Right. I've heard the very beginning of one song...but I didn't finish it. It was called Break Your Little Heart. I honestly didn't mind it, but I refuse to admit it. He (Zack) doesn't even need to know that I heard even the beginning of any of his songs. It wasn't that good either though. Nothing about it was meaningful or anything I wouldn't probably like music a lot more if it were meaningful.

Notes