We Can't Forget Last Summer

I woke up bouncing. Groaning loudly and rolling over onto my back, I opened my eyes to find Pat jumping on a familiar bed.

"Where I am?" I asked, rubbing my eyes and sitting up.

"John's apartment. John's bed."

I sat up farther now and sighed. "I was a mess last night, wasn't I?"

Pat plopped down on the bed and sat pretzel style in front of me. "Oh yea. First, you start screaming at John that you hate him. Then, you go out with this complete tool. Then, you got really drunk. Next, you wanted to loose your v-card to the guy you've only known for two weeks. Yet again, John goes ap-shit. And then he takes you back here. And last, but definitely not least, you through up in his car."

Pat lets out a light laugh and I can't but help to also. I bit my lip and looked down at the comforter. I swallowed hard and felt a knot in my throat.

"Hey, are you okay?" Pat's tone quickly changed from goofy to sympathetic.

"Yeah, I just," I swallowed hard again and shrugged. "I just feel stupid and I'm mad at myself for being mad at John. There's no reason I should be."

Pat scooted over and sat next to me. He hung an arm around my shoulders and slid back so I rest my head on him.

"John's a stubborn guy and it just so happens you're a stubborn girl. You two are bound to get into fights. Either way, you're still friends. You were drunk last night and hell, John gets drunk way more than that. You're allowed to make mistakes."

"I would have made an even bigger one if it weren't for him."

Pat rubbed my shoulder gently. "He's outside in the parking lot if you want to go talk to him. I'm sure he wants to talk to you."

I nodded my head and got up, realizing I was no longer in my clothes from yesterday. My head snapped over to Pat, and then I looked down at my body. I was wearing a large black v-neck and red plaid boxer shorts.

"How did I get in these?"

"Oh yeah....." Pat scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "John helped you get changed last night because you were such a mess. I think you got some vomit on your clothes. They're probably in the dryer now."

I swallowed hard and nodded my head. "Thanks Pat, really."

"No problem." He smiled sweetly.

I gave him a soft smile before leaving the room and making my way down the hallway. I stopped at the dryer and grabbed my clothes. I went into the bathroom and then changed, leaving John's shirt and boxers in a neat, folded pile on the counter. I slipped on my boots which were at the front door before grabbing my purse and leaving. I scurried down the steps, tears filling up my eyes.

When did I become so weak? Why am I acting like this?

I spotted John cleaning out the passenger side of the white, kidnappers van. Swallowing the lump in my throat I started towards him.

He must have heard my boots clacking against the pavement, because his head shot up right away, his eyes wide. He threw the rag he was holding and quickly walked towards me.

I didn't know what to say to him.

"You okay?" He asked.

The lump in my throat grew. I simply nodded my head, tears filling my eyes.

"Why are you crying?"

"Im not-" I cut myself off noticing how thick my voice was. I swallowed hard and sucked in a deep breath. "I'm not crying."

John didn't say anything and for a moment the two of us just stared at each other. I nodded my head. "Thanks for last night. I should get going."

I practically sprinted past him, despite his calls. He grabbed my wrist at one point, but let it slide into my hand. I'm sure he remembered the time I freaked out on him because he grabbed my wrist.

He spun my back around, but I remained a distance away from him.

"How are you going to get home?"

"I can walk. It's fine." I nodded my head, almost reassuring myself.

"No, please. Let me drive you."

I shook my head aggressively and slipped out of John's gripped, leaving him behind me. I soon found myself walking along a side walk in god knows where. I realized how long I hadn't been in Tempe at that point. I used to know this place like the back of my hand. Now, I have no idea.

After about five minutes of walking, the infamous white van pulled up next to and the window rolled down. Before looking I said, "I don't need a ride John."

"Not John." I looked back up to see Jared in the front seat.

I stared at him for a moment, biting my lip.

"Please just get in Carson."

I nodded my head quietly and got in the passenger seat, which was now clean. Jared and I didn't speak for another good five minutes.

"So," He finally said, breaking the silence. "What's wrong?"

"He's so good to me." My voice was small and cracked slightly. "I never even realized it until now."

"John?"

I nodded my head sheepishly. "He helped me last night. Saved me from a possible huge mistake. And I threw up in his fucking car yet he doesn't even care. Yet, I screamed at him that I hated him. I was terrible to him for no reason at all."

Jared sighed. "Well, when did it all start? The whole anger thing."

I shrugged. "I guess it started when he began going out with Tara. I told him she wasn't good enough for him and after arguing a bit he told me I was right. Yet, that very day you guys came over and the two of them were all over each other. It just.... frustrates me."

At this point, Jared was parking in front of Aunt Sara's house.

He nodded his head and parked the car slowly. "I understand that. But look, John is...... John. Sometimes he does things even though he knows they aren't right. He's not very good at initiating things or ending things. It's just him. He's a complicated guy. But I know this, despite the fact that you two fight a lot, somehow, miraculously he cares about you. He wished you the best. He's freaking out with you 'hating' him. I'm sure you'll work through this, whatever it is."

I stifled a smile. "Thanks Jared."

"No problem. Also John called your Aunt last night. He told her you were stressed out about your date because he was angry with the guy you were going out with. He said you had the right to be mad at him but the two of you worked everything out last night. She understands the whole situation."

"He did that?" I asked.

"Yeah," Jared smiled. "Oh, are you going to the barbeque later this week?"

I thought for a minute, then looked up at Jared. "Yeah I am."

I hopped out of the car and before closing the door I said one more thing. "Tell John for me, okay?"

Jared grinned. "Of course."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"John's mother is just so lovely. You'll love her Carson." Sara said as we pulled up in front of a white house with a large front porch.

The house was the ideal perfect, hollywood, family, house. White with blue shutters and trim, along with a rocking bench at the end of the wrap around porch. The front lawn was a thick, neatly trimmed hunter green and the walkway to the front porch was dark and light gray stone.

I could hear music playing in the back yard, along with the smell of barbeque. I smiled upon hearing several familiar voices cheering. We walked along the driveway and entered through the fence separating the front yard from the back.

"Hello!" Sara smiled and exclaimed as she walked through the gate. I followed behind noticing all of The Maine guys including two unfamiliar faces over across the lawn looking over at us.

I waved at them who all cheered and called my name. To my surprise, I blushed and looked over at Sara, who was talking with a woman.

"Oh, Lea this is Carson, my niece. Carson this is Lea, John's mother."

"Oh," My eyes lit up and I smiled widely, almost laughing. I shook her hand and said, "nice to meet you."

"You too! Oh, John and the guys have told me so much about you."

I was surprised to hear this and just laughed it off. John and his mother look extremely alike. They were both tall and shared the same green eyes. She was skinny as well, but had muscle.

Sara took me around introducing me to friends of hers, who all welcomes me with open arms. I got to meet John's father, who also shared and uncanny resemblance to his son.

I couldn't help but laugh at the guys throughout this though. They played football off on the side of the yard, calling out names and overall, acting like children.

Once I seemed to have been introduced to everyone, I told Sara I was going to hang out with the guys and walked on over to them.

"Carson!!" Garrett shouted and came barreling towards me. He attacked me with a hug that nearly knocked me over. Pat joined in quickly, hugging Garrett.

"Pat, you look like you're humping Garrett." One of the boys I did not know commented.

"That's because I love him." Pat rubbed his head against Garrett's back.

"Okay," Garrett backed up. "That's enough."

John walked over to me, smiling and I couldn't help the butterflies in my stomach. He gently took hold of my hand and guided me over to the rest of the guys. Kennedy, who was across from us wiggled his eyebrows at John, who in return, narrowed his eyes at him.

"Carson, these are my brothers, Shane and Ross."

The two unfamiliar faces waved at me and I noticed instantly the resemblance between all three brothers.

"Oooohhhhhh. This is the Carson." One said, taking a step forward and looking at John.

John's face turned red, but he looked away, almost as if he was ignoring his brother's former statement.

"I'm Ross, dear madam." Ross took my hand and raised it, then kissed it.

I raised my eyebrows at him and laughed. "Nice to meet you."

"Quit it Ross." John mumbled.

John dropped my hand and sighed. " I guess this game is over." He looked at the football on the ground.

"We were whipping your asses anyway." Shane grinned.

"Well, I'm starving. Let's go eat." Kennedy said and we all began to make our way back to the tables on the back porch.

John once again, grabbed my hand, which practically made my insides explode. He looked over at me and winked. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him, which he responded by chuckling.

Suddenly, the back door opened, someone mumbled "Shit." and John dropped my hand instantly.

Tara.