11. matthew

When I finished school, I went to the parking lot to see my sister, but noticed her car wasn't there. I thought someone must have stolen it. I'm going to kill whoever did this.

I went onto my phone and called her.

"Hello?" Hailey picks up.

"Hey, I think someone stole your car."

"What? What do you mean?"

I hear a voice I don't recognize in the background. I wonder why she's not out in the parking lot yet.

"I'm in the parking lot, and-"

She cuts me off.

"The parking lot at school? Shoot. Sorry Matt, we went to the mall."

"Oh, that's okay. I'll walk."

"No, I'll drive you. Wait there."

"No, Hailey, I'm serious, stay."

"Oh okay."

It was warm anyways. I was excited for summer. Some of it would be packing for school, but I was ready to jump in the water the second we got to the lake house. Me and my sister always jump in the lake together the second we change into our swimsuits. I wonder what the summer will look like with Morgan up for the whole summer. She usually only stays for a week.

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Once I got home, I went to the kitchen to make a snack. I decided to grab the half of a cinnamon bun that my sister must've not eaten.

While heating it up in the microwave, my sister came into the house. There was definitely not just Morgan and Riley with her.

"Matty boo bear!" Hailey yelled.

Her and her friends walked into the kitchen with bags in their hands.

"Good mall trip?" I ask.

"Yeah, got some clothes for tonight," she replies,"by the way, are you coming tonight?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Okay, we're leaving at like 9:30 so be ready for then."

I make eye contact with Morgan. I smirk and she turns away. They all walk up to her room and I finish eating my cinnamon bun. I turn on my phone and text my mom.

Text sent at 4:01 PM: Hey mom I'm going to the party that Hailey's going to tonight

Text from "Mom" at 4:03 PM: Okay sweetie. Make sure to be safe. I'll be home by 5. Do you know if Hailey's friends want anything specific for dinner.

I don't know. I should ask.

I walk upstairs and knock on Hailey's door.

"Come in I have it on."

I open the door and see Morgan in a white tube top and a green cargo mini skirt.

"Wow." I say.

"I didn't know it was you." Hailey says, awkwardly.

"Where's everyone else?"

"In the bathroom, doing makeup."

"Are you going to join them?"

"Yeah."

I walk behind her and touch her back. I feel her body tense. I smirk at her before going back to the door.

"Let me know what you guys want for dinner." I say, walking away.

"Pizza!" She yells.

I turn around and smile at her. I give her a wink and she blushes. I head to the bathroom to ask my sister and her other friends what kind of pizza they want. I overhear them talking

"Hailey, do you think you're going to hook up with Oliver tonight?"

"I don't know. He's been snapping me all day and asking if I'm going."

I open the door and see my sister in a short top and short jean shorts. Her hair is straightened instead of curly.

"Hails, what kind of pizza do you and your friends want?"

"Pizza and pepperoni please."

"Okay."

I close the door. Oliver is a jerk. I don't want my sister to be hurt by him. If he lays a finger on her I'm going to fight him.

I go into my room and decide to wear a navy blue nike hoodie with black shorts. I text my mom and then sit on my bed. It's strange not having any homework to do, but I like the relaxed feeling. I wonder how much homework I'm going to have in college.

When my mom gets home she comes with the pizzas. They're from our favourite local Italian restaurant that we've been going to since my sister and I were babies.

"Matty, I got you some of the garlic bread you love too." She says.

We all sit down at the table. My mom sits with us too. Two of my sisters friends who I didn't know gave each other a look. My sister and I turn to each other confused. I guess we're used to sitting with our mom at dinners with our friends. We never minded it.

"So, do you girls have anything planned for the summer?" My mom asks.

"Oh not really. Probably just hanging out with friends." One of the girls says.

"Yeah, and Liv's leaving us to go to Florida." Another one of the girls says in a whining tone.

Now I recognize them. Liv, Bri, and Penelope. I have heard of them before, but since they were younger than me I never really talked to them.

"It's only for a month and then I'll be back." Liv replies.

"Hailey when are you planning to be back from the party tonight?" My mom asks again.

"I don't know. Probably like midnight or something." She replies.

"Okay. Just remember to be safe."

"I will."

I offer to clean up after everyone. It's not like I have anything better to do right now. My sister and her friends head back up to her room and my mom stays.

"Let me help you." She says.

"It's fine mom I can do it." I reply.

I feel bad giving my mom work. After all she's done for us I feel like I should do it.

"You've become a very sweet boy, Matt." She says.

"Thanks mom. It's because of you, you know."

She kisses my forehead and runs her fingers through my hair. She always used to do it when I was younger. I remember sitting on the couch watching a movie and falling asleep in her arms. I'm really lucky to have her as my mom.

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"Matthew we're leaving soon are you ready?" Hailey asks me.

I'm in my room on my bed. I'm scrolling through my phone to pass time.

"Yeah, but it's only nine?"

"We were asked to come early to help set up."

"Really?" I say sarcastically.

"Yeah. If you want to be an asshole I don't need to give you a ride."

"No I'm joking. I can't wait to set up solo cups." I say again, sarcastically. This time she throws her mascara that was in her hand at me.

"We're leaving in ten."

"Okayyy." I reply.

I get in the car and everyone else does as well shortly after. When we get there, Justin greets everyone with a high five.

"Matthew Graham, did not expect to see you here after Kaitlyn." He says, holding his hand up for a high five.

"Hi man." I say, walking in.

"Okay, so cups can go over there," he says, pointing at a table, "and please put the vases in this cabinet."

I sit down on a couch and notice a remote on the coffee table.

"Yo, can I turn this tv on?" I yell.

"Yeah, I don't care." Justin replies.

Nice.

I turn the tv on and choose a channel. I decided to go with the cooking channel. It was the only thing on with something good at this time.

Morgan came and sat down on the chair beside the couch.

"Won't even sit on the couch?" I ask.

"It's nice here." She replies.

"You can see the tv better from here though."

I give her a look which says i want her to come sit on the couch. She stands up and sits beside me.

"If Hailey finds out you're dead." She whispers.

"She threatens that every week" I reply.

We watch in silence until the doorbell rings. I go to answer it. It's some kids I recognize from my school. They walk in and Justin gives them all high fives.

That was just the first of about two hundred kids to enter this house.

There's music blasting and people running around. I need to go to the bathroom but they're all locked. I then run into her. She bumps into me and then looks up.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry I-" She recognizes me.

"All good, Morgan."

"Sorry, I'm just trying to find a bathroom, but they're all busy."

"Same."

Then it hits me.

"I have an idea, but you may not like it." I say.

We run to the bathroom and she has her hand over her mouth.

"She's about to throw up move out the way." I yell at the line. I bang on the door and yell the same thing. A group of girls get out and we rush in. I lock the door.

Panting, she says,

"Don't you think that was a little harsh?"

We stare at each other before laughing.

"I'll turn around while you go." I say.

Once she's finished she washes her hands and I go pee.

"I like it in here it's quieter." She says.

I unlock the door and notice the whole line left.

"I think our plan worked a little too well."

"Well, half those people were just in line to touch up their makeup or to get somewhere quiet."

I sit down by the sink and she puts the toilet seat down before sitting on it.

"Why did you choose to go to Harvard?" She asks.

"Oh, I don't know. It's always been a personal goal of mine. I guess I just felt the need to go once the work actually paid off. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. I just don't really know what my plan is for after high school."

"You can always take a gap year."

"Yeah, but I'd just like to get school done and be able to enjoy life."

I stand up.

"Morgan, you've always just figured things out and it's worked. I think it will be the same for this."

She stands up as well.

"Yeah, I guess this is much bigger of a choice and I'm just nervous."

"It's okay, you can figure it out as life goes on."

"You mean we." She says.

"What?"

"I'm not talking about college."

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- Authors note!!

Hello!! I hope you're liking the story so far, I will be trying to update frequently. I loved writing this chapter and I'm so obsessed with Matthew and Morgan. I love the way that this chapter was ended and I can't wait for you guys to get to see the lake house parts!