Chapter 8

Oink, Oink. Oink, Oink. Oink, Oink.

I slammed my head down on the backside of my Piggy clock. Satisfied I rolled back around and curled even tighter into a ball to regain the brief lost of heat. I knew I had to wake up early for something but I lost the thought once my mind went back to creating illusions of dreams.

Five minutes later…

Oink, Oink. Oink, Oink. Oink, Oink.

I growled as I peek an eye out and saw the glowing letters of 6:05 am. Then it hit me like a ton of soft, fluffy pillows. Today was the day to go to the shore. Finally remembering my purpose I untangled myself from blankets and pillows. Once on my feet I stretched out and headed downstairs. Reaching the kitchen I was surprise to see both Mom and Dad at the table eating breakfast.

Yes, though I don't mention them a lot I do have parents. For the most part I'm grateful to have two people who love each other that married once and get along. They were there for my childhood having fun or putting me in my place when needed. The greatest thing they could have ever done was teach me the right morals to take with me in life. Though I do admit I understood the more fun of morals from animanic's wheel of mortality. Oh good times like 'If at first you don't succeed, blame it on your parents.' or 'The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. (Except for in New Jersey, where what's blowing in the wind smells funny.)'. However now that I've reached a respectful age in our household as long as I don't get into trouble with the local police or FBI they tend to leave Seth and I be. I think they want to enjoy themselves before I go to college and I leave them to deal with Seth would has mentioned he doesn't want to leave home. That boy just doesn't like to travel far from his bat cave.

On this rare occasion I greeted them cheerfully, "Ello mom, pops. What's cooking?"

Mom turned with a frying pan full of eggs, "Oh Brooke, nice of you to join us. Eggs, toast, and scrapple coming right up."

"Yum scrapple." It's a German thing.

Dad looked over his paper, "Have anything planned for tonight?"

I made myself a plate before sitting down, "Yeah I left you a note on the fridge. I'm going with Fred and Rachel to the shore, remember?"

He grumbled to himself about seeing some note. Mom bustled around cleaning the counter before sitting herself down for her own plate. She said, "Well it's nice that you're getting away from the summer. I'm surprise you three didn't plan a trip farther away like usually."

I said, "Well Rachel is on a money craze, saving for something I think. So we were invited to stay at a place for free."

"Oh? With whom?"

I swallowed, "Um a friend. His name is Ian."

Mom nodded, "Well you know the deal. Fred and Rachel stick to you and I want one phone call once a day while you're there."

"Yes mum."

"Good."

I looked around the kitchen remembering one family member was missing, "So where's Seth?"

Dad said, "He's helping the new neighbor with some household problems."

Mom said, "Oh I love our new neighbors. Their mother is just a wonderful person. I learned that she's working as a written for textbook companies."

"Oh really? I met their son the other day. His name is Sammy."

Mom startled both Dad and I as she bounce to her feet, "I know! Why don't I make some sandwiches and you can deliver them to the boys."

I looked at the clock, "Okay but I have to leave by seven thirty. I'm meeting everyone at the train station by eight."

Mom waved me off, "Oh you have plenty of time. Knowing you, you probable packed everything up last night."

"Touché."

I finished my last bite and placed my plate in the sink. Running back upstairs I was a bit happier knowing that I would get to see our neighbor boy again. He was rather amusing and nice enough even though our first meeting was a tad embarrassing on my part. I rush to see if I had anything nice to wear. Since most of my packing was done the only thing I found decent enough to wear was jeans and a tank top. Though I haven't wore that particular top in years it still felt okay so I went back down to grab the parcels for delivery.

I walked over to the neighbor's house seeing no cars in the driveway. The lawn was torn up from the last neighbors and it would probable be some time till the new family gets things in order. I rang the bell once and waited shifting from leg to leg.

The door suddenly opened and smacked me in the face from standing too close. I step back into a crouching positing holding me nose in pain.

"Jeez I'm sorry luv. You alright?" Sammy asked kneeling beside me.

I shook my head, "Nothing broken in bleeding so don't worry about it."

Sammy helped me. I said, "Thanks."

"No problem. I'm guessing you're here for your brother?"

"Yes, wait no." I took a moment to breathe and calm myself, "My mom told me you guys were over here so I'm bring some breakfast sandwiches on behalf of her. For both of you guys."

Sammy smiled, "Well jolly good then. Come on in."

I followed Sammy into the house avoiding piles of moving boxes left and right. He led me straight through the kitchen to the back yard where we met up with Seth who was working on some pipes. I completed my task but lingered as Seth and Sammy ate and took a break from their work. I studied Sammy in his rugged form. Helping out he got his old worn out clothes messed and bunched up with a few oil stains here and there. I must have been staring because suddenly his hand was waving across my face. Seth had gone under the house to work on some more problems but Sammy had stayed with me.

"I thought you were going brain dead on me for a minute."

I scoffed, "Not just yet."

He smirked, "Uh huh, sure. So pray tell milady how your summer is going?"

Offhandedly I said, "Oh fine, fine. This and that is keeping me busy enough. And you?"

Sammy thumb pointed to the house, "Oh the rents are keeping me busy with household chores. My mum's busy season is during the summer. She writes textbooks so everything has to be done by the fall."

"My mom mentioned something about that. So what your dad or siblings?"

"Well my dad ran off when I was younger but he comes back every now and then to check in. I think he's in London still with his receptionist."

"Sorry to hear that."

"Don't be, I'm not. I do have one younger half-brother in London too but he should be visiting later on in the summer. Of course after we move in leaving all the work to me."

I giggled, "I do the same thing too, to my brother all the time. It must be a younger sibling trait." I sorrowed up, "I wish I could help you but I'm leaving today for the shore."

Sammy brushed it off, "Oh its fine. Mum is paying me for my services until I find a job of my own. So the shore eh, for how long?"

"For a few days at least."

We stood for a moment making me think maybe I should start heading back. I turn to head off when he cleared his throat. "Do you think when you get back you could show me around?"

I stared, "Um sure? You don't have to wait till I'm back. I'm pretty sure Seth could show you too."

"Well I still have tons of work around here. Trust me, not only do I have to unpack everything but I'll have conquer up my design skills to decorate all the rooms too. By the time you get back I'll be finished and it'll be a treat to get a tour away from the house."

I paused.

"Don't make me beg darling."

I laughed in defeat, "You win. If you give me your number I'll call you on when I get back, okay?"

Seth patted his pockets, "I don't have anything to write with. Just tell me and I'll remember."

I gave him a look, "Are you sure?"

"Photographic memory."

Humph, lucky chap. I ratted off the number and he repeated it perfect. I went on my way with only stealing once glance back as he strutted back into the house. With a smile on my face I pranced back to my room, shocked to see it was almost time to leave. I gathered all my things and rang up Fred to pick me up. Saying goodbye to the folks (with da sneaking a few bills into my hand as well) I went off to hop in Fred's Jeep. We picked up Rachel along the way before heading toward the train station.

As Fred parked and paid Rachel and I went ahead with the luggage to get our tickets.

Rachel grumbled, "And why can't we drive down there in the first place?"

I pocketed the tickets before saying, "Because there's too many of us to fit in one vehicle. Plus with gas prices it's just cheaper to take the train."

Fred walked up in the middle of me talking adding, "And once we're down there we can walk or rent bikes to wherever we want to go. Do you really want to be that lazy to drive everywhere when it only takes a few blocks of walking?"

Rachel pondered, "If I say yes will you think lowly of me?"

"Perhaps."

"I'm going to go with a maybe then so I can spare my reputation."

I said, "What reputation?"

Rachel sarcastically retorted, "Ha, ha. Like I haven't heard that before."

We waited a few minutes before Rachel squealed to us, "Ten o'clock ahead. The boy toys have arrived."

Instead of driving themselves they were dropped off by a car service with the driver doing all the hard labor with their suit cases. I watched as Owen paid the man before all three of them made their way to us. Ian smiled and stepped closer to me while picking up my bag.

I protested, 'Oh I can carry it."

Ian charmingly smiled, "I don't mind. Wouldn't want to put any weight on that arm right?"

Rachel grinned to Owen and Evan who quickly took interest in her female assets. "I'm Rachel," She introduced, "And this is Fred."

Fred nodded as the boys imitated back at him.

Evan said, "Hey man, you were in my gym class before last year right?"

"As well as English, Earth Science, and Drama last semester."

"Really? Huh, cool."

Fred gave me a message silently through his eyes, I'm going to have to put up with these goons? I need chocolate. Okay yes I can't read minds but I'm pretty sure he would say that if he could. Maybe not about the chocolate. Fine, replace it ranch chips and we're good to go.

As the train approached Ian said, "Well we better get going."

Rachel said, "Good call." She gave her bag to Evan who took it in surprise, almost dropping it, as she dragged me with to the doors. Evan looked at Owen and Ian who just shrugged as Fred laughed under his breath and got all the belongings on the train. The tickets we bought were open seats so Rachel claimed the window spot as I sat beside her. Owen and Evan got seats behind us as Fred and Ian took seats in front of us. Once everyone was distracted with their seatmates I gave Rachel a knowing look about her spontaneous flirtation.

She stared back, "What?"

"What was that before?"

Rachel went back to the magazine she brought with, "Nothing, those boys need to be properly trained. Plus I'm a girl; if I got it work it." We ended the matter at that just thinking it was Rachel's bossy character in play.

Hmm… I wonder?

A.N. Boom Baby. I am on a roll.