Chapter Two,
How Cameron Almost Got Run Over

MIA RECOGNIZED STEVEN but not Belly. The girl didn't have braces anymore or glasses. It's like she was a whole different person. Conrad broke his attention away from Mia onto Belly, the girl finally deciding to greet Susannah.

"Hi, Susannah." Mia stated as she softly hugged the woman. "Mia, you look so beautiful! How have you been doing?" Mia smiled. "I've been good. Also, thank you."

Alex walked over to the two, giving the blonde a hug. The woman eventually pulled away and looked between the two siblings. "Alex, you're taller now! It seems like yesterday your sister was taller than you." Alex chuckled, earning a glare from his sister.

Mia watched as Conrad, Jeremiah, Steven, and Isabel stand with each other, knowing what was about to happen. "Hey, hey, guys, guys. I mean I - I don't know about you but I... well, I - I think it's time for a... Belly flop!" Steven said.

Belly tried to run from the three boys, only to be picked up by all three of them. The girl laughed and shrieked, something she always did when it came to the tradition.

"Alex, Mia, are you guys coming?" Jeremiah asked, his voice full of laughter.   Alex nodded his head, giving the boy a thumbs up.   "Yeah, we'll be there." he replied.  The two waved goodbye to Susannah before rushing off to the pool.

As if on cue, the three boys did a countdown before throwing the teen into the pool. Mia and Alex watched as the girl went underwater before coming back up for air.

Mia didn't exactly know when the tradition had started but it was something she'd always observe but never really participate in.   She wouldn't dare to get her hair wet without the proper attire.  "Are you okay?" Mia asked as Belly moved wet hair from her face. 

"How's the water?" Jeremiah teasingly asked, earning a gentle nudge from Alex.   "Dude." Alex said, giving him a look.   The younger Conklin shook her head, her body still in the water.   "Guys, I think I hurt my ankle."

Conrad, unaware of what she was planning to do, walked towards the pool and extended his hand out to her.   Belly took his hand, pulling him into the pool with her.   Mia's jaw dropped, trying to hold a laugh.  The two teens came up from the water as Conrad swam towards Isabel, trying to get his payback.  

The two splashed each other with water, resulting in Alex and Mia taking a step back.  As Isabel got out of the pool, Mia couldn't help but smile.   "You got him good out there." she told her, causing Belly to return a smile.   "Thank you.  But I'm gonna head inside.  I'll see you there?"

Mia nodded her head.   "Yeah." she replied, watching as the girl walked away from the pool. 

Although Mia had known the Conklin family for years, she and Belly weren't exactly close.   Sure, they were both the same age and going into their junior year in the fall but they didn't really talk that much.   But they'd still respect each other regardless.

The Knight siblings walked away from the pool shortly after as Mia spotted Olivia and Kiara.   Kiara smiled, looking at the girl.   "There you are! Are you ready to go swimming with me and Liv? And don't worry, Liv remembered to pack her bathing suit this time." Kiara joked, earning a jaw drop from Olivia.  

"Hey! I'll have you know that I didn't forget it.   I happened to pack swim shorts that day."  Alex laughed, shaking his head.   "Yeah, and that's because I happened to have a spare pair of swim wear.   You're lucky I had one." 

"He's not wrong, Liv." Mia said, trying to hold her laughter.   Olivia playfully rolled her eyes, looking at the three.   "Whatever, enough about me.  Pool time!"

The four teens headed inside.   A wave of nostalgia washed over them as they looked at the living room, the kitchen, and the stairs. Nothing had changed and everything was still in tact.

Susannah was prepping some food in the kitchen, Laurel was walking with a box in her hands, and Sandra was reading through a magazine sitting by the island table.
The blonde - haired woman nudged Sandra, causing the woman to look up. "She's starting to look like you." Susannah said, causing Sandra to smile. "You really think so? If anything, I think she looks a bit like Phillip."

Phillip walked into the room, shaking his head.   "I think she looks like you too.  She's a mini you." he said, earning a playful scoff from his wife.   "Were you eavesdropping?" she asked. 

"If I was, what are you going to do about it?" Phillip asked, his tone flirty.   "I'd have to sue you.  A lawyer's duties are very important." Sandra teased, kissing him as he smiled against her lips. 

Mia and Alex cringed with exaggerated disgust, looking at their parents.   Belly giggled at their reactions, draping a towel over her wet clothes. "Do you have to do that in front of us?" Alex asked.   "Like we get it, you're in love but it's scaring me." Mia stated.

Sandra and Phillip broke apart, turning to see their children.   "Well, one day, when you find someone to love, you'll understand.  Also, scaring you? Isn't that a bit extreme, pumpkin?" Phillip said in a playful tone. 

Olivia and Kiara laughed, Kiara's hand gently pulling Mia's hand.   "Sorry to interrupt this lovely conversation but we need to steal your children from you because we have a pool to swim in right now.   Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Knight." Kiara stated.

"Bye, Mia and Alex's parents." Olivia said as the four teens headed up the stairs.   Once they were gone, the four adults laughed.  "Yeah, they're definitely like you guys." Laurel teased.

THE FOUR TEENS WERE READY to swim in the pool. Mia had on a white floral two piece, Olivia wore a yellow one, and Kiara was wearing a red and white checkered bikini. Mia put her honey blonde french curl braids in a bun so it wouldn't get too wet.   Alex decided to tag along, putting his shades and a pair of swim shorts on.

As Jeremiah was about to enter the house, he turned to face the four kids. "Oh, do you guys want to go to the bonfire tomorrow? It'll be fun."

Mia liked parties but a bonfire was where things could go bad or kids could get drunk. Before she open her mouth, her brother beat her to it. "We'll be there!"

"Great! I'll tell Steven and Conrad so we can pick you guys up tomorrow."  When he was gone, Mia glared at her brother. "Alex! You shouldn't have said yes. You know our parents will say no."

Alex looked at his sister as the four kids walked outside.   "I'm sure they let us if I don't mention that alcohol might be present." Olivia nodded her head in agreement.  "Your brother's right. I'm sure I can convince my brother and Kiara can persuade her dad if we do the same. And plus, when was the last time we went to a party?"

"Actually, my dad barely pays attention to me so I don't think he'll care if I'm gone for a few hours." stated Kiara.
Mia's mouth opened and closed at Kiara's words, not knowing how to respond.   "We're going to have to talk about that later."

She looked at her two friends and her brother, deep in thought.  She knew that she'd lose if she said that she didn't want to go but she was being invited by a guy that she liked.   Letting out a sigh, she finally said something.  "Fine. We can go."

"Yes! Now, let's go swimming." Alex said. 

The kids set their towels down on a chair before going in the pool. A fit of laughter and giggles erupted as they played Marco Polo.   Sure, it was a pretty old game and they might've been too old to play it again but it was summer.   It was a time where they didn't have to worry about anything.   And Mia was sure that it'd be just as great as the last ones.

A few hours later, it was time for them to leave.   As Mia and Alex's parents got into their car, the two siblings kissed them goodbye.  "Oh, Mom.  Me and Alex are gonna drop Kiara and Olivia off first before going back home.  Is that okay?" Mia asked.  

"Yeah.  Just be safe, okay?" her mom replied.   Mia nodded her head, looking at her parents.   "Yes, Mom." 

They watched as their parents pulled out of the driveway and onto the road, waiting until they were gone.   Instead of Mia driving, she let Kiara drive while she sat in the passenger seat. Alex and Olivia were sitting in the back like they were before.

Meanwhile, Cameron was riding his bike. He waved to some people he knew, others he didn't. The boy was on his way back from the grocery store, the items in his backpack. He wore a striped t - shirt, denim shorts, and some converse.

As Kiara drove, Mia opened the sun visor mirror and reapplied her lip gloss before closing it.  California Girls was playing, making the three kids do their own little dances. Kiara giggled at the sight of it.

She then made a turn and was about to keep heading straight when they noticed someone on their bike heading towards them. Kiara's foot hit the breaks, causing the car to stop.

Mia unbuckled her seat belt and rushed out of the car to see if the person was hurt. She knelt down and noticed a curly haired boy trying to pick up his bike from off the ground. "Here. Let me help you." she stated, holding the handles and steadying the bike. "Are you oka-".

That's when she saw him.

Still being courteous, she helped him off the floor.
The boy was about to thank Mia when he noticed it was her. It was already the first day of summer and they just had to see each other. "I'm fine. Thanks for asking. Is that your brother?"

Alex came out of the car, waving at Cam. "Hi, Cam! Long time no see. Are you hurt or anything? We can take you to the hospital to check for any injuries."

The curly - haired boy shook his head, a smile on his face as Alex walked over to them. "No, no. I'm fine, really. You're Alex, right?"

"Yeah!" Alex answered as he shook his hand. Cam glanced at Mia for a moment, his face slightly annoyed before wearing a curious expression at Alex. "So, how do you still remember my name?"

"Oh, my sister talks about you." Alex replied. Mia wanted to disappear at that very moment. Cam was a bit amused, raised an eyebrow. "Really? And what does she say?"

"She tends to complain about how you're really smart and -"

Mia clasped her hands together, walking over to her brother. She placed a hand on his shoulder as she wore a fake smile, glaring at the boy in front of her. "Okay, Alex. I think Cameron here has heard enough."

Cam returned the gesture, all before looking back at her brother. "But I didn't. Please, Alex. Tell me more."

Mia scoffed, looking at Cam. She knew that her brother had gotten the message the first time and that he wouldn't really try to mess it up the second time. "Alex, don't. Anyways, it was great seeing you and I do hope that you're a bit more careful. After all, there are plenty of other people who I'd love to run into on a bike." Mia wore a fake smile, causing him to do the same.

"I will. And there are plenty of people who I'd love to run into and not try to actually run me over. Bye, Alex.  See you around, Knight." Cam offered Alex a genuine smile and Mia an annoyed look as he crossed over to the sidewalk and walked with his bike.

"Alex, I love you since your my brother and all but what did I tell you not to do?"

Alex scratched behind his neck, staring at the floor. "Tell people your business."

"And what did you do?"

"I told your rival your business. But to be fair, he did ask and I knew him for a short period of time."

"And it should stay that way."

"Why don't you like him anyways? I mean, you two used to be friends."

"Look, me and Cam have been competing to be the top of our classes for a while now. That's how it's always been and it won't change."

The two siblings got into the car. Just when Kiara and Olivia were going to open their mouths, Mia stopped them. "Don't ask."

THE REST OF THE CAR RIDE WAS quiet, even though the radio was on. Olivia was dropped off first, receiving waves and goodbyes from her friends. Mia was in the driver's seat, Kiara in the passenger seat, and Alex remained in the back.

The car eventually came to a stop. Kiara's house was very luxurious and grand, very similar to Mia's home minus the color scheme. That tends to happen when both of your parents are very successful. "Bye, Mia! Bye, Alex! I'll FaceTime you guys when you get home."

"Bye, Kia! We will!" Alex was finally in the passenger seat, looking out the window. He decided to turn up the radio, getting excited since his favorite song, Novacane, was playing. He sang the lyrics wholeheartedly, earning a laugh from his sister who then sang along.

Even though they did bicker sometimes and wouldn't get along, they were still siblings. Mia and her younger brother, Alex. The brother who used to beg her to read stories to him. The sister who would watch movies with him even if she didn't like the movie. They were always going to be there for each other.

Even if they didn't like it at times.

Maya Speaks 💫:

NO BC THERE WAS SO MUCH TENSION BETWEEN THEM LIKE DAMN GET A ROOM

The way they have beef with each other is so funny 😭 they're so cute omg

Meet cute? Try almost running someone over with a CAR I don't know why I planned to write about that but I fear that's something I have to ask my 2023 self

I love how they're both so sweet and so kind but they're so ruthless to each other 😭

I don't know if I'm gonna write that scene where the dinner before the bonfire happens because on one hand, I think it could work but on the other, chapter three is one of my favorite chapters that I've ever written so I'll definitely think about it