"You hate me," I groan, "just say it. You hate me."

"Madaline, you know we love you," my dad replies, sipping his usual morning coffee.

I roll my eyes, playfully, while turning up Charmed. I'm only two weeks into the summer break, and my parents suggested that I study. I always try to be on top of my studies, but it's summer. They already changed bible study from Wednesday and Sunday to Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday. A girl can only read so many textbooks before wanting to give up, and laying down for a three hour nap.

My phone buzzes, and I lazily pick it up to see that it's a text from Nolan. My best friend in the entire world that's probably off kissing faces with his girlfriend. She's practically my best friend too, and makes Nolan the happiest person on earth; how can I be mad at that? It's kind of ironic that her best friend makes me feel like the happiest person on earth too...

I pause Charmed to not miss anything. You can't look away for a single second, or else you'll miss three seasons worth. I don't know how it makes sense, but trust me. Another ding rings from my phone, and I finally decide to go to our messages.

Nol: hii, we're going to the skate park. do you want to come?
Nol: by us, I mean me, Scarlette, and Jackson. which you already know...

I smile at the dorkiness of his texts, and move up to grab my shoes. I'll admit that I'm in some comfortable pajamas, but when does that stop anyone? My parents watch me move around, probably wondering about my sudden burst of energy.

"Where are you going?" my mom asks.

"I'm going to study with Nolan."

"Really?" my dad asks, amusement hidden behind the question.

"Of course not," I answer, "I'm heading to the park. Is that okay?"

My dad rolls his eyes while trying to hide his smile behind his favorite coffee mug. My mom nods her head, giving me the go ahead. One of the benefits of living close to your best friend, and the both of you living near a park.

I quickly pull on my shoes, and grab my skateboard that laid carelessly in the hallway. I kiss both my parents once on the cheek because I know it makes them happen when I do it before I leave. They'll never tell me that in fear that I'll think it's lame and stop doing it. But, I'm their daughter. I already know.

I yell out my goodbyes while checking to see if my keys are still on the wheel of my board. Knowing us, we'll probably gravitate to Nolan's house after we get tired of being at the park. His parents don't mind as much as before which gave us the go ahead to come over whenever we wanted. Sometimes they're there, and we'll be encased in Nolan's room. Other times they aren't there, and we're everywhere.

You would find me in the living room, challenging Nolan to a dance battle. Scarlette would be playing games on her phone while secretly recording videos of us, and Jackson would be raiding the pantry like nobody's business. The thought of Julie being holed away at camp this summer makes me miss her more. We found out that they're not allowed any contact during the first month. Soul bonding and all that woohoo.

I set my skateboard down as I near the park, securing my keys and phone before I push off; I fly down the street, avoiding trash cans and the causal neighbors walking their dogs. I laugh as a little girl does a full circle when I pass. The influence to board has to start early, am I right?

"Mads!"

I look over to see Nolan standing by the entrance of the park. I kick off my skateboard, and run the rest of the way until I'm panting in front of my smiling best friend.

"Here!" I wheeze, "what's my time?"

"Six minutes and twenty seconds," he says, holding up his phone.

I groan, collapsing to the ground with my skateboard underneath me. Nolan and I have this thing where we time each other to see how long it takes to get to a place. It started from a debate about which one of us was the slowest. Nolan said it was me, but it's not fair that he gets rides from his girlfriend who street races for fun. I had Jackson, but he likes to drive a little slower when I'm in the car.

My last time was five minutes exactly, and now I'm up in numbers. Nolan laughs at my pain as he pulls me up from the ground.

"Nice summer outfit, Mads."

"Thank you," I smile, instantly forgetting about my time, "I've had it picked out for months, and today seemed like the perfect day to wear it."

Nolan does another once over of my outfit before we burst out in laughter. Hey, these bunny pj's are comfortable!

"Is Jackson here already?" I ask, knowing he's the only other person in the group that skateboards. And I just want to see him...

"Yep," Nolan pops, "he was trying to show us this new trick, but ended up waiting for you."

"Oh," I mumble, feeling shy at the confession.

Jackson and I have been friends for months. We've hung out one-on-one plenty of times, and have been around each other more times than I can count. There's been flirty smiles, the intimate touches, and all of that—but we're still just friends. Nolan knows about my crush on him, Scarlette knows, and even Julie! It seems like the only one who isn't getting the hint...is Jackson. Or maybe he is, and doesn't want to acknowledge it. I don't know which is worse.

I'm not even sure if he knows about the bet going on between our friends. Who'll confess first. By the looks of things, it might be me. You're welcome to whoever chose me. I'm about to make you some money.

I spot Scarlette first as Nolan and I walk to the far back of the park. The part that no one really goes to, and leaves us the space for ourselves. We've spent hours hanging out there during the first week of summer. It quickly became our spot. I think Julie will like it too, which reminds me to take a couple of pictures for her.

In a blink of an eye, Nolan gets snatched away from my side and into Scarlette's arms. I watch as she kisses his forehead in an affectionate manner, a sweet smile appearing on both of their faces. I go to say something when another familiar voice stops me.

"You guys are disgusting."

I look over to see Jackson approaching with a teasing smirk on his face. A smile appears on my face at the sight of him, and it won't go away no matter how much I wished it too. At least I'm not blushing. I'll leave that to Nolan.

"You're jealous, and it's okay," Scarlette retorts, not at all fazed by the comment.

Nolan and I send a look to each other, knowing they're going to argue for at least five minutes. God should've made them siblings instead of best friends.

"You mastered a new trick, Jack?" I ask, stopping them from going back and forth.

At the sound of my voice, Jackson turns to face me—another grand smile gracing his face. The smile that was once on my face never left. If anything, it got bigger, and I think my dimples are now on public display. Jackson nods at my question before beckoning us over to the single ramp that's back here. I notice another skateboard, figuring it's Scarlette's. Nolan would die before willingly trying to skateboard. I know that for a fact.

We get comfortable on the bench as Jackson runs to the top of the ramp. I wasn't aware of him learning any new tricks, so I'm excited to see the results. He shoots a grin our way, his newly pierced snake bites glistening in the sun. We all give him a thumbs up, encouraging him. Jackson takes a few steps back before flying off the ramp, doing two full 180 degrees spins, then hits the floor of the ramp—quickly skating up to the other side.

He must've been working on that move for a while—it almost seemed perfect. Jackson turns around with his arms opened wide, and a grin to match—his almost perfect teeth showing as his grin widens, happy to see our impressed expressions. I kick my skateboard up, catching it in my hand, before running up to join him. Scarlette follows suit, her new skateboard secured under her arm. Nolan stays placed on the bench.

"You're not joining, Nabby?" Jackson asks, pointing his board towards him.

"You know he doesn't skate," I reply, while making sure that I didn't leave anything in my pockets.

"Not from what I've seen. With a lot more practice, little nabby here can be a pro."

My neck almost snaps from how fast I turn my head towards Nolan. He seemed to know what my reaction would be—his hands up in surrender, and an awkward smile on his face.

"In my defense, I told you about it," he tries to reason.

"I don't recall."

"I literally told you how it felt like my back was going to snap in half from falling!"

The memory briefly resurfaces, but I shake my head like it didn't, "I. Don't. Recall. You telling me."

Nolan groans, knowing he wasn't going to get anywhere with me, and slowly joins us on the ramp. And by slowly, I mean a family of snails, a sloth, and a grandma could make it before him. Nolan stands beside Scarlette who held her board out in suggestion. He shook his head, and they both turned towards Jackson and I. Scarlette drives, sure, but she doesn't have too much experience in handling a board on a steep ramp like this one.

Jackson moves to the side as I place my skateboard under my foot. I scoot back a little before pushing off, searing down the ramp until I'm at the other side. I kick my board up as I hit the corner, doing a spin, before skating back down the ramp to the side I started on.

"Nice!" Jackson exclaims, placing his hand on my back to steady me.

"Thanks," I say, smiling at him, "I've been practicing too."

Scarlette squeezes in between us, shooting a smile at her boyfriend before risking it all. We watch as she gets to the middle of the ramp, tripping up a little, before falling. She rolls on her back, slowly giving us a thumbs up. Nolan backs away, clearly regretting coming up here in the first place. Jackson kicks his board over to him, encouraging him to try.

"No way. I'm going to break a bone sooner or later doing this stuff."

"But you won't die," I say, not helping at all.

"No."

"Are you doing it, babe?!" Scarlette yells from her position on the ground. She hasn't moved an inch.

Nolan sighs, closing his eyes for a good five seconds before carefully placing his feet on the skateboard. Jackson reminds him that he only needs one on the board for now, and we both step back to give him some room. I wish I brought my phone up here. This would be for the effing books.

Nolan slowly pushes himself until he's at the edge of the ramp, which was his first mistake. His foot naturally pushes down on the tip of the skateboard, sending him flying down the ramp. He loses control immediately, the board escaping from underneath him—flying to who knows where. He lands next to Scarlette, one of his legs propped up in the air.

"We shouldn't laugh, right?" Jackson asks, biting his lip.

"No, that'd be mean," I reply, my cheeks puffing in an attempt to hold everything in.

"Of course."

"I can still hear you!" Nolan calls, his face still planted to the floor.

"Sorry!" Jackson and I yell in unison.

•
Q: How was this as the first chapter?