Chapter five: Rachel

After Susie texted, I cleaned up the house. I didn't want mom to yell at me that I left the house a mess before she came home. A notification of Susie texting me that she was outside. I locked my front door behind and I spotted my best friend parked in front with her blue Acura. "Hola, chica!" She exclaimed when I stepped inside.

I responded back with an enthused, "hola!"

"Summer's almost over, our last week of freedom," she answered with a pout.

"Don't pout, it's our third year of high school."

"I guess you're right." She rolled her eyes.

"We could have watched something on Hulu." I laid back in my seat.

"We need fresh air, Rachel," she exaggerated; We reached to a stop light, she put her brown curly hair in a ponytail.

***

Thirty minutes on the road, we arrived at King of Prussia mall. She parked her car in the lot, we both headed to the first store we saw, Neiman Marcus. "I didn't bring a lot of money, Suse. I'm not in a clothing mood," I trailed off when I spotted the cutest black and yellow over the shoulder purse, on sale! In a trance I made my way to it, opening it if it has any space for my stuff, it does. YES!

"Did you hear that Jamie is coming back when school starts?" Susie asked when she came next to me, checking out the purses as well. I shook my head. Jamie's one of our friends too, I met him the same year as Susie. She's been crushing on him hard, swooning on and on about his swag and hazel eyes. He didn't even know she liked him so much.

"I can't wait to see him, I missed him so much," she sighed longingly. "You haven't been on Instagram? He posted a shirtless pic at the beach. The light hit his skin perfectly."

"No, I've been reading mostly," I replied nonchalantly. We left after I bought the purse, she bought some jeans. Some boys saw us and winked, we waved at them with our fingers flirtatiously.

Walking around the spacious mall, my stomach growled. "I'm hungry." I told Susie, rubbing my stomach. The only thing I had was the donut I inhaled this morning.

"Taco Bell or Subway?" She asked.

"Taco Bell." I was in the mood for a burrito. As we waited in line, I stood on my toes to see the prices if there was something else I could get too. This line was taking a long time. I dropped down, adjusting the bag in my hand and stepped back when Susie did. I bumped into someone behind me. "Oh, sorry. Are you okay?" I looked back to apologize again but I shut my mouth to see Andrew.

"Hi neighbor." He gave me that smug smile. What the hell.

"So am I gonna see you everywhere I go?" I asked.

"Just like old times," he responded smugly.

"Ugh." I tugged on my bag, scuffing my shoes on the floor.

"Rach? Who is this? Introduce me, please," Susie said, poking my ribs. She tucked her hair behind her ear, popping her hip out.

"Susie, this is Andrew, an old friend and neighbor. Andrew, Susie, my best friend," I said in a bored tone.

"Nice to meet you," Susie put her hand out for a handshake, he took it and kissed the back of her hand. She giggled giddily. I opened my eyes wide, withholding to roll my eyes at the cheesy sight.

"I'm William," the guy next to him spoke. Blonde hair, green eyes and a fit body, he's adorable. What's he hanging around Andrew for?

"Oh yeah, William. This is Rachel, my neighbor. William, Rachel." Andrew introduced, I waved awkwardly to him, William smiled at Susie and waved to him too.

"You didn't tell me about your neighbor bro," William nudged his stomach.

"She used to be an old one from Colorado."

"Oh, her?" He bumped his arm with his elbow, his eyebrows were raised. All Andrew did was nod. Oh, Lord, he probably told him embarrassing stories. Like the time I sat on a melted ice cream cone at the park and it made it look like I pooped myself.

"Rach, is he the guy that you-" Susie started. I grunted with furious head shakes to cut her off.

"How do you two know each other?" I pointed at them.

"From California. He just moved here too," he answered.

"And you talked about me before?" I asked.

"You talked about me before?" he asked back.

"No, it was someone else."

"So you say."

"Would you guys like to join us for lunch?" Susie suggested.

"Absolutely not," I answered in a hard tone. Both of the boys and Susie looked at me with curious and weird expressions. Clearing my throat of embarrassment I tugged my sleeve, "we-we shouldn't burden them, Suse. They seem like they want to catch up. Alone."

"Don't be silly, we all can sit together. You guys want some company, right?" Susie smiled urgently, eyes begging me to make them stay.

"Yeah, we can all sit together, table for four?" Andrew agreed, putting his arm around my shoulders.

I tried to shrug his arm off but he kept it on tight. He pulled me into his ribs. I saw William inched his way next to Susie, she blushed at the closeness. "You're still annoying." I stated, grabbing his arm to move it, he clutched it tightly again.

"You still like it," he whispered in my ear. I felt flushed, finally pushing his hold off, all four of us were in the front of the counter, ready to order.

"What are we having, all?" Andrew asked in a playful tone.

I breathed through my nose, flared wide to get through this afternoon in one piece. Yep, just like old times.