The gloomy outcast of the sky lines the windowsill with a grey hue. The sun hasn't come out today; it didn't come out yesterday either, or any day this week. I'm beginning to believe that the sun has disappeared, or hibernated for the summer.

  How ironic.  It's summer, but the sun hasn't made its debut appearance everyone anticipates for. Except me. I actually prefer the gloomy grey hue.

   A notification pops up on my phone from Sera:

  "Hey Tae, you feeling up to go down to Marty's?"

   As I swaddle my phone between my bony fingers, I contemplate the invitation. I mean, I wouldn't like to go out, but on a day like this where there's no other choice, I guess it's a yes from me. I quickly reply with:

    "Yeah sure. Be there in 20."

  I slide off of my bed, careful to land on my cat, Tiger, nestled right beside my bed. I make my way to the dresser, and I pick out a cute grey sweater, and some black pants. I slide out of the pajamas I'm wearing, and I pull the sweater over my neat bun.

   The pants glide over my skinny legs with ease.
 
   I take my hair out of the bun and it graciously cascades down to the small of my back. I look in the mirror one last time before I grab my bag and walk downstairs.

   As I walk down the spiral stairs, I spot my father passed out on the couch, a bud light by his side. I shake my head, and walk out the door, neglecting to lock it, for the simple question of : Why lock the door?

   I fumble for my keys as I move towards my car. Once I find my keys, I unlock the door and climb into my car. It reeks of cigarettes and bud lights. Note to self: Don't let dad use the car.

  I put the car into drive, and I pull out of the driveway. The drive to Marty's is slow. The traffic is moderate, and although I weave in and out of lanes I still end up getting caught behind a car or two. As the radio hums throughout the car, I pull out a pack of cigarettes from the console and light one.

  The thick smoke creates a hazy fog in the car. I take a long puff and let it exhale slowly. I feel my lungs get blacker by the second.

   Soon enough, I reach Marty's and I pull into the driveway. I park the car and I slide out of the car. The fog blows away and the smell of cigarettes blows away with it. I straighten my sweater and I walk into Marty's. Sera waves me down.

   I gallantly walk over to the booth, and there sits Sera and a girl I've never seen in my life. She looks like a 5 year old. With her cherry red lipstick and her red heart lollipop she slides against her tounge, every second I look at her the more I get disgusted.

   I was only invited to meet her new friend. An introduction was all I was. It seems like that all the time. The more new people I meet, the more I get forgotten.

  "Tae, you there?" Sera asks, snapping me back into reality.

  "Oh, yeah. Hi, I'm Taeryn." I say through my teeth, baring my aggervation.

  "Taeryn, this is Rebecca, a girl I met in summer school. She is totally cool and she will make a great addition to the group." Sera says cheerfully.

  The group. That phrase sends chills up my spine. All the other girls I have forgotten about. I haven't thought for one second to call any of our other friends. It's mostly been me and Sera, but I still miss the other girls.

  As I awkwardly stand there, the Rebecca girl scoots over and makes a space for me.

  "Thanks." I mutter.

  All throughout the meal Rebecca talks about how she loves cherry flavored things and red lipstick and swimming and heart shaped sunglasses, and vintage and blah blah blah.  Sera would reply a couple of times with "cool", and I neglected to reply at all. I was just waiting for the meal to be over.

  Out of the blue Rebecca exclaims: "Sera, why didn't you tell me Tae smokes. It's really getting on my nerves."

  I flashed a look at Sera and she mouths: "I don't know."

  "Rebecca, I didn't know you had an obsession with immaturity. It's really getting on my nerves."

  Rebecca shoots me a dirty look, and sips on her Shirley temple.

  The rest of the time was awkward silence, and it was clear that we were all ready to leave. Sera called for the check and we all gathered our things. As I hugged Sera, Rebecca shot me another dirty look, as well as a middle finger.

         This summer's gonna be fun.