"Come watch Peter Pan with me!" I groan to my sister, as she insists she has more important things to do.

"I can't, Crystal, how many times do I have to tell you I need to get my report done?" She huffs, as if it's my fault she's taking summer school.

"You only remind me every five minutes," I roll my eyes, not wanting to hear excuses. "It's your own fault you failed and had to take summer classes. Don't come after me if you don't have time to watch a movie."

"You're such a pain," she grumbles, before collecting her work and walking into her bedroom. She always acted as if she was ten years older than I was, when in reality she was barely two years older than me, and one grade ahead. I was a junior, she was a senior, and we were from two separate worlds. I was into movies and book, and she was into boys. That's the whole reason for her failing. She spent too much time studying her boyfriend.

"Crystal, it's a gorgeous day outside, why are you going to spend it watching TV?" My mom asks me, as she comes inside after playing with my little brother.

"I don't want to go out in this heat, I like the air conditioned house," I shrug.

"You need some vitamin D, young lady," she informs me.

"I'll make a note of that, and I'll be sure to pop a vitamin after I watch this," I promise her, having no intention of neither taking the vitamin nor going outside.

"No. Go outside. Go take a walk into town, it'll be good for you," she suggests.

The truth is, she's been trying to get me to go outside since summer began two weeks ago, but she hasn't had any luck. I would rather spend my summer inside reading and watching movies, than outside being burnt to a crisp.

"Fine," I groan, before taking out the DVD and walking to my room to change into less clothing. It was far too hot outside for a pair of jeans.

"While you're out — " she calls to me, as I change into my shorts. "Can you pick up some milk?"

"I knew there was a catch!" I tease, as I emerge from the bedroom as she hands me a five dollar bill.

"It'll do you good. Say hello to Vernon for me, okay?" She smiles, as she watches me walk outside. It was almost as if she was proud she finally got me out, but I don't really blame her. I prefer staying inside, unless the weather isn't scalding and freezing. Fall is a good time to be out, but this heat is torture.

However, I have to admit that it's nice being out here. I like visiting town, especially since it's just down the street. It's convenient and gives off noise, which I like. I don't like silence, it makes me think something is going to jump out at me. I guess I've watched too many horror films, too many that have left my brain paralyzed with fear.

Trying to think of anything else except horror movies, I continue down the sidewalk, trying to hurry and get into the air continued store. It wasn't a Walmart or anything large, just a small locally owned market that happened to be owned by one of my mom's old friends. His name was Vernon, and he liked to imagine he was Italian, instead of what he really was...English. He happened to come over to America when he was child, so he has our accent, with just a touch of British in it.

"Good afternoon, Crystal!" He smiles cheerily as I walk into the store. "Haven't seen you much this summer," he winks.

"Ha, I'm guessing Mom has complained about how she can't seem to get me outside?" I hint.

"Correct. I seen her the other day and asked about you. Said you were still hooked to movies and books. You need to find yourself a man," he winks.

"She had all that time to talk about me, but she couldn't find time to get a gallon of milk while she was out?" I tease, causing him to laugh.

"There's always time for gossip, Crystal, always!"

I just smile, thinking about how true that statement is.

"I want a gallon of milk, definitely," I say as I set the carton on the counter. "But I'm going to look around and see what else there is. Have you got any new lollipop flavors?" I ask.

Vernon's brother worked in a candy factory down in Virginia, and almost every week, Vernon would receive a shipment of new lollipops. They were all different flavors, and he would send them to Vernon to get his opinion on how they tasted. Growing up, my mom used to buy me one of every flavor, and I would tell Vernon which one was the best and which one I didn't like. Normally, there wasn't any kind that didn't satisfy me.

"It's been a while since you've had your lollipops," he smiles. "But, yes, we have them over by the window."

"Thanks," I smile, before turning around, only to bump into someone and cause them to drop their bag of pasta.

"Great!" They shout, and I find myself glowing red as I bend over to pick up the crushed pasta.

"I am so sorry!" I gush. "I didn't mean to — "

"Save it," he snaps, and those two words seem to shed light onto the fact he has an Irish accent, and from his looks he can't be that much older than me.

"You're Irish," I say without even thinking. "You must be from that new family that moved in a couple months ago. I'm Crystal," I smile, as I hand him his pasta.

"Do you have a lot of Irish people in your town?" He asks, as he snatches the pasta from my hand, no doubt crushing it even more.

"No..."

"Then who else would I be besides the kid from that Irish family?" He huffs, as if I'm supposed to know.

"Sorry," I whisper, feeling rather awkward. "So, are you going to our school this fall?" I ask, trying to get on friendly terms with him. It is not because I think he is attractive — he is, but that isn't the reason — it's mostly because I smashed his pasta and want to make up for it.

"No, my mom's going to homeschool me. What is this anyway? Twenty questions?" He snaps.

"I was just trying to be friendly. You know, like how neighbors are when new people arrive in the neighborhood?" I point out, wondering what crawled up his butt.

"This isn't a Hallmark movie, now will you let me pay for my groceries?" He asks, indicating I'm in his way.

"Actually," I smile, not really liking this guy. "I was in line first. Wasn't I, Vernon?"

"You were, Crystal," he confirms.

"So, excuse me," I say, before paying for the milk and leaving. I didn't even get my lollipops, nor did I get his name.

However, I wasn't worried about his name, it was the lollipops that were important.

***
If this is crappy I'm so sorry it's gonna get a lot better and ima try to update a couple times a week wooooo!