The sun blinds me as my dad drives down the highway. I always looked forward to our summer vacation at the beach house. It was good release for me since my jerk boyfriend broke up with me. The reason was I wasn't as cute as the new girl he decided to date. A real class act, I know. My brother was busy playing video games on his portable console. He wasn't much younger than me, but he hasn't had a girlfriend yet. I guess there was no rush.
I should realize how relationships go south in a second. "Are you excited for the beach?" My mother chirped. "Yeah." I tried to sound as neutral as I could. The excitement couldn't be contained even with my best efforts. I couldn't help but smile. I was really looking forward to this. If my mom didn't have too many preplanned activities that is. I really just enjoyed staying on the beach and visiting the nearby town. All while scoping out the cute boys. I didn't have a boyfriend anymore so why not find someone down here. Long distance probably wouldn't work to be honest.
Scratch that idea. I pictured a line going through the word boys. I scrunched up my face as the thought of my ex flashed through my mind. "You okay?" My brother asked. He actually sounded concerned. "Yeah. I am." I replied as quick as I could. "Good, you don't want your face stuck like that. He said in his iconic mocking tone. I stick my tongue out at him. His favorite thing was to annoy me. I swear, it had to be. "Don't fight you two." My mom chimed in. I sighed and turned to look out the car window.
The sun was beginning to set on the horizon. It was beautiful. I wish we had gotten here earlier so I could enjoy more of the day. At least we were going to stay a full month. With college coming up next semester my family wanted to spend as much time together as possible. I applied to plenty of different colleges, and I got into every single one.
I was pretty proud of myself for that.
We were finally nearing the beachside town. Pulling up into the driveway I was intoxicated with the smell of ocean air. "Alright everyone, we're here." My dad announced like we haven't been here a million times. Well maybe not that many, but still. I pulled my hair out of my ponytail I had set in, and let it hang down my back. The auburn color of it glistening in the sun. I was sometimes made fun of for being a red head when I was younger, but it didn't bother me anymore. My dad was already unloading things out of the back. He set my pink suitcase on the ground. Then my brother got out his banged up one with the scuff marks on it. I always wondered why he didn't get a new one. He always shrugged it off when I mentioned it. It didn't matter anyways. His choice.
"Where is my keys honey?" My mom answered with the usual response. "Look in your pockets." He started to pat down his jackets and pants. My dad was one of those people who had to have lots of pockets. It didn't help that he lost stuff constantly.
"I got them." The keys jangled in my little brother's hand. "They were on the pavement. You should watch where you put things." He said jokingly. It wouldn't have been annoying if he didn't have a smug smirk plastered on his face. My dad gave him the side eye and I rolled my eyes. He could be so annoying sometimes. Actually, it was most of the time. My dad turned the lock to the door, and we stepped in. Once the light was turned on the familiarity of the place warmed my heart.
Mom loved decorating the place in cliché beach memorabilia. The anchors, starfish, and of course the beach themed decorative pillows. The couch was also an ocean blue. My dad always hated the idea of theming things. But, he seemed fine with it since my mother loved it. Every birthday party since we were little had to be themed. I can still remember my princess birthday party with Cinderella. She was my favorite princess at the time and everything was blue. The cupcakes, the napkins. She even got a cake featuring Cinderella's face. I don't even want to get started on how I had to convince her not to theme my sixteenth birthday party.
"I'm going to my room." He said while taking his old suitcase with him. At least he didn't forget to take his games this time. Last year he forgot them and it was a fiasco in itself. My little brother and his games. They are inseparable. "Alright. Tomorrow I have some family activities planned for us." We both groaned simultaneously. It was one thing we had in common. Avoiding my mom's activities was on the top of that list. She just liked doing things that weren't exactly the most fun for teenagers. Well, I did like miniature golf. I would never tell my brother that, or my parents. "Guys, it'll be fun. We can go miniature golfing. I know Aubrey loves it." I don't know how my mother picked up on that. She might've just said that to get us excited. She couldn't actually realize that I feel that way.
"I'm going to go to my room and unpack." I said without agreeing to her previous statements. I rolled my cute suitcase to my room. It was just as I remembered it. A little outdated with my tastes, but still nice. The curtains were vertically stripped with pastel pink and white. The bed sheets and comforter had an array of colorful flowers on the front. The part where it started to get outdated where all my princess figurines. I always left them there. It may sound sorta cheesy, but it felt welcoming. Okay maybe it wasn't cheesy, just weird. I started to unpack my clothes.