who the others were. Outside, the yard was littered with more guest and several people were already in the lake.
“Mandy,” Chris sidled up to her and dropped an arm around her waist.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” Amanda queried.
“She dumped me,” he admitted; then shrugged. “Can’t say I’m too disappointed.”
“Well, at least you aren’t heart broken,” Amanda offered with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
“Yeah, I know; right? I was kinda wondering what happened to us actually. We seemed to be off to a good start and then…” he shrugged.
“Hey are you coming or aren’t you?” Jenny grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward the dock.
“Thanks,” Amanda muttered.
“Welcome,” Jenny grinned as she shed her dress. She wore an adorable light green and white polka dot two piece underneath.
“How cute!” Amanda admired her friend’s suite.
“Isn’t it?” Jenny turned and pivoted so Amanda could admire it further. “Now see, I could never wear white and I certainly couldn’t wear that style. I would look all sawed off and deathly pale; the curse of being petite and red headed,” Jenny surveyed Amanda’s suit.
“You are adorable, Jenny,” Amanda assured her friend.
“And you are all long legs and green eyes; it’s disgusting!” Jenny joked. Amanda knew she had filled out over the school year. She had finally taken on shape. According to Naomi, Amanda was built like her grandmother on her dad’s side. Amanda could vaguely remember an old woman from her early childhood who had resided at the retirement home. According to Naomi she had been a knock out in her youth. Amanda didn’t mind the comparison; she was just glad to have finally grown some boobs.
Amanda sprinted down the dock and launched herself into the water with a cry of exaltation; summer was finally here! She heard a splash behind her and knew that Jenny had done the same. The water was cool but Amanda didn’t mind. She and Jenny splashed and playfully flirted with a couple of guys from school for the next hour as the sun, bathing the lake in golden red light, dipped lower and lower. It was the first real fun Amanda had enjoyed all summer thanks to her grueling work schedule.
“Amanda; Mandy!” she heard someone call. She had swam a good distance out into the lake and turned to squint at the distant dock.
“Manny!” she spotted a tall figure waving and smiled.
“Trent! Cade!” she waved for a moment and then swam hard for the dock. They were early! How had they found her? Her brother wasn’t going to like her being here, she realized. Oh well.
It didn’t take her long to reach the dock and scramble up the ladder. She was prepared to launch herself at her brother when he raised a hand.
“Woe! You are sopping wet and I am dry,” he offered her a cheek and she obliging kissed it, before he kissed her forehead. She turned to find Cade waiting for a hug and flung herself into his arms. He lifted her off her feet before setting her back down.
“How are you, Manny?” a wide smile split his face.
“I’m good,” she smiled in return as she leaned back in his arms. She felt her nerves jump and stomach flip. Crap! It was still there she realized.
“What are you guys doing here?” she finally stepped away from Cade.
“We could either stay and get our final results and grades or we could have them mailed; we chose to have them mailed,” her brother explained.
“I’m glad you did,” she smiled.
“So you two are back huh?” Jenny had joined them on the deck and was smiling widely at them.
“Hey, Jenny,” Cade offered her a hug.
“Hey, handsome,” she returned it.
“I know, I’m wet. I saw you turn your own sister away,” Jenny teased Trent as she turned to him and offered her hand.
“Hey, Jenny,” Trent, gaining a frown and sigh from Jenny, kissed her forehead as he had his sister’s.
“Does Dad know where you are?” Trent asked of his sister.
Amanda plopped her hands on her hips and glowered at her brother.
“I’m glad to see you too.”
“I am glad to see you, Mandy. Does Dad know where you are?”
“He knows I’m out with Jenny,” she dodged the question.
“Does he know you’re at a party with drinking and who knows what else?”
“No, but I am not drinking or who knows what else. I am swimming. Now, quit being uptight and come swim with us,” Amanda ordered.
“I don’t have my swim wear with me,” he returned.
“Neither do half the people in this lake,” Amanda offered on