“Hey Conner how was the beach?”

Conner looked over at his mom who was standing in the doorway of his room.

“Fine” He replied slipping his shirt off and tossing it into his laundry basket.

Conner’s mom, Tammy leaned up against the doorjamb. “Just fine? I heard Rae was going how did that go?”

Conner raked a hand back through his hair thinking about his encounter with Ian. “It was alright”

Tammy sighed and decided to let it go. He was tired and she didn’t want to push him.

“Well I hope it was better than alright because next Saturday we’re going over to their house for a barbeque”

Conner glanced up sharply.

‘Why is it for 2 years I am as far from Rae as possible and suddenly we’re thrust at each other constantly?’ he wondered but merely nodded okay for his moms sake.

Tammy sighed and shook her head. “Okay well then goodnight Conner”

“Night mom”

Tammy walked out of his room and shut the door. As soon as she left he took a shower then pulled on his boxers, peeled back the covers and lay down beneath the sheets. Sleep wouldn’t come to him. He lay staring at the ceiling for what seemed like hours pondering over the things Ian had told him about Rachel. He knew she had been going through problems and he knew her mother had been very sick. But he had learned from his mom about Rachel’s mom’s death. He hadn’t attended the funeral. He felt saddened by all Ian had told him about Rachel and the last two years and he could sense there was still more to it than he had told him. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to know. He growled and tried to force all such thoughts from his head. His last thought before he fell asleep was,

‘It wasn’t just my fault!’

…and it wasn’t.

………………………………...

Saturday rolled around and Conner awoke with a groan. Today he would go over to Rachel’s house with his family for a barbeque for the first time in years. He found it odd that for the last 2 years the only time he saw her was at school but now they were suddenly throw at each other again. Their families were hanging out again, and their friends were hanging out together bringing her with them…

‘this really sucks’ he thought as he forced himself out of bed and into the shower.

His hands rested against the cool tile walls and sighed with pleasure as the hot water sprayed against his bare skin, relaxing him and fully waking him up. He let himself enjoy the warmth a few extra minutes before turning the water off and climbing out of the shower. He wrapped a towel around his waist while he brushed his teeth and blow-dried and messy spiked his hair before dressing in a pair of black Dickies and a black wife beater with a black, silk, Havana embroidered shirt. Satisfied with his appearance he grabbed the current book he was reading so he wouldn’t be bored and went downstairs. Stretching out on the couch he waited for his mom to get ready.

“Why Conner for not wanting to go, it’s nice to see you’re the first one ready when we don’t even have to leave for another hour and a half” she teased him; walking into the living room from the kitchen with her cup of coffee.

Conner scowled, “I wouldn’t read too much into it mom, You know I’m an early riser”

Tammy laughed, “Calm down Conner, I was only teasing you. But if I were you I would bring your swim trunks since we’ll be over there the better part of the day and it’ll be warm out”

Conner rolled his eyes,

“Yes mom” he retorted dryly and went back to reading his book.

Tammy sighed and finished her coffee before showering and dressing.

‘What happened to those two they used to be inseparable?’ she asked herself with a sad shake of her head as she combed her hair and dressed in a nice day dress before setting aside a plate of brownies to take over to the Summers home and then going to find Conner who still hadn’t moved from his position on the couch and was fully engrossed in his book.

“Conner dear, it’s time to go, did you grab your trunks?”

Conner sighed heavily and stretched before rising.

“I’ll do that now” he said; taking the steps slowly to his room, trying to buy his time so that he wouldn’t have to go over to Rachel’s house a moment sooner than he had to.

Tammy knew he was moving sluggishly on purpose but didn’t reprimand him and instead offered up a prayer that things would once again be right between her son and Rachel Summers.

………………………………...

“Why did you HAVE to invite them over daddy?” Rachel asked after taking a sip of orange juice and looking over at her dad who merely smiled at her and scooped some eggs onto a piece of toast before taking a bite.

“Because I saw Mrs. Ackart at the store recently and realized how long it had been since we’ve all hung out and thought it would be nice to get together again. Besides you and Conner used to be best friends…what happened?”

Rachel shook her head, “Long story…”

She moved the food around on her plate with her fork a few moments and then sighed heavily, “may I be excused I’m not hungry”

Andy Summers nodded, “Go ahead”

Rachel managed a smile at her dad and sister before scooting away from the table and heading upstairs. Kate sighed and shared a look with her father before shaking her head and returning to her breakfast.

“Do you think having the Ackarts over is a good idea Kate?”

Kate nodded, “I always liked them. I think it’ll be fun”

“Good then hopefully I can count on you to entertain Conner seeing as how Rachel will make excuses to remain in her room all day?” he teased.

Kate giggled and nodded, “That won’t be a problem”

She hid a smile. She had always found Conner immensely attractive and when he had been friends with Rachel she loved having him over, for she found he had a great personality and was very nice to look at. Breakfast passed quickly and after Kate helped her dad clean up she raced upstairs to get ready for the Ackarts arrival. Andy sighed and could only pray for the best day possible and that whatever had gone wrong between Conner and Rachel would be put aside for the day so that it would be enjoyable by all.

………………………………...

“I can’t believe my dad invited Conner over! He didn’t even think to tell me before today!” Rachel fumed over the phone to Ian who merely chuckled.

“He probably didn’t tell you because he knew if he gave you time you’d find something to do to get away from home, besides how bad can it be?”

Rachel sighed heavily and flopped down onto her bed. “Yeah you’re probably right”

“I normally am Rachel”

Rachel laughed, “Oh shut up, the lady is always right”

“Lady? I see no lady” he teased and Rachel giggled.

“You’re such a brat but I love you anyways”

Ian chuckled, “Of course you do. I’m just so loveable”

Rachel sighed; loving how Ian was always able to cheer her up.

“Do you want me to come over and protect my little Rachel?” he asked knowing that if she said yes he’d head over there without a moments hesitation.

Rachel sighed and shook her head, “I should be fine but I’ll keep your offer in mind if he becomes unbearable”

“Rachel, they’re here” Kate said, peeking her head into Rachel’s room before heading downstairs.

Rachel groaned, “Hell has just arrived at my house in the form of my ex best friend!”

Ian laughed, “You sure have a way of descriptions, I wonder what you say about me behind my back”

“You don’t want to know Ian”

Ian barked out a laugh at this, “Oh I’m sure I don’t”

Rachel giggled, “I gotta go though Ian, thanks for cheering me up”

“No problem girl. Good luck”

“Thanks, love ya”

She heard Ian’s smile as he replied, “Love ya too” and then hung up.

Rachel smiled at the phone she held in her hand before hanging it up and heading downstairs.

“Hello Rachel how’ve you been?” Tammy asked, perusing the young woman before her. She looked good in a pretty pale pink halter top and hip hugger jeans, her hair half pulled back into a pony tail. “You look great and have grown so much”

Rachel smiled, “Thank you Mrs. Ackart, I’m doing fine and you?”

Tammy smiled, “It’s Tammy, you know that. You’ve known me long enough to put away with pretenses”

Rachel smiled, “Sorry, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you I guess it’s just habit”

After making small talk for a few moments Conner followed Rachel from the room,

“I’m surprised Ian isn’t here” he said pouring himself a glass of Pepsi; making himself right at home.

Rachel heaved an annoyed sigh, “No my dad wanted to torment me by making me hang out with you. You’re a big boy however so I think you can entertain yourself, now if you’ll excuse me…”

Conner had to stifle a laugh and grabbed her wrist before she could get away,

“Get off your high horse princess. I’m not too happy about being here either”

Rachel glared daggers at him, “Release my arm and don’t call me princess Conner”

Conner smirked at her and then released her; he had always loved her spunk.

“Hello Conner” Kate said cheerfully when she saw him.

Conner smiled and perused his once best friend‘s sister, “Hello Kate, you look great”

Rachel rolled her eyes,

“Don’t try hitting on my sister Conner, she’s got better taste than that, least I hope she does” she said bitterly when she saw her sister perusing Conner, the smile never leaving her face.

Rachel rolled her eyes again, “You know what this is perfect, it means she can make goo-goo eyes at you and I can spend time alone in my room. Thank you Kate!”

that said Rachel turned and skipped out of the room, thankful that she wouldn’t have to deal with Conner. Conner however wasn’t satisfied with that and so he excused himself from Kate before following Rachel upstairs to her room.

“What makes you think you’re so much better than me Rae? I’m not just dirt you can wipe off your shoes” He asked, feeling angry at how she was treating him. “We got along fine at the beach what the hell happened to you?”

Rachel fell onto her bed with a heavy sigh, “I didn’t abandon you Conner. It wasn’t me who started treating you like dirt. Even you admitted to not wanting to be here so why did you follow me?”

“We’re stuck here together Rae whether you like it or not, so we may as well make the best of it”

When she didn’t respond and instead picked up a magazine to ignore him Conner heaved an annoyed sigh and let his gaze wander over her room. He noticed she still had her bulletin board covered in the pictures of them growing up together back when they had been best friends.

“You still kept them all?” He asked quietly after stepping closer to study them.

The 5x7 of the one he kept in his wallet was in the center with the other pictures tacked around it. Rachel put the magazine she had been looking at down and moved her gaze to see what he was looking at.

“Obviously, if they’re still up there” she replied dryly, picking up the magazine again.

In 3 quick steps Conner had severed the distance between them and ripped the magazine from her hands before seating himself beside her on the bed,

“Why? If you hate me so damn much now why not just burn them?”

“Because they’re memories of better times. During the time I was friends with you life was normal…now it’s all screwed up and the only thing that’s stayed the same for me is Ian and the pictures I can look back on and smile about”

If Conner had expected an answer from her this definitely wasn’t it. “Were things really that bad Rae?”

Rachel snorted in a scoffing type manner and rolled her eyes, “Just kinda…my life went from amazing, having the best friends I could ever ask for and the perfect family to losing not only my best friend but my mother as well, my family fell apart and in just a few months life became hell, gee Conner that time in my life was just heavenly”

Her voice was angry and sarcastic but he could see the tears welling in her eyes and could see it was her hurt speaking. He flinched when he saw her distant look. Her eye were looking towards the pictures but she seemed to look right through them. He flinched inwardly knowing he had caused her a great deal of pain and hadn’t been there for her when she needed him most; and for some of the stupidest reasons. Raking a hand back through her hair he exhaled a deep breath before taking a step into the deep end with her,

“I’m sorry Rae”

Rachel slowly turned her head to face him, “Why are you suddenly sorry, you don’t care about me any longer in fact I’m sure you burned your pictures of us”

Conner shook his head,

“Actually no I didn’t…majority I’ll admit to packing away in a box in the back of my closet but not this one” he told her, opening his wallet and holding out the one he had hidden back there these last couple of years.

Rachel slowly reached out and took the picture from his fingers, “I can’t believe out of all the pictures you kept this one…I always thought it was your least favorite”

Conner smirked, “You never could read me correctly Rae, I always really liked that one” he told her before taking it away from her and replacing it in his wallet again.

Rachel watched him a few minutes for sighing heavily. He was trying to be civil towards her so the least she could do is return the gesture…at least for today while none of his friends were around for him to impress.

“Well I’m hot so I’m going to go swimming. Want to come?”

Conner looked at her and a small smile crossed his lips, “Why not”

………………………………...

“Conner don’t even think ab-!!”

Before Rachel could even finish her sentence she found herself pulled under the water. Conner came up and laughed as she came up sputtering,

“I- I told you not to think about it!” she said through a laugh, trying to be mad at him.

“And I heard you, but it was too late, the thought was out, the deed is done”

“The only drawback you forget is I shall have my revenge”

Conner laughed, “You? Revenge? Please!?”

“Jerk” she laughed before lunging at him, trying to dunk him beneath the water.

“Is that the best you can do?” he asked, playfully egging her on and then proceeded to laugh at her as she tried harder and only succeeded in falling under the water herself.

Conner laughed and reached into the water to hoist her up before pressing her up against the wall and holding her there, blocking her with his body so she couldn’t move. She scowled at him but when several strands of wet hair fell into her eyes she didn’t look too menacing. Conner laughed as he reached forward to brush her hair back from her face gently.

“You don’t scare me Rae” he told her with a soft smile.

Rachel bit her bottom lip at his nearness and the way he was being so gentle and kind to her. Conner’s gaze followed her movements and he swallowed hard at the thought of pressing his mouth against her lips, wondering if they felt as soft as they looked. Of it’s own accord his hand came up to cradle her cheek; his thumb idly tracing her smooth, full lips. Rachel breathed in a deep breath at such an intimate touch from her once best friend and now rival; and for once her heart felt at war over what to think of him, half her heart saying to just lean up and kiss him where as the other half of her heart rivaled against such a thought, telling her to get away from him as soon as possible…that she hated him now. Luckily for her the choice didn’t need to be made.

“Kids lunch is ready!” her dad called.

Andy’s voice pulled Conner back into reality and he quickly lowered his hand and swam away from her to go get out of the pool and go eat. Rachel let out a breath of relief although she was now curious of what it would have felt like to kiss her old best friend. Shaking her head she hoisted herself out of the pool and wrapped a towel around herself before joining the others at the table; pushing thoughts of Conner and what had just happened from her mind.

………………………………...

The rest of the day passed quickly and Conner and Rachel, though they wouldn’t admit it to anyone else, admitted to themselves that they had had fun together. Neither having felt the need to kill the other after that firs argument in he room. The day was actually nice and they got along great; as though their relationship had never fallen apart. They both had enjoyed the others company but once he left, Rachel immediately hated the thought of returning to school and seeing him again on Monday.

‘Then I will return to reality’

……………………….