The flight to Michigan was fairly nice if you factor out the occasional crying and kicking by a kid sitting behind you. A week ago when Ellen had insisted I come to Michigan with Emilie, I was a tad bit nervous and hesitant. I missed Jack, but staying in the same house as him meant we would be seeing each other again and having to talk to each other. I can't lie and say that I haven't been curious about what he's been up to in the last month, but I've focused on filming and getting videos out as a distraction.

"Okay, so Luke says he and Quinn should be right out here." Dragging our suitcases outside of the airport, a black BMW rolls its windows down. Luke and Quinn's faces appear, "Welcome to Michigan guys!" Before Quinn even gets the chance to put the car in park, Luke hops out, running towards Em and me engulfing us in a big hug. Not too long after, I decided to back up from the hug and let Emilie and Luke greet all cutesy on their own.

"Hey Char, it's good to see you again. How was the flight?" Quinn and I share a quick hug before pulling away. "It's good seeing you too Quinn. The flight was going great until the kid behind me started crying and kicking." Laughing, Quinn takes my suitcase and puts it in the trunk along with Em's.

"Alright, lovebirds let's get going." Luke gives his brother a scolding look before grabbing Emilie's hand and walking to the car. We all get in, starting the drive back to the lake house.

On the drive, we all catch up on what we've been up to since the summer started. Luke had been stuck with Jack while Quinn and his team were in the playoffs before being eliminated in the second round. Em and I were mainly working and had occasional sponsorship trips here and there.

Glancing out the window, the city scenery slowly began to change, houses started to get more far apart as more trees took over. Along with the changing scenery came an increase of nerves that had only progressively skyrocketed the closer we got to our final destination. I hadn't fully thought out what I would say to Jack when we eventually came face to face later, but I just hoped I wouldn't look like a deer in headlights.

"Girls just a quick heads up, our friends, Trevor and Cole are also staying here for a while. They are excited to meet you both." Luke speaks up from the backseat. Pulling into the driveway, the garage door was open, with a goal net and a few sticks lying around, almost as if they'd been playing a game not too long ago.

Hopping out of the car, the guys take a suitcase each, walking ahead of us to the front door. Before I could walk any further, Em held me back. "Char the nerves are written all over your face right now. Relax and take a deep breath. You've got me here and remember what we talked about at home okay?" Nodding my head, I take a deep breath feeling my shoulders relax before we keep walking.
Quinn and Luke walk in first, "Mom we're home!" Not long after Quinn announces that we've arrived Ellen emerges from what seems to be the kitchen not too far from the front door.

"Well if it isn't my two girls!" Ellen opens her arms wide as she reaches us, squeezing us in a hug. "I'm so happy you girls are here. I'm always outnumbered here." We all laugh and Emilie and I thank her for inviting us.

"Boys, why don't you take the girls' stuff to their rooms while I get them something to eat." The guys waste no time in taking our stuff upstairs, while Ellen takes us to the kitchen. After handing us each a sandwich, Ellen, Em, and I have a nice conversation, only to be interrupted by multiple pairs of feet running towards the kitchen.

"Trevor, no I called dibs on it first!" A guy runs into the kitchen first, who I assume to be Trevor before another runs in close behind followed by Jack not too long after. Trevor and who I figure to be Cole, seems to be too focused on finding whatever they'd call dibs on that they fail to notice Emilie and me with Ellen.

"Ellen, will you please tell Cole that-" Trevor stops talking as he notices us behind Ellen. "Well if you boys are done acting like 12-year-olds, this is Emilie and Charlotte." Stepping aside, Ellen points to us making our presence known to the three guys. "Hey I'm Trevor and this is Cole, nice to meet you guys." Trevor walks towards us and greets us, Cole waving from next to him.

If I thought I would look like a deer in headlights, clearly Jack and I were on the same page, both of us mirroring the same look. Noticing our frozen state, Quinn speaks up, "Em, Char, we were planning on playing a few rounds of driveway hockey if you guys wanna watch?" Before I can even process the question, Emilie is dragging me towards the front door behind the guys.

Taking a seat on a little bench under a tree, we watch the guys shooting a few pucks warming up, before starting a game. Eventually, the guys take off their shirts to try to cool down against the hot sun. "Char, you were doing well in there up until the deer in headlights part." She lightly pats my knee, slightly cringing recalling my reaction.

"Oh my god don't remind me. Wait, do you think the other guys noticed?" She slowly nods her head in reply, before I facepalm. Opening my mouth to speak again, a high-pitched voice pierces the air. As the owner of the voice gets closer, the words being spoken become clearer,

"Jack! Jack Jack! Over here!" A blonde girl around our age is practically rushing toward Hughes's house. Looking over at the guys, they all visibly cringe, letting out frustrated huffs. Emilie and I sit there confused waiting for some sort of explanation.

Once she makes it to the driveway, she aims straight for Jack, engulfing him in a tight hug. The rest of the guys slowly move away towards Em and me. "We were so close to having an Emma-free day. Can't even breathe without her coming straight over here." Trevor looks towards Jack and this Emma girl.

"Who is she?" Emilie asks, waiting for any of the guys to tell us about her. "Well like Trev said, that's Emma and she's our neighbor. Once upon a time, she had a crush on Quinny because she went through a phase where she liked slightly older guys." Luke laughs with Trevor and Cole joining in. Quinn is unamused by his little brother's words.

"It's not funny Luke. Every day she'd come here as early as possible and follow me around. I'd have to hide for a few hours until she'd leave. I had to tell her I wasn't interested in her and only then did she leave me alone, but she moved on to Jack." Pointing to where they'd once stood, Jack and Emma still stood there and her arms were practically squeezing him.

A pit forms in my stomach with a slight hint of jealousy bubbling at how close Emma is with seemingly no desire to let go of Jack. Oh, this is going to be a long stay.

Edited: 12/31/24

~
melissa speaks

heyyy everyone! I want to apologize for the, possibly, sucky chapter. I wrote this one a few weeks ago, but wasn't sure if I should post it. I also may or may not be planning on ending this story in around five to ten chapters. I'll make sure to keep y'all updated on when the end is coming.

have a great day or night. stay safe y'all ♡