Sun Kissed but Never Been Kissed

Salty… sweet… yellow… warm… all the things that make me think of summer. The way the air smelled so crisp and clean. How the sun hit my neck when my hair was in a high bun. It all made me feel so happy and serene. Mine, however, is ending soon and I will officially be a sophomore at Huffington High School this fall. 

My name is Brees Hamlin. I have lived here in Kentwood, LA my whole life. The town is small but we don’t know everyone. We are close to a few families, but not many. 

My brother will be a junior this year, so he will get to drive me to school. My dad got him a car for his 16th birthday. A 2021 Jeep Wrangler. It was all blacked out and had tinted windows when his doors were on.  I think dad feels guilty in some way for leaving us and my mom, but we truly just want him around. I do love the idea of being able to come to school in a car instead of on the bus, like I did in junior high. It makes me feel…I don’t know…MATURE. Casey says we have to be “mature” this year and I have to look “snatch”. Whatever that means. 

Casey is my best friend and is incredibly outspoken, to a fault. She is from Japan. She moved here when she was about 8 years old. She still speaks fluent Japanese. It’s so beautiful listening to her and her parents. Though they mostly only yell at her in Japanese. 

Casey always tried to get me to wear tighter fitting clothes. I like my softball shorts and my baggy tees just fine. Being an athlete is a huge part of my life and being a “tomboy” is just kind of how I’ve grown up. My brother, Baylen, is always bringing me to play pick up games with his friends and they all treat me like I’m one of the guys. It’s just what we do. My dad has always been so into sports. He loves the New Orleans Saints with his entire being. My brother and I are named after Drew Brees’ and his son. So Casey thinking I’m going to suddenly turn into some “it girl,” overnight is a little bit preposterous if you ask me. I will be 16 at the end of the year. I know, odd right? Well, Baylen and I were born in the same year, 11 months apart. His birthday is January 21, 2015 and mine is December 25, 2015. I’m in 10th grade however due to my birthday and he is in 11th. 

“Brees! Catch!” I hear Baylen yell as a football slams into the side of my shoulder, knocking my watermelon onto the ground.

 “Dude, are you kidding me right now? You’re such an asshole,” I yell, holding back tears.

I normally wouldn’t even care, but his friend, Keegan Patts, is standing right in my eyeline. Keegan is a junior as well and my brother’s best friend. His sun-kissed skin, dreamy blue eyes and beautiful blonde curls were sitting right there, while I looked foolish. He was also 15 and didn’t turn 16 until next month. Before I could say anything else, Keegan ran over and helped pick up my watermelon and grabbed the ball. He touched my shoulder where it hit me and asked me if I was alright.

“I’m so incredibly alright, since you are touching my arm,” I wanted to scream. 

Instead I nodded and grabbed the watermelon from his hand while feeling my face turn very red. 

He messed up my hair and kissed my hairline like he always does and said, “Ok squirt, suck it up. You know Bay thinks you are one of the guys sometimes.” 

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that Brees. Also when did you start swearing?” Baylen asked, running over to check on me.  

“Umm…” I stammered, “it was a slip. You really caught me off guard.” 

“Sorry again sis. You know I’d never try to hurt you. We are headed to play two hand touch at Gilbert Park if you want to come,” Baylen said, squeezing me around my shoulders with one arm. 

“Yeah you should come play, Squirt,” Keegan chimed in.