a + b

7: autumn

Amanda

Autumn was a pretty season.

The leaves on trees were vibrant oranges and reds, but why did they have to fall on the ground?

"Keep going girls."

I and my sister were raking the leaves outside our front lawn on a Saturday afternoon.

"Mom, this sucks."

"Amanda," she warned.

"I like it," Lily said, as she messily scattered the leaves with her rake. "It's fun!"

"It's fun because you're not doing it right."

My mom laughed. "I'll go and start dinner. Check on you two in a bit."

She walked inside our home.

I rolled my eyes as my sister continued to make a mess of our lawn.

"Lily, stop! Let me show you how to do it. You put the rake like this", I demonstrated. "Away from the house. See?"

Lily shrugged. "That's not as fun."

"Hey, neighbours."

I turned around to see Brian McKenzie walking over to us. He wore his varsity jacket, skinny jeans, and expensive trainers.

"Oh hey, porch boy." I smiled.

Brian giggled. "Sup."

He placed his hands on his waist. "Hi, Amanda's little sister."

"This is Lily. Lily, say hi."

Lily widened her eyes.

"Brian Mckenzie?! O m g!"

Brian chuckled. "Hey, Lily."

"Can you like...turn around and come back so I can make a Tiktok? The kids at school will be so jealous!"

I cringed.

"Lily stop it. You're embarrassing us."

"It's cool" Brian put his hands in his pockets. "You guys raking the lawn?"

"Yeah, instructions from our mother."

"Hm." his blue eyes circled the ground carefully. "Can I help?"

"You want to help us rake a lawn?" I asked. "What are you, a sixty-year-old man?"

Brian smirked.

"No, I'm just a bored seventeen-year-old boy."

I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think Brian Mckenzie could get bored."

"Well, I am human, Amanda James."

I hummed. "Lily? Get the boy a rake."

She grinned. "Okay!"

Minutes later all three of us were on the job. The lawn was almost clear. I was actually grateful for Brian's help.

"So how is your new school, Lily?"

"Normally school is super lame. But this one is actually fun."

"I can't believe you just used school and fun in the same sentence.", I said, as I moved the autumn leaves to the kerb.

Brian chuckled. "Don't listen to your sister."

"Oh, I don't. Ever." she grinned.

Brian laughed.

I rolled my eyes. "That's true."