The car windows are hot to the touch

Glass sizzling from summer rays

Steven and I make it a contest

Who can keep their hand on them the longest

I lose

Every time

He runs into the pool so his feet don’t burn

On the deck that bakes in the sun

I run so no one can see

The toenail I cut too close

That left a red stain on the bathroom rug

Mom asks why all my jeans have holes in the knee

She knows the answer

I haven’t worn shorts the entire summer

So I jump on the trampoline in my school pants

The sweat makes them hard to get off

A small price to pay for hiding my legs

I slather myself in sunscreen

Til I smell like a YMCA

But the back of my neck still stings red

I’m glad that I kept my hair long

No one has to know why I wince when the tag

Of my t-shirt brushes my back

This summer Steven decided the orange beach towel was his

I told him it’s always been mine

But I don’t want to fight

So I take the blue one

I feel a little wrong wrapping myself in it

Like I’m wearing someone else’s skin

On the way home Steven asks me

If I want to see who can hold their hand

On the car window the longest

I shake my head

Hiding my hands under the legs

Of my wet summer jeans