Sponsered

Chapter Three

We walked down a street, It was pretty dusty and not very well maintained, cracks here and there. I was half expecting the "friend's place" we were going to would be another bunker at this point; we walked in silence, Rocket looking this way and that.. Probably on the lookout, I'm not sure for what, seems like he was expecting something or perhaps someone. We walked for what seemed like 5 minutes, all the same scenery.. Some trees, some small houses.. Until we approached one specific house. It looked exactly like all the others, Tan roof, white exterior, Brown glass door, brown picket fence. The only difference was this one had a welcome mat and some well attained grass.

I felt like crap.

Ario looked up at me "Nauseated? Here I'll let you down, we're here anyway." I proceeded to fall to the ground myself before she could let me down, Surprisingly almost on my feet. "Nice." Stated Wendy, And she went to ring the doorbell.

The door opened to.. A guy. A guy with a beard and mustache, he was decently well dressed, and was obviously not sponsored. He smiled big "Come on in! I'll grill some hotdogs!" He then swiftly moved out of the way. We all proceeded to go inside.

It was a quaint room, a kitchenette, next to a gray couch in front of a tv, there was a table with chairs And a hallway with various doors. I looked around and met face to face with a kid, he looked like his dad, Obviously without the beard "Oh my GOD" he exclaimed "Wait until Emily sees THIS" he then ran to the living room where a smaller kid was, pointed at me and proceeded to have the most evil grin that a kid could possibly have.

I would be lying if I didn't fear what was to come. Someone patted me on the back which spooked me "Woah kid! I was just gonna offer you a hotdog, Not need to get all freaky" It was a rocket, with hotdog in hand. I honestly wasn't feeling.. Hungry, or thirsty for that matter. Which was weird as the last time I ate something was who knows how long ago. "Kid, do you want the hotdog or not, stop giving me that face." I shook my head. And noticed that the two boys were slamming on a door with their feet "COME OUT EMILY! YOUR BOYFRIEND'S HERE!" said the older kid. I then realized the situation. And proceeded to hide under the table. The only place I could think of to hide. "I don't HAVE a boyfriend you little-" She proceeded to walk through the door, and we made direct eye contact. She looked like, 17. Take it or leave it. And she had an indescribable face, I couldn't read it. Maybe embarrassment? Shock? Anger? All three?

  I pulled my hat over my face. I wanted this to be over.

   A chair slid and there was a presence there. "Don't mind Alex and JC, They're just being brothers." It was the girl, I assume Emily. I adjusted my hat and got out from under the table. Rocket, Aria, and Wendy were enjoying their hotdogs. Rocket had a look on his face, was it a smile? Well if it was it was the tiniest one I'd ever seen. He proceeded to shove the hotdog into my hand. "Better eatin' than nothin." he murmured. I looked dead eyed into Emily's face... and looked away, and awkwardly sat up at one of the island chairs, Trying with all my power to just focus on the hotdog. The fact that this girl most likely had a crush on my, y'know.. Non sponsored variant or whatever. Made me feel like I was gonna explode. I don't know what I expected, but certainly not this.


  Later in the day, Everyone was getting set up in their rooms, I was bunked with Rocket, and Wendy and Aria were bunked together. Luckily for us, We were bunked in the room directly across the washer and dryer, And when I say lucky. I mean unlucky, because that thing was LOUD. And let me tell you, Getting ready was hard especially when you could tell Rocket was exasperated beyond comprehension. "Goddamn machines..." Rocket murmured under his breath as he tossed the bag he brought with him onto a bed.


    I placed the backpack that I was given softly on the bed. There wasn't much in it now, But It really didn't bother me. Rocket looked at me, he appeared to be trying to read my face. "Kid, you look like you've been run over by a train, and you haven't even lasted a few days as a sponsor." I looked at him and shrugged, And hopped up on the bed. Rocked looked down and back at me with a side gaze, was that.. Worry? Most of the time I genuinely couldn't tell what he was thinking, so I just layed there, On my back... Staring at the ceiling. It honestly looked depressing. Rocket sighed, and went under the covers. I was still looking at the ceiling. My mind instantly went to the train, and... How I had no recollection of before that. Who was I before this mess? Did I have a family? Friends? It made me more anxious than good so I threw the other end of the covers over myself, took off the NASA cap and Immediately passed out asleep.