Young Volcanos

May 31

I was listening to Young Volcanoes by Fall Out Boy when I heard a muffled voice. I pulled my headphones out and listened; we would be landing soon. I clicked in my seatbelt and waited for permission to leave. Once people started leaving the plane I hopped up and grabbed my carry-on from the above compartment. I was walking down the hallway to the airport when someone tapped my shoulder. I looked over to see a woman from two seats in front of me. "You're from Breckinridge?"

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Your backpack says Breckinridge Snowboards."

"Haha, I added the snowboard because that's what my sport is."

"Oh. What do you plan to do here?"

"I really don't know."

She smiled at me and walked off, I walked off and it hit me.

The humidity hit me like a bus. The air seemed heavy, like it was trying to suffocate me. I breathed in. It felt different...easier, almost. I guess sea level and the mile-high state had different air even. I sat down and got my thoughts together.

I pulled out my phone and turned it off of airplane mode. I had five texts. One was from my mom.

Mom: Text me when you get in!

Riley: I'm in. The plane ride was fine, I just listened to music. I HATE THE AIR HERE

I pulled open the next unread text, it was from Rick (my dad) he never texted me so this was strange.

Rick: I'll be at the airport at 12:30 promptly.

Riley: Alright.

I didn't call my dad 'Dad' because I felt no need. If the man actually acted fatherly towards me, then yeah maybe I would call him Dad. There was a time when I would have called him that.. but it's been a long time. I don't call him Rick in front of my mom because the one time I did she said that I might as well call her Rachel if that's what the kids were doing these days. And calling my mom Rachel is weird. I also don't call him Rick to his face, I'm not completely heartless.

The last three texts were from Isaiah.

Isaiah: Riles! I never even got to say goodbye. Dude, I'm so sorry.

Isaiah: Are you mad?

Isaiah: RILES! I just realized you are probably on a plane. Oops.

Riley: Haha, you're good man. I was actually on a plane. DUDE. The air here is like syrup. Please come save me.

Isaiah was my best friend even though he was a year older than me. I had met him at the skateboard shop where I had gotten my first board. We realized we went to the same school and he said that he would teach me to skateboard. I began meeting him every day after school and then a really good friendship evolved.

I grabbed my bags from the retrieval area. I had three suitcases and a carry on to carry. I slung my backpack over my shoulders and put one of the suitcases on my arm. I pulled the other two behind me.

Once I was outside My phone buzzed. It was Rick.

Rick: I'm not going to be there for another couple of minutes.

Riley: I'll find entertainment don't worry.

Rick: No. Just stay there.

Riley: That was the plan, was it not?

I should have known he wouldn't get any jokes. Sarcasm would be literally impossible with the guy. My phone buzzed twice, the first was from Isaiah.

Isaiah: I wish. What will I do all Summer without you? Your my BFF

Riley: Wow. Ummm thanks I guess. Most likely you'll get a new friend and I'll just be a vague memory. :(

The next was from my mom.

Mom: I'm sorry. Has your dad texted you at all? Are you just sitting at an airport?!

Riley: Well...yeah. I guess I am but he's on his way.

Someone stood in front of me. I looked up to see someone with the same color hair I had. "Hey Dad."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I threw my bags into the back of his car, careful not to beat up my new skateboard. I climbed into the passenger seat of his car.
"Are you old enough to sit there?"

I blinked. Did he really just ask me that? I'm not even short! How old does he think I am?!

"Well. I'm old enough to drive so... yeah, I'd say that fifteen is definitely a good age to sit up here."

"You're fifteen? I remember you being fourteen last year!"

"That's how years work. They add on to each other."

"I'm kidding Rilenne."

I inwardly cringed. "Haha...okay."

His phone rang and he answered it, I looked out the window. Rick and the monsters had lived out here for a month already so they weren't all the way unpacked but they had settled down. Rick already had a job and the monsters had a school they'd be attending in the fall.

Rick put his phone down, "Daphine says that the kids are excited to see you."

"Oh... that's... great. Do I have to share a room with Sadie?"

"Daph wants you to."

So that was a yes. He only cares about Daphine. I pretended to look out the window but I was really studying him. His hair and beard were both the same brownish-red color that my hair was. I had his green eyes but my mom's facial features. I pulled open my phone to see two texts. My mom had sent one.

Mom: Has he picked you up yet?

Riley: Yup.

Mom: I'll be in a meeting for the next two hours but I'll text you after. I love you! Try and have fun!

Riley: Okay...

The second was from Isaiah.

Isaiah: Shut up. You're my little sis, I swear I will not forget about you. Did you bring a board?

Riley: A skateboard. They don't snowboard here.

Isaiah: Terrible.

Riley: I agree.

I locked my phone. Rick was driving with a still jaw. I sighed, screw Florida. I wanted Colorado back.