What's Your Score?

Prologue: Gon

8th Grade Graduation: Late May

The raven haired boy stood anxiously in line along with the rest of his peers. Eighth grade graduation was finally here and he couldn't be happier. He'd worked especially hard this year.

His classmate's names began getting called one by one. "Neon Nostrade!" She got called up to receive her awards for the year. The line moved forward, Gon's heart beating faster the closer he got to his turn.

One by one, names were called. And soon? Gon was at the front of the line. He buzzed with excitement as his name echoed through the auditorium. "Gon Freecss!"

Gon stepped up the stairs and onto the podium, taking his place next to the director of the school. The director started speaking, "Gon Freecss is one of the most.." Gon drowned his words out, scanning the crowd intently for a specific face.

He checked each row. Nothing.

His smile slowly diminished as he came to the realization.

He didn't come..

"Gon?" His director whispered, snapping him out of his trance.

"Huh- oh, yes?" He turned around nervously. "You're A honor roll pin and certificate." He clipped a shiny gold pin onto Gon's shirt. It was the highest form of reward that his school gave out, so it was pretty impressive that he'd gotten it.  He also gave him a certificate of sorts. "Good job kiddo, you'll do great things someday."

Gon forced himself to smile as he accepted his papers. "Thank you, Mister Satotz." He walked off the stage to where the others were instructed to go.

He drowned out the rest of the speeches for his peers. Why? Because he didn't care. He didn't care about anyone in there. He only cared about one thing that day. Just one person. And that person wasn't even there to support him.

——————

Later that day:

The front door shut as Gon made it into his quaint little home, certificates and all still in his hold. "Ging! I'm home!" He announces, but gets no response. He sighs. It's always like this.

He kicks off his shoes at the entrance before continuing into the rest of the house. He heads to the living room, where he knows his dad will be.

As he inches closer he can hear muffled laughter and the sound of the television running. He swings open the door and groans immediately at the sight. His father turns at the sudden noise, beer in hand, and a couple empty bottles already beside him. "Gon! You're back- woah what's with the getup?" He snorted, referring to the cap and gown Gon currently wore.

The black haired boy bit down on his lip.

Because he forgot.

Of course he forgot.

"Today was my eighth grade graduation, remember?" He says through gritted teeth.

"That was today? My bad, kid." He says sarcastically as he takes another big gulp of the beer can in his hand. He wasn't sorry at all.

"It's fine. Anyway, look what I got." A glimmer of excitement rises up in Gon as he presents all the certificates he'd gotten that congratulated him on his academics, to Ging.

His dad puts down the can and takes the sheets of paper. He skims through each and every one of them, not bothering to read much. His tipsy smile slowly fades as his eyebrows crease and his age lines show. Gon waits expectantly, "Aren't you proud? I even got this pin, it's like, the highest form of achievement at my school, look-"