BLOODSTREAM, NICK ROBINSON SHORT

childhood

age 5.

❝Mommy, there's a truck outside,❞ Nick announced as he tugged on his mom's dress.

She looked down at her five year old son and smiled fondly. He was so small but growing up so fast, it was almost hard to keep up.

"Is there, now?" She asked him, making him nod multiple times.

"Yes, mommy! Right across the street," He jumped up and down like it was a huge secret. "I think someone's moving into Austin's house!"

"Well, let's welcome them to the neighborhood," She smiled at how cute he was and ruffled his hair. "Maybe they'll have a boy your age, too. Want to help mommy make a cake?"

"Yes, please!" Nick squealed with excitement at the thought of having a new friend. Especially one that was directly across the street. He couldn't help but already imagine the tons of games they'd play together, and the amount of fun that they'd have. Maybe the other boy knew how to play soccer just like him! Every single second that passed only made him more anxious to meet the new neighbors. "I think they want a vanilla cake! That's my favorite!"

"Okay then, sweetheart, let's get baking," His mom grinned.

She was truly happy that there were new neighbors. It was starting to get depressing for everyone in their household to see the empty house across the street. She knew that it affected her son the most, though, because Mr. Barry had a grandson named Austin that was Nick's best friend for a while. They were both on the church youth's soccer team together and were attached at the hip. He was absolutely devastated when he learned that Austin was moving back with his grandfather to Kentucky.

Not only that, but Nick hadn't started school yet and it was close to impossible when it came to making friends.

Nick lead the way into the kitchen and his mother grabbed one of their cake mixes before laying all of the ingredients on the island. She then lifted her son up to sit on the stool so he had a better chance at reaching things and he happily obliged.

Two hours of baking and decorating later and Nick was pretty proud of what he saw. The once plain vanilla cake that his mom made was now in the shape of a soccer ball. It was covered in white frosting and fondant and he just knew that the boy across the street would love it.

"It looks so yummy," He cheered. "It looks just like the soccer ball that Coach let's us use on the field! I love it, mommy."

"Do you think the people across the street will, too?" She asked him.

"Yes, mommy," Nick smiled with all of his teeth. The fact that he was missing a tooth made him look even cuter and his mom tried not to pinch his cheeks. She knew that he hated that. "Can we go see them now, can we? Can we?"

"Of course, honey," She smiled and helped him off of the stool before putting the cake in a case. "Tell your dad that we'll be across the street."

Nick nodded and ran to go to his dad's office. He didn't bother knocking on the door and stormed inside. His father jumped in surprise and Nick jumped up and down in excitement.

"Daddy, daddy, Mommy and I are going to go say hi to the people next door!" Nick exclaimed.

"What did I say about knocking?" His dad asked, his voice stern. Nick stopped what he was doing and pouted. "I'm trying to work and I can't concentrate with you coming in and out of here."

"Sorry, daddy," Nick frowned. "I just wanted to tell you-"

"If you and your mother are going then be on with it," He snapped, making Nick flinch. It wasn't new to him that his dad yelled. It's just that every single time it happened it made him feel like he messed up. "Get out of here and close the door."