In the shadows, under the bleachers

Chapter 2

“Stupid headaches.” I muttered. Stupid hangover. Taking two aspirin with glass of orange juice as Mark, my brother was busy making breakfast. Stupid dry mouth, stupid muscles aches, stupid everything.

“This is why you should take your meds.” Mark said, setting three plates on the table. Of course that’s what he thinks is causes this not that I have an obvious hangover.

“Couldn’t we have to just gone to the diner you work at?” I asked, as my head pounded. He was a waiter at a small local but very popular diner. He was currently training to be a chef, a chef at eighteen?

“Don’t change the subject kid.”
I rolled my eyes. A few years ago my parents, surprisingly, took to me to the doctors and they prescribed me with some medication because I’m too reckless and I have emotional outbursts, usually out of anger. A sixteen year old, having emotional outbursts.

“No, not unless you want to shove them done my throat.” I rotated, taking another sip of my juice. Note to self: don’t drink some much liquor.

He gave me a look before sighing, “Just go get changed.” He pointed the spatula behind me.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I asked, taking a sip of my juice. Stupid dry mouth, stupid nausea. I thankfully remembered to change into my Pj’s before . Yes I call them Pj’s, deal with it. Before coming down to breakfast.

“Then can you least help me set the table?”

“That I can do, and what’s wrong with my Pj’s? They’re comfortable.” He didn’t say anything just ordered me around the kitchen, until the doorbell rang.

“Can you go answer it?” Mark asked, busy with the stove.

“Yeah.” I walked out of the kitchen. I opened the door and there stood Will Brooks.

“Aiden.” He smiled, walking past inside.

“William.” I replied. So I must’ve imagined it.

“Hey man.” Will said as Mark gave him a ‘bro hug’

“Almost finished, just sit down and make yourself comfortable.” Mark turned back to the stove.
Will: So did you end up falling asleep or sketching me what I asked?
So I wasn’t dreaming? Was I just high then? No I’ve never done drugs. Have I?
Me: I have a question, what kind of request was that?
Will: So you didn’t?
I looked at him from across the table, he frowned.
Me: No, I did, let me go get it. And smile, it looks weird when you don’t.
I made my way to my room and put the sketch carefully in an envelope before making my way downstairs again.
“Here.” I handed it to him, “I still think what you asked for was weird.”

“So then why draw it then?”

“Because,” I replied “No calling me reckless artist?” I asked.

“Nah, that’s our special thing and it’s not for your brother to know.” He replied. Our special thing. Our special thing? We stared at each other, or more I stared at him and he just held my eye contact.

“What are you guys talking about?” Mark suddenly said, walking over to table sitting next to Will. I looked away and continued sipping my juice.

“Nothing much, just catching up.” He smiled.

“What’s in the envelope?”
“A sketch Aiden made.” Will replied, setting it on the ground. “Anyway, what did you make?” He asked Mark. Mark when on a 10 minute rant explain everything in great detail. Will listened and even asked question which got Mark even more excited. Will had always been a great listener. Eventually the talk about what Mark made had died out and we started eating.

“You going to the party next Friday?” Mark asked, then gave me a look as I perked up excited at the mention of a party.

“Maybe, you?”

“Hell yeah, be a good way to let loose after the game.”

“You guys have a game Already?” I cut in.

“Yeah, and you’re going.” Mark said, pointing his fork in my direction.

“Why? Because frankly they’re boring.” This got a chuckle out of Will and a look from Mark. “And to loud.” I added reaching for the pitcher of juice. The aspirin didn’t do anything.

“Don’t you want to support us?” My brother asked. Of course I do. But I also don’t want to be surrounded by people who are yelling.

“How about I make you a deal? That way the both of you are happy.” Will cut in.

“What deal?” Mark asked. Will thought about it.

“I could buy you headphones,” He pointed to me, “the ones you like of course, and they’ll come with a noise cancellation setting so if the noise is still to much for you can just switch it on. If you don’t want to be surrounded by so many people than I could take you to a spot where no one goes and you’d still be able to see the game. We just wouldn’t be able to see  you.”

“After the game?” Mark asked.

“I still don’t know if I’ll go to the party but I probably won’t. So you,” He looked at Mark. “could go to the party and if Aiden wants I could take him out to eat and he could sketch, how does that sound to everyone?” He glanced at the two  of us. I nodded, moved that he would go through so much trouble for me. For me.

“Okay.” Mark finally said.

“How does that sound Aiden?”

“It sounds good.”

After we finished eating Mark had to go out and buy something so Will and I were alone sitting in akward silence
.
“Hey.” I finally said.

“Hey.” He repeated.

“I wanted to say thank you for,” I paused, my mind went blank.

“For coming up with the plan?” He finished. I nodded.

“Yeah, that.”

“Don’t mention it. You hungover yet?”

I moaned, shielding my light from the eyes,“Did you really mean what you said? That you would buy me the headphones and take me out?”

“Of course I meant it. That is if you want to.” I didn’t say anything. “You know you can say that you want to, I offered so I won’t take it back. So, do you want to go out after the game?”

“Yeah, that sounds nice.” I smiled, he smiled back. “Why did you ask me to sketch that for you?”

“You’re good at self portraits.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes, reckless artist, that’s all.”

“Why reckless artist?”

“Didn’t I explain it to you yesterday?” He replied.

“My memories fuzzy. I need a reminder.” I shrugged, lying back onto the couch.

“It’s because you’re reckless and an artist.”

“Is that the only reason?” I asked.

“Yes, and if you’re uncomfortable with it then just tell me to stop.”

“Noted.” I replied as Mark walked into the house.