Small Town Boy

Chapter 2

The weeks went by, the days became colder, the air became cooler, and the trees became more barren. Snow began to descend from the peaks of the mountains, but none had reached the valley yet. I was bored. All my friends were busy. Ben was at his cousin's birthday, Mateo and Luna's parents had taken them away for the weekend, Seb was busy and Evelyn had homework to do. I mean, so did I, but no chance was going to get done now. Since the season had started, I'd become closer with some of the guys, but there weren't that many I actually considered friends. There were only four freshmen. Myself, Ben, a pair of twins, Sam and Ryder. They seemed decent, but just like Ben and I, they had each other, so we never really interacted anymore than I did with any of the other guys. 

My door cracked open and Parker poked his head into my room. "Dad just called to say the legislature is finishing up next week and he and mom will be home until the election to campaign."

"So they're coming home next Saturday?" I yawned. 

"Yep, but you won't see much of them, dad's gonna be off at every country club he can get into trying to get donations." Parker sighed. "You know how it is." 

"As long as I don't have to go I don't care." I sighed. "It fucking boring."

"It's worse than boring once you realize what he's actually saying." He continued. 

"Well I never listened, so I wouldn't know." I shrugged, sitting up on my bed. 

"Maybe you should one day." Parker opened the door fully and stepped into my room. "I'm meeting some of the guys at the fall fair, do you want to come? We can get one of your friends on the way if you want." 

"They're busy. Why do you think I'm not with them?" I asked. 

"I don't know, do you want to come anyway?" He asked. 

"Fine." I reasoned. "I've got nothing else to do."

"Ok. Be ready in ten minutes." Parker said, leaving the room so I could get ready. 

I changed into some vaguely presentable clothes, grabbed my phone and wallet, and then waited until I heard Parker yell, asking if I was ready. I slid into the passenger seat of his car, and he started to drive down the road, the same one we'd gone down to get to the first football game. 

"When is Sofia coming home? Has she said yet?" I asked. 

"Umm, she didn't confirm, but I doubt she'll be back until Thanksgiving." He replied. 

"She hasn't been back at all this semester," I said. 

"She's probably just busy, you know she still thinks about you." He said comfortingly. 

"I know. Still sucks though." I sighed. "How am I going to survive next year when you're both gone?" 

"Well." He started, then paused. "I think mom will probably stay back from Denver a lot more I guess. "Until you can drive probably. But you've lived without them mostly since Sofia could drive so you'll be fine." 

"But I'm gonna miss you." Parker turned briefly towards me and gave me a short smile. 

"I'll miss you as well, but that's life I guess." He sighed. "How about this? I'll promise to come back at least twice a semester. Or I'll make Mom and Dad let you come visit me for a weekend."

"That's not the same as you being here every day." I took a breath. "But I'll take it. Where are you going to go anyway?" 

"Honestly, if I get offered a football scholarship somewhere, I'll go there, but I haven't really thought about it much. Probably out of Colorado though. Probably not California or the South. Too hot. I don't mind it on a holiday, but not all year." He said.