In the shadows, under the bleachers

Chapter 6

Something happened. Not something major, I don't think. Oh, who am I kidding, this is major. They're letting me drive. Apparently, Will had talked to Mark and convinced him to let me drive, not out on the streets or anything just in a junkyard that Will somehow managed to secure. But hey, I get to drive, so I'm cool. However, it begs the question: how did he manage it?

"Aiden did you hear what I said?" Mark asked from beside me. The two of us were currently sitting on the couch bored out of our minds.

"What?" I asked. He sighed and showed me his phone. On it was a Google search of some of the new books from my favorite author. I sighed, "I don't need anything, really."

"And I don't care, you're getting something for your birthday." He said as a matter of factly. I stayed quiet, knowing that it was pointless to argue. The two of them always get like this when my birthday comes around.

"Yeah Will, what's up?" I heard Mark say, "Yeah I'm free," There was a pause. "sure I guess." He hung up. "Will's coming over."

"Okay," I said, busy on my phone. He's coming here to see his best friend, not you. I had to remind myself not to get too excited. I don't know why, but ever since our last conversation, I've been feeling giddy whenever he's mentioned. I mean yeah, I always get excited and all but this is different. I don't why but it just is.

"Can you get that?" Mark asked from upstairs. I rolled off the couch and made my way over to the door.

"Hey, Will." I greeted. The sunset made his eyes more noticeable and a much more vibrant shade of blue.

"Hey, reckless." Will smiled, his dimples noticeable. I felt my face heat up and a weird feeling in my stomach as we stared at each other. I noticed a bag and a tiny little box in his hand.

"What are those?" I asked, stepping aside to let him in. He waited until we sat down to answer,

"Gifts." He smiled, handing me the box. I hesitantly took it.

"What is it?" I asked looking at the box. It was black with a gold ribbon wrapped around it.

"Open it." He urged, Mark still hadn't come downstairs. I don't know why but I opened the box gently, afraid of breaking whatever was inside. In it was a silver ring, just a simple silver ring. I looked at the ring and then back to Will, I was confused. "Do you like it?" Will asked.

I nodded, "Yeah I do, really but why did you give it to me right now? My birthday isn't for another week."

"I know, but I just wanted to." I nodded before putting the ring on my right ring finger. I had a pair of rings I would usually wear but hadn't recently because I realized that the set had three not two and that I had somehow misplaced the third one. The two of us sat there in silence, I felt warm and started to have this weird feeling in my stomach as I noticed him staring at me. Finally, Mark came downstairs.

"What's in the bag?" He asked pointing at the bag on the floor next to Will.

"A gift." He said handing it to Mark then returned to his previous task of staring at me.

"What are you doing?" Mark asked, neither of us answered and went on our phones. An hour passed of complete silence before Will left. Mark then suddenly got a call. By the end of the conversation he looked annoyed.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Mom, she's coming over."

I gave him a look, "You're kidding." He shook his head and the doorbell rang. Speak of the devil. The two of us gave each other one last look before he went to open the door. There stood my mom with several bottles of champagne and liquor in her hands. If it wasn't obvious before he gave the hint, I am not to be trusted around alcohol.

"Those can't be in the house," Mark said to my mom pointing at the bottles.

"Oh nonsense, it's not like Aiden will drink any." She walked past him over to me. That's where you're wrong. I'll always find a way if I'm tempted enough. And I am.

"Hey, Aiden happy birthday." She exclaimed.

"My birthday isn't for another week," I said.

"I know but there was a change of plans, unfortunately, your father and I have to leave again." Of course, you do.

"So then why isn't dad here?" I asked, looking around. Nowhere in sight.

"He's busy." She said as she got up and walked into the kitchen. After a few minutes of cabinets being slammed, she cam out with two glasses, one for her and one for Mark. I didn't say anything just stared at the two of them drinking. While mom looked to be in a good and happy mood all smiley and shit, Mark looked uncomfortable as he nursed that one drink. She does know we have school tomorrow right? Even if it is Friday, plus he has a game tomorrow.

I quietly moved to the kitchen and poured myself a drink. So very tempted. Usually, Mark would be watching me like a hawk whenever there was alcohol near me but right now he was lost in thought with that same drink still in hand. After a few drinks of some expensive bourbon she bought I went back to the living room and saw Will talking to Mom. Why is he here?

"Hey there Aiden." Will waved me over. I sat down next to him as my mom started rambling but neither of us paid attention. It took me a few minutes to realize Mark wasn't here, like in the house.

"Where's Mark?" I whispered to Will. He leaned down.

"He left to do something, told me to come over and watch you so you don't drink or do anything stupid," He paused, "But you already drank so just don't do anything stupid. Also, this is your mom?" We were still whispering for whatever reason. How did he-?

I shook my head, "Yeah what about her?"

He shrugged. "Nothing just didn't expect her to be this," He paused and thought over what to say next. "I don't know." He shook his head. So that was the end of that conversation. forty-five minutes later Mark still hadn't come back, my mom wouldn't stop rambling and insisted that Will stay the night. He tried to leave but she stopped him from leaving, so he eventually stayed.

Oh yeah and somehow he ended up sleeping in my bed.