The Boy's of Westbrook

~Bold~ Chapter II

Chapter II

Reese mentioned, more like mumbled, that he was heading out for the grocery store when he passed his sisters room. He heard her shout the okay and to bring her some yogurt covered raisins if he could find any. Reese said he would. It sounded like she was watching a movie but he didn't hear any rumble of Aden's laughter in there anymore. It sounded like the movie they were watching was 300.

The drive to the grocery store wasn't far. He probably shouldn't have been driving a car with a bad spare tire, but he felt the need to get out of the house. It didn't take long for him to gain a number of admirers while he looked for yogurt covered raisins. He pretended not to notice. No one was really his type anyway.

Besides, they weren't male. They didn't have the same dark eyes as Damien or Aden's. Did he just include Aden? He was thinking of Aden's eyes just now?

Reese managed to pick up the ingredients to make grilled garlic chicken salad for dinner, since that was what he was craving for. The cashier was indeed male and blushed more than he greeted. Reese refrained from asking the kid to repeat himself because he knew that would have made things worse. Reese had learned that a long time ago.

A lot of people who worked there knew him. He had to wave back because it was only polite. Even if it came across as awkward with a basket full of groceries hanging on his arm. Some, Reese was sure didn't mean to bring up the topic about the big fight that resulted in him getting expelled from school. They were still full time supporters of him.

Though it still brought a small ache to his heart at the memory of going to the same school as them. He missed them more than he let on. But still, Reese smiled and nodded back politely. He was suddenly glad to be out of the house.

He managed to bump into a girl who walked around him so quickly that he didn't catch her face. Only that she was nibbling on a poptart. Reese briefly thought about heading back real quick to grab a box of poptarts since it suddenly sounded good.

Reese made it back sooner than he would have liked to. Someone must have said something to alert all the traffic lights. Because every light turned green. He considered visiting the grandparents, but a house with a sign over the kitchen table where his grandparents liked to sit mostly, that said, Home is where you lay your teeth around in. Reese had to admit, he wasn't that desperate.

The groceries were packed away by the time his phone started to ring. He had to search a number of pockets wondering which pocket his phone was in. Between carrying keys between his teeth and various important receipts in one hand, it was a juggle. He managed.

Damien had finally returned Reese's call. "Sorry man. Phone signal out here sucks."

It sounded like he was outside. Reese knew Damien was out by a lake. He kind of expected to hear water in the background. Maybe like waves? Maybe seagulls for all he knew?

Reese was trying not to let his heart leap at the sound of Damien's voice. "How far did you say you were?"

"Three and a half hours man. It was a long and boring drive." Reese had an idea of what that felt like. He'd stayed in his room brooding longer than that.

"So then what is life out on the lake like? All I hear is cicadas in the background. Are you sure the house is by a lake?"

"I'm sure," Damien replied. "I had to walk about a quarter of the mile away from the house just to get a signal. You won't believe the hills they have out here!"

Reese tried not to sigh. It was frustrating not having Damien close by anymore. It was like a fragment of his soul went with him. He was kind of frustrated but didn't want to take it out on his own best friend.