The sunlight broke through my window. The curtains reflected the light as my eyes opened. My headphones still on my head. My hair flattened by the headphones, there were no more music playing, all of the tracks must of all played throughout the night. The music must of caused my strange dream that. I soon confirmed this by rereading the song titles on the back of the album. The first one was "The silence of the Void" that played when I was awake and the second one was called "It's only a matter of time" that made me dream about a clock that was a school that I was intending. The third one was called "Heads Up" which made me dream of everyone one of my friends in a classroom playing heads up seven up. Feeling exhausted I checked my phone seeing I got a text from Jen.
Jen: Hey why isn't Simon responding to my apology for yesterday?
Cal: Cause you and him basically fucked it up :/
Jen: He fuckin plays around to much
Cal: No you started it
Jen: Fuck off
Cal: You kicked him first dude
Jen: I know! fuck off >:(
That was a rude awakening I thought. It was foggy but the sun had some chance to show. I looked outside my window opening it smiling slightly at the rushing fog heading west. My mother called me down to give me some money to get us sandwiches for breakfast from the sandwich shop below our apartment. Heading down to the sandwich shop I seen the same woman I saw at the Bart station with the petition and clipboard. This time it was no way of avoiding her, although last time I saw her that wasn't my intention at all. She was at the entrance of the sandwich shop. The aroma of fresh lettuce hit my nose when suddenly she soon caught my attention. "Hey there would you like to sign this petition to prohibit the ban of gay couples in schools to hold-" I interrupted her by raising my right hand. Her voice was high pitch and passionate. "I am aware of this" I said lending my hand out to sign the petition as she gave a big closed mouth smiled. I looked at the clipboard that seem to be used before. The pen that was attached to it seem new. There were only five signatures and I was about to make it six, but then I thought "Will this really do anything? At all will it really change anything? At all? or am I just wasting my time and literally adding my name to the drama of this issue" I thought looking at the petition. I signed my name still handing back the clipboard to the woman. "Thank you for your signature! If you want to be more involved with the cause you can contact us online at www dot change dot org " I nodded my head and proceeded to the counter where I saw a friend of my father. Mason, a long time friend of my father who also knows my mother. Mason knew me ever since I was four and ever since I was six he managed to own the sandwich shop that he never managed to come up with a name for. "Cal! Ha Ha Little Adams. How it been? I haven't seen you since you was like nine? I seen your mother a couple of days ago so how you doing man?" He said giving his signature smile I always remembered shaking my shoulder. "I been doing well" I replied. "So what could I get you?" He asked me preparing some bread for my sandwich. Mason was black mixed with Indian, He was bald. My father and him use to pull off the most insane gather ups of people at parks when they were in high school. Mason in his youth was the one to party, make people laugh and be cheerful. My father in his youth was strict but lose meaning he used to make the gather ups happen while Mason kept the fire going. When things got out of hand it was always my father putting people out or back in their place. I told Mason what sandwiches my mother and I wanted, he prepared the sandwiches. Mason seem to stutter in our small conversation we had avoiding to mention my father to remind me about him at all but sadly Mason already failed at that. I wasn't offended at all it's the way it is I thought. You meet old friends who are associated with old associates in your life, they can't help mentioning them especially when you are strongly associated with those they mention. I was on my way out the shop saying goodbye to Mason and to the lady with the petition at the entrance of the shop. The last vacation day before the drama begins. I stopped In my tracks to think about how much time I have left before going back to school. Looking to see a gloomy sky that filled me with some form of hope. I pan my eyes back down sighing my way to walk going back to my apartment. Suddenly the fear of tomorrow rained over my thoughts disturbing any potential steps as I continued forward. The moment my mother drops me off, I could already see it. Teens lined up all holding hands as many other who oppose gay couples protest and fight against those who oppose the discrimination. Maybe I was overthinking it due to my anxiety. Maybe this would be a subtle issue that wouldn't disturb me. I reached my front door only to stop any movement as I turned around looking out to the beginning of the day. Yes it was gloomy and the sky seem moody but I could still see the sun breaking through the clouds like how it broke through my window curtains. I walked into my apartment catching my mother on the phone with a mysterious person on the other line. Her mood seem frustrated and shaken up, I slowly put the sandwiches on the kitchen table not taking my eye off of her. Eventually she finished the call but I still couldn't make out what was happening as she just gave off "ok, I know, yeah" and "I understand". I started to feel some fear for the both of us as my anxiety kicked in once more jumping to conclusions. One time my mother and I were stopped at a red light and for some reason the light wouldn't change for a very long time. I instantly thought of so many conclusion that seem so foolish to me now. My anxiety worsen every second the light stayed red as I thought of "What happen if we get stuck between to gang cars shooting at each other" or "what if there is a earthquake and the building beside us crumble upon us?". All seem foolish to me now but that didn't stop me from still thinking of stuff like that when I'm in a state of survey worry. She looked down and then up focusing on me with her hands on her hips still holding her phone. "That was Simon's mother" She spoke moving a chair out from the table. Her body language worried me especially with her mentioning Simon's mother. "Whats wrong?" I race those words out of my mouth. I wondered if she understood what I said since I felt I said those words to fast due to my nervousness. She sighed "Cal you're not afraid of sharing your room right?" she asked me. "Uh it depends with you. Is it anyone I know?" I responded. She nodded her head "Simon's mom and dad are not um cooperating. They need a break from each other. She need a break from the kids. His father took his little brother but not him because Simon got into it with him. Simon's mom and him are not cooperating either and she needs us to take him in for I don't know how long but if we do, he would have to fit in your room." I was confused not only confused but felt a joy of happiness that he could possibly be staying with us. All my anxiety over school started to fade away slightly. It was unfortunate that Simon's family is splitting temporally. "I see no problem with it. I could drive both of you to school tomorrow. There is enough food in the fridge and I know you eat little. I never thought Simon's family would get this bad" She spoke with a calm fluent voice eating her sandwich. "Simon's family are not bad people" I tilted my head. "I didn't say that Cal. Look, Simon and you are very similar people. You both like to explore this city. You to are fighters but Simon is a little to much of a fighter." She explained. "And?" I responded a little aggressively. "Cal if he comes staying with us he haves to go by my rules. Meaning he is going to have a curfew just like you do because I know he haves a curfew but it's his own curfew. I understand Simon isn't a bad kid alright. He doesn't do drugs doesn't hang out with the wrong crowd but what happens if you two get spooked by the wrong crowd and Simon being Simon starts fighting and it could escalate from there sweetheart." I crossed my arms looking only at the table and my sandwich before me. I thought this idea of taking Simon in was amazing and meant a lot to me. Knowing he be around me more often. "I just want you to tell him my rules and mean it. I know he's a little rebel and I really don't want to end up arguing with Simon because he's already dealing with enough and I find it unhealthy mentally for more people being angry at him." My mother was very smart to tell me to tell Simon about her rules instead of her. She explained the reason for it. It was some method of psychology to make sure Simon really did listen to the rules. I don't know the magic behind the method. She told me to go get Simon from his apartment as she was calling his mother to tell her to tell Simon to get his things together. The cars were noisy, every car seem to be rushing somewhere and the movement of the swaying trees added on to the feeling of the rush that was in the air. Walking on the broken sidewalk I thought of many possibilities of how taking Simon in. Thinking of how he would act in my apartment and act towards my mother. Simon was a very respectful person and very humble but not afraid to speak his mind when it comes to discussing issues. A homeless woman stopped my commute to Simon's place. She had a small Dog that seem hurt. She had on a army jacket and a black tank top with some torn up jeans asking for money. She didn't seem threatening nor tried to be threatening. "I'm so sorry I have no change at all." Which I really didn't pulling my pockets inside out to show for it. Suddenly I hear my name being shouted. "Cal! Cal!" I looked to my left to see Simon smiling and holding some bags eagerly walking in my direction. "Hi" I waved to him. Simon without any hesitation dropped one of his bags to the ground gently as he grabbed two bucks and a dime from his jacket pocket handing it to the woman. She nodded her head showing gratitude. I started walking in the direction to my apartment gesturing him to follow. "My mom have some rules ok?" I started off saying. "Ok" He responded. "She haves a curfew for both of us. On school nights it's six o'clock and on weekends it's nine" I explained. Simon nodded thinking to himself as he looked to the ground while we walked. "My room is small by the way. You be staying in my room" Simon nodded once more. "Also we can't eat up all the food in the fridge" I mentioned. "Sure whatever rules she applies I follow. As long I can keep away from my family. I don't want to be a burden at all to you guys" Simon told me. I smiled in his direction and for some reason looked behind me to catch the cars that passed by and still saw the homeless woman who appeared more as a blur to me. Simon whistled checking his phone to find he received a text message from our friend Tel, her real name was Tella. Tella was our friend who kept us in the know. She liked to gossip but in a good way, meaning she confirm her information was true and tell all her friends. The type of information she shared to Simon, me and all of our friends in our group wasn't drama gossip but necessary gossip that we needed to know to act upon any potential situation or up roar. "Tel is telling me there will be a big get together in front of the school tomorrow and the protesters against the new rule are going to sit with their arms locked" Simon shared with me. I looked down eyeing every step I took processing that information in my mind. "I guess tomorrow will be eventful" I sighed. "They are trying to stop people from entering the school. I mean that's nonsense" Simon was annoyed. We eventually made it back to my apartment where later Simon settled in. The day was dying and there we signs of it. "My mom is probably at work" I said staring out my window as Simon settled on the floor near my bed. Outside my window was nothing but trees and similar buildings with people commuting through the streets. "It was your place or my cousins" Simon said. I turned away from my window confronting him on what he just now said. "What?" I asked for him to explain. "It was your place or my cousins in Oakland. I don't like them and I don't like Oakland so thanks for taking me in. My cousins are loud and rude and not all that bright. I like to be around bright people. Like you and Jen and Tel and Chris. I wouldn't know what would happen to a weird looking dude wearing a giant leather jacket around the ghetto" Simon chuckled. "You welcome. I'm glad your mom thought of us as a choice. If I may ask. Why is your family fighting?" I asked him to get a insight of his current situation. "My dad thought my mom was cheating and keeping some money for herself from their bank account. Also my dad thinks I know about her other lover but honestly I was oblivious about any assumptions he made. If my mom was cheating I didn't fuckin know about it and with my dad being dad he didn't believe me. So we argued for twenty minutes, he said some things he regrets by now and I said some things I regret right now. Then my mom told me she was cheating after my dad left with Benjamin and I erupted on her. She tried to say her actions were justified because she felt my dad can't be in her words 'all the man he used to be' some shit like that. I was disgusted to hear say something like that so we started arguing and it just escalated from there dude. I told her how could she. Almost ended up calling her a whore I was that mad. I must tell your mom how grateful I am Cal. Seriously I can't move in with five people and yelling children with mothers telling them to shut up. When we were little remember that month I was gone?" He ask me making me remember that Simon's parent had one argument where I thought that would be the end of their relationship. "Yeah. I was so confused what was happening heh. My dad kept telling me that you was visiting your cousins." I told him confirming I remembered. "Well when I was at my cousins all they would do would scream and fight with each other. One night we all slept in the same room and my aunt came in starting to hit all of us with my uncles belt because my cousins did something they wasn't suppose to do. I didn't know why I was getting hit. I was acting good but it just left me crying for the rest of the night and all my cousins teased me and shit. Ever since then I hated them. I told my dad what happened but he forgot about it." I looked at Simon feeling sympathy for him as he sat on the floor. I reached out from my bed to hug him. His eyes watered up. "You don't have to worry about my mom doing that" I told him but regretted to say thinking that was a stupid thing to say. "I know that Cal. She's not rude and we are not bad kids and this isn't a annoying ghetto or the projects" He said in a sarcastic way wiping his eyes as I let go of him. "We went over to my cousins for thanksgiving. This past year and I thought they all changed growing up and junk but they just got worse. Tina got a baby of her own now but she doesn't know a fuckin clue how to raise him properly, Paul and Ray are still living at the house and my aunt and uncle are always fuckin yelling at each other. At least Sabrina is off at college trying to make something of herself. She's in Oregon and she doesn't want to come back she said in a letter. I'm sorry i'm babbling a lot. My cousin's place are just a traumatizing pass for me. I mean I know it was for one month but it stuck with me." Simon finished sitting against the wall across from my bed next to my closet. The window light hitting his face. "No no it's alright. We all have that one side of the family. I mean if that happen to me I be just like you keeping it inside not forgetting about it." I tried to relate to him. Suddenly we heard the front door open my mother was home with pizza.
