Letting Go

Chapter 4

- Chaz -

Why does she hate me so much?! Don't tell me it's because I accidentally bumped to her. She's a hothead. I heard some girl call her Gab, that's probably her name. Hmm... Gab... Well I guess it's best if I stay away from her. Too bad... She looks so pretty but I think she hates everyone. Or maybe just me.

I hate being the newbie. I don't even have any friends yet! And my first attemp to make friends was a failure. Unfortunately, she doesn't want to make friends with the hot newbie. I mentally laughed. Why am I so full of myself?

I drove to the nearest coffee shop where my uncle and I agree to meet with my cousin as well. We don't really have a new house yet-- well I haven't seen it -- and my cousin knows this house near the school so were moving there.

I entered the shop and the bell above the door ringed. Everyone awkwardly stared at me.

" See something you like?" I asked teasingly making most people laugh. " Chaz, mah man! Sup, dawg?!" My cousin, Brad, yelled as a greeting. " Hey," I said. It's emabarrassing to admit but yes, he is my cousin.

" Yo Ollie, free drink fo' my cousin here! I'll pay em' later," Brad called out to his co-worker. He works at this shop part time, according to auntie. Why is he talking like this? Yeras ago, he didn't sound like this at all. Before he sounds more... Normal.  " Dude, your too white to act like a gangster." I whispered and made him laugh. " Racist." he said between his laughter.

" Okay, rephrase... You're not cool." I teased. He laughed and literally hit the back of my head. I mentally laughed. I missed my cousin and all our laughs. He looked kind of different though. He was tall as me now. Before I shorter than him. His blonde hair was still messy and he still looked like he doesn't brush it that much. Now that I looked at him more clearly, he doesn't look that different.

" Oy, Chaz mi boy! You didn't call us, we didn't know you arrived this morning!" He had a strange Irish accent-- or was it Scotish? I don't know, all I know is it belonged to someone I know. My uncle walked out of the kitchen and dried his hands. He's the manager. " Uncle! oh, I'm sorry. Auntie was left behind and she'll catch up tomorrow." I said and he hugged me. Chubby man, average height and he has brown hair with grey streaks.

" Oh, so you went here alone, eh?" Uncle Fred asked. " Yeah," I nod and we sat on a empty table. "Aw' lil Chazzy boy's all grown up, aww." Brad teased and talked to me like a baby. That wasn't the first adult thing I did! " Pssh.." I flicked his hand away as he pinched my cheek. He laughed a bit loudly.

" So you had school this morning, eh? Why don't you drop out summer school so you could spend time with the family, Chaz?" Uncle Fred suggested. " I wish I could, uncle. I can't because I'm new there." I explained. Although, I don't really want to drop out summer school.

"Oh, that's too bad. Okay, you study well so you won't end up like Brad here." He elbowed Brad that just nod. Brad was two years older than me so now he's nineteen and he stilll doesn't have enough money for college. Good thing I started budgeting money for that a long time ago. Plus, my parents left money for me.

" Oh yeah, where's your stuff? I'm going to show you our new house," Brad stood up. " Yes, I almost forgot! Let's go," Uncle stood up as well after I did. It's good that Brad took the responsibility on finding us a new house. I'm hoping it's one of those decent houses and not like a home full of prostitutes. I mentally laughed. I'm sure if Brad had his own choice, he would buy a whore house.

" They're in the car. C'mon, just show me the directions and I'll drive us there." I said.

I picked up this new car from my aunt's highschool friend. They were nice folks and I haven't thanked them enough for what they did for me. Auntie's bestfriend took care of my school papers and her husband allowed us to borrow a car. They were very nice to us.

" Oy, Ollie and Jen! Take over for awhile, okay?" Uncle ordered and the workers just nodded. We walked out the coffee shop. " Oh my god! I can't believe you got a car!" Brad hugged my car and lay on top of it. Unbelievable, huh? But it's true, I'm seventeen and I got a car. Brad's nineteen but he only rides a motorcycle since he can't afford to buy a car yet... Plus, uncle thinks he can't handle the responsibility. " Brandon, get down from there! You might damage this beauty," My uncle said as he patted the hood of the car. Yep, everyone loves my car.

" I want to drive it!" Brad demands. I knew it. We would argue about who gets to driev the car. " No, I think I should drive it since I'm the adult here," uncle objected. I mentally laughed as they pushed each other aside just to get in the car. " No, it's my car so I get to drive it." I laughed.

" How did you get this?!" Both of them asked as we slipped inside. " Auntie's friend let me borrow one of his car's. Auntie said he was a car dealer so..." I said and started the car." I still can't believe you got this." Brad said. I can't believ it either.

" Wait... you're going to school, right? Who enrolled you?" Uncle asked. What is this, an interview?! At least he's concerned about my studies and not my car. " Auntie's bestfriend took care of it. And I have to thank her! I got her address. Do you know this place?" I handed Brad a piece of paper that had an address written on it.

" Yeah, I know this street. Just drive to our new house and I'll show you." He nodded.

**

When we arrived the house, they helped me bring my things inside. The house looks very homy and comfortable. It was quite big too.

" Please tell me you guys are gonna stay with me here," I begged. It would be so sad to live alone here right? "Duh. What, you think I bought a house for you? Of course we'll stay as well." Brad said and we both laughed. He knew I was kidding.

" Great! Brad, I need to visit Auntie's friend." I said. Her husband lent me this car and she took care of my school papers, actually. I feel so sheepish.

" Okay, let's go. Hey pops, I'll just go to the neighbor's. Chaz needs to talk to them," Brad said to uncle. Wait a minute... Neighbor's? Great! At least our family is friends with the neighbors. A couple of friends around here would make life easier.

" Wait, I'll come with you lads." Uncle came running down stairs. "Oy, the house looks great ya know." He said as he looked around. " I talked to the past owners already. And I paid them the rental fee." Brad nodded. " Good, I'm so glad to see you taking responsibilities." Uncle patted his son's shoulder.

" Yeah, yeah. You said you'll double my salary right?" I laughed when I saw uncle shake Brad over and over. " I was just kidding, pops! Okay, let's go." We walked out of the house and went next door.

" I am not going to double your salary." Uncle said firmy. I think he got offended or annoyed. Brad and I just kept laughing at his serious expression. " Okay, I'm going to take half of it then." Brad stopped laughing when uncle said that.

" Pops, I was just kidding! Come on, you can't do that right?" Brad said. " Who's laughing now boy?" Uncle chuckled teasingly. On the other hand, I was dying of laughter.

I really miss my family so much. I know it's only been a year without them but still... I missed this times with them.

My parents died in a plane crash when I was still a kid and so my uncle and aunt took care of me. Brad was like a big brother to me-- actually more of a best friend. After a while my aunt decided to work in a different country so she took me with her and we left Brad and uncle here in America. I moved to Australia with my aunt for a year and now here I am.

" Are you okay? Aw' see dad, Chaz is worried because you're gonna cut my salary!" Brad teased. "Psshh.. I don't care if you go broke!" Another blast of laughter with them for a while. As we literally laughed out loud, we looked like a couple of sober buddies walking around the streets.

Their house was exactly next door. I mean really. Exactly next door.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

So do you guys have any idea who the neighbor's are? ;) Haha. :D