Living with Dillon

Chapter 1| The Pack

"Dad, do I really have to go?" I yelled across the room as I finished packing my suitcase. Nothing about waking up early in the morning could bring my gleeful and enthusiastic self. It was quite obvious as I slowly bent my teetered body to place the final piece of clothing down.

"Yes! We've already discussed this, you spend the summer at Aunt Clarisse's and your mother and I get to celebrate our twentieth year anniversary," he hollered back.

I rolled my eyes as I flopped down onto my bed. He was adamant on his decision and so was I, to change his mind of course. "No, you mean you and Mom stated the facts. You want to forcefully ship me off to Aunt Clarisse, who, might I add, isn't even my real aunt so you two can ride off into the sunset in Hawaii!" I recounted.

Heavy footsteps marched to my room and I glanced down to see Dad standing in the center of my door frame. "Son, you know how much this means to your mother. You know how she is, always complaining I don't take her out," he sighed as he scratched at his uncombed curly locks.

"Yeah, yeah I know," I muttered.

Dad suddenly clapped his hands. "But hey! You know what, Clarisse has a kid named Dillon. You guys played as kids when Clarisse visited. You two were the cutest thing. With Dillon you'll be able to have some fun, meet new people, make new friends!" He exclaimed.

I glared at him. "Why do I have to make new friends when I have plenty here in Georgia?"

"Well, I'm only trying to show you the bright si-" he was interrupted by squealing coming from the living room.

"Three more days!" From the high squeal that companied that cheer, I was easily able to identify it as my mother.

"Three more days until Hawaii!" Mom sung as she skipped her way up to Dad's side.

"Yes, yes I get it mom. Stop rubbing it in," I sighed.

"Hunter stop complaining! You'll have a good time," She chimed.

"Well, it's easy for you to say. You get to have the time of your life in sandy beaches probably drinking out of coconuts or something while I'm stuck with your crazy best friend." I climbed out of bed and walked into my bathroom.

Mom laughed and followed me in. "Hey Clarisse is not crazy, she's just..." She trailed off trying to think up the correct to describe crazy Clarisse. Key word here. Crazy.

"See! Crazy, she's crazy mom. Remember that time during Christmas when she tried to hunt a squirrel in the middle of a storm? Turns out it wasn't even a squirrel to begin with, just a trash bag someone threw out," I said as slumped down onto the toilet seat.

She squatted down to face me, gently brushing off a strand of russet hair that covered my tawny eyes. "Honey, you'll be fine. You just need to get to know her better. Once you do, you'll realize what a great person she is. Her odd moments are what make people love her," she sighed when she received no response from me. "Just try for me, okay? Don't shut people out because you don't know them, alright?" Mom pleaded.

I sighed and looked her in the eyes. Her eyes were bright and she wore a broad smile across her round face.

     I reluctantly nodded, if it made her happy, then why not?

"I need to hear you say it."

"I'll try," I promised.

"Good," she leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. "Now get up and put your stuff in the trunk of the car."

      At her demand, I groaned. So much for longing out what I assumed would be dreadful experience with Aunt Clarrise.

     "Fine, but if you're leaving in three days then why are you're kicking me out now?" I mumbled.

      "Hunter," Dad growled in a warning tone.

      "Okay, okay." I raised my hands in defense.

"C'mon, Florida will be fun." Mom patted me on the knee and left the room with Dad. Now alone, I stood up and walked into my room. I grabbed my superman suitcase (which despite how childish I think it is now, I thought differently at age sixteen for some odd reason) and walked to my door.

Before leaving I spun around and looked at all my possessions I was leaving behind. My endless amount of junk food stocked up in my mini fridge, my comfortable queen size bed, and my pride and joy; my beautiful video games.

With one last glance at my bedroom, I let out a final sigh. "Aunt Clarisse better have a PS4."