Young Banana Bus Squad

New Home

After a couple hours of playing video games, we call it quits. 

Brian yawns. "Man, I am tired. Craig, are you sure you don't want to come stay with us?" 

I shake my head, and Evan glances over at me. 

"Craig, do you not have anywhere to stay?" He asks, and I shrug. 

"I mean, I'm staying at the motel down the road-" 

"Alone." Brian adds. I nod. 

"Yes, I'm staying at the motel alone-" 

"So you don't have anywhere to stay. Craig, you're staying with me. I got the room. Plus, it would be better than being alone in the damn motel." Evan offers. 

I think for a minute. Evan is so nice, and it would be nice to be staying with someone. I smile and nod. "Thanks, Evan. I think I'll take you up on your offer." 

Evan grins. "Awesome. Now, I have a spare bedroom in the basement that you can use. My parents are actually gone on a trip for two months, but Jon and I keep tabs on each other. Now you can stay with us, too. We'll be fine. It's only three teenage boys staying home alone. What could happen?!" 

I laugh, and Tyler smiles. "Okay, I guess we know where Craig is staying. Now let's all get our asses home and to bed." 

I nod, and yawn. Jon hops off the couch and walks to the door, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, his hood pulled down over his eyes. Evan sighs, and he looks at me. 

"Come on. Let's go. We can go get all of your stuff at the motel tomorrow after school. Im tired as fuck. Let's go home." He says, and I nod. I couldn't agree more. Tyler and his mom wave at us from the porch as we walk down the road. 

I turn to Evan. "So, your parents are on a trip? Where?" I ask, and Evan shrugs. 

"Eh, somewhere near Costa Rica, I think." 

I smile. "Lucky them." 

He nods. "Yeah. Jon and I never get to go on any of the trips. They claim that they are strictly 'business' trips, but I know that they're really an excuse to get out of the house and away from me, Jon, and all our friends." He says, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walks. 

Jon walks closer to him, practically pressing himself onto Evan as he walks. He's chewing on the end of the hoodie strings again. I glance at Evan. 

"Ev, why on earth wouldn't your parents want to be around you and your friends?" I ask, surprised, and he shrugs. 

"Well, they just don't really like my friends. And they don't like Jon that much, either. So you can imagine how well that went over when I brought him to live with me." 

I nod, eyes wide. Evan turns away and looks at Jon, who stares back with his huge, bright, sky-blue eyes. 

"To be honest, I don't think my parents really wanted a kid. They aren't even around very much anymore. Ever since I was old enough to be left home alone, they've been doing it more and more often. I know they don't want me around. It's not like they're hiding it well. It still hurts though." He says, and I see a tear run down his cheek. 

I put my arm around his shoulder, and Jon wraps his arms tightly around Evan. Evan sighs, and smiles. 

"Thanks, guys." We walk down the path, and to his front door. He opens it, and gestures inside with his arm. 

"Welcome to mi casa." He says, and I walk in. It's cozy, and neat. I can see the kitchen, the living room, and the stairs to downstairs all from where I'm standing. He walks me down the hall.