The Boarding School

An Unexpected Acquaintance

Scott Lucas

Alyssa laughed merrily in the passenger seat at the video Scott told her to watch on his phone. He was sorry to pull into the army base. "You have a good week with your parents," she said, ducking her head to see him from outside the car.

"I will," he promised, "See you in two weeks."

"Yup," she shut the door.

"Love you!" he called.

She bent down to see him through the window with a dimpled smile, "Love you, too!" With a blown kiss, she shouldered her back and headed towards the registration office with a wave in his direction. Scott pulled away and drove three hours to DC to meet with his parents. When he finally arrived in DC, it was eight in the morning. The roads were packed and Scott knew his parents would already be at work.

A Starbucks was to his right, opposite of his parent's office buildings. Whether they were there right now or at the Whitehouse or  variety of other locations, he didn't know. He'd call them after he relaxed from the long drive and find out the plan. After half an hour of searching for a parking spot, he was finally parked and in line for a drink. After receiving his green lime tea, he took a seat at one of the tables outside.

His curiosity was peeked when he noticed a familiar face across the street. The familiar figure crossed the street to his side and began heading down the sidewalk. "Hugh," Scott stood and called. The young man turned in surprise to see Scott wave at him.

Hugh glanced around to be sure that he wasn't calling to someone else before meandering over. "Scott, right? Katelyn's friend?" he asked, coming up to the table.

Scott nodded, pushing out a chair. "Yeah. Luke's brother, right?" Hugh nodded, taking the seat. "You want a drink?"

"No, I'm good."

Scott chuckled, "I nearly didn't recognize you dressed up like that."

Hugh grinned, a welcome change from the somewhat grim anxious expression he had before. He glanced at his clothes with raised eyebrows, "Yeah, Katelyn made me buy these. Turns out, having some nice clothes come in handy."

"Yeah?"

Hugh shrugged with a rue smile, "I think I'd attract quite a bit of attention walking around here in my beat up jacket and an AK swung over my shoulder."

Scott laughed again, "A bit more than attention." The other nodded in agreement. "What are you doing in DC?"

Hugh shrugged, "Sight seeing and working."

"Work?" Hugh didn't offer anymore information. "Have you been in DC before?"

Hugh shook his head, shifting his weight, "This is my first time."

"Is your brother here?"

"I suppose," he shrugged again, "I don't know."

"Are you here with anyone, then?"

"No."

"Well," Scott stood, "If you're done for the day, I can save you the bus trip and drive you where you need to go, unless it's easier to walk."

Hugh seemed surprised, but he didn't refuse, saying he was on the other side of the town. The two walked the three blocks to Scott's car, while Hugh made some snarky remarks about the traffic and Scott laughed.

The chatting was sparse, but oddly enough it wasn't awkward. Hugh's silence has mostly to do with him having nothing to say and Scott commented whenever it happened to cross his mind to say something. While passing a street, he mentioned a landmark and added they could drive down and see it. Hugh agreed, mildly fascinated by the city every American child had heard about growing up, but few ever saw.  One landmark led to another and soon dusk had fallen before they were leaving the last one, just as it closed.