This Town

2

     "Hey Izumrud...Is your...arm okay?" Sam asked.

     Izumrud looked up from washing the counter. He glanced at his right arm. "Yeah, for the most part...hurts a bit bu- AHHH!" Izumrud yelped as a hand was played on his shoulder. He quickly turned around to see Elmer standing there. "Elmer!"

     "What?" Elmer asked completely innocent. His dark skin dirty and muddy.

     "Don't...ever...do that again..." Izumrud said. Sam always found it funny how Izumrud got scared so easily. "And Elmer, One!" Izumrud started. "You're not allowed back here, you're not an employee. Secondly, What on Earth happened to you? You're all dirty!"

     "Science." Elmer replied.

     Sam really enjoyed Elmer for many reasons. One was that he was smart. Elmer help Sam on their homework many times. Elmer always had the best grades. Though he did not look the part. Elmer had his hair in dreadlocks, in a high ponytail. He almost always wore a black and red hoodie and dark jeans. Another thing Sam really liked about Elmer was how confident he was. Elmer was never afraid to tell the world how he felt. One of those being that he was trans.

     "That's not a valid excuse, Elmer."  Izumrud said with a sigh. He turned Elmer around and pushed him towards the back. "Go clean yourself up. There should be soap and a sponge somewhere in the storage."

     "Fine fine..." Elmer said. He walked with his hands in his pockets toward the back.

     Sam chuckled. "It's funny. We three have been friends since before we ever started kindergarten. But you're still the mom." Sam winked.

     "Yeah but I'm not gonna be mad if you're late to dinner."  Izumrud said pointing to the clock on the wall. It read 6:45 PM

     "OH SHOOT! Dinner started 15 minutes ago!" Sam said shocked. They burst out the door grapping their book bag as they ran. Izumrud laughed loudly as he watched Sam run faster than a bullet.

     Sam wasn't too worried if they forgotten anything at the gas station. How could they have lost track of time? Sam heard a beep from beside him. Elmer was driving beside him.

     "Get in." Elmer said with shades on being a bit dramatic.

     Sam quickly got in on the passenger seat. "You're late too, remember."

     "Better late together than not. We don't have to hear the end of it twice." He smiled at Sam.

     "Doesn't really matter since we're gonna both be late..." Sam said sighing.

     "No we aren't actually."

     "huh?"

     Elmer showed them his phone. The time read 5: 49 PM. "The clock in the gas station is a hour behind."

     Sam stayed silent for a moment. Then screamed. "I forgot!" Sam let out a groan of stupidity. "I'm gonna get Izumrud when I see him tomorrow!"

     "No you should thank him." Elmer said. "Better early. So we DON'T have to fret over. He did us a favor. I mean, imagine what mom would say if she saw me like that!"

     Sam laughed slightly. "Yeah."