It was the last week of August and everyone would be returning to school soon. It was the last year for everyone in our grade, so many of our old friends were graduating in the upcoming June.
"You ready?" Asks Blaez.
"Honestly, no," I reply, my hands shaking.
"Hey, its okay, we'll be fine. We'll just go home, see our families, and see how it goes from there," he comforts me, but I shift foot to foot, not very sure that's how it will go. The morning air was clear, but I couldn't breath, it felt as though I was suffocating. I finally nod.
"See you, send me a telepathy if you need me," says Blaez, clasping my shoulder with one hand, smiling. I've always liked his smile..
"Bye," I manage to choke out, walking back and away from him. I start walking fast, then jogging and finally brake into a sprint. I was home. After three and a half years of being gone, I was finally where I belong. Tears stung my eyes, blurring my vision, but I didn't brush them away. I ran down the bridge, propelling towards the cross roads. My breath came out fast and sharp, as my legs carried me as fast as they could. My house was only a few blocks away. Traffic was at a zero, especially at seven o'clock in the morning. People would only start getting up, and only those who actually worked this early. The familiar streets of Dundas made my heart ache with longing. Not much actually changed, which made me overjoyed. I finally got to the end of my street. I stopped abruptly. Can I do this? Can I come home?
Blaez.
Yeah?
I'm scared.
It's okay, but Ryker, just a gentle reminder that it's seven thirty in the morning and your family is probably sleeping right now.
Oh yeah. I stood staring blankly at the row of houses going down the road, almost all identical. Same shape, size, length of driveway, even the colours.
I think I'm just gonna eat something, waste time, maybe walk around the block.
Okay bud, what ever you want. He replied. I slipped off my backpack, relieved from the removal of the weight. I unzip the small pocket, which contained a not so subtle amount of snacks I had stashed. I munched slowly on the granola bar I had selected and sat down on a bench. Each nibble raised my anxiety, and every swallow was a twist in my stomach. Was I ready for this? Will they remember me? Miss me? Want me? My throat tightened, and my breath hitched. They have to, I'm their son.
My lanky legs were spread out in front of me, monopolizing much of the space in front of me. I threw the wrapper in the waste bin, and got up. I walked past a post which had a Lost notice on it, with my face on it. Except it was covered in graffiti and writing full of crude words. A certain sentence knocked me off. Give up, he's dead already. I wasn't sure how old this poster was, but the writing was sort of washed out, so maybe a month? Were my parents still looking for me? Still searching? Still caring? I kept walking, passing a friends house. Their car was still there, so they hadn't moved. Good. I finally reached the curb, which lead to my house. This was it. It was now nine o'clock, I had wasted a lot of time walking around and eating.
A robin landed on the maple tree in the front yard of the house I was in front of. It looked at me with black beady eyes, cocking its head to the side and letting out its morning song.
Blaez.
Yeah?
Where are you?
Home. Getting lectured. You?
My drive way. I'm about to go.
Good luck.
Thanks.
I lift my chin, and walk across the road. I walk up the drive way, my hands shaking, so I clench them into tight fists. I walk up the familiar steps and knock on the door. I hope I'm not too early. I hold my breath. 1, 2, 3, 4.. I count the seconds till the door opens. I hear foot steps at twelve. The lock shifts, and the knob wobbles at seventeen, and opens at twenty one.
"Ryker?"
