All. I. AM. - Tom Schaar

Chapter 2

I pushed open the door, entering the place I now called home. The first thing to welcome me was the cozy air and the sound of burning wood. The second thing to welcome me was the smell of spaghetti; my favourite food. I placed my broken skateboard and my back pack on the wooden floor, kicking off my converse. I shuffled out of the front entrance and made my way through the hallway leading into the kitchen where Kristen - my brothers girlfriend of three years - stood making dinner.

"Hey." I greeted, hoisting myself up onto the marble counter top.

"Hey, Lenny!" Kristen smiled, leaning up against the stove. "How was your first day of school here in California?"

I groaned, "It fucking sucked!"

"Language." Jason scolded, entering the kitchen in nothing but his jeans.

"What happened to make it suck so much?"

"Well 1) my math teacher is a bitch, 2) this kid ran into me and broke my board, and 3) it's school." I explained, grabbing a piece of watermelon from the fruit tray Kristen had set up.

My brother chuckled, "Did it really suck that much?"

I nodded my head.

It really did suck!

*

I jogged up the stairs to Kids That Rip - the place Tom told me to meet him at after school - and pulled open the door, instantly met by the talent that came from the little shredders. A smile danced its way onto my face as I waltzed up to the front desk, the same lady who occupied it yesterday sitting in the same black office chair. For some reason, I still haven't got her name.

"How's it going?" I questioned, leaning my back up against the desk as my eyes scanned over the skate park.

"Pretty good, it's surprisingly busy today." Her all to perky voice replied, followed by the click of the mouse.

I was about to say something when I was interrupted by the small buzzing of my cell phone. I sighed, shoving my hand into the pocket of my black jeans that had huge holes in the knees, and pulled out my cell. I flipped it open, my eyes scanning over the lit up screen as the name "Tom" was written across it in big bold letters.

From: Tom | Sent 9:23 am
I see you :p

I raised an eyebrow. Creep.

To: Tom | Sent 9:23 am
Where are you?

From: Tom |Sent 9:24 am
Beginners skate park

To: Tom |Sent 9:24 am
Do you really suck that much?

From: Tom | Sent 9:24 am
I'm watching Koss skate. Now get your butt over here!

I let out a small laugh, pushing myself off the wall before sending him a reply.

To: Tom |Sent 9:25 am
Who the hell is Koss?

I shoved my phone in my pocket and scanned the park, instantly spotting the curly haired freak. He was leaning up against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and his eyes glued to a little boy. The little boy was standing on his board, a boy that I recognized as Mr. Eaton's son, Jett, helping him keep steady.

I slowly walked over to where Tom stood and copied his position.

"So, that's Koss?" My eyebrow raised as I watched Koss speed down the ramp. "He's good for his age."

"Well, when your father owns a skate park, he'd obviously teach you to skate." Tom spoke, his voice soft and slow.

My eyes widened. "Wait, Mr. Eaton is Koss' father?"