I'll Be Good

· Rusty Beginnings ·

Memories are unavoidable. Some of them come pouring down on us like rain when we don't want them around... But others can be so powerful, perhaps even having the ability to change ones; and we dare not let them slip through our fingers, despite the hard-to-swallow truth that time tugs at them with a stronger and stronger pull as our minutes add up. My story is simple- simply complicated.

My name is Alexander Albany Roe. My father chose that name after I was born in New York's Capital. New York was a bustling city with plent of things to do. My parents were unfortunately underwater in debt and completely broke, so we rented out an old laundry room with the rest of the money we had. I'd cover the washer and dryer with Peruvian ponchos that acted like a bed.

But things started looking up after relatives came to our aid. We landed ourselves back on our feet and that's when I met Eloise Smith. This was also the first time my parents could afford to send me to public school. Eloise Smith was the only best friend that I've ever had. After my partner in crime moved to the outskirts of Oklahoma City, we were forced to communicate online.

I pulled out my laptop and powered it on. It was a heavy beast I found in a trash bin behind an abandoned railroad. I had been able to coax it back to life by replacing its system memory and reloading a few things. This device searched as my research facility, home theater and such. I clicked on the Skype app installed on my hard drive and clicked Eloise's name. Her parents had been fighting again and a video call wasn't the best idea. It hid her tears, and the faint screams behind her.

We talked for hours, often about school, but it wasn't the same as before.. We needed each other. Desperately. Our conversation was cut short by my door creaking open. My mother had spotted by laptop, and I had begun to close it and shove it beside me, but I knew I was too late. This wasn't going to end well.

"Hand it over, Alex. This can help pay for our rent." She demanded, reaching out to grab my laptop.

I twisted away from her and shouted, "No! This is for school!"

"Show some gratitude!" She barked, "You don't have a job, and we've given you are roof over your head! I'll consider this as a 'thank you'!"

I knew what was about to happen so I swiftly entered in a command that locked my laptop's keyboard and erased everything from my hard drive. My mother ripped the laptop away from my hands and stormed out of my room.

Not only did she take away my hideout from reality, she also took away Eloise. But I knew...

Everything was going to be okay.