The Walking

Chapter seven

I never close the blinds or the curtains to my window when I go to bed. I could feel the heat of the sunrays on my face telling me it was going to be a warm one today. I sat up on the top bunk of my bed and looked at my phone. Eight o'clock in the morning was what the time said. I climbed down the ladder and went over to my compartments of my bed for my clothes. I picked out my clothes and sat them on my desk. I grabbed what I needed for the bathroom and started on what was usually my nightly routine. I splashed warm water on my face to wake me up and scrubbed in my face wash. I rinsed my face and dried off on my towel. I returned it to my bag and went down to the kitchen. 

It was empty downstairs, no talking or TV on. I noticed a sticky note on the freezer door. Mom and dad had gone to work and Jenny and her mom would be picking me up at noon. I grabbed the waffle box out of the freezer door and placed two in the toaster. Once they popped up, I sat them on a plate and drenched them in syrup. I ate them at the island and watched TV. Nothing great was on so I gave up watching. I rinsed off my plate and sat it in the sink to run back upstairs and brush my teeth. I packed my brush and paste back up and decided it was time to get dressed. I threw on a white shirt and shorts. I tied up my shoes and stuffed my wallet in my pocket. I plopped on my lucky hat and packed the rest of what I needed. I slipped my phone into my pocket and grabbed my bag. I took it downstairs and waited.

It was eleven-thirty and I was felling anxious. I sat on the top step of the porch and threw stones. I let my mind wonder a little bit. I can't wait to go up to New York and see my old friends. I wonder how it's gonna be after a year of being away from them. All of this time and distance to collect myself and get my life straight had really taken a toll on me. I mean, I really do miss Chris and the guys, even the biker gang. Gosh, I can't wait to see them. They've always brought out the happier side of me, the side I never show or ever rely on. I always stick with my confused, angry, and street gangster side to get my way through life. Sure, I have friends now that make me happy, but not like the ones I used to have. I can say I still have those friends since we never drifted or anything. I put my hat in my hands to run my fingers through my hair and plop my hat back on my head. I felt my phone buzz as I took it out of my pocket. Mom was calling, so I answered.

"Hello." I said.

"Toby, have you left yet?" mom asked.

"No." I said.

"Well, I'm just calling to tell you mommy and daddy love you and have fun. Stay safe." she said.

"I love you guys too. I promise, I'll be safe." I said. We hung up and as if on que, the time said noon and a red car pulled up. I ran in the house to grab my bag and back outside. I waited until the car stopped to approach it and slide into the backseat. I made sure I was buckled up and the strap was tight. 

"You excited, Toby?" Jenny asked.

"Yeah and kind of nervous." I said.

"No reason to be nervous, my family's nice." she said. 

"Alright, girls. We have to go and get somethings for the trip so we have a good amount of everything." Jenny's mom said. We nodded as Jenny slid on her ocean blue sunglasses and turned up the radio. It was on the country station, so she and I sang along to almost every song that was played.

 We got to our destination and we hopped out of the car. I hocked my thumbs into my belt loops and waited for Jenny. We entered into the first set of sliding doors of the store. We grabbed a cart and walked into the second set of doors. Jenny's mom went one way as we went another way. We got to the books and I spotted the comics, I ran over there to read Spiderman. Jenny came over and noticed what I was reading.

"You're such a nerd and a boy." she commented. I laughed and gave her a goofy grin. She just rolled her eyes and walked away. I love myself the way I am, but I've been keeping a secret from my friends that I've been having second thoughts about ever since Chris told me he loved me. I felt my phone buzz again to read a text message from Chris. 

"What'cha up to?" he asked.

"At the store with Jenny getting stuff for our trip." I said.

"Oh, yeah. Well, I hope you have fun." he said.

"I will. Love you." I said.

"I love you too." he said. I placed my phone back in my pocket and continued to read. I noticed Jenny left, so I hurriedly returned the comic to its rack to find Jenny. I found her in the arts and crafts section and approached her. 

"You know, I really do think you and Chris will get together." she said.

"I've been thinking about getting put on testosterone to be a boy." I said. She looked at me in shock.

"But, what about Chris?" she asked.

"That's the problem. I want to do this, but I don't wanna hurt him." I said.

"Well, the only thing I can tell you is to talk to him about his feelings and let him listen to yours. If you don't feel anything for each other, than do it. But, if you do, than I don't know." Jenny said setting down a scrapbook she was holding. A smile crept onto my face and I hugged her.

"Thank you." I said.

"No problem, you're my best friend. I'd help you through anything. I mean, I am gonna be there when this all plays out." she said.

"Maybe, I would wanna do it in private." I said. Jenny nodded

"Understandable, I respect that." she said and I smiled again. We walked around to find her mom at the check out line. We loaded the car and drove to the house.