What I Left Behind (boyxboy)

A New Leaf

Donna's words were encouraging, but fleeting.

A few weeks went by and snow had soon began to fall, the city was DISGUSTING.
Snowbanks became littered with soot and trash. I was really starting to hate it here. I was shut in, I couldn't go outside, I couldn't go snowshoeing like I did back at my old house. It was loud.
The snowplows threw arid black smoke into the air as they grinded down the pavement. Ambulances screamed by all day and all night still.

I pick up the house phone and call my mom at work,

"Whaling City police department, this is a non emergency line, if this is an emergency please hang up-"

I cut her off,

"Ma, it's Flynn"

"What's up honey I can't talk long I'm the active call taker" I can hear police radios and beeping in the background

"Okay I'm taking a road trip with the girls from work, I'll be back by Tuesday because I have work"

All of it a total lie.

"Okay where?" She asks hurriedly

"I think the cape, or maybe Newport"

Also a lie.

"Okay well I mean-" I hear a alarm tone in the background

"I have a call I have to go call me later" without hesitation she hung up.

That was easy.

I went into the attic to find my shoeshoes. I was digging through boxes and I came across one of my old cell phones. I just had to play with it. It was my old Nextel that I had all through high school.
I thought I was so cool direct connecting everyone with that distinct Motorola chirp.
I plugged it in and let it charge while I put some winter gear in my truck.
I grabbed the Nextel and flipped it open.
The background nearly made me throw it across the attic.

The lake where me and Nick had our moment.

What else am I going to find?

I start going through texts, near the bottom I see the name

"Nicky"

I almost laugh because he hated when I called him that.
I started reading through every single text. My eyes grow wide as I read a particular message,

Nick: "Flynn, I'll never let you go<3"

It was dated over 8 years ago.

I slammed the phone shut and threw it in my backpack.

Where are you now, Nicky? Fucking prick.

I started my truck and pulled out onto the main road heading towards the the highway, thoughts flashing through my mind.

I'm really starting to get sick of this life, I'm on the verge. I've been drinking again. Heavily.

Fuck this whole turning over a new leaf. I can't believe it, but Nick is ruining me. Even after all these years.
I have no idea where he lives or what he does. I don't even know if he's alive. I'm mad at him for leaving me blankly.
I'm upset I never had the guts to just put it out there.
This city is too much, I feel alone being surrounded by all these people.
Fuck this miserable city and the miserable life I live.

I got on the highway and pointed North.

I drive through the lightly falling snow through Boston following Route 93.
I didn't have a clue where I was going. Just anywhere but home.

I keep driving as it got darker and darker. I'm well into New Hampshire now.

I see a sign

KEEP RIGHT FOR
ROUTE 89 NORTH
LEBANON
WHITE RIVER JCT, VERMONT.

Fuck it. Vermont it is.

I cut right and head towards Vermont, into the snow.